Induction-type Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/248)
  • Patent number: 6876152
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a plasma lighting system. The system includes a power supply for supplying a power source; a magnetron for generating electromagnetic wave by the power source from the power supply; a bulb for generating light in accordance with that inert gas is ionized by the electromagnetic wave; and a case unit of a hermetic shape including the magnetron and the power supply therein for cooling heat generated from the magnetron. The plasma lighting system prevents heat of high temperature generated from the magnetron from being transmitted and foreign substance from being introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Seog Jeon, Joon-Sik Choi, Hyun-Jung Kim, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Patent number: 6873119
    Abstract: A non-rotating electrodeless high-intensity discharge lamp system using circularly polarized microwaves. The lamp system has a first rectangular waveguide to propagate linearly polarized microwaves generated from a microwave source; an input circular waveguide linearly connected to the first rectangular waveguide; a second rectangular waveguide closed at an end thereof, and perpendicularly connected to a circumferential surface of the input circular waveguide; an elliptical waveguide linearly connected to the input circular waveguide such that the major axis of the elliptical waveguide is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal surface of the input rectangular waveguide; a second circular waveguide linearly connected to the elliptical waveguide; and a discharge lamp housed in a mesh cover, and supported by the second circular waveguide while being held on a reflecting mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Taewon Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Joong Kim, Jeong-Won Kim, Kyoung-Sub Oh
  • Patent number: 6870327
    Abstract: An electrode-less discharge lamp lighting apparatus which is electrically connected to a dimming unit (2) is provided with: an electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3); and a lighting circuit (4) operable to apply a high-frequency voltage to the electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3), wherein the lighting circuit (4) includes: an AC/DC converting unit (5) operable to convert a phase-controlled AC voltage outputted from the dimming unit (2) into a DC voltage; a DC/AC converting unit (6) operable to convert the DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage; and a dimming controlling unit (7) that includes a resistor (29), a switching element (28), and a timer circuit (27) so as to detect a timing of a turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and to, based on the detected timing, allow a current whose value is at least a threshold to flow across output terminals of the AC/DC converting unit (5) for at least a duration of a time lag between the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and the generation of the high-freque
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichirou Takahashi, Satoshi Kominami, Kouji Miyazaki, Toshiaki Kurachi, Mamoru Takeda, Nobuyoshi Nagagata
  • Patent number: 6867555
    Abstract: At the time of light passage control for light output by driving a light source by means of a light source driving circuit for generating an output fluctuation point on a time axis periodically, a modulation controller sets predetermined synchronizing periods and a plurality of unit periods with different time lengths at each of the synchronizing periods, and controls light passage using a light passage controller at each of the unit periods. The modulation controller selects a unit period, where the intensity error which occurs with the output fluctuation point being inserted is predicted not to be visually recognized with human's eyesight characteristics, from the unit periods, and controls arrangement of the unit periods so that the output fluctuation point is inserted into the selected unit period. As a result, flicker due to the error of modulated output light is hardly visually recognized by a viewer without reducing the intensity of modulated output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Gyoten
  • Patent number: 6856093
    Abstract: It is desirable to be able to provide evenly illuminated, long lasting, relatively high power ultraviolet radiation for manufacturing processes such as sterilization and ink or adhesive curing. A generally rigid waveguide (2) having a slot (8) formed in one of its short sides (4) (or optionally one of its long sides (6)) may have an ultraviolet energizable elongate lamp (10) inserted therein. When the waveguide is coupled to a source of microwave energy, the slot radiates and the radiated energy is coupled almost exclusively into the lamp (10). With suitable choices of slot widths this provides even illumination with minimal microwave leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: JenAct Limited
    Inventors: Richard Little, David Briggs
  • Patent number: 6850010
    Abstract: The invention is a microwave powered lamp (10). The lamp includes a light reflective cavity (28); an electrodeless bulb (16) contained in the light reflective cavity (26) from which light is emitted when the electrodeless bulb is excited by microwaves; a magnetron (12) for providing the microwaves for exciting the electrodeless bulb; a waveguide (14) which couples the microwaves emitted by the magnetron to the light reflective cavity for exciting the electrodeless bulb; a housing (22) which contains the lamp; a detector (102, 202) disposed within the housing, which detects the microwaves which are not coupled to the bulb during operation of the magnetron and outputs a signal indicative of a level of received microwaves; and a magnetron control (300), coupled to the detector, which causes the magnetron to be turned off when a level of the signal indicates the level of received microwaves exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Barry, Keith A. Helms
