Having Specified Envelope Detail Patents (Class 313/573)
  • Patent number: 6404112
    Abstract: The electric lamp/reflector unit includes a reflector body (1) having a reflector portion (2) with a concave reflecting surface (3), and a neck-shaped portion (5), both surrounding an optical axis (4). The unit includes an electric lamp (10) which is provided with a lamp vessel (11) having a cavity (13) wherein an electric light source (14) is arranged. The cavity (13) is provided with an infrared-reflecting and visible light-transmitting coating (15). The electric lamp (10) has a first (23) and a second (24) end portion which are arranged opposite each other and provided with a seal, through which seals respective current conductors (23; 24) connected via embedded metal foils (17; 18) to the electric light source (14) issue from the lamp vessel (11) to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hubert Frings, Herbert Heinrich Kreus, Franz Herbert Kaulen
  • Publication number: 20020067115
    Abstract: An arc tube that effectively prevents a metal halide from being deposited in a light emitting tube portion, causing the change of a light emitting color or the generation of lighting failures in an arc tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Akihiro Nagata, Hiroshi Goto, Yoshitaka Ohshima, Shinichi Irisawa
  • Patent number: 6387115
    Abstract: A high-capacity UV radiation apparatus, especially a high-capacity mercury low-pressure tube, for vertical applications, including a discharge chamber that is formed by a cylindrical flask made of UV-transmissive glass and that contains a filling gas, a first or a second electrode, and electrical connections leading to the outside, with an electrode holder being arranged in the area of each flask. One electrode holder is considerably longer than the other electrode holder. The temperature of the cold spot in the dead electrode space is therefore reduced on the longer electrode holder, with the steam pressure or efficiency curve of the radiation apparatus being optimized with a vertical arrangement of the radiation apparatus with the long electrode holder in the upper position. In order to ensure correct assembly, the apparatus contains a marking on at least one flask end, which provides information about the length of the respective electrode holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Smolka, Jörn Jahnke, Ullrich Berger
  • Patent number: 6373192
    Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp with a translucent part made of silica glass which contains OH radicals and in which damage of the silica glass by UV radiation can be suppressed and a sufficient amount of UV radiation can be obtained in a dielectric barrier discharge lamp, in which a silica glass discharge vessel is filled with a discharge gas which forms excimer molecules by a dielectric barrier discharge and which is at least partially provided with a translucent part, by the translucent part having a ratio of non-hydrogen bonding OH radicals to the total number of OH radicals which is less than or equal to 0.36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Morimoto, Shigenori Nozawa, Masashi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6373189
    Abstract: To devise a mercury lamp of the short arc type with high radiant efficiency and increased arc stability which meets the demand for increasing the amount of radiation from the light source. In a mercury lamp of the short arc type, a cathode and an anode are disposed opposite one another within an arc tube filled with mercury and a rare gas. At least argon (Ar) and/or krypton (Kr) in an amount from 1.0 to 8.0 atm at room temperature is added as the rare gas. In addition, the relationship between various dimensions of the lamp is fixed such that conditions 0.3≦X/L≦0.6, (X+5)/D≦0.85, and (L−(X+5))/D≦0.85 are satisfied, L (mm) being the length of the bulb in the axial direction, X (mm) being the length of the cathode which projects in the axial direction into the emission space, and D (mm) being the maximum outside diameter of the bulb in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Yasuda, Motohiro Sakai, Yoshinori Aiura
  • Patent number: 6362572
    Abstract: A decorative lamp includes a glass envelope that contains mixtures of inert gases which produce various visual effects when exposed an electric charge. The glass envelope is evacuated to sub-atmospheric pressures; is infused with a desired inert gas mixture, and is sealed. Appropriate electrical contacts are applied to the sealed envelope and the envelope assembly is connected to a source of electric current. The various light effects that can be achieved include meandering arcs of light that rise through the envelope; tiny fire fly-type light effects that rise through the envelope; and a central tree and leaf-type light display that undulates upwardly through the lamp envelope, among others. The light effects can be enhanced by the application of a phosphor coating to the interior of the envelope. The light effects can also be selectively colored by adding an inorganic fluorescent colorant, or a mixture of inorganic fluorescent colorants to the interior of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Mundy M. Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20020024301
    Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp having a plurality of glass tubes that are connected with each other to form a discharge path, spacers that do not drop off even with insufficient accuracy of a gap between the glass tube are provided in a gap between the connected glass tubes, so as to improve the gap compression resistance and the torsion resistance. Each spacer is composed of a plurality of tonguelets and a bridge. The tonguelets are in contact with surfaces of the glass tubes and are connected by the bridge that is directed in an axial direction of the glass tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Myojo, Hideki Yamauchi, Tsutomu Takemura, Akio Kitada
  • Patent number: 6348760
    Abstract: What is described is a flat signal lamp with dielectrically impaired discharge, which is intended in particular for use in traffic signals, above all traffic lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur Elektrische Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventors: Frank Vollkommer, Lothar Hitzschke
  • Publication number: 20020003404
    Abstract: A discharge lamp comprises an arc tube 6 made of a translucent ceramic dosed with a metallic halide. The discharge is conducted between electrodes 20 disposed in the arc tube 6. The arc tube 6 comprises a main tube body 11 having a large diameter portion 11A and a small diameter portion 11C, and a narrow tube 12 airtightly fixed to the small diameter portion 11C while penetrating the small diameter portion 11C. In the discharge lamp, supposing that L (mm) is the length of a protrusion from the main tube body of the narrow tube portion 12 and P (W) is the rated power of the discharge lamp, L and P satisfy the relationship (P+268.75)/31.25≦L≦(P+456.25)/31.25 and 200≦P≦450.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shinji Taniguchi, Yasaburo Takeji, Kuniaki Nakano, Jiro Honda, Shigeyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 6323588
    Abstract: A locking clip 10 for fixing a base to an end of a glass bulb. The locking clip 10 has a body 12 with a first portion 14, a middle portion 16 and an end portion 18. The middle portion 16 is scyphate, i.e., cup-shaped, and defines a plane, 20 (FIG. 2). The first portion 14 extends away from plane 20 in a given direction by an angle &agr;, which, in a preferred embodiment, is about 5 degrees. The end portion 18 is connected to the middle portion 16 by a reentrant section 22 and extends away from the plane 20 by an angle &bgr; in a direction opposite to the given direction. In a preferred embodiment angle &bgr; is preferably about 20 degrees. In a still more preferred embodiment the included angle between first portion 14 and end portion 18 is between 25 and 35 degrees. A centrally located aperture 24 is provided in the reentrant section 22 to aid in the subsequent bending of the end portion 18 at the final welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Lilljedahl, Howard D. Taggart, Robert B. Dolan
  • Patent number: 6316867
    Abstract: A low-cost ceramic arc lamp comprises an optical coating on a sapphire window, a window shell flange, and a body sleeve. A gas-fill tubulation attaches to the side of the body sleeve and permits a charge of xenon gas to be injected during manufacture. This contrasts with the prior art where the xenon gas is introduced through the anode base. A single-piece strut assembly is used that is compatible with mass-production techniques. The single-piece strut assembly supports and suspends a cathode inside an elliptical reflector. An anode flange replaces a more conventional shell, copper anode base, and base support ring. A tungsten anode completes the lamp. All of these parts are brazed together in an assembly process that is far less complex than the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: EG&G ILC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Roberts, Rodney O. Romero
  • Patent number: 6316872
