Gas Or Vapor Type Patents (Class 313/161)
  • Patent number: 12009199
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp with one or more stationary light emitting bulbs inside a common conductive shield to confine an electromagnetic excitation field provided by a plurality of sources. Each bulb can be excited by several electromagnetic radiation sources or by an individual electromagnetic radiation source. Tubular realization of the lamp, with two magnetron or transistor electromagnetic sources facing each other at the extremity of a tubular bulb, are particularly suitable for installation at the focal line of parabolic trough reflector. Some variants combine bulbs of different compositions, and excitation levels can be independently set to control the spectrum of emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: LUMARTIX SA
    Inventors: Laurent Calame, Andreas Meyer
  • Patent number: 11742191
    Abstract: Within an ion pump, accelerated ions leave the center portion of an anode tube due to the anode tube symmetry and the generally symmetrical electric fields present. The apparent symmetry within the anode tube may be altered by making the anode tube longitudinally segmented and applying independent voltages to each segment. The voltages on two adjacent segments may be time varying at different rates to achieve a rasterizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ben D. Gardner, David E Burchfield
  • Patent number: 11469003
    Abstract: Examples of advanced fuel cycles for fusion reactors are described. Examples include fuel cycles for use in field reverse configuration (FRC) plasma reactors. In some examples, reaction gases may be removed from a fusion reactor between pulses (e.g. plasmoid collisions). In some examples, a D-3He reaction is performed, with the 3He provided from decay of byproducts of previous reactions (e.g. tritium).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: HELION ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Slough, David Edwin Kirtley, Christopher James Pihl
  • Patent number: 11217969
    Abstract: A plasma generator composed of a body of electrically conductive, ionizable material connected to conduct a current pulse and to be converted into a plasma that occupies a large volume in the ionosphere. A plasma generating system composed of a source of a high intensity current pulse and the plasma generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ENIG ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Yil-Bong Kim, Eric N. Enig, Daniel N. Bentz, Michael J. Barnard
  • Patent number: 10685828
    Abstract: A mercury-free high-pressure metal-halide ultraviolet gas-discharge lamp comprising a primary filling of at least one of osmium, germanium and tellurium, and a secondary filling comprising at least one of tin, antimony, indium, tantalum and gold. In a preferred embodiment, the primary filling is TeI2 and the secondary filling is SbI3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Ian Mayor-Smith
  • Patent number: 10541113
    Abstract: Described processing chambers may include a chamber housing at least partially defining an interior region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a showerhead positioned within the chamber housing, and the showerhead may at least partially divide the interior region into a remote region and a processing region in which a substrate can be contained. The chamber may also include an inductively coupled plasma source positioned between the showerhead and the processing region. The inductively coupled plasma source may include a conductive material within a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Patent number: 10530047
    Abstract: The present application discloses embodiments that relate to an electromagnetic apparatus. In one aspect, the present apparatus includes a circuit board configured to propagate an electromagnetic signal, a waveguide configured to propagate an electromagnetic signal, and a coupling port configured to couple the electromagnetic signal between the circuit board and the waveguide. The apparatus further includes a radiating structure disposed on the circuit board. The radiating structure includes an electric field coupling component configured to an electric field between the circuit board and the coupling port and a magnetic field coupling component configured to couple a magnetic field between the circuit board and the coupling port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Helen K. Pan, Adam Brown, Edward McCloskey
  • Patent number: 10384812
    Abstract: An ion plasma reaction (IPR) drive system is disclosed which generates thrust by directionally accelerating relativistic velocity ion plasmas through closed loop magnetic confinement rings in order to interact more strongly with space-time. The IPR drive system provides an approach for the generation of continuous space vehicle acceleration without the need to eject on-board stored propellant. Charged particles are accelerated through a closed loop system up to velocities approaching the speed of light in such a manner that they strongly interact in an asymmetrical manner with space-time to generate continuous space vehicle acceleration. The supplemental means for electrical power generation and propulsive thrust augmentation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Jeffrey Boyer
  • Patent number: 10366795
    Abstract: The design of a compact, high-efficiency, high-flux capable compact-accelerator fusion neutron generator (FNG) is discussed. FNG's can be used in a variety of industrial analysis applications to replace the use of radioisotopes which pose higher risks to both the end user and national security. High efficiency, long lifetime, and high power-handling capability are achieved though innovative target materials and ion source technology. The device can be sealed up for neutron radiography applications, or down for borehole analysis or other compact applications. Advanced technologies such as custom neutron output energy spectrum, pulsing, and associated particle imaging can be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Starfire Industries LLC
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Stubbers, Brian Edward Jurczyk, Darren Adam Alman, Matthew David Coventry, Michael Jerome Schaus