  • Publication number: 20040263093
    Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes an electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3, a ballast circuit 4 and a lamp base which are formed as one unit. The ballast circuit 4 includes: an AC-DC converter 5; a DC-AC converter 6 formed so as to intermittently drive the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3; and a dimming controller 7 formed so as to detect the turn-on of a phase-controlled AC voltage and output an intermittent command signal for changing the ratio between an operating period and an extinguishing period to the DC-AC converter 6. Furthermore, the dimming controller 7 is formed so as to output a signal for extinguishing the electrodeless fluorescent lamp 3 before the operation thereof becomes unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Yoko Matsubayashi, Kenichiro Takahashi, Kouji Miyazaki, Satoshi Kominami, Toshiaki Kurachi, Mamoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 6831424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light source device capable of minimizing leakage of power supplied to a lamp of a liquid crystal display device. A plurality of power supply lines is extended between the lamp for generating light and an inverting board for receiving the power source from the outside to supply power to the lamp. The plurality of the power supply lines is coated with a shrinkable tube to be spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the leakage of the power source that is generated from the first, second, third and fourth power supply lines due to a coupling phenomenon thereof is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., LTD
    Inventors: Sang-Hyuck Youn, Seok-Won Lee, Jeong-Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20040239261
    Abstract: A non-rotating electrodeless high-intensity discharge lamp system using circularly polarized microwaves is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, the lamp system has a first rectangular waveguide (1) to propagate linearly polarized microwaves generated from a microwave source; an input circular waveguide (2) linearly connected to the first rectangular waveguide; a second rectangular waveguide (3) closed at an end thereof, and perpendicularly connected to a circumferential surface of the input circular waveguide; an elliptical waveguide (4) linearly connected to the input circular waveguide such that the major axis of the elliptical waveguide is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal surface (or the wider surface) of the input rectangular waveguide; a second circular waveguide (6) linearly connected to the elliptical waveguide; and a discharge lamp (5) housed in a mesh cover (7), and supported by the second circular waveguide while being held on a reflecting mirror (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: TAEWON ELECTRONIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jin-Joong Kim, Jeong-Won Kim, Kyoung-Sub Oh
  • Patent number: 6819048
    Abstract: The discharge volume has an internal length L and a maximum diameter D at its center, with the discharge vessel being equipped with a light-emitting filling and with two electrodes at the ends of the discharge vessel, with the lamp being operated by means of high frequency such that an acoustic longitudinal mode is formed, with the wall thickness varying along the length L of the discharge volume, with the wall thickness S being thinnest at the center of the discharge vessel, while it is at least 1.2 S at an optimum point Popt, with the optimum point in each case being at a distance of {fraction (7/24)} L from the end of the discharge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventor: Klaus Stockwald
  • Patent number: 6815896
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp, including a waveguide for transmitting microwave emitted from a magnetron, a resonator positioned at an outlet port of the waveguide, for blocking the microwave and passing light and a united bulb, which is positioned inside the resonator, including a bulb portion which seals inert gas, and emits light by the microwave, and a reflective portion for reflecting the light emitted from the bulb portion forwards, which are integrally formed, can reduce assembly time of a lamp and reduce the whole size of a lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung-Joo Kang
  • Patent number: 6809479
    Abstract: A self-ballasted electrodeless discharge lamp of the invention is provided with a discharge vessel filled with discharge gas, the discharge vessel having a cavity portion, a coil inserted into the cavity portion of the discharge vessel, a ballast circuit for supplying high frequency power to the coil, and a lamp base that is electrically connected to the ballast circuit, wherein the discharge vessel, the coil, the ballast circuit, and the lamp base are configured as a single unit, and a reflective tape for reflecting light that is radiated from the discharge gas and emitted from inside the discharge vessel to its cavity portion side is wound around the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoko Shimomura, Koji Miyazaki, Satoshi Kominami, Kohei Enchi, Hiroyuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6803724