    Abstract: A light transmitting container is used to house a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to reduce heat loss and to increase the luminous efficiency of the lamp. An electrical connector configuration is connected to an electrode of the lamp and adapted to be electrically and mechanically connected to a conventional electrical socket. A driver circuit in the container converts 50 or 60 Hz power to the high frequency power suitable for operating the CCFL. At least one of the electrodes of the CCFL is outside of the container to facilitate heat dissipation. A CCFL having an elongated tube portion and enlarged portions for housing larger electrodes is proposed to enhance the longevity and brightness of the CCFL. Larger electrodes are used to generate more electrons in the CCFL, thereby generating more light. Larger electrodes also reduces the temperature of the tube material of the CCFL to enhance the lifetime of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: GL Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoqin Ge, Shichao Ge, Victor Lam, Yiping Ge
  • Patent number: 6307321
    Abstract: The high-pressure discharge lamp of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting ceramic discharge vessel (1), power-supplying conductors (2), a pair of electrodes (3, 3), seals (4) made of ceramic-sealing compound, and a discharge medium. The discharge vessel has an inner volume of 0.1 cc or less. The distal ends of the electrodes are arranged so as to maintain a distance d1 of 1.0 mm or more from the inner surface of the light-transmitting vessel on a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the light-transmitting vessel and includes the distal ends of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Honda, Seiji Ashida
  • Publication number: 20010030509
    Abstract: The lamp consists of a hollow tubular body 1 with a closed end 2 and an open end 3. The body is of sintered ceramic material. A window 4 is sealed across the open end, the window and the body being united by a layer of frit 5. The window is of sapphire. Within the body is sealed an inert gas atmosphere 6 and a pellet charge of excitable material 7. In use, the lamp is subjected to RF electromagnetic radiation which heats it to 1000° C. causes it to emit visible light via the sapphire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Ceravision Technology Limited
    Inventors: Floyd R. Pothoven, Terry A. Pothoven
  • Patent number: 6281620
    Abstract: The lamp includes a cap engaged to a bulb composed of a glass lens and a glass reflector, the lens and reflector each having an inner surface which is parabolically shaped and coated with an IR reflective material layer. The interior configuration of elements of the lamp is mathematically molded to cause infrared rays emitted by the filament to evenly reflect back to the filament heating same and thereby increasing lighting efficiency up to 50%, with the lamp emitting cool light and without compromising longevity of the lamp. The lamp may be any of a plurality of diversified types, such as high pressure sodium, metal halide, incandescent, halogen, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Naiguang Yeh
  • Patent number: 6270237
    Abstract: A lamp has a metal layer to prevent light escaping in an undesired direction. A sealed envelope wall encloses an interior space in which an electrical element is arranged. The wall is partly coated by the metal layer, preferably at a lamp end opposite a lamp cap. A light diffusing or absorbing layer over a side of the metal layer facing the interior space prevents light reflection back into the interior space. For use as a vehicle headlamp, the metal layer may be silvery as viewed from the outside so that it is not noticeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Scholler
  • Patent number: 6268696
    Abstract: A long-life, environmentally disposable high pressure sodium lamp comprising: an arc tube capable of withstanding internal wall temperatures of 1250 to 1300° C. and having electrodes sealed therein and being designed for operation at a given wattage; a discharge space within the arc tube and an arc generating and sustaining medium within the discharge space, the medium being mercury-free and containing sodium in an amount of about 0.02 mg to 0.06 mg/watt of designed operation, and xenon at a pressure of 100 to 200 Torr; mounting means supporting the arc tube within a glass outer envelope, the glass outer envelope being lead-free and arsenic-free; and an electrically conductive base closing the outer envelope and containing lead-in wires affixed to the electrodes, the lead-in wires being attached to the base by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Dolan, John L. Plumb, Elliot F. Wyner
  • Patent number: 6265824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a miniature incandescent lamp which is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board. According to the invention, the base contacts (7) have a plane contact surface (7a) for soldering onto a printed circuit board, a section (7b, 7c, 7d) which is constructed like tongs and serves to anchor the base contact (7) in the lamp base, and a hookshaped section (7e) into which one end of a supply lead (5) guided out of the lamp bulb (1) is inserted, and to which said supply lead (5) is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Peter Helbig, Hermann Steiner