  • Patent number: 10354761
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein relating to fusion reactors for fusing particles via multiple periodic collisions. A fusion reactor may include a first evacuated region, such as a chamber, with a plurality of charged particles therein. A uniform magnetic field may be applied to the region to radially confine moving charged particles within the region by inducing circular trajectories. Upper and lower electrodes may be positioned on ends of the region to axially confine charged particles within the region. An energizing beam may be pulsed at a cyclotron frequency corresponding to the mass and charge of the particles to cause oscillating periodic collisions of the particles along the beam path as the particles travel in the circular trajectories with increased velocity after each pulse of the energizing beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: John Fenley
  • Patent number: 10269458
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for producing and controlling and fusion activities of nuclei. Hydrogen atoms or other neutral species (neutrals) are induced to rotational motion in a confinement region as a result of ion-neutral coupling, in which ions are driven by electric and magnetic fields. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions including aneutronic reactions such as proton-boron-11 fusion reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Alpha Ring International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alfred Y. Wong
  • Patent number: 10264661
    Abstract: Enhanced Coulomb repulsion (electron) screening around light element nuclei is achieved by way of utilizing target structures (e.g., nanoparticles) that undergo plasmon oscillation when subjected to electromagnetic (EM) radiation, whereby transient high density electron clouds are produced in localized regions of the target structures during each plasmon oscillation cycle. Each target structure includes an integral body composed of an electrically conductive material that contains light element atoms (e.g., metal hydrides, metal deuterides or metal tritides). The integral body is also configured (i.e., shaped/sized) to undergo plasmon oscillations in response to the applied EM radiation such that the transient high density electron clouds are formed during each plasmon oscillation cycle, whereby brief but significantly elevated charge density variations are generated around light element (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: Google Inc., University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: David K. Fork, Jeremy N. Munday, Tarun Narayan, Joseph B. Murray
  • Patent number: 10224180
    Abstract: Described processing chambers may include a chamber housing at least partially defining an interior region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a showerhead positioned within the chamber housing, and the showerhead may at least partially divide the interior region into a remote region and a processing region in which a substrate can be contained. The chamber may also include an inductively coupled plasma source positioned between the showerhead and the processing region. The inductively coupled plasma source may include a conductive material within a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Patent number: 10208263
    Abstract: A hybrid plasma reactor system that uses multiple sets of long electrodes that are placed longitudinally opposite each other within modular plasma units. The plasma units can be stacked to form an elongated plasma zone. The electrode assemblies extend into access ports. Each of the electrode assemblies has an electrode tip mounted in a tubular support jacket. A gas conduit for a supplied working gas surrounds at least a portion of the tubular support jacket. An arc is created at the electrode tip. A working gas flows through the gas conduit and is directed into the arc, therein creating plasma within the internal plasma zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cogent Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Chuen Sun Kong
  • Patent number: 10096454
    Abstract: A resonance frequency can be adjusted by shifting the resonance frequency without reducing an impedance function or a withstanding voltage characteristic against a high frequency noise, when blocking, by using a multiple parallel resonance characteristic of a distributed constant line, the high frequency noise introduced into a power feed line from an electrical member other than a high frequency electrode within a processing vessel. Comb teeth M of a comb-teeth member 114 are inserted into winding gaps of air core coils 104(1) and 104(2). For example, first comb teeth M? having a thickness m? smaller than a standard thickness ts are mainly inserted in an effective zone A in a central portion of the air core coils. Further, in non-effective zones B at both sides or both end portions thereof, second comb teeth M+ having a thickness m+ equal to or larger than the standard thickness ts are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Naohiko Okunishi, Nozomu Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10094171
    Abstract: A generating electric arc is disclosed herein, which thermally and mechanically acts on a material in such a manner that the electrical arc is shaped and guided by the action of a magnetic field and hydro-mechanical forces on the electrical arc. Generally, a substantial part of the electric arc acts directly and areally on a conductive and/or non-conductive material to be disrupted, a substantial part of the electric arc's heat flow is directed into the material to be disrupted, both electric arc roots move on the electrodes of a generator, and the electric arc has preferably a shape of a spiral. A device is also provided herein for generating an electric arc with thermal and mechanic action on a material containing axially symmetrical electrodes, i.e. an anode (4) and a cathode (6), a spark gap (7), nozzles (5) for the working medium flow, cooling media inlet and outlet (12), electric power supply (14), and ring-shaped magnets (9) whose section has the shape of a triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GA DRILLING, A.S.