    Abstract: A bulb for an electrodeless lamp comprises: an envelope through which the light can be permeated; a filled material filled in the envelope for emitting the light as being excited by high frequency energy; and buffer gas, wherein the buffer gas comprises first buffer gas, and second buffer gas having a partial pressure less than 1% of the partial pressure of the first buffer gas in order to reduce a discharging voltage and lighting time, and thereby, the re-lighting after putting out the light can be performed easily and the re-lighting time is reduced to improve the convenience of the user and the reliability of electrodeless lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Publication number: 20040183470
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a switch-mode power supply to generate the heating current for a hot-filament electron-emitting cathode. The power supply directly couples, without an output transformer, the output from a full-bridge converter that operates at an output frequency in the range from ten Hz to ten kHz. A connection to a reference potential that minimizes the potential fluctuation of the cathode is provided by one of the direct-current inputs to the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Steven J. Geissler, James R. Kahn, Harold R. Kaufman, Denis M. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20040183481
    Abstract: A microwave powered lamp head assembly includes a shutter assembly which may be activated to selectively allow transmission of light from the microwave powered lamp bulb. The shutter assembly allows unrestricted airflow when it is in the closed position so that the active lamp bulb may still be cooled, while preventing the transmission of UV radiation through the shutter. The shutter assembly is in close sealing relation with respect to the optical cavity holding the lamp bulb when in the closed position to minimize the escape of UV radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Borsuk, Edward C. McGhee
  • Publication number: 20040178735
    Abstract: In an electrodeless lamp system, an electrodeless lamp system in accordance with the present invention includes an electromagnetic wave generating unit for generating electromagnetic wave; a resonance unit connected to the electromagnetic wave generating unit for resonating the electromagnetic wave generated in the electromagnetic wave generating unit in a certain frequency; and a luminous unit connected to the resonance unit in order to generate light by forming plasma by an electric filed formed in the resonance unit; wherein the resonance unit includes a first resonance unit connected to the electromagnetic wave generating unit and a second resonance unit vertically connected to the first resonance unit, connected to the luminous unit and forming a resonance space for resonating in a certain frequency with the first resonance unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Patent number: 6791270
    Abstract: In a lighting apparatus using microwave, a lighting apparatus using microwave including a resonator excluding microwave and transmitting a fight, a waveguide placed at an internal domain of the resonator and transmitting the microwave, a microwave generating means installed at the side of the resonator and oscillating microwave into the waveguide, and a bulb placed at the center of the resonator and emitting light by generating a plasma by the microwave transmitted through the waveguide is capable of miniaturizing a lighting system and at the same time improving a lighting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Jung Kim, Hyo Sik Jeon
  • Patent number: 6790487
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a plasma having a selected electron temperature, by: generating electrical power having components at at least two different frequencies; deriving electromagnetic energy at the at least two different frequencies from the generated electrical power and inductively coupling the derived electromagnetic energy into a region containing an ionizable gas to ionize the gas and create a plasma composed of the resulting ions; and selecting a power level for the electrical power component at each frequency in order to cause the plasma to have the selected electron temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Wayne L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6784619
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system which is emitting light using microwave generated in a magnetron comprises: a main case including a waveguide through which microwave is transmitted, a resonator coupled to an exit of the waveguide, and a bulb located in the resonator; a subsidiary case including a magnetron generating the microwave, and a high voltage generator for providing the magnetron with high voltage; and a microwave transmission cable connected from the magnetron to the waveguide for transmitting the microwave, whereby the emitting portion can be minimized by separating components which are not really needed for emitting, and lowering of performance and damage of the bulb or the resonator by infiltration of impurities such as dust can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Joon-Sik Choi
  • Publication number: 20040164686
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The inductively powered lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, The inductively powered lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 6777878
    Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp has elongated electrodes (3) that are arranged on the inside of the wall of the discharge vessel (2) and are covered by a dielectric layer (4). Arranged on the outside of the wall of the discharge vessel (2) is an electrically conductive means (8) that is limited with reference to the longitudinal axis to a subregion (B) of the discharge vessel wall, for example a metal ring. The startability of the dielectric barrier discharge lamp when first being started or after long operational pauses is improved thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Werner Berlinghof, Gerhard Döll, Wolfgang Kumpf, Gerwin Thiel
