With Particular Gas Or Vapor Patents (Class 313/637)
  • Patent number: 6069456
    Abstract: Lighting system, comprising a mercury-free metal halide lamp with a light yield of at least 75 lm/W and a color rendition index of at least 75 and an electronic ballast, the electronic ballast impressing a square-wave power supply on the lamp and keeping the power constant. The filling comprises the following components:a buffer gas which also acts as starting gas to start the lamp,a voltage gradient generator, comprising at least one metal halide which vaporizes readily and which is chiefly (by more than 50%) responsible for generating a voltage gradient which corresponds approximately to that of mercury, anda light generator comprising one metal and/or one metal halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Dietrich Fromm, Dieter Lang, Klaus Stockwald
  • Patent number: 6040658
    Abstract: The method of producing optical radiation and a discharge lamp for that purpose pertain to electrical technology, specifically to methods of producing radiation in the visible spectrum resulting from electrical discharge in gas, and to low-pressure discharge lighting lamps of various types. The proposed method of producing optical radiation, and the associated discharge lamp, extend the available range of environmentally clean lighting systems. The method involves creating a gas discharge in an inert gas atmosphere with a radiating additive in an optically transparent tube. A novelty of the method lies in the use as a radiating additive of the HO radical. The discharge lamp comprises an optically transparent tube (1) filled with an inert gas and a radiating additive. Also novel is the use as a radiating additive of an HO source obtainable from water or group II metal alkalis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakkytogo Tipa Nauchno-Tekhniches Koe Agentstvo "Intellekt"
    Inventors: Nikolai L. Bashlov, Alexandr Y. Vul, Sergei V. Kidalov, Sergei Kozyrev, Vyacheslav M. Milenin, Nikolai A. Timofeev
  • Patent number: 6031332
    Abstract: Metal halide lamp radiates light with a color temperature T.sub.c of between 3900 K and 4200 K and with a general color rendering index R.sub.a .gtoreq.90. The ionizable metal halide filling comprises between 30 and 50 mole % CaI.sub.2. The lamp has a limited crest factor, and accordingly a long useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Christoffel Wijenberg, Peter A. Seinen
  • Patent number: 6020676
    Abstract: The spectral energy characteristic of a discharge lamp is controlled by changing the density of the fill substance. The spectral characteristic can be shifted while substantially maintaining its shape by changing the density of the fill. A sulfur or selenium containing discharge lamp which is operated at a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere contains a low ionization potential substance in the fill. Characteristics which are improved are one or more of spatial color uniformity, extinguishing characteristics, and bulb starting reliability. Particular substances which are added to the fill are alkali metal containing substances, III B metal containing substances, and alkaline earth metal containing substances. When light is reflected back into the bulb, the light which is re-emitted is stronger in the higher wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Ury, James T. Dolan
  • Patent number: 6016031
    Abstract: An Electrodeless High Intensity Discharge (EHID) lamp for projection applications. The lamp has a small (nominal dimensions: 2 mm I.D., 3 mm O.D., 6 mm internal length) capsule, which is constricted in a mid-portion thereof. The constriction squeezes the plasma within the capsule and provides a higher power density. This in turn produces a higher luminance in the center of the arc. This focal point of the projection system is constant over the life of the lamp, owing to the fact that the system is electrodeless. The arc tube or capsule is thickened in the vicinity of the constriction to permit heat transfer through the vitreous silica (commonly called quartz). The thickening carries the heat away from the now hotter mid-portion area. This thickening cools by virtue of increasing the thermal conduction through the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Gerhard W. Doell, Robert K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6005346
    Abstract: A primary color lamp comprises a glass envelope with a krypton arc doped with metal halides. A cesium bromide or cesium iodide solution is included with lithium iodide (LiI) to produce red light, thallium iodide (TlI) to produce green light and indium iodide (InI) to produce blue light. The solution controls the vapor pressures of the lithium iodide (LiI), thallium iodide (TlI) and indium iodide (InI) and allows them to be balanced for light amplitude output. No mercury is used in order to eliminate a corresponding yellow light output and the filter complications that result in a system that operates on the primary colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: ILC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Shaffner
  • Patent number: 5986405