    Inventors: Ivan Ko{hacek over (c)}i{hacek over (s)}, Gabriel Horváth, Luká{hacek over (s)} Dvon{hacek over (c)}
  • Patent number: 10049773
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, a center magnetic coil coaxial with the two internal magnetic coils and located proximate to a midpoint of the enclosure, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and two mirror magnetic coil coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The fusion reactor further includes one or more heat injectors operable to inject a beam of neutral particles toward the center of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas John McGuire, Josh Eugene Coleman
  • Patent number: 9959942
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes an enclosure, an open-field magnetic system comprising one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure, and one or more encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the one or more internal magnetic coils of the open-field magnetic system. The one or more encapsulating magnetic coils form a magnetosphere around the open-field magnetic system. The open-field magnetic system and the one or more encapsulating magnetic coils, when supplied with electrical currents, form magnetic fields for confining plasma within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas John McGuire
  • Patent number: 9960025
    Abstract: A cold-atom cell is formed by machining a block of silicon to define sites for an atom source chamber, an atom manipulation chamber, and an ion-pump chamber. A polished silicon panel is frit-bonded to an unpolished (due to machining) chamber wall (which would be difficult and costly to polish). The polished panel can then serve as a reflector or a sight for anodic bonding. A solid-phase atom source provides for vapor phase atoms in the source chamber. The source chamber also includes carbon and gold to regulate the atom pressure by sorbing and desorbing thermal atoms. The atom manipulation chamber includes components for magneto-optical trap and an atom chip, e.g., for forming a Bose-Einstein condensate. The ion-pump chamber serves as the site for an ion pump. By integrating the ion pump into the body of the cold-atom cell, a more compact, reliable, and robust cold-atom cell is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ColdQuanta Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 9960026
    Abstract: An ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system includes a UHV cell and an ion pump to maintain the UHV in the UHV cell. The ion pump has a GCC (glass, ceramic, or crystalline) housing. An interior wall of the ion-pump housing serves as an anode or bears a coating that serves as an anode. At least one cathode is disposed with respect to the housing so that it can cooperate with the anode to form an electric field for establishing a Penning trap. The GCC housing defines a flow channel that extends radially through the anode so that a molecule can flow directly into the most ionizing region of a Penning trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ColdQuanta Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 9947420
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes a plurality of internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, one or more center magnetic coils coaxial with the plurality of internal magnetic coils, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and a plurality of mirror magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The encapsulating magnetic coils maintain a magnetic wall that prevents plasma within the enclosure from expanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas John McGuire
  • Patent number: 9941024
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, a center magnetic coil coaxial with the two internal magnetic coils and located proximate to a midpoint of the enclosure, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and two mirror magnetic coil coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The fusion reactor further includes one or more electromagnetic wave generators operable to inject a beam of electromagnetic waves into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas John McGuire, Josh Eugene Coleman
  • Patent number: 9934942
    Abstract: Described processing chambers may include a chamber housing at least partially defining an interior region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a showerhead positioned within the chamber housing, and the showerhead may at least partially divide the interior region into a remote region and a processing region in which a substrate can be contained. The chamber may also include an inductively coupled plasma source positioned between the showerhead and the processing region. The inductively coupled plasma source may include a conductive material within a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Patent number: 9928927
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, a center magnetic coil coaxial with the two internal magnetic coils and located proximate to a midpoint of the enclosure, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and two mirror magnetic coil coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The fusion reactor is configured to vary electrical currents supplied to the magnetic coils to heat the plasma confined within the magnetic wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas John McGuire
  • Patent number: 9773658