  • Patent number: 6236147
    Abstract: An arc lamp with a housing including a base, an inert gas in the housing, a pair of spaced electrodes in the housing for establishing an arc in the gas to generate a radiation output, a window area on the housing for transmitting forward radiation generated by the arc, and an absorbing medium on the opposite side of the electrodes from the window for preventing backscatter radiation from the arc from passing through the arc and out of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: PerkinElmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Capobianco
  • Publication number: 20010000421
    Abstract: A monochromic, multi-color and full-color cold cathode fluorescent display (CFD), comprises of some shaped white or multi-color or red, green blue color cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), reflector, base plate, temperature control means, luminance and contrast enhancement face plate, shades and its driving electronics. CFD is a large screen display device which has high luminance, high efficiency, long lifetime, high contrast and excellent color. CFD can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications even at direct sunlight, to display a character, or graphic and video image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventor: Xiaoqin Ge
  • Patent number: 6211612
    Abstract: A monochromic, multi-color and full-color cold cathode fluorescent display (CFD), comprises of some shaped white or multi-color or red, green blue color cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), reflector, base plate, temperature control means, luminance and contrast enhancement face plate, shades and its driving electronics. CFD is a large screen display device which has high luminance, high efficiency, long lifetime, high contrast and excellent color. CFD can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications even at direct sunlight, to display a character, or graphic and video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: GL Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoqin Ge
  • Patent number: 6204598
    Abstract: The electric incandescent lamp has a sintered glass plate (1) through which current conductors (2) and a metal tube (3) extend. An incandescent body (4) is connected to said current conductors (2) aligned with respect to the sintered plate (1). A glass bulb (5) is present over the incandescent body (4), gastight secured to the sintered plate (1) by means of enamel (6). A water getter (20) and a heavy gas at an elevated pressure are present inside the glass bulb (5). The lamp may consume a relatively high power and may be relatively small, but nevertheless has a relatively long life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Ursula Bruggemann, Wilfried L. Kohlmann, Jacques M.J. Geboers, Antonius J.M. Van Hees
  • Patent number: 6201348
    Abstract: A starting aid for a metal halide discharge lamp. An arc discharge tube is positioned in a hermetically sealed jacket. The jacket contains a partial pressure (e.g., 400 torr nitrogen) of a gas that will aid in starting the discharge and one of the arc tube lead-ins has an electrical conductor affixed thereto and exposed to the partial pressure of the gas. An outer conductor extends on the outside of the jacket and is electrically connected to the other lead-in. When voltage is applied to the electrodes a capacitive coupling takes place between the inner conductor and the outer conductor which generates a discharge that causes a breakdown in the arc generating and sustaining medium within the arc tube and causes the lamp to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Nortrup, Elliot F. Wyner, Nanu Brates
  • Patent number: 6181054
    Abstract: An improved electrodeless discharge lamp bulb includes an integral ceramic reflector as a portion of the bulb envelope. The bulb envelope further includes two pieces, a reflector portion or segment is cast quartz ceramic and a light transmissive portion is a clear fused silica. In one embodiment, the cast quartz ceramic segment includes heat sink fins or stubs providing an increased outside surface area to dissipate internal heat. In another embodiment, the quartz ceramic segment includes an outside surface fused to eliminate gas permeation by polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Izrail Levin, Bruce Shanks, Thomas L. Sumner
  • Patent number: 6175187
