Abstract: An “intelligent” UV curing assembly is disclosed. The “intelligent” assembly permits automated monitoring of performance parameters, part lifetime, and inventory control of internal parts. The “intelligent” assembly includes an on lamp microprocessor. The on lamp microprocessor may be configured to recognize the internal parts, record accumulated working time of each part, and sample and process data from the plurality of “intelligent” sensors.

Abstract: Micro-channel-cooled UV curing systems and components thereof are provided. According to one embodiment, a lamp head module includes an optical macro-reflector, an array of LEDs and a micro-channel cooler assembly. The array is positioned within the reflector and has a high fill factor and a high aspect ratio. The array provides a high irradiance output beam pattern having a peak irradiance of greater than 25 W/cm2 at a work piece surface at least 1 mm away from an outer surface of a window of the reflector. The micro-channel cooler assembly maintains a substantially isothermal state among p-n junctions of the LEDs at less than or equal to 80° Celsius. The micro-channel cooler assembly also provides a common anode substrate for the array. A thermally efficient electrical connection is formed between the array and the common anode substrate by mounting the array to the micro-channel cooler assembly.

Abstract: Micro-channel-cooled UV curing systems and components thereof are provided. According to one embodiment, a lamp head module includes an optical macro-reflector, an array of LEDs and a micro-channel cooler assembly. The array is positioned within the reflector and has a high fill factor and a high aspect ratio. The array provides a high irradiance output beam pattern having a peak irradiance of greater than 25 W/cm2 at a work piece surface at least 1 mm away from an outer surface of a window of the reflector. The micro-channel cooler assembly maintains a substantially isothermal state among p-n junctions of the LEDs at less than or equal to 80° Celsius. The micro-channel cooler assembly also provides a common anode substrate for the array. A thermally efficient electrical connection is formed between the array and the common anode substrate by mounting the array to the micro-channel cooler assembly.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) LED-based lamp for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. An array of UV emitting LEDs are packaged together and arranged along the length of a cylindrical lens to form a UV LED-based optical component assembly. The UV LED-based optical component assembly may be made to be modular. A UV LED lamp assembly may comprise a plurality of UV LED-based optical component assemblies arranged around a workpiece tube. The workpiece tube may be filled with an inert gas and may be made of quartz or glass. One or more curved back reflectors may be placed opposite the LED UV LED-based optical component assemblies to collect UV light escaping the workpiece tube and refocus the light to the other side of the workpiece. The UV LEDs may be arranged on a single surface or a multi-level tiered platform.

Abstract: A modular magnetron for use in UV curing lamp assembly is disclosed. The modular magnetron includes a vacuum tube having a vacuum tube body, a top assembly, and a bottom assembly. The top assembly is configured to substantially overlay the vacuum tube. The bottom assembly is configured to substantially extend about the vacuum tube, the vacuum tube being positioned to partially protrude from the bottom assembly, the bottom assembly including a cooling assembly configured to employ a flexible clamp-type fitting about the vacuum tube body for substantially maintaining thermal and electrical conductivity. The top assembly is configured to be releasably fastened to the bottom assembly about the vacuum tube with removable fasteners.

Abstract: A spread primary reflector for a UV curing lamp employs a substrate that has been faceted. The facets may be produced by means of stamping, etching, or a combination of chemical-mechanical processes. The faceting randomizes the focusing effects of the primary reflector's elliptical curvature while maintaining a total directed energy output and hence a uniform irradiance of a work product. The reflector may be made of a stand-alone reflective material with a preformed faceting pattern, such as from a metal substrate and coated with an optical coating to tailor the reflective properties of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