  • Patent number: 6774571
    Abstract: In an electrodeless lighting system having a cooling unit for cooling a radiator therein, the electrodeless lighting system includes a microwave generating unit for generating microwave energy; a light emitting unit connected to the microwave generating unit and emitting light by forming plasma by the microwave energy generated in the microwave generating unit; a housing having a first receiving space for receiving the microwave generating unit and sealed-combined with the light emitting unit; a heat exchanger installed at the outer surface of the microwave generating unit to absorb heat generated in the microwave generating unit; a radiator installed at the outer surface of the housing; and a heat transfer member at which one end is connected to the heat exchanger and the other end is connected to the radiator by penetrating the housing to transmit heat from the heat exchanger to the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Patent number: 6774581
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrodeless lamp system, including a microwave generator generating microwaves, a microwave resonator including a cavity coupled with the microwave generator and an LC resonance circuit constituted with an inductor and a capacitor so as to make the microwaves trapped inside the cavity to resonate with the LC resonance circuit, and a light-emitting unit coupled with the cavity to form plasma by the resonating microwaves so as to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Patent number: 6774768
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cycling power to a HID ballast and amp in order to reduce the possibility of arc tube rupture or non-passive end of life light source failure with a warning indicator indicating impending momentary power outage. The apparatus comprises a lamp, a ballast, and a microcontroller operable to generate a warning indicator after expiration of a pre-selected period of time. The warning indicator indicates termination of power to the lamp for a predetermined period of time, by alternatively dimming and increasing the light output of the lamp. After expiration of the pre-determined period of time, the microcontroller restores the power to the ballast. The above described process is repeated periodically in order to reduce the risk of arc tube rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Isaac Lynnwood Flory, IV
  • Patent number: 6768248
    Abstract: An electrodeless lamp includes an envelope (1) containing a fill of discharge gas, a magnetic core t(7), an induction coil (6) wound around the magnetic core (7), a driver circuit for supplying an electric current to the induction coil (6) to operate the electrodeless lamp, a socket (10) for receiving electrical power supplied to the electrodeless lamp, and a heat conduction means (8,9) thermally coupled to the magnetic core (7) for conducting heat generated in the magnetic core (7) to the ambient atmosphere to dissipate heat therein, or coupled to the socket (10) for conducting heat generated in the magnetic core (7) to the socket to dissipate heat therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Chandler, Oleg Popov, Edward K. Shapiro, Jakob Maya
  • Patent number: 6765341
    Abstract: A fan having a dust-proof apparatus includes: a casing having a passage; a rotation driving unit installed inside the casing; a plurality of blades positioned in the passage and coupled to a rotational shaft of the rotation driving unit so as to be rotated; and a dust-proof member installed at an entrance of the passage to cover the entrance of the passage, and integrally coupled to the blades so as to be rotated together with the blades. Since insects or big dusts can be prevented from being introduced according to an air flowing generated as the blades are rotated, and the coupling state between parts is firm. In addition, since the eccentricity is minimized, the parts are not damaged, and as a noise generation is restrained, so that reliability can be heightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 6753659
    Abstract: An operating circuit for a discharge lamp (LP) having preheatable electrodes includes a device (C14, T11, T12, T13, G) for preheating the electrodes. The device includes a resonant circuit (C14, T11) which oscillates during preheating. During operation, the operating circuit produces an AC voltage having a frequency that is moved through a frequency range, records the response of the resonant circuit (C14, T11) by measuring an electrical variable (UC14), and identifies the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit (C14, T11) from the electrical variable (UC14), and preheats the electrodes by setting the frequency of the AC voltage to the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Olaf Busse, Bernhard Schemmel, Michael Weirich
  • Patent number: 6747419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for heat pipe cooling of an excimer lamp. In one embodiment, a heat pipe is used to dissipate heat from an excimer lamp. The heat pipe is in direct contact with at least one electrode of the excimer lamp. In one embodiment, heat is transferred through the heat pipe to a cooling point that is electrically isolated from the lamp. In one embodiment, dissipation of heat from the cooling point is done by conventional means. In one embodiment, the heat pipe is on the inside of the lamp. In another embodiment, a heat pipe is attached to the outside of an excimer lamp. In another embodiment, two heat pipes are used, one on the inside and one on the outside of an excimer lamp. In yet another embodiment, a heat pipe is used with a flat lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Ushio America, Inc.