    Abstract: A dual tube type fluorescent lamp including a luminescence tube. The luminescence tube has a long and slender airtight glass bulb with a nonlinear form part, a pair of electrodes and a phosphor layer formed on the inside surface of the glass bulb. A gap is formed between the circumference of the luminescence tube and an outside glass tube. The luminescence tube encloses an electric discharge medium coating mercury and a rare gas. An inorganic substance layer is formed at least at the nonlinear form part either on the outer surface of the luminescence tube, on the inner surface of the outside glass tube, or both. The inorganic substance layer has a softening point higher than the softening point of the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Naoki Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6169367
    Abstract: A lamp bulb for a high pressure discharge lamp that includes a pair of opposing electrodes that projects a predetermined distance into a discharge chamber, molybdenum foils, lead wires, and a bulb, the lamp bulb includes a discharge chamber filled with a metal halide and a rare gas, the discharge chamber including at least a concave surface curving inwardly with respect to a Z-axis of the automotive high pressure discharge lamp, a discharge chamber portion surrounding the discharge chamber, including at least a convex surface curving outwardly along the Z-axis of the discharge lamp, tapered portions tapering towards the discharge chamber, sealed ends in which are located the molybdenum foils, the electrodes, and the lead wires, and sealed portions substantially free from substantial curvature change, the sealed portions being located between the discharge chamber and the sealed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Muto, Shinya Omori
  • Patent number: 6163111
    Abstract: To devise a mercury lamp of the short arc type with high power in which an arc tube can be kept unfouled over a long time and the demand for an increase in the amount of radiation can be met, in a quartz arc tube, a cathode and an anode are disposed opposite one another and the arc tube is filled with mercury and a rare gas. At least argon (Ar) and/or krypton (Kr) in an amount from 1.0 to 8 atm at room temperature is added as the rare gas. The amount depends on the value of ((Wd).sup.1/2 /R) where R is half the maximum diameter of the bulb in cm, d is the thickness of the bulb in cm, and W the input power supplied to the lamp in kW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Yasuda, Masanori Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6160341
    Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp with a rotationally symmetrical lamp bulb and an IR radiation reflecting coating has an ellipsoidal partial contour. ellipsoidal partial contour of the lamp bulb is produced by an elliptical section, the semiaxis of which is oriented vertically to the longitudinal axis, i.e., vertically to the rotational axis of the lamp bulb, and is longer than the greatest radius of the lamp bulb. The length of the smallest semiaxis lies preferably in the range of R<b<R+5.multidot.w.sub.x, wherein R and w.sub.x denote the largest radius of the lamp bulb and the radius of the rotational symmetrical luminous element, respectively. The lamp is characterized by uniform back reflection of IR radiation onto the luminous element arranged centrally inside the lamp bulb, and thus by a uniform temperature distribution and increased efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Binder, Sigbert Mueller
  • Patent number: 6133676
    Abstract: A halogen bulb is composed essentially of a tubular halogen bulb having two conductive ends, a thick hollow glass envelope and a socket for holding securely the tubular halogen bulb in the thick hollow glass envelope. The thick glass envelope has a thickness ranging between about 2 mm and about 8 mm, which is made integrally or made of two component parts joined together. The thick hollow glass envelope may be provided with protuberances perpendicular to an outer surface opposite to the socket, and/or ventilation holes to reduce the temperature of the double-enveloped halogen bulb at work. The socket may be provided with one or more ventilation holes at the closed end thereof. A bracket is used inside the thick hollow glass envelope for holding the tubular halogen bulb such that the tubular halogen bulb is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Chun Tsun Chen
  • Patent number: 6114807
    Abstract: An arc lamp suitable for use as a high intensity light source in a projection system is described. A reflector is arranged to reflect the light produced by the arc into a directional light beam, secondary reflection means being arranged to direct part of the reflected beam so as to compensate for regions which are obscured by the electrodes. Means are provided within the light source to dissipate heat generated by the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Digital Projection Limited
    Inventor: Martin Kavanagh
  • Patent number: 6104133