Abstract: A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides an improved method and apparatus for light sensing to detect bulb ignition for UV curing lamps. The light sensing apparatus is configured with adjustable sensitivity, and can be configured for use with a range of light intensity levels. The light sensing apparatus can be configured for use with multiple ultra-violet lamps in a variety of spatial configurations. The light sensing apparatus comprises a phototransistor circuit configured with adjustable sensitivity. The improved apparatus further comprises a signal conditioning circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating a fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid passageway, at least one source of irradiation, and curved reflecting troughs for reflecting irradiation onto the fluid passageway. A space is defined between the closed ends of the troughs. A first set of reflectors joins end edges of the trough open ends, and a second set of reflectors joins the top and bottom edges of the troughs and the first set of reflectors. The reflectors and troughs define a chamber. The fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation are positioned in the chamber, with each source of irradiation within a respective trough. At least one of the fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation is spaced from any focal axes so as to provide a substantially uniform irradiation distribution within the fluid in the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing by a free radical polymerization mechanism, product formed thereby, and apparatus for performing this method, are disclosed. The composition to be polymerized by the free radical polymerization mechanism is irradiated by a substantially constant radiation, the radiation being substantially without pulsation. The use of the substantially constant radiation without pulsation reduces premature termination of the polymerization. The substantially constant radiation can be the output of a lamp powered by a constant current, direct current power supply.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to solid-state light sources capable of generating radiation beams for, but not limited to, the treatment of surfaces, bulk materials, films, and coatings. The solid-state ultraviolet source optically combines the light output of at least two and preferably as many four independently controllable discrete solid-state light emitters to produce a light beam that has a controllable multi-wavelength spectrum over a wide range of wavelengths (i.e. deep UV to near-IR). Specific features of this light source permit changes in the spectral, spatial and temporal distribution of light for use in curing, surface modification and other applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating a fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid passageway, at least one source of irradiation, and curved reflecting troughs for reflecting irradiation onto the fluid passageway. A space is defined between the closed ends of the troughs. A first set of reflectors joins end edges of the trough open ends, and a second set of reflectors joins the top and bottom edges of the troughs and the first set of reflectors. The reflectors and troughs define a chamber. The fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation are positioned in the chamber, with each source of irradiation within a respective trough. At least one of the fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation is spaced from any focal axes so as to provide a substantially uniform irradiation distribution within the fluid in the fluid passageway.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for providing substantially uniform high peak irradiation of a three-dimensional object 12) with at least one curved surface (14).

Abstract: A method of polymerizing by a free radical polymerization mechanism, product formed thereby, and apparatus for performing this method, are disclosed. The composition to be polymerized by the free radical polymerization mechanism is irradiated by a substantially constant radiation, the radiation being substantially without pulsation. The use of the substantially constant radiation without pulsation reduces premature termination of the polymerization. The substantially constant radiation can be the output of a lamp powered by a constant current, direct current power supply.

Abstract: The invention is a method of irradiating at least one surface of a three-dimensional object (36, 114) with a desired ultraviolet light irradiance flux produced by an ultraviolet light source (22, 102).

Abstract: A method of polymerizing by a free radical polymerization mechanism, product formed thereby, and apparatus for performing this method, are disclosed. The composition to be polymerized by the free radical polymerization mechanism is irradiated by a substantially constant radiation, the radiation being substantially without pulsation. The use of the substantially constant radiation without pulsation reduces premature termination of the polymerization. The substantially constant radiation can be the output of a lamp powered by a constant current, direct current power supply.

Abstract: The invention is a microwave powered lamp (10). The lamp includes a light reflective cavity (28); an electrodeless bulb (16) contained in the light reflective cavity (26) from which light is emitted when the electrodeless bulb is excited by microwaves; a magnetron (12) for providing the microwaves for exciting the electrodeless bulb; a waveguide (14) which couples the microwaves emitted by the magnetron to the light reflective cavity for exciting the electrodeless bulb; a housing (22) which contains the lamp; a detector (102, 202) disposed within the housing, which detects the microwaves which are not coupled to the bulb during operation of the magnetron and outputs a signal indicative of a level of received microwaves; and a magnetron control (300), coupled to the detector, which causes the magnetron to be turned off when a level of the signal indicates the level of received microwaves exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The invention is a process for radiant curing of a coating on a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to power a plurality of magnetrons devices. The system may include a power supply device to power a first magnetron device, a second magnetron device and a third magnetron device. A control device may control (or apportion) an amount of current to each of the second and third magnetron devices.