    Abstract: The apparatuses disclosed herein include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet and visible light, an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light, and a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp. Some embodiments of the apparatuses are configured such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus. Some cases of the apparatuses include a sensor system configured to monitor a first parameter associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and a second parameter associated with the transmittance of the optical filter. Some of the apparatuses include a means for moving the optical filter while the apparatus is in operation. In some cases, the apparatuses may be configured such that the optical filter may be arranged in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the optical filter may be a multifaceted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Stibich, James Blaine Wolford, Alexander Nathan Garfield, Martin Rathgeber
  • Patent number: 9741457
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating and/or compressing plasmas to thermonuclear temperatures and densities are provided. In one aspect, at least one of at least two plasmoids separated by a distance is accelerated towards the other. The plasmoids interact, for instance to form a resultant plasmoid, to convert a kinetic energy into a thermal energy. The resultant plasmoid is confined in a high energy density state using a magnetic field. One or more plasmoids may be compressed. Energy may be recovered, for example via a blanket and/or directly via one or more coils that create a magnetic field and/or circuits that control the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MSNW, LLC
    Inventor: John T. Slough
  • Patent number: 9666403
    Abstract: An X-ray source, which includes a resonant cavity preferably of a cylindrical shape, is excited in a microwave mode TE11p and affected by a static and non-homogeneous magnetic field that grows longitudinally. An electron beam is injected longitudinally through one of the lateral walls of the cavity and is continuously accelerated until it reaches an energy sufficient to produce X-rays after the electrons bombard a metallic target located in the plane where they stop their longitudinal movement. The profile of the magnetic field grows in such a way that it maintains the conditions of electron cyclotron resonance along the helical paths of the electrons, The device can be used to obtain radiographic images and even produce hard X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD INDUSTRIAL DE SANTANDER
    Inventors: Valeriy Dondokovich Dugar-Zhabon, Eduardo Alberto Orozco Ospino
  • Patent number: 9607720
    Abstract: The design of a compact, high-efficiency, high-flux capable compact-accelerator fusion neutron generator (FNG) is discussed. FNG's can be used in a variety of industrial analysis applications to replace the use of radioisotopes which pose higher risks to both the end user and national security. High efficiency, long lifetime, and high power-handling capability are achieved though innovative target materials and ion source technology. The device can be scaled up for neutron radiography applications, or down for borehole analysis or other compact applications. Advanced technologies such as custom neutron output energy spectrum, pulsing, and associated particle imaging can be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Starfire Industries LLC
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Stubbers, Brian Edward Jurczyk, Darren Adam Alman, Matthew David Coventry, Michael Jerome Schaus
  • Patent number: 9462669
    Abstract: A device and method for the magnetic confinement of plasma is formed by a cylindrically stacked column of current-carrying magnetic field coils with electrodes interior to each magnetic field coil so as to induce plasma fluid rotation about an annular confinement region formed of cusped-geometry magnetic fields. Electrodes are formed such that the electric fields produced are tangential to the magnetic fields, and so as to maintain consistent azimuthal direction of plasma rotation, electric field electrodes alternate accordingly in polarity along the axial length of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel Prater
  • Patent number: 9265139
    Abstract: An electron cyclotron resonance ionization device includes a sealed vacuum chamber configured to contain a plasma, an electromagnetic wave injector to inject an electromagnetic wave into the sealed chamber, a magnetic structure for generating a magnetic field in the chamber and for generating a plasma along the magnetic field lines, the modulus of the magnetic field forming a magnetic mirror structure, with at least one electron cyclotron resonance region. The sealed chamber is a waveguide having a length that is greater than or equal to the guide wavelength corresponding to the frequency of the injected electromagnetic wave, and the plasma is ignited without prior injection of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Pacquet, Laurent Maunoury
  • Patent number: 8896191
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low pressure metal halide fluorescent lamp. The metal halide fluorescent lamp may have an oblate spheroid cavity discharge vessel filled with an ionizable metal halide surrounding an exciter housing. An exciter within the exciter housing may drive the ionizable metal halide in an inductively coupled electrode-less manner. One or more embodiments may include one or more heat spreaders and/or thermal transfer pipes for transferring heat from the exciter to a surface of the oblate discharge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Philip E. Moskowitz
  • Patent number: 8847473