    Abstract: A neon discharge lamp provided with a powder coating with an appropriate particle size of used powder, is applied on an inner surface of a tubular bulb to the extent nearly equal to or more the length of an electrode portion, along the longitudinal axis of said tubular bulb. The phenomenon of neon gas being encompassed by way of cathode sputtering is prevented and the shortened operating life of the neon discharge lamp of this kind by way of cathode sputtering is also prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Aizawa, Tomohiko Sakamoto, Masalu Ito, Tsuneyoshi Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 6094008
    Abstract: A discharge lamp for an automotive vehicle including a discharge bulb and an outer cover tube for covering the discharge bulb. The discharge bulb is composed of a discharge chamber portion, a pair of seal portions for sealing both ends of the discharge chamber portion, and a pair of discharge electrodes held in respective ones of the seal portions. At the end of each seal portion adjacent to the discharge chamber portion, a taper portion is provided, which is narrowest near the discharge chamber portion, and which defines an angle with respect to a tube axis of the discharge bulb of 45 degrees or less. A curvature of a tube wall of the discharge chamber portion, is substantially constant. A ratio of the minimum thickness to the maximum thickness of the tube wall measured within that angle is between 1 and 0.8. The discharge bulb and the outer cover tube are in contact, with the portion of said discharge chamber portion having the maximum outer diameter being in contact with the outer cover tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Omori, Takashi Futami, Yasuhisa Yaguchi, Masaaki Muto
  • Patent number: 6087775
    Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a incandescent lamp capable of generating light. The incandescent lamp comprises a incandescent lamp tube and at least one filament. The assembly also comprises a shroud separate from the incandescent lamp and mounted in communication with the lamp tube on an exterior of the incandescent lamp tube. The shroud also comprises a coating disposed on the reflecting section of the shroud for reflecting energy having predetermined wavelengths emitted by the incandescent lamp. The shroud comprises a reflecting section disposed about the incandescent lamp tube, where the geometry of the shroud generally conforms to the geometry of the at least one filament of the lamp, to reflect energy having predetermined wavelengths back substantially toward the incandescent lamp and focusing the reflected energy generally at the at least one filament of the incandescent lamp so as to increase the output from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lionel Monty Levinson, John Fredrick Ackerman, John Martin Davenport, Laurence Bigio
  • Patent number: 6078128
    Abstract: An electric lamp with an enclosed lamp capsule has reduced production manufacturing losses when manufactured with a split eyelet used to duct a lead through the lamp housing. The elongated tube portion of the eyelet has either thinned wall sections or splits formed along the tube axis. When the rivet is set, the tube wall distorts or gives way along the weakened axially lines. The housing glass is then not fractured during riveting, and after riveting the thermal expansion and contraction of the glass with respect to the rivet results in decreased pressure on the glass. The lamp with a split eyelet yields a higher percentage of lamps surviving the manufacturing process, and having fewer cracks or other rivet induced defects in final products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Gagnon, Joseph P. Gallant
  • Patent number: 6075318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system composed of a halogen incandescent lamp d a matching socket, substantial advantages with regard to environmental friendliness and cost being achieved by using a high-voltage or medium-voltage halogen incandescent lamp having a simple glass cap and by holding the lamp in the socket on the glass cap, without the safety aspect being neglected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluelampen mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Noll, Roland Stark
  • Patent number: 6051929
    Abstract: The metal-halide direct-current arc discharge lamp has a fill system which as cadmium and/or zinc as components of the central fill in addition to an ignition gas, mercury, and a halogen. Preferably, the fill is retained in a bulb (10) which is asymmetrical with respect to a central plane (1) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (2) of the lamp. The lamp is particularly suitable for use in combination with an optical projection system (R), especially when operating in horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur elecktrische Gluhlampen m.b.H.