    Abstract: The high pressure discharge lamp has a discharge vessel (1) mounted in an outer envelope (4) in which an oxygen dispenser (30) is disposed. The oxygen dispenser (30) contains silver oxide and may be disposed at a location where it obtains a temperature of at least 340.degree. C. during operation of the lamp, at which temperature the oxide is decomposed and oxygen is released. The deposit of black coatings originating from hydrocarbon contaminations is thereby prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Bennie J. De Maagt, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5969472
    Abstract: A lighting system includes an electrically insulating and transparent or translucent optical material having a plurality of compartments containing a luminous composition, forming a light-emitting material. Structure for passing radiation, preferably radio frequency radiation, through the compartments is provided such that the luminous composition in the compartments will emit light through the optical material. The luminous composition is preferably a gas that is entrained as bubbles in the optical material when it is in the liquid state. The optical material is hardened to seal within the luminous gas and to produce a light-emitting material. Electrodes are used to pass the RF radiation through the light-emitting material. The electrodes can be provided as an adhesive-backed foil which is attached to the light-emitting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Allen Kisner
  • Patent number: 5965984
    Abstract: A metal halide lamp includes a light transmitting container filled with a rare gas, a halide of indium in an amount of 0.1 mg/cc to 1.5 mg/cc, at least one halide of a rare earth element selected from terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, or thulium. The metal halide lamp has an emission spectrum distributed over the visual inspection range, a high luminous efficacy, a high color temperature, and long lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Horiuchi, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Mamoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 5965983
    Abstract: The electric lamp has an information-displaying external coating (3) which is provided on the lamp envelope. The coating (3) comprises a metal oxide as the pigment, which is dispersed in a polysiloxane matrix which may contain lithium. The coating (3) is obtained by using a marking ink, which may be applied by means of an ink jet printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Anna L. Bouwkamp-Wijnoltz, Petrus E. J. Legierse, Guybert M. C. Derks
  • Patent number: 5962975
    Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current includes magnetic elements within certain of the electrodes which define the discharge cell. The display may be free of implosive forces when operated at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. The second set of conductors includes a magnetic core or layer whereby the second set of conductors is magnetically attracted to an array of contact points on the substrate. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Martin P. Lepselter
  • Patent number: 5955840
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for phototherapy or tanning of the human body utilizes energy most efficiently by generating incoherent excimer radiation in the wavelength bands of between 300 and 310 nm, preferably about 308 nm, and from 315 to 350 nm. A discharge space (4) is defined by a discharge vessel (3) of radiation transmissive dielectric material. A first electrode (5), preferably a mesh or a net jacket, surrounds the wall of the discharge vessel; a second electrode (7) covered by a second dielectric (8) is coaxially located within the discharge vessel. A fill of xenon halide, preferably xenon chloride with a cold-fill pressure of about 500 to 1,500 mbar is located within a discharge space (4). A voltage source (15) is connected to said first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Arnold, Friedel Maul, Alexander Dohn
  • Patent number: 5925981
    Abstract: A lamp for providing visible radiation includes tellurium or a tellurium compound in the fill. This substance is present in an amount such that when the fill is excited with sufficient power, substantially all of the radiation resulting from tellurium is emitted at wavelengths exceeding 400 nm. When tellurium is added to a sulfur or selenium based lamp for emitting visible radition, the spectrum is shifted towards the red region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Turner
  • 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: 5903091
    Abstract: A method wherein the light in a sulfur or selenium lamp is reflected through the fill a multiplicity of times to convert ultraviolet radiation to visible. A light emitting device comprised of an electrodeless envelope which bears a light reflecting covering around a first portion which does not crack due to differential thermal expansion and which has a second portion which comprises a light transmissive aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. MacLennan, Brian Turner, Kent Kipling
  • Patent number: 5889368
    Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge (EHID) lamp is disclosed for photo optical applications, such as videoprojection. The lamp contains a specific chemical fill that makes it useful as a light source for videoprojectors. The chemical fill completely vaporizes during operation, and comprises AlI.sub.3, InI, and an iodide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Th, Hf and Zr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard W. Doell, Walter P. Lapatovich
