Abstract: A space is largely defined inside of a lid 14, thus enhancing the freedom of a design of members to be contained inside of the lid 14. An airtight container 11 includes a container unit 12 which contains therein a plurality of semiconductor wafers W, the lid 14 which closes the container unit 12, and a seal 74 which air-tightly seals a clearance defined between the container unit 12 and the lid 14. A support groove 41 is formed at an inside plate 30A of the lid 14 so as to support the semiconductor wafers W one by one. The support groove 41 is formed at the inside plate 30A of the lid 14 in such a manner as to be opened toward the container unit 12, and is constituted of a slit, at and into which the semiconductor wafers are fitted and supported one by one. A V-shaped groove 42 is formed at the bottom of the support groove 41.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp is disclosed that comprises a bulb with a substance for electric discharge sealed therein, the bulb having a reentrant portion protruding inwardly along a Z-axis direction; an induction coil arranged in the reentrant portion, the induction coil having a magnetic core and a winding wound around the magnetic core; and a drive circuit for supplying the induction coil with a power from 50 kHz to 1 MHz. The bulb has an outer diameter from 65 mm to 75 mm in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and the magnetic core has a length L in the Z-axis direction that is 1.05 times or more a length L? of the winding in the Z-axis direction, the length L being set to 41 mm or less.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp has a magnetic core 3, an induction coil 5, and a fixation member 7. The fixation member 7 has an elongation portion 7b extending in a direction along an axial line of the magnetic core 3, a holding portion 7c for holding the magnetic core 3 positioned closer to the magnetic core 3 than the elongation portion 7b, and hook portions 7d and 7e to which a winding wire 7 is hooked so as to be inflected. The hook portions 7d and 7e positioned away from a boundary between the holding portion 7c and magnetic core 3 toward the elongation portion 7b by a distance between once and twice of a diameter of the winding wire.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating device including an electrodeless discharge lamp 3 and a ballast circuit 4, wherein the ballast circuit 4 includes: an AC-DC converter 5 for converting a phase-controlled AC voltage into a DC voltage; a DC-AC converter 6 formed so as to intermittently drive the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 due to the existence of an operating period during which a high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 is operated, and an extinguishing period during which the generation of the high-frequency voltage is stopped so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 is extinguished; and a dimming controller 7 for detecting the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage, for outputting an intermittent command signal that changes the ratio between the operating period and the extinguishing period to the DC-AC converter 6, and for outputting a signal that maintains an intermittent dimmable operating state even if dimming sta

Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes an electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3, a ballast circuit 4 and a lamp base which are formed as one unit. The ballast circuit 4 includes: an AC-DC converter 5; a DC-AC converter 6 formed so as to intermittently drive the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3; and a dimming controller 7 formed so as to detect the turn-on of a phase-controlled AC voltage and output an intermittent command signal for changing the ratio between an operating period and an extinguishing period to the DC-AC converter 6. Furthermore, the dimming controller 7 is formed so as to output a signal for extinguishing the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3 before the operation thereof becomes unstable.

Abstract: An electrode-less discharge lamp lighting apparatus which is electrically connected to a dimming unit (2) is provided with: an electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3); and a lighting circuit (4) operable to apply a high-frequency voltage to the electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3), wherein the lighting circuit (4) includes: an AC/DC converting unit (5) operable to convert a phase-controlled AC voltage outputted from the dimming unit (2) into a DC voltage; a DC/AC converting unit (6) operable to convert the DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage; and a dimming controlling unit (7) that includes a resistor (29), a switching element (28), and a timer circuit (27) so as to detect a timing of a turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and to, based on the detected timing, allow a current whose value is at least a threshold to flow across output terminals of the AC/DC converting unit (5) for at least a duration of a time lag between the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and the generation of the high-freque

