Abstract: An electrodeless microwave discharge lamp includes a substantially sealed microwave cavity, an envelope disposed within the sealed cavity, the envelope containing a fill which emits light when excited by microwave energy, and means for circulating air inside the sealed microwave cavity. For example, the means for circulating air includes a ceramic reflector inside the cavity with defined air flow channels. The lamp may further include a fan for moving air through the defined air flow channels. For example, the envelope is adapted to rotate during operation and blades are mounted on the stem of the bulb inside the sealed cavity. A sealed light distribution system includes a hollow light pipe having an opening at one end and an annular ring of elastomeric material secured to the open end of the light pipe. When used with a lamp with a reflector, the reflector is received in the opening of the ring and the ring forms a seal around the outside of the reflector.

Abstract: A high frequency inductively coupled electrodeless lamp includes an excitation coil with an effective electrical length which is less than one half wavelength of a driving frequency applied thereto, preferably much less. The driving frequency may be greater than 100 MHz and is preferably as high as 915 MHz. Preferably, the excitation coil is configured as a non-helical, semi-cylindrical conductive surface having less than one turn, in the general shape of a wedding ring. At high frequencies, the current in the coil forms two loops which are spaced apart and parallel to each other. Configured appropriately, the coil approximates a Helmholtz configuration. The lamp preferably utilizes an bulb encased in a reflective ceramic cup with a pre-formed aperture defined therethrough. The ceramic cup may include structural features to aid in alignment and I or a flanged face to aid in thermal management.

Abstract: A jacketed lamp bulb envelope includes a ceramic cup having an open end and a partially closed end, the partially closed end defining an aperture, a lamp bulb positioned inside the ceramic cup abutting the aperture, and a reflective ceramic material at least partially covering a portion of the bulb not abutting the aperture. The reflective ceramic material may substantially fill an interior volume of the ceramic cup not occupied by the bulb. The ceramic cup may include a structural feature for aiding in alignment of the jacketed lamp bulb envelope in a lamp. The ceramic cup may include an external flange about a periphery thereof. One example of a jacketed lamp bulb envelope includes a ceramic cup having an open end and a closed end, a ceramic washer covering the open end of the ceramic cup, the washer defining an aperture therethrough, a lamp bulb positioned inside the ceramic cup abutting the aperture, and a reflective ceramic material filling an interior volume of the ceramic cup not occupied by the bulb.

Abstract: A discharge lamp includes an envelope, a fill which emits light when excited disposed in the envelope, a source of excitation power coupled to the fill to excite the fill and cause the fill to emit light, and a reflector disposed around the envelope and defining an opening, the reflector being configured to reflect some of the light emitted by the fill back into the fill while allowing some light to exit through the opening. The reflector may be made from a material having a similar thermal index of expansion as compared to the envelope and which is closely spaced to the envelope. The envelope material may be quartz and the reflector material may be either silica or alumina. The reflector may be formed as a jacket having a rigid structure which does not adhere to the envelope. The lamp may further include an optical clement spaced from the envelope and configured to reflect an unwanted component of light which exited the envelope back into the envelope through the opening in the reflector.

Abstract: An integrated lamp head for an electrodeless lamp includes a metal-matrix composite enclosure, an insulating ceramic encased by the metal-matrix enclosure, the insulating ceramic having an interior surface, and an excitation structure integrally formed on the interior surface of the insulating ceramic. The excitation structure may include an excitation coil such as a wedding ring shaped excitation coil or a coil having a cross sectional shape similar to an upper-case Greek letter omega. The integrated lamp head optionally includes a pre-formed connection from an exterior portion of the integrated lamp head to the excitation structure and/or a conductive insert in an area of a solder connection point.

Abstract: A method wherein the light in a sulfur or selenium lamp is reflected through the fill a multiplicity of times to convert ultraviolet radiation to visible. A light emitting device comprised of an electrodeless envelope which bears a light reflecting covering around a first portion which does not crack due to differential thermal expansion and which has a second portion which comprises a light transmissive aperture.