    Abstract: A self-cooling screw bulb-type electromagnetic induction lamp comprises a bulb body, an inner tube, amalgam and a coupler, wherein the inner tube is arranged inside the bulb body, and the coupler is arranged inside the inner tube; besides, the lamp further comprises a screw-type lamp cap and a radiating piece, wherein the bulb body is connected on the screw-type lamp cap through the radiating piece, and the coupler is connected with the radiating piece. The disclosure effectively solves the problem that the installation of the electromagnetic induction lamp is incompatible with the conventional lighting fitting, while effectively improving the heat-radiating efficiency and the performances, thereby facilitating the promotion, popularization, application and development of the electromagnetic induction lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Lianying Ye
  • Patent number: 8823264
    Abstract: A lamp has microwave resonant body (11) of transparent quartz. The body has a central bore (16), having a sealed plasma enclosing bulb (17) inserted in it. The bulb is of quartz also and has an external diameter which is a close fit in the bore. The bulb itself is of drawn quartz tube (18) and as such has a smooth internal bore (19). End caps (20) are fused to the tube and encapsulate a charge of a material excitable to form a light emitting plasma in the bulb when microwaves are fed into the body via an antenna (7) in a bore (21) in the body. The body is sized to establish resonance within the Faraday cage in the body (11), bulb (17) and fill containing void (22) within the bulb. There is negligible gap between the bulb and body, whereby they can be regarded as one for resonance purposes. The bulb is fixed in the body by welds (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Barry Preston
  • Patent number: 8786192
    Abstract: A plasma generator having a housing surrounding an ionization chamber, at least one working-fluid supply line leading into the ionization chamber, the ionization chamber having at least one outlet opening, at least one electric coil arrangement which surrounds at least one area of the ionization chamber, the coil arrangement being electrically connected with a high-frequency alternating-current source (AC) which is constructed such that it applies a high-frequency electric alternating current to at least one coil of the coil arrangement, is wherein a further current source (DC) is provided which is constructed such that it applies a direct voltage or an alternating voltage of a frequency lower than that of the voltage supplied by the high-frequency alternating current source (AC) to at least one coil of the coil arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Kadrnoschka, Rainer Killinger, Ralf Kukies, Hans Leiter, Johann Mueller, Georg Schulte
  • Patent number: 8614543
    Abstract: A lamp comprises a light source in the form of a light emitting resonator 1, a magnetron 2 and a stub tuner 3. A reflector 4 is fitted at the junction of the light source and the stub tuner, for directing the light in a generally collimated beam 5. The light emitting resonator comprises an enclosure 11 formed of inner and outer envelopes 12,13 of quartz. These are circular cylindrical tubes 14,15, with respective end plates 16,17. A tungsten wire mesh 18, of a mesh size to exhibit a ground plane to microwaves within the resonator, is sandwiched between the tubes and the end plates respectively. Each envelope, comprised of its tube and end plates is hermetic. An earth connection 18? extends from the mesh to the outside of the envelope. The length axially of the enclosure between the wire mesh sandwiched between the end plates is ?/2 for the operating microwave frequency. At one end of the enclosure, a molybdenum drive connection 19 extends to a tungsten disc 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8575831
    Abstract: There is described an EHID lamp that comprises a field applicator, a means for coupling RF power to the field applicator, and a discharge vessel; the discharge vessel being disposed within the field applicator and containing a discharge medium; the field applicator being comprised of a solid, transparent or translucent dielectric material and having an optical control surface and a conductive coating that substantially covers its external surfaces. By combining functions served by otherwise individual components, the EHID lamp of this invention has the potential for reducing parts count, improving RF coupling to the plasma, reducing shadowing, and improving reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Scott J. Butler
  • Patent number: 8502482
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved compact induction lamp, which includes a lamp bulb coated with a phosphor layer on its inner wall and contains inert gas and mercury vapor. The lamp bulb is connected to a housing and mounted to a lamp base. The housing may include a control circuit. A magnetic ring located within a ring cover surrounded the lamp bulb and enclosed one cross section of the lamp bulb. A wire coil wrapped around the magnetic ring is connected with the control circuit and to the lamp base, which generates an electromagnetic field to lighten the lamp. A double wall exhaust tube containing mercury amalgam is disposed of in the housing at the lamp base to provide mercury vapor to the inner space of the lamp bulb. The double wall exhaust tube provides a mean to prevent the amalgam from penetrating into the lamp bulb and allows the lamp to be mounted in any direction the lamp may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 8466609