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp is disclosed that comprises a bulb with a substance for electric discharge sealed therein, the bulb having a reentrant portion protruding inwardly along a Z-axis direction; an induction coil arranged in the reentrant portion, the induction coil having a magnetic core and a winding wound around the magnetic core; and a drive circuit for supplying the induction coil with a power from 50 kHz to 1 MHz. The bulb has an outer diameter from 65 mm to 75 mm in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and the magnetic core has a length L in the Z-axis direction that is 1.05 times or more a length L? of the winding in the Z-axis direction, the length L being set to 41 mm or less.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating device including an electrodeless discharge lamp 3 and a ballast circuit 4, wherein the ballast circuit 4 includes: an AC-DC converter 5 for converting a phase-controlled AC voltage into a DC voltage; a DC-AC converter 6 formed so as to intermittently drive the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 due to the existence of an operating period during which a high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 is operated, and an extinguishing period during which the generation of the high-frequency voltage is stopped so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 3 is extinguished; and a dimming controller 7 for detecting the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage, for outputting an intermittent command signal that changes the ratio between the operating period and the extinguishing period to the DC-AC converter 6, and for outputting a signal that maintains an intermittent dimmable operating state even if dimming sta

Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes an electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3, a ballast circuit 4 and a lamp base which are formed as one unit. The ballast circuit 4 includes: an AC-DC converter 5; a DC-AC converter 6 formed so as to intermittently drive the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3; and a dimming controller 7 formed so as to detect the turn-on of a phase-controlled AC voltage and output an intermittent command signal for changing the ratio between an operating period and an extinguishing period to the DC-AC converter 6. Furthermore, the dimming controller 7 is formed so as to output a signal for extinguishing the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3 before the operation thereof becomes unstable.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus or a compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: an AC/DC conversion unit 5 for converting an alternating voltage phase-controlled by a dimmer 2 into a direct current voltage; a DC/AC conversion unit 6 for converting an output from the AC/DC conversion unit 5 into a high frequency voltage and applying the high frequency voltage to a discharge lamp, whereby the discharge lamp is intermittently operated; and a dimming control unit 7 which generates a dimming instruction signal for driving the DC/AC conversion unit 6 so that the discharge lamp performs an intermittent operation and outputs the dimming instruction signal to the DC/AC conversion unit via a photocoupler 9, and synchronizes the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of the phase-controlled voltage with the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of an operation of the DC/AC conversion unit 6, respectively.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp of the invention is provided with a discharge vessel filled with discharge gas, the discharge vessel having a cavity portion, a coil inserted into the cavity portion of the discharge vessel, a ballast circuit for supplying high frequency power to the coil, and a lamp base that is electrically connected to the ballast circuit, wherein the discharge vessel, the coil, the ballast circuit, and the lamp base are configured as a single unit, and a reflective tape for reflecting light that is radiated from the discharge gas and emitted from inside the discharge vessel to its cavity portion side is wound around the coil.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus or a compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: an AC/DC conversion unit 5 for converting an alternating voltage phase-controlled by a dimmer 2 into a direct current voltage; a DC/AC conversion unit 6 for converting an output from the AC/DC conversion unit 5 into a high frequency voltage and applying the high frequency voltage to a discharge lamp, whereby the discharge lamp is intermittently operated; and a dimming control unit 7 which generates a dimming instruction signal for driving the DC/AC conversion unit 6 so that the discharge lamp performs an intermittent operation and outputs the dimming instruction signal to the DC/AC conversion unit via a photocoupler 9, and synchronizes the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of the phase-controlled voltage with the timings of turn-ON and turn OFF of an operation of the DC/AC conversion unit 6, respectively.

Abstract: An electrode-less discharge lamp lighting apparatus which is electrically connected to a dimming unit (2) is provided with: an electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3); and a lighting circuit (4) operable to apply a high-frequency voltage to the electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3), wherein the lighting circuit (4) includes: an AC/DC converting unit (5) operable to convert a phase-controlled AC voltage outputted from the dimming unit (2) into a DC voltage; a DC/AC converting unit (6) operable to convert the DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage; and a dimming controlling unit (7) that includes a resistor (29), a switching element (28), and a timer circuit (27) so as to detect a timing of a turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and to, based on the detected timing, allow a current whose value is at least a threshold to flow across output terminals of the AC/DC converting unit (5) for at least a duration of a time lag between the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and the generation of the high-freque

Abstract: The invention provides a self-ballasted fluorescent lamp provided with a function for operating normally when the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is inadvertently connected to a lighting fixture provided with a light bulb dimmer if the dimmer is at the maximum level, and with a function for reliably stopping operation of the ballast circuit if the dimmer is in a dimmed state and thereby latch the lamp in an unlit state and protect the ballast circuit. Even if the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is connected to a power source via a light bulb dimmer, when a current detected by a current detection circuit exceeds a predetermined current value, a stop circuit stops operation of an inverter circuit and latches it in that stopped state in order to maintain the self-ballasted fluorescent lamp in an unlit state.