  • Patent number: 5886470
    Abstract: To increase the radiation output from a discharge lamp having a diaphragm arrangement located between an anode (3) and a heatable cathode (4), the diaphragm arrangement constricts the radiation discharge path along an axis (5, 105) extending through the diaphragm opening and towards the anode (3, 103), and has a dimension along the length of said axis of at least 0.3 mm. The diaphragm arrangement can be formed by a plurality, preferably about 3 diaphragm elements (6, 7, 8), each having diaphragm openings of from between 0.1 to 2 mm, made of sheet metal of a thickness of at least 0.03 mm, and preferably of between 0.1 to 1 mm, and in which the spacing of the diaphragm openings (10, 11, 12) with respect to each other is in the range of about 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably about 0.3 mm; alternatively, the diaphragm arrangement may include one massive diaphragm having an axial thickness of between 1 and 50 mm, preferably between about 1 and 5 mm, and spaced from the anode by between about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Smolka
  • Patent number: 5866983
    Abstract: Sodium loss, free halide build-up, devitrification and wall etching of the arc chamber are substantially reduced in an electrodeless HID metal halide arc discharge lamp by a protective metal silicate coating present only on the interior, equatorial portion of the arc chamber wall which is closest to the arc plasma. Suitable coatings include a metal silicate of a metal selected from the group consisting essentially of scandium, yttrium, beryllium, rare earth metal and mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Svante Prochazka, Hsueh-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 5866981
    Abstract: An electrodeless metal vapor discharge lamp having an airtight arc tube formed with a light transmitting material of metal oxide and containing as sealed therein luminescent substances containing at least one or more of rare earth metallic halide, further includes a promoting substance which renders a halogen cycle occurring adjacent to inner wall surface of the arc tube to be more easily promoted, so as to prevent lamp starting voltage from raising up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Saimi, Atsunori Okada, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Shingo Higashisaka, Koji Nishioka
  • Patent number: 5864210
    Abstract: The apparatus has a light transmitting bulb for confining a discharge therein, a fill sealed within the light transmitting bulb and including a rare gas and a metal halide emitting a continuous spectrum by molecular radiation, and a discharge excitation source for applying electrical energy to the fill and for starting and sustaining an arc discharge, and the metal halide includes one kind of halide selected from the group consisting of an indium halide, a gallium halide, and a thallium halide, or a mixture thereof, and in that the light transmitting bulb has no electrodes exposed in discharge space and further this construction utilizes the continuous spectrum of molecular radiation of the metal halide and thereby achieves high color rendering properties and high luminous efficacy simultaneously without using mercury as the fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Shigeru Horii, Mamoru Takeda, Tomizo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5861706
    Abstract: A light source, particularly suited for surgical and other medical illumination applications, includes an electrodeless lamp assembly, a reflector having the electrodeless lamp assembly mounted therein and high frequency power source for supplying high frequency power to the electrodeless lamp assembly. The electrodeless lamp assembly includes an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp capsule including a light transmissive discharge envelope enclosing a discharge volume containing a mixture of starting gas and chemical dopant material excitable by high frequency power to a state of luminous emission. The luminous emission has a color rendering index greater than 85 and preferably has a color rendering index greater than 90. The luminous emission preferably has low energy in the spectral range of 800 to 1000 nanometers relative to energy in the visible spectral range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, A. Bowman Budinger, Harold H. Goss, Gerhard W. Doell, Scott J. Butler, Fred Whitney
  • Patent number: 5844365
    Abstract: A light transmitting discharge vessel encloses a discharge space, sealed in a gas-tight manner, in which electrodes connected to current conductors which extend to the exterior are disposed. A filling in the discharge vessel comprises a rare gas, a buffer gas and at least one transition metal halide chosen from the halides of hafnium, zirconium and tantalum. Each of the electrodes comprises an electrode part containing a carbide chosen from the carbides of hafnium, zirconium and tantalum. As a result diffusion of transition metal from the plasma into the electrode is strongly suppressed so that the lamp keeps very good color rendering properties throughout its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Ghaleb Natour
  • Patent number: 5834895