    Inventors: Holger Claus, Zoran Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 6744221
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system, including a waveguide having an outlet which is installed being protruded from the inside of a casing to the outside of the casing, for transmitting a microwave generated in the magnetron, a resonator fixed at the outer side of the outlet of the waveguide, for forming a resonant region in which the microwave is resonated, a bulb for generating light as plasma is generated by an electric field which is formed inside the resonator and a lighting promoting means positioned inside the bulb, for concentrating the electric field so that light is rapidly emitted when the microwave is applied, can achieve convenience of a user and increase reliability of lighting as the bulb rapidly emits light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Publication number: 20040100205
    Abstract: An electrode-less discharge lamp lighting apparatus which is electrically connected to a dimming unit (2) is provided with: an electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3); and a lighting circuit (4) operable to apply a high-frequency voltage to the electrode-less fluorescent lamp (3), wherein the lighting circuit (4) includes: an AC/DC converting unit (5) operable to convert a phase-controlled AC voltage outputted from the dimming unit (2) into a DC voltage; a DC/AC converting unit (6) operable to convert the DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage; and a dimming controlling unit (7) that includes a resistor (29), a switching element (28), and a timer circuit (27) so as to detect a timing of a turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and to, based on the detected timing, allow a current whose value is at least a threshold to flow across output terminals of the AC/DC converting unit (5) for at least a duration of a time lag between the turn-on of the phase-controlled AC voltage and the generation of the high-freque
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Kenichirou Takahashi, Satoshi Kominami, Kouji Miyazaki, Toshiaki Kurachi, Mamoru Takeda, Nobuyoshi Nagagata
  • Patent number: 6737809
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide integrated plasma lamp (DWIPL) with a body consisting essentially of at least one dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than approximately 2, and having a shape and dimensions such that the body resonates in at least one resonant mode when microwave energy of an appropriate frequency is coupled into the body. A bulb positioned in a cavity within the body contains a gas-fill which when receiving energy from the resonating body forms a light-emitting plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Chandrashekhar J. Joshi, Yian Chang
  • Patent number: 6737810
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp apparatus includes an electrodeless discharge lamp, a microwave resonator, and a microwave coupler. The microwave resonator includes a conductive reflecting mirror having an opening, a conductive shield, and two opposing external electrodes provided substantially on a central axis of the reflecting mirror. The electrodeless discharge lamp is disposed between the opposing external electrodes. The focal point of the reflecting mirror is positioned between the opposing external electrodes. When microwave energy is supplied to the microwave resonator via the microwave coupler, a microwave resonant electric field occurs between the opposing external electrodes, whereby discharge of the electrodeless discharge lamp occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Koichi Katase
  • Patent number: 6734638
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system comprising: a case; a waveguide, in which an exit is exposed out of the case, installed in the case for transmitting the microwave generated in a magnetron; a bulb located outside of the exit of the waveguide and emitting light as generating plasma by the microwave transmitted through the waveguide; a protecting member fixed on the exit of the waveguide around a boundary portion of the bulb for making a resonating area in which the microwave is resonated, and formed to endure the heat generated from the bulb; and a resonator connected to the protecting member on front side of the bulb and having a reticular portion so as to prevent the leakage of the microwave and pass the light generated from the bulb, and thereby, discoloring or burning of a mesh portion of the resonator by the high temperature generated from the bulb can be prevented and therefore the leakage of the microwave in the resonating area, accordingly stability of the lighting system can be improved and life span
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Kang, Joon Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 6731071
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 6731074