Abstract: A dimmable self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes a fluorescent lamp, a ballast and a lamp base that are formed as one unit. The ballast includes a preheating current supply circuit for supplying a preheating current to the fluorescent lamp; an inverter circuit portion for supplying a high frequency AC voltage to the fluorescent lamp; and a control circuit portion for controlling a driving frequency of the inverter circuit portion. The ballast is provided with an output current limiting element for limiting an output current from the preheating current supply circuit.

Abstract: A ballast for a discharge lamp includes a fluorescent lamp, an AC/DC conversion portion, a dimming control portion, and a DC/AC conversion portion. The AC/DC conversion portion converts a phase-controlled input AC voltage to a DC voltage. The dimming control portion calculates a dimming control signal from the input AC voltage. The DC/AC conversion portion converts the DC voltage from the AC/DC conversion portion to a high frequency AC voltage to be applied to the fluorescent lamp and lights and dims the lamp in response to the dimming control signal. The DC/AC conversion portion has a first operation mode for maintaining the lighting of the fluorescent lamp and for lighting and dimming the same and a second operation mode for supplying the fluorescent lamp with a voltage lower than the starting voltage of the lamp in its non-operating state. The conducting period of the phase-controlled AC voltage can be detected even in the non-operating state of the fluorescent lamp so as to restart the lamp.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes: a bulb filled with discharge gas; an induction coil; a power supply circuit including a plurality of electric components; a case for accommodating the plurality of electric components; a stick-shaped heat conducting member; a first planar heat conducting member thermally connected to the stick-shaped heat conducting member; a second heat conducting member thermally connected to the first heat conducting member; and a third heat conducting member for thermally connecting at least two of the plurality of electric components, wherein the second heat conducting member is thermally connected to the case, and the thermal conductivity of the first heat conducting member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the stick-shaped heat conducting member and the thermal conductivity of the second heat conducting member.

Abstract: A discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a discharge lamp; a dimmer for performing phase-control with respect to an input power source; and a ballast circuit for dimming and operating the discharge lamp in accordance with an AC voltage that is phase-controlled by the dimmer. A relationship Z2≦(Vin/Vob−1)×Z1; is satisfied, where Z1 (&OHgr;) is an impedance between an input terminal and an output terminal of the dimmer, Vob (V) is a breakover voltage of a bidirectional trigger diode that applies a trigger signal and is connected to a gate terminal of a switching element included in the dimmer, Vin (V) is an effective voltage of a commercial power source, and Z2 (&OHgr;) is an input impedance between the input terminals of the ballast circuit.

Abstract: A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp 50 includes a fluorescent lamp 1 and a ballast circuit 2 for operating the fluorescent lamp. The ballast circuit 2 includes: a printed circuit board 6; a heat generating component 7 disposed on a first face 6a of the printed circuit board, which generates heat when the fluorescent lamp 1 is operated; and a semiconductor component 17 disposed on a second face 6b opposite to the first face 6a of the printed circuit board 6, and wherein the semiconductor component 17 is disposed in an area other than an area on the second face 6b corresponding to an area of the first face 6a where the heat generating component 7 is disposed.

Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp of the invention is provided with a discharge vessel filled with discharge gas, the discharge vessel having a cavity portion, a coil inserted into the cavity portion of the discharge vessel, a ballast circuit for supplying high frequency power to the coil, and a lamp base that is electrically connected to the ballast circuit, wherein the discharge vessel, the coil, the ballast circuit, and the lamp base are configured as a single unit, and a reflective tape for reflecting light that is radiated from the discharge gas and emitted from inside the discharge vessel to its cavity portion side is wound around the coil.