    Abstract: A lamp for emitting in the visible portion of the spectrum, which utilizes a fill which includes a selenium and/or a sulfur containing substance. The lamp has superior performance characteristics, including long lifetime and excellent color rendition. The bulb may be either electrodeless or electroded, and may contain additives for emphasizing a desired spectral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Dolan, Michael G. Ury, Charles H. Wood, Brian Turner
  • Patent number: 5818167
    Abstract: An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp including a sealed light-transmissive envelope, a volatilizable chemical fill and an inert gas or nitrogen within the envelope. The chemical fill includes as a primary active component phosphorus or a volatilizable compound of phosphorus. The inert gas or nitrogen is at a pressure of less than 760 torr at ambient temperature, and assists in starting the lamp. Sufficient mercury may be added to the lamp fill to improve resistive heating, but addition of mercury is not required for emission. Sulfur, a sulfur compound, or a metal halide may be added to the fill as a secondary active component. The lamp envelope is coupled to a high frequency power source to produce a light emitting plasma discharge within the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Scott J. Butler, Jason R. Bochinski
  • Patent number: 5814944
    Abstract: High-pressure sodium vapor lamp with high color rendering including, in an arc tube of a light transmitting material formed in a substantially cylindrical shape sealed hermetically at both axial ends, a pair of electrodes disposed internally at both axial ends of the tube and xenon gas of at least 2.5.times.10.sup.4 (Pa) sealed in the tube together with sodium vapor, is so constituted that a lamp voltage upon lighting of the lamp and represented by V (V as a unit), lamp power represented by W (watt), internal diameter of the arc tube represented by .phi. (mm) and distance between the pair of electrodes represented by d (mm) will satisfy the following formulas:2.0.ltoreq.V/d.ltoreq.2.7 (1)and20.ltoreq.W/.phi..ltoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Saito, Atsunori Okada, Taku Sumitomo, Koji Nishioka
  • Patent number: 5777436
    Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current is free of implosive forces because it operates at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint. Air may be used as the operative gas. The display is formed on a single substrate, and may be stacked with additional displays in lieu of one or more capping layers. At least one of the sets of conductors may be provided with an aperture at each of the crosspoints to facilitate viewing the discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Spectron Corporation of America, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Martin P. Lepselter
  • Patent number: 5773918
    Abstract: The spectral energy characteristic of a discharge lamp is controlled by changing the density of the fill substance. The spectral characteristic can be shifted while substantially maintaining its shape by changing the density of the fill. A sulfur or selenium containing discharge lamp which is operated at a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere contains a low ionization potential substance in the fill. Characteristics which are improved are one or more of spatial color uniformity, extinguishing characteristics, and bulb starting reliability. Particular substances which are added to the fill are alkalai metal containing substances, III B metal containing substances, and alkaline earth metal containing substances. When light is reflected back into the bulb, the light which is re-emitted is stronger in the higher wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Dolan, Michael G. Ury
  • Patent number: 5773937
    Abstract: An apparatus that obtains a straight discharge arc during the whole lighting period, as well as provides a discharge lamp-lighting apparatus which can form a plurality of luminous intensity distribution patterns by changing the shape of the discharge arc. By supplying a lighting waveform equal to an acoustic resonance frequency which lighting waveform excites the mode to make the discharge arc straight. The acoustic resonance frequency is determined by the sound velocity in the discharge space medium and the height of a section orthogonal area to the electrode axis to the discharge lamp. The shape of the discharge arc at the time of rated lighting can be made substantially straight. By supplying the lighting waveform which amplifies the amplitude of the compressional wave emitted from the discharge arc during the period when the vapor pressure of the filler of the discharge lamp is low, the shape of the discharge arc can be made straight during the whole lighting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Miyazaki, Makoto Horiuchi, Shigeru Horii, Satoshi Kominami, Tatsushi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 5773932
    Abstract: A metal halide lamp in which no color shadowing occurs on the light acceptance surface and which at the same time emits with sufficient brightness is achieved according to the invention by encapsulating lutetium halide and one or more of the metal halides from groups A, B and C in an arc tube of a metal halide lamp together with a mercury halide:Group A: dysprosium halide, holmium halide, erbium halide, thulium halideGroup B: cerium halide, praseodymium halide, neodymium halideGroup C: cesium halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masachika Ooyama, Mitsuo Narita, Yoshio Okazaki
