Abstract: A grip light for use with a handheld appliance having an exterior grip surface extending from an upper grip portion downward toward an opposite working end, light transmissive material running through the grip from a light receiving surface to a bottom surface of the working end, and a light pipe inlet for receiving light from a light pipe into the light receiving surface and thereby permitting light from the light pipe to be projected out from working end of the grip light to illuminate an area therebelow.

Abstract: A grip light for use with a tattoo machine having an exterior grip surface extending from an upper grip portion downward toward an opposite working end and surrounding a channel extending through the upper portion to the working end, light transmissive material running through the grip from a light receiving surface to a bottom surface of the working end, and a light pipe inlet for receiving light from a light pipe into the light receiving surface and thereby permitting light from the light pipe to be projected out from working end of the grip light to illuminate an area therebelow.

Abstract: In an Ebeam system, the cathode assembly and/or the window assembly can be simply and quickly replaced or exchanged as required by conditions of use, without replacing the vacuum chamber, or other component systems. In some cases, replacement may be made without removing the vacuum chamber from its installed position. As a result, the cathode assembly and the window assembly can be readily changed over for maintenance. In addition, modular replacement cathode assemblies and window assemblies having varying characteristics may be selected to match a specific desired application, and then installed into the system. The system may be designed as a compact and lightweight portable device.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing an arc between electrode tips in a high pressure arc discharge lamp is provided comprising initially creating an arc between the pair of electrodes during a start-up phase of the lamp by supplying power to the lamp for a first period. The method then transitions the arc to attach itself between the tips of the electrodes by removing the power supplied to the lamp for a second period and then resupplying power to the lamp after completion of the second period. The first and second periods for respectively initially supplying and removing power are preferably selected based on either an elapsed period of time, the measured operating lamp voltage, or the measured lamp pressure. Once the arc becomes attached to the tips of the electrodes in this manner, the arc will remain stabilized between the electrode tips during operation of the discharge lamp.

Abstract: A non-oxidizing electrode arrangement for an excimer lamp that is formed by coating an electrode of the lamp with a layer of protective layer that prevents the electrode from oxidizing. The protective layer is preferably transparent and possesses a low permeability for oxygen (e.g., silicon oxide, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride). The interior of the excimer lamp is evacuated to a pressure level that is lower than the pressure level surrounding the excimer lamp at any time during the non-oxidizing electrode formation process in order to assist in preventing the excimer lamp from fracturing.

Abstract: The present invention is a hybrid sealing technique. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an unsealed lamp body is heated and a partial pinch seal is performed on a first side of the lamp body at an outer junction area. Then, a shrink seal is applied which completes the sealing process at the first side of the lamp body by sealing an inner junction area on the same side of the lamp body. The present invention retains the benefits of the shrink seal, but alleviates the difficulty associated with holding the electrode assemblies in place when performing a traditional shrink seal. In addition, the machine which holds the electrode assemblies in place is greatly simplified.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for heat pipe cooling of an excimer lamp. In one embodiment, a heat pipe is used to dissipate heat from an excimer lamp. The heat pipe is in direct contact with at least one electrode of the excimer lamp. In one embodiment, heat is transferred through the heat pipe to a cooling point that is electrically isolated from the lamp. In one embodiment, dissipation of heat from the cooling point is done by conventional means. In one embodiment, the heat pipe is on the inside of the lamp. In another embodiment, a heat pipe is attached to the outside of an excimer lamp. In another embodiment, two heat pipes are used, one on the inside and one on the outside of an excimer lamp. In yet another embodiment, a heat pipe is used with a flat lamp.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arc path formed in a lamp body. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the lamp body has a plurality of closely spaced, parallel vanes which form an arc path. In one embodiment, the lamp body comprises a bottom and top plate, and a front and back sealing member. The bottom plate may be a flat plate which can be made of quartz or other suitable material. The plate has a plurality of vanes machined into it out to its edges. Alternatively, the vanes may be separate and sealed onto the bottom plate. The top plate is sealed to the bottom plate. The front and back sealing members are sealed to the plates to complete the seal of the lamp body. In another embodiment, the bottom plate is a solid block of quartz or other suitable glass material, which can have the vane pattern machined onto it stopping short of the edges. The solid block is then sealed at the top and outside edges by the top plate, without the need for front and back sealing members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DBD lamp used in fluid treatment systems, where the irradiated fluid is used as a low voltage outer electrode instead of a metallic wire mesh. This fluid is in direct contact with the lamp envelope which acts as a two-fold advantage. First, the fluid acts as a strong built-in cooling source. This allows the lamp to be driven at high voltage without forced cooling. Second, the replacement of the wire mesh as the outer electrode by fluid as well as the sleeve eliminates the absorption of radiation from the outer surface of the DBD-driven light source which more than doubles the efficiency of the DBD-driven light source. The inner high voltage electrode remains in the center of the coaxial tube assembly and provides high voltage across the gas to generate excimer formation.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus wherein one or more electron beam tubes are used to direct electron beams into an ambient gaseous environment to create an electron plasma cloud into which non-sterile target objects may be moved. The electron plasma cloud is formed by interaction of the electron beam with the ambient atmosphere. Helium or other like gaseous may be used to expand the effective volume of the electron plasma cloud. Manipulators are used to move target objects in the electron plasma cloud, exposing non-sterile surfaces to the cloud and then joining the surfaces together where appropriate. The beam tube used to generate the electron beam has a thin low energy absorbing window which allows relatively low energy beams to be used, minimizing damage to materials within the surface of the target objects.

Abstract: An arc lamp assembly which includes in combination a reflector and a light source which is surrounded by said reflector. A dichroic coating on the reflector functions to reflect radiation in the range of about 300 to 600 nm. The light source is an arc lamp which contains a metal halide fill component which includes a mixture of scandium iodide, or other suitable lanthanide, indium iodide and cesium iodide, whereby the lamp assembly emits effective amounts of UV radiation to cure selected chemical compositions. The fill mixture, which contains no sodium component, contributes to improved lamp life and a reduction in passive lamp failure over halide fill mixtures which contain sodium iodide as a fill component.