    Abstract: An electrodeless or induction ceramic HID lamp includes a ceramic arc body having a generally spheroidal portion enclosing a discharge chamber and an induction coil received around a perimeter portion of the spheroidal portion. At least one leg extends from the spheroidal portion of the arc body. A mounting structure connects the arc body to the surrounding lamp assembly. In one arrangement, a mounting tube is received over at least a portion of the leg, and may further include a light transmissive shroud that also abuts with the induction coil to precisely locate the arc body relative to the coil. In another arrangement, first and second mounting members extend from spaced locations of the arc body, either as pins or legs extending from the spheroidal portion, or radially extending legs from an equatorial portion of the arc body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Ian Rintamaki, Andrew Lawrence Podevels, Jianwu Li, Paul M. Kuester, Viktor Karoly Varga, Glenn Howard Kuenzler
  • Patent number: 8461761
    Abstract: A lucent plasma crucible having a closed body for enclosing a fill material filled in a void formed within the closed body and enclosed by the closed body, the fill material being excitable by microwave energy to generate a light-emitting plasma. The crucible is dimensioned to have low order TE or TM microwave mode properties. The orders of the modes are 0, 1 or 2. Crucibles may be regular or irregular in shape. For circular cylindrical crucibles having diameter (d) in cm, length (l) in cm, and operating frequency (f) in MHZ, (d/l)2 is between 0 and 100, and (d×f)2 is between 0 and 2×109. Also 0<(d/l)2<20 and 0<(d×f)2<1.5×109 may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8461751
    Abstract: A light source to be powered by microwave energy, the source having: a body having a sealed void therein, a microwave-enclosing Faraday cage surrounding the body, a fill in the void of material excitable by microwave energy to form a light emitting plasma therein, and an antenna arranged within the body for transmitting plasma-inducing, microwave energy to the fill, the antenna having: a connection extending outside the body for coupling to a source of microwave energy; wherein the body is a solid plasma crucible of material which is lucent for exit of light therefrom, the plasma crucible is contoured with a contoured surface to reflect light internally within the lucent crucible material to exit in a particular direction, the Faraday cage is at least partially light transmitting for light exit from the plasma crucible in the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8459842
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a microwave power source which generates microwaves; a central conductor which radiates the microwaves; and a light emitter which emits light by receiving the microwaves, wherein the central conductor and the light emitter are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kito, Junichi Suzuki, Norio Imaoka
  • Patent number: 8384300
    Abstract: An RF electrode-less plasma lighting device has a base member, which includes an outer region capable of being coupled to first AC potential and an inner region capable of being coupled to a second AC potential. In a preferred embodiment, the device has an RF module mechanically and integrally coupled to the base member. The RF module has an RF source, which has an output. The RF module has a first DC input and a second DC input. The first DC input of the RF module is coupled to a first DC potential and the second DC input of the RF module is coupled to a second DC potential. In a specific embodiment, the present device has an RF electrodeless plasma lighting assembly integrally coupled to the base member. The RF plasma lighting assembly has an RF input, which is coupled to the output of the RF source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Matloubian, Frederick M. Espiau
  • Patent number: 8282435
    Abstract: A plasma lamp. The lamp includes a housing having a spatial volume defined within the housing. In a specific embodiment, the spatial volume has an inner region and an outer region. The lamp also has a support region coupled to the inner region of the spatial volume and a support body having an outer surface region slidably inserted and disposed within or partially disposed the support region. In a preferred embodiment, the support body has a support length, a support first end, and a support second end. The plasma lamp has a gas-filled vessel coupled to the support first end of the support body. In a preferred embodiment, the gas filled vessel has a transparent or translucent body, an inner surface and an outer surface, a cavity formed within the inner surface. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is sealed and includes a fill material, which is capable of discharge. The lamp has an rf source operably coupled to at least the first end of the gas-filled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick M. Espiau
  • Patent number: 8258687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to coaxial waveguide cables, with an outer conductor, a central conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material between the outer conductor and the inner conductor. The gas-fill vessel is substantially hollow and filled with substances that form a plasma and emit light when RF radiation carried by the central conductor and ground conductor interacts with the substances in the gas-fill vessel. The present invention also relates to a leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to leaky waveguides, with a conductor, a ground conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material butted against the conductor and encompassed by the ground conductor. The leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp emits light from a plasma similar to light-emission action of the coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian, Alexandre Dupuy