  • Patent number: 5739636
    Abstract: A cadmium discharge lamp which can emit line spectra with wavelengths of 214.+-.2 nm with high power is achieved by encapsulating metallic cadmium, in an amount producing a pressure in stationary lighting operation in the range from 2 kPa to 13.7 kPa, together with at least one of the rare gases xenon, krypton, argon and neon, in a temperature-controlled arc tube which is provided with electrodes located adjacently opposite one another, and by operating the lamp such that J/P is in the range from 1.4 to 75, where J is the discharge current in stationary lighting operation in amperes and the P is the cadmium pressure in stationary lighting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiyasu Yamaguchi, Yukio Yasuda, Hiromitsu Matsuno, Tatsushi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5736813
    Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation of a pH control agent in the lamp structure or in the test solution to provide a pH of about 5.5 to about 6.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Franklin Foust, Deborah Ann Haitko, David Key Dietrich
  • Patent number: 5729090
    Abstract: A sodium containing lamp constructed to include of a fused quartz or fused silica arc chamber wherein the fused quartz and/or fused silica contains less than about 0.05 parts per million sodium. The arc chamber of the invention demonstrates a resistance to sodium diffusion resulting in a longer lived lamp with excellent color maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Curtis E. Scott, Joseph A. Shrawder, Mohan Rajaram
  • Patent number: 5729091
    Abstract: A metal halide discharge lamp with a coaxial discharge vessel (2) and outer ulb (9) contains a fill of metals with a tendency to diffusion. Their specific content is less than 6 .mu.mols/cm.sup.3. The current supply leads (4, 5) are surrounded, over a large portion of their length, by a sheath (14) that is UV-shielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Electrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Clemens Barthelmes, Andreas Hohlfeld, Jurgen Vom Scheidt, Dietrich Fromm
  • Patent number: 5714835
    Abstract: A xenon excimer (Xe.sub.2) radiation source for producing vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), broad-band, molecular radiation of wavelengths shorter than 200 nm includes fluorescent materials for excitation by the VUV radiation and illumination purposes. The fluorescent materials include a mixed borate with the general formula: (Y.sub.x Gd.sub.y Eu.sub.z)BO.sub.3 ; a mixed aluminate with the general formula: (B.sub.a Eu.sub.y)MgAl.sub.10 O.sub.17 ; a mixed aluminate with the general formula: (Y.sub.x Gd.sub.y Eu.sub.z).sub.3 Al.sub.5 O.sub.12 ; a mixed silicate with the general formula: (Y.sub.x Sc.sub.y Tb.sub.z).sub.2 SiO.sub.5 ; a mixed borate with the general formula: (Y.sub.x Gd.sub.y Tb.sub.z)BO.sub.3 ; and a mixed phosphate with the general formula: (Ln.sub.x Ce.sub.y Sc.sub.w Tb.sub.z)PO.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Martin Zachau, Dieter Schmidt, Ulrich Muller
  • Patent number: 5714839
    Abstract: An arc tube for a high intensity discharge lamp. The arc tube has a hermetically sealed body formed from a vitreous material subject to devitrification, at least two oppositely disposed electrodes are sealed in the body. An are generating and sustaining medium is provided in the body and operates to produce visible light when an electric current is applied to the electrodes. The are tube has a given color rendering index, and at least a portion of the medium comprises a color correcting component of lithium iodide which contributes no only to the given color rendering index but which also acts as a devitrification agent. The improvement comprises an anti-devitrification component in the medium, the anti-devitrification component having a minimal detrimental effect on the given color rendering index while increasing the life of the are tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Yao Chao
  • Patent number: 5698948
    Abstract: A metal halide lamp includes a discharge vessel with a ceramic wall and a filling which comprises besides mercury and a halogen also Na, Tl and one or several of the elements from the group formed by Sc, Y and lanthanides. The filling also contains Mg to improve lumen maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Nancy J. Caruso
  • Patent number: 5691601
    Abstract: A metal-halide discharge lamp for photooptical purposes has a small electe spacing of less than 15 mm, preferably 2-8 mm, to provide an essentially pin-point light source, and a fill which contains AlI.sub.3 in an amount between 0.1 and 4.5 mg/cm.sup.3. Other filling components may in particular be halides of mercury, indium, thallium or cesium; up to 2 mg/cm.sup.3 of AlBr may be added. The lamp is particularly adapted for combination with a, preferably parabolic, reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Anna-Maria Frey, Jurgen Maier, Manfred Pilsak, Ralf Seedorf, Clemens Barthelmes, Thomas Dittrich
  • Patent number: 5668441