    Abstract: An electrode-less lamp equipment with higher luminance by higher lamp-cooling efficiency wherein the airflow generated by the blower 9 goes through the ventilation hole 12 and spouts out from the open end of the lamp-cooling nozzle 15 and cools the surface of the electrode-less lamp 1 is provided. The velocity of the airflow is accordingly high around the lamp surface enough to efficiently cool the lamp. This makes it possible to raise the input power density to the lamp and to increase luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ORC Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6720733
    Abstract: An emission element enclosed inside an electrodeless lamp 5 is excited by an electromagnetic field of a microwave irradiated from a magnetron 2 for emitting light from the electrodeless lamp 5. A soft-starting method is provided such that an electric power enough to drive the magnetron 2 is gradually increased. The soft-starting method is to prevent the magnetron from being destroyed by self-heating due to a reflected wave of the microwave. The soft-staring method is used when a light begins to be emitted from the electrodeless lamp 5. Accordingly, the electrodeless lamp system is provided such that breakage of the magnetron caused by the self-heating due to the reflected wave of the microwave can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Orc Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Akio Suzuki, Takeshi Tada, Taisei Kato
  • Patent number: 6700332
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp system includes an excitation coil placed in proximity of the electrodeless discharge lamp, a resonance circuit for supplying appropriate power to the excitation coil, and a high frequency power source driver and wherein, the combined output is achieved by operating the parallel connected power sources in synchronization or approximately in synchronization with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Yokozeki, Hiroyuki Doi, Takashi Terai, Ioshiya Suzuki, Masaaki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20040036423
    Abstract: A lamp assembly in accordance with the invention includes an electrodeless bulb (14) which is symmetrical about an axis (16) and which contains a light emissive fill which emits light when the bulb is excited by a RF electrical field coupled to the fill; an electrically conductive coupler (18) comprising a plurality of turns (20) which are symmetrical about an axis of the electrically conductive coupler, the turns defining a volume (19) that at least partially contains the bulb; and a conductor (26) connected to a center portion of the electrically conductive coupler with connection of the conductor to the electrically conductive coupler providing a fixing of the coupler relative to the bulb which, when the conductor is connected to a source of RF electrical potential, conducts a RF current producing a RF electrical potential on the electrically conductive coupler that produces the RF electrical field coupled to the light emissive fill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Pedro A. Lezcano, Jonathan D. Barry, Jeffrey K. Okamitsu, Miodrag Cekic
  • Patent number: 6696788
    Abstract: An electric discharge lamp includes a light transmissive inner jacket that defines a sealed inner chamber, a first material in the inner chamber that emits light when activated, and a light transmissive outer jacket around the inner jacket. The outer jacket defines a sealed outer chamber between the inner and outer jackets that contains a second fill material. The second fill material, when activated by heat from the inner chamber when the lamp is operating, converts ultraviolet (UV) and deep blue light emitted from the inner chamber to visible light, thereby increasing an amount of visible light transmitted through the outer jacket compared to an amount of visible light transmitted through the inner jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Christopher Scott Nordahl
  • Patent number: 6696802
    Abstract: A lamp assembly in accordance with the invention includes an electrodeless bulb (14) which is symmetrical about an axis (16) and which contains a light emissive fill which emits light when the bulb is excited by a RF electrical field coupled to the fill; an electrically conductive coupler (18) comprising a plurality of turns (20) which are symmetrical about an axis of the electrically conductive coupler, the turns defining a volume (19) that at least partially contains the bulb; and a conductor (26) connected to a center portion of the electrically conductive coupler with connection of the conductor to the electrically conductive coupler providing a fixing of the coupler relative to the bulb which, when the conductor is connected to a source of RF electrical potential, conducts a RF current producing a RF electrical potential on the electrically conductive coupler that produces the RF electrical field coupled to the light emissive fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro A. Lezcano, Jonathan D. Barry, Jeffrey K. Okamitsu, Miodrag Cekic
  • Patent number: 6696801