    Inventors: Andreas Genz, Frank Werner
  • Patent number: 6031330
    Abstract: There is provided a fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular glass bulb, an internal electrode provided at the center of the tubular glass bulb, a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the tubular bulb, and an external electrode provided on an outer surface of the tubular glass bulb, said tubular glass bulb being charged with a rare gas containing xenon as a main ingredient, wherein the charged pressure of the rare gas is 100 to 300 torr, the inner diameter of the tubular glass bulb is 4 to 12 mm and the thickness of the tubular glass bulb is 0.4 to 1.2 mm. As a result, lighting voltage is greatly reduced, whereby the charged pressure of the rare gas can be increased, thereby making it possible to improve illuminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunari Yoshida, Toshiyuki Terada, Tomonori Abe, Kazuaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6005332
    Abstract: A high efficiency lamp apparatus for producing a light beam of polarized light includes an electrodeless lamp body that defines a chamber. A gas is contained within the chamber such as sulfur or selenium or a compound thereof that can be excited to form a plasma. Electrodes are positioned externally of the lamp chamber for producing radio frequency energy that excites the gas, forming a plasma light source of intense heat that emits a light beam. Electrodes are not subjected to the intense heat generated by the plasma as they are placed externally of the lamp body. A reflector is positioned next to the lamp body for redirecting some of the light emitted by the light source back to the lamp using the reflector so that the lamp reabsorbs light energy to intensify the light source. The reflector includes a polarizing filter that is positioned to receive and polarize the light beam. An insulator prevents heat intensity of the plasma from damaging the polarizing filter as it has a low operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: William Burton Mercer
  • Patent number: 5994840
    Abstract: The envelope (6) of a light source is at least partly coated with electrochromic material (20), sandwiched between two conductive layers (21,22). A voltage applied to the electrochromic material by way of the conductive layers varies the intensity and/or color of the light from the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham M. Forsdyke, Stuart A. Mucklejohn
  • Patent number: 5990618
    Abstract: To increase heat dissipation from a plasma display panel, a heat sinking unit 2 bonded to a curved back surface 11 of a panel unit includes a large number of fin blocks 21 arranged spaced apart from each other by a prescribed distance and a flexible thin-wall portion 22, and a joining section 221, which consists of fin anchoring portions 212 and thin-wall portions 22, is capable of being bent between the fin blocks 21, thus allowing the heat sinking unit 2 to conform to the curvature of the panel unit back surface 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Morita, Takashi Ichiyanagi, Junji Ikeda, Naomi Nishiki, Takao Inoue, Daido Komyoji, Tsutomu Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5955838
    Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge lamp and the method of making same utilizing integrated circuit fabrication techniques. The lamp is manufactured from heat and pressure resistant planar substrates in which cavities are etched, by integrated circuit manufacturing techniques, so as to provide a cavity forming the gas discharge tube. Electrodes are deposited in the cavity. The cavity is filled with gas discharge materials such as mercury vapor, sodium vapor or metal halide. The substrates are bonded together and channels may be etched in the substrate so as to provide a means for connection to the electrodes. Electrodeless RF activated lamps may also be fabricated by this technique. Lamps fabricated from three or more planar substrates are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corp.
    Inventors: Babar Ali Khan, David A. Cammack, Ronald D. Pinker
  • Patent number: 5942840
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp is disclosed having a discharge vessel, an outer bulb enclosing said discharge vessel and defining an intervening space therebetween, a UV-enhancer positioned in the space between the outer bulb and the discharge vessel, the UV-enhancer provided with a wall fabricated of a ceramic material and an internal electrode, wherein an end portion of the UV-enhancer is closed with a compressive seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corp.