    Abstract: A high-pressure metal halide lamp which is particularly suitable for inclon in optical systems is run at specific power between 100 and 180 W per mm arc length. The lamp includes, per cm.sup.3 chamber volume, between 0.3 and 3 .mu.mol dysprosium, hafnium and lithium respectively and between 0.2 and 2 .mu.mol indium, whereby luminance of between 25 and 75 kcd/cm.sup.2 can be generated at color temperature of between 4500 and 7000 K. Light spots with a diameter of about 4 mm and a color reproduction index Ra of 80 are achieved by means of a special reflector. This makes it possible to use the lamp in combination with thin glass-fiber bunches for illumination purpose, e.g. in endoscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur Elektrische Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Genz
  • Patent number: 5666031
    Abstract: A pulse structure for operating a method neon lamp in a multi-colored light source is described along with its pertinence to automotive lighting. The particular neon lamps are mercury-free, low pressure, rare gas lamps that can be operated as efficient red, amber, and potentially white light sources in automotive and other lighting applications. The preferred pulse structure has a leading spike to ionize the neon and generate ultraviolet radiation, and has a trailing pulse to add energy to the lamp, which increases visible neon emission efficacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jennato, Harold L. Rothwell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5661365
    Abstract: A lamp for providing visible radiation includes tellurium or a tellurium compound in the fill. This substance is present in an amount such that when the fill is excited with sufficient power, substantially all of the radiation resulting from tellurium is emitted at wavelengths exceeding 400 nm. When tellurium is added to a sulfur or selenium based lamp for emitting visible radiation, the spectrum is shifted towards the red region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Turner
  • Patent number: 5606220
    Abstract: A lamp for providing visible light which utilizes a fill containing selenium and/or sulfur, or compounds of these substances. The lamp is excited such that the excited fill emits radiation from elemental selenium and/or elemental sulfur which is in a continuous band principally within the visible range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Fusion Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Dolan, Michael G. Ury, Charles H. Wood
  • Patent number: 5592050
    Abstract: A metal halide lamp in which rare earth halides are encapsulated and the occurrence of milky cloudiness is suppressed to achieve a prolongation of the service life of the lamp. To achieve this result, inert gas, mercury, indium halide, cesium halide, and rare earth halides are encapsulated in an emission part, with the encapsulation amount of the indium halide being from 0.8 micromole to 8.0 micromole/cm.sup.3 of tube volume, and the lamp is operated with an essentially horizontal arc axis using a direct current. Furthermore, iodine and bromine are contained in the halogen which forms the halides, and there is a ratio of the iodine atom number to the total halogen atom number is greater than or equal to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadatoshi Higashi, Tomoyoshi Arimoto
  • Patent number: 5559403
    Abstract: A DC type gas-discharge display panel comprises a plurality of discharge cells; discharge current limiting means provided for each of the discharge cells, for limiting a discharge current of each of said discharge cells; and a filling gas filled into each of said discharge cells, and having an inert gas mixture. A partial pressure ratio of said inert gas mixture to total pressure of said filling gas is at least 0.95. The above-described inert gas mixture is selected from the group consisting of (1) a first gas mixture consisting of a He gas and a Xe gas, (2) a second gas mixture consisting of a He gas, a Xe gas, and a Kr gas, (3) a third gas mixture consisting of a Ne gas and a Xe gas, and (4) a fourth gas mixture consisting of a Ne gas, a Xe gas and a Kr gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Hoso Kyokai
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sakai, Yasushi Motoyama, Mizumoto Ushirozawa
  • Patent number: 5543687
    Abstract: A hydrogen discharge lamp has a glass lamp enclosure formed with a radiation-emitting window and receiving a body of a zirconium-cobalt alloy forming in part a hydride which constitutes a reservoir for hydrogen or deuterium and enabling controlled liberation of the hydrogen or deuterium from the reservoir. The zirconium-cobalt alloy simultaneously forms a getter for elements interfering with spectral purity of a hydrogen discharge emission from the lamp. An electrical discharge is effected in the hydrogen or deuterium liberated in the enclosure to cause the emission of light through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Woyke, Tilman Schober
  • Patent number: 5541481