  • Patent number: 8198792
    Abstract: The electrodeless discharge lamp comprises: a bulb provided with a substantially-spherical spherical portion and a neck portion extending from the spherical portion; a base connected to the neck portion; a protrusion formed at an apex of the spherical portion; and an induction coil that causes light emission by discharge developed in the bulb. The electrodeless discharge lamp satisfies the formula below: t?6?10959×X+25?t+6??(Formula) where X=(B×S)/(L×A), B=W/(4×?×(D/20)2), S=?×(d/20)2, L=?×(d/10), W (W) denotes the lamp input power, D (mm) denotes the diameter of the spherical portion, d (mm) denotes the diameter of a portion at a joint surface between the neck portion and the base, and A (mm) denotes the distance from a largest-diameter portion of the spherical portion to the joint surface, and t is the temperature (° C.) at the tip of the protrusion during downward stable lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsuzuki, Kazuhiko Sakai, Kohji Hiramatsu, Atsunori Okada
  • Patent number: 8110970
    Abstract: A light-emitting device utilizing gaseous sulfur compounds is provided. This device includes a first substrate with an energy transmission coil disposed thereover, a dielectric barrier layer embedding underneath the energy transmission coil, a sealant wall circling around the dielectric barrier layer, a second substrate disposed against the first substrate and supported by the sealant wall, and a high-frequency oscillating power supply connected to the energy transmission coil. Normally the second substrate is a transparent substrate. Between the first and second substrates thereby defines an inner chamber, wherein a gaseous reactant comprising an inert gas and a sulfur-containing gas is filled. While powering up, the energy transmission coil induces an electromagnetic field within the inner chamber between the two substrates as causing decomposing/regenerating process cycles of sulfur molecules to lighting up the light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Hung-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8102107
    Abstract: A light-emitting device having an excited sulfur medium by inductively-coupled electrons is provided. This device includes a substrate, an energy transmission coil disposed over the substrate, a transparent discharge cavity disposed over the energy transmission coil, having a substantially planar top and bottom surface, and a high-frequency oscillating power supply coupled to the energy transmission coil. While power up, the energy transmission coil induces an electromagnetic field within the transparent discharge cavity of the light-emitting device. In one embodiment, the transparent discharge cavity includes a sulfur-containing medium disposed within the transparent discharge cavity, and a buffer gas or a plurality of buffer gasses filling inner space of the transparent discharge cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Hung-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8089203
    Abstract: A lamp comprises a light source in the form of a light emitting resonator 1, a magnetron 2 and a stub tuner 3. A reflector 4 is fitted at the junction of the light source and the stub tuner, for directing the light in a generally collimated beam 5. The light emitting resonator comprises an enclosure 11 formed of inner and outer envelopes 12,13 of quartz. These are circular cylindrical tubes 14,15, with respective end plates 16,17. A tungsten wire mesh 18, of a mesh size to exhibit a ground plane to microwaves within the resonator, is sandwiched between the tubes and the end plates respectively. Each envelope, comprised of its tube and end plates is hermetic. An earth connection 18? extends from the mesh to the outside of the envelope. The length axially of the enclosure between the wire mesh sandwiched between the end plates is ?/2 for the operating microwave frequency. At one end of the enclosure, a molybdenum drive connection 19 extends to a tungsten disc 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 7969074
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mercury-free low pressure discharge lamp with a discharge vessel having an ionizable filling. The surface temperature of the discharge vessel, and thus the temperature of the ionizable filling, can be adjusted at least in some sections such that an emitting substance can produce the radiation required for the excitation of the luminescent substance. The temperature of the fluid is preferably adjusted in a temperature control circuit, using a temperature sensor, a pump and a heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
    Inventors: Klaus Stockwald, Herbert Weiβ
  • Patent number: 7884532
    Abstract: A backlight unit using a microwave plasma ultraviolet lamp as a light source and a liquid crystal display including the backlight unit. The backlight unit for a liquid crystal display comprises a tube filled with discharge gas, a cavity resonator in which one end of the tube is inserted, a magnetron for generating microwaves and supplying the generated microwaves to the cavity resonator, a magnetron driver for driving the magnetron, and a phosphor layer for converting ultraviolet light generated in the tube into visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Hoon Lee, Jun Young Lee, Sung Wook Kang, Joon Gon Son, Cheol Hun Lee, Pil Nam Lim