    Inventors: Tom G. Steere, Raghu Ramaiah, Greg Nelson, Jay J. Palmer, John C. Alderman
  • Patent number: 5925987
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp having a gas filling consisting of a gas mixture for generating gas-specific resonance radiation, wherein the lamp vessel is made of glass. To facilitate replacement and mounting of the electrodeless lamp, the discharge lamp is arranged within a metallic housing and the lamp vessel is disposed together with the high frequency coil as well as any electronic elements on a printed circuit board which is connected with the cover of the lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Hartmann & Braun GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Zochbauer, Marek Rolski, Walter Fabinski, Raig Kaufer, F. P. Herrmann, V. L. Budovich
  • Patent number: 5925978
    Abstract: A gas discharge tube (e.g., a lighting tube) comprising two coiled segments is described. The geometry of the coiled segments is such that the angle of the tangent to the center line of the tube with respect to the tube's longitudinal axis gradually increases as one moves upward along the ascending coiled segment, and gradually decreases as one moves down the descending coiled segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Walter Holzer
  • Patent number: 5917283
    Abstract: A channel subassembly for a PALC display panel comprises a channel member defining an array of interconnected channels, a cover sheet extending over the channels and sealed to the channel member, whereby the channel member and the cover sheet define a sealed volume, a mixture of an ionizable gas and hydrogen in the sealed volume, and a quantity of an alloy composed of about 33 wt % Zr, about 33 wt % Fe and about 33 wt % V in communication with the sealed volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Roberson, Michael D. Wagner, Wayne R. Kurowski
  • Patent number: 5907222
    Abstract: A fluorescent cavity backlight system that provides a high efficiency light source suitable for rear illumination of transmissive electronic display devices. The inventive fluorescent cavity backlight system can be adapted to a wide variety of flat panel display applications. The invention takes a complete system approach towards designing a high efficiency backlight source. The backlight system comprises three major subassemblies: a phosphor illuminator, a fluorescent cavity, and improved control/driver electronics. Each of the subassemblies has been optimized internally, and with respect to each of the other subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Lengyel, Loy L. Spears
  • Patent number: 5903095
    Abstract: There is provided an aperture type fluorescent lamp comprising a tubular bulb, an electrode, and a fluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of said tubular bulb in an axial direction of the tubular bulb, an aperture portion provided in said fluorescent layer along the axial direction of the tubular bulb so as to be made the aperture portion as a radiation portion, wherein said aperture portion comprises an aperture portion fluorescent layer having a thickness smaller than the fluorescent layer of other portions. The fluorescent lamp according to the present invention makes it possible to eliminate nonuniformitiy in illuminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunari Yoshida, Tomonori Abe, Toshiyuki Terada, Kazuaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5896004
    Abstract: A linear double ended lamp can be modified into a number of non-linear arrangements by heating selected regions of the lamp ends to the softening temperature and bending the lamp ends to a desired angular configuration. Preferably, the lamp ends are bent across the sealing foil that is hermetically sealed to the lamp envelope. One or both ends of the lamp can be bent as desired to define a variety of configurations. According to the method of forming the bent double ended lamp, selected regions of the lamp are raised above the softening temperature while the remainder of the lamp is maintained at a lower temperature. Preferably, the lamp ends are bent along an axis offset and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lamp to prevent accumulation of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Feldman, Richard L. Hansler, Walter R. Chapman, Jr., John M. Davenport, Rocco T. Giordano, Gary R. Allen, William J. Cassarly, Victor A. Levand, Jr., deceased, Martin N. Hassink
  • Patent number: 5866982
    Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp utilizing an improved ceramic arctube. The arctube has a ceramic central portion, a first ceramic leg extending from one end of the central portion and in some embodiments a second ceramic leg extending from the other end of the central portion. The arctube has reinforcing means where one or both of the legs joins the central portion to reinforce and strengthen the connection between each leg and the central portion. The reinforcing means is preferably seal glass or a layer of seal glass adjacent a ceramic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Curtis E. Scott, Charles D. Greskovich, Mark E. Duffy, George Eric Coxon
  • Patent number: 5834889
    Abstract: A monochromic, multi-color and full-color cold cathode fluorescent display (CFD), comprises of: some shaped white or multi-color or red, green, blue three primary color cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), reflector, base plate, temperature control mean, luminance and contrast enhancement face plate, shades, and its driving electronics. CFD is a large screen display device which has high luminance, high efficiency, long lifetime, high contrast and excellent color. CFD can be used for applications both of outdoor and indoor even at direct sunlight, to display character, graphic and video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: GL Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoqin Ge