    Abstract: A cadmium rare gas discharge lamp of the short arc type that has a high power of the spectra in a wavelength range of 210 nm to 230 nm and a stable lamp voltage in lighting operation for a long period. An arc tube 1 is provided within which are disposed opposed, spaced apart electrodes 2, 3 and thermal insulation films 6, 7. A rare gas is encapsulated together with metal cadmium and a quartz glass is used for the material of the arc tube whose OH radical has a weight content of no more than 200 ppm. Electrodes 4 and 5 are spaced apart no more than 10 mm, so that with a lamp current at least 20 amperes, an arc of the electrode-stable type is formed and radiant light of Cd ions obtained. For the encapsulated rare gas, in one embodiment at least one of the rare gases neon, argon or krypton, are used and are encapsulated at a gas pressure of 35 kPa to 2.5 MPa at a standard temperature of 25.degree. C. The arc tube 1 is formed of quartz glass, electrodes 2 and 3 are placed opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiyasu Yamaguchi, Yukio Yasuda, Hiromitsu Matsuno, Tatsushi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5512800
    Abstract: In a metal halide lamp container 1 sealed with mercury and rare gas, GdX.sub.3, LuX.sub.3, and CsX where halogen is iodine, bromine, or their mixture are sealed in a total weight of 1 mg/cc or more, with the weight of CsX defined within a range of 15% or more to 50% or less of the total halides, and the weight ratio of GdX.sub.3 and LuX.sub.3 is set in a range of 0.1.ltoreq.GdX.sub.3 /LuX.sub.3 .ltoreq.10. In addition to GdX.sub.3, LuX.sub.3, and CsX, at least one of thallium halide and dysprosium halide is added. Or DyX.sub.3, LuX.sub.3, NdX.sub.3, and CsX where halogen is iodine, bromine or their mixture are sealed in the specified total weight, with the weight ratio of CsX defined in the above range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Omura, Masayuki Wakamiya, Munehiro Tabata, Nobuyoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5510676
    Abstract: A high pressure sodium lamp includes discharge vessel (20) which is enclosed with intervening space (1) by an outer bulb (10), which space contains a gas-fill with at least 70 mol. % nitrogen gas. Electrodes (30a, 30b) are positioned in the discharge vessel (20) and are each connected to a current supply conductor (40a, 40b) which issues from the discharge vessel (20) at a respective end (21a, 21b) thereof. The discharge vessel (20) has between the electrodes (30a, 30b) a central portion (22) with length L and volume V. The discharge vessel (20) contains an amalgam containing a weight m.sub.Hg of mercury and a weight m.sub.Na r. of sodium, whereby the following relations are fulfilled: ##EQU1## in which m.sub.Hg and m.sub.Na are expressed in mg, and L and V are expressed in cm and cm.sup.3, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardus J. E. Cottaar, Peter J. Vrugt
  • Patent number: 5481159
    Abstract: A discharge lamp uses resonance lines which are emitted by ions in an excitation state and has a high short wave ultraviolet ray output. The lamp is provided with a pair of electrodes, having a reciprocal spacing of equal to or smaller than 12 mm, and is of the electrode-stable type. As the major emission material, cadmium is encapsulated in a quantity permitting a partial pressure P in operation of 3.times.10.sup.3 Pa to 1.3.times.10.sup.5 Pa. The lighting operation is performed in a state in which a lamp current J.sub.L fulfills the following condition (a):0.7<J.sub.L /P.sup.1/4 <15.0. Condition (a)As an alternate major emission material, zinc can be encapsulated in a quantity permitting a partial pressure P in operation of 1.times.10.sup.3 Pa to 0.3.times.10.sup.5 Pa ant the lighting operation is performed in a state in which a lamp current J.sub.L fulfills the following condition (b):0.7<J.sub.L /P.sup.1/4 <16.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsumi Hiramoto, Tatsushi Igarashi, Hiromitsu Matsuno, Yukio Yasuda, Akiyasu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5469021
    Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current is free of implosive forces because it operates at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparant substrate and a second set of conductors crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied to the pair of crossed conductors crossing at that crosspoint. Air may be used as the operative gas. The display may be formed on a single side of the substrate. At least one of the sets of conductors may be provided with an aperture at each of the crosspoints to facilitate viewing the discharge. A system incorporating the flat-panel display is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignees: BTL Fellows Company, LLC, Spectron Corporation of America, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Martin P. Lepselter
  • Patent number: 5438244
    Abstract: Silver metal and nickel silicide are added to the fill of an electrodeless high intensity metal halide discharge lamp, which includes at least one metal iodide as a fill ingredient, for controlling the iodine vapor level therein. The nickel silicide acts to getter oxygen which has been introduced into the arc tube during lamp processing, thereby avoiding oxidation of the metal iodide portion of the fill and a concomitant release of free iodine into the arc tube. The silver acts to getter free iodine available from the metal iodide(s) of the fill as metal diffuses into the quartz arc tube wall, forming silver iodide (AgI). The combination of silver and nickel silicide acts to control the iodine level below an arc instability threshold to promote and maintain arc stability. In addition, neither silver nor nickel silicide attack the quartz arc tube wall. Lamp performance and lamp life are thus substantially improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hsueh-Rong Chang