    Abstract: A reflector (42) for use in a microwave excited ultra-violet lamp system (10) having a plasma lamp bulb (20). The reflector (42) includes a pair of longitudinally extending reflector panels (46) that are mounted in opposing, i.e., mirror facing relationship, and in space relationship to the plasma lamp bulb (20). A longitudinally extending intermediate member (52) is mounted in spaced relationship to the pair of reflector panels (46) and to the plasma lamp bulb (20). The reflector panels (46) and the intermediate member (52) form a pair of longitudinally extending slots (64) that are operable to pass air toward the plasma lamp bulb (20) to envelop the bulb (20) effectively entirely about its outer surface. Alternatively, the pair of reflector panels (46e) are connected to longitudinally extending edges (58e) of the intermediate member (52e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Schmitkons, James M. Borsuk
  • Patent number: 6693382
    Abstract: In microwave energized ultraviolet bulbs, much of the input energy is converted to heat emissions. It has been found that the efficiency of such a bulb can be optimized by monitoring power density of different portions of the UV spectrum (for example, UVA and UVC) and adjusting input power to the bulb and/or the bulbs temperature accordingly. This may be used not only to improve efficiency of the bulb but also to improve the efficiency of emissions at either UVA or UVC. A control system and suitable control parameters are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: JenAct Limited
    Inventors: Richard Little, David Briggs
  • Patent number: 6680576
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus which uses microwave energy which includes a microwave generator disposed inside a casing for generating microwave energy, a waveguide for transmitting the microwave energy, a resonator for covering an outlet of the waveguide, a bulb placed inside a resonator for generating light by the microwave energy transmitted through the waveguide, a conduction block in contact with the microwave generator for receiving heat generated in the microwave generating process, a heat transfer unit connected between the conduction block and the casing for transmitting heat from the conduction block to the casing and a radiating unit installed at the end of the heat transfer unit for radiating heat transmitted from the conduction block to the casing or outside of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Seog Jeon
  • Patent number: 6677717
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus of a lighting system using microwave includes: a high voltage transformer for transforming a general AC power to an AC power of high voltage and outputting the high voltage AC power; and a voltage doubler unit for transforming the high voltage AC power into a high voltage DC power, increasing the frequency of the current of the DC power, and outputting the DC power having the increased frequency. Since the frequency of the power applied to the magnetron is increased to remove the flicker phenomenon, a stable light can be radiated to an external space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Sin Park
  • Patent number: 6661183
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for intercepting leakage of microwave includes an electrodeless bulb for generating light by microwave generated from a magnetron, a sensing unit installed outside the resonator for intercepting the microwave, for passing light generated in the electrodeless bulb and outputting a corresponding sensing signal by sensing at real time whether the microwave is leaked and a control unit for turning on or off a power supplied to the magnetron by the sensing signal, thus to prevent a fire by leakage of the microwave and secure safety of a user by intercepting the microwave leaked by damage of the resonator of the lighting apparatus using the microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Sin Park, Hyoun-Soo Hea
  • Patent number: 6653783
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a translucent bulb enclosing a luminous material; a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field that causes discharge in the luminous material; a power source for supplying an alternating current to the coil, the coil including a core and a winding provided near the bulb; and further includes startability improving means for improving startability of the lamp by generating a portion in which the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is intensified in the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Kawasaki, Toshiaki Kurachi, Koji Miyazaki, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani
  • Patent number: 6653775
    Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end adjacent the lamp base portion, and a metal cup disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation. The cup defines an annular outer wall having a free edge extending toward the tubulation closed end, a tubular central core portion extending toward the tubulation closed end, and an annular trough formed by the core portion and the outer wall. A mercury amalgam ball is disposed between the metal cup and the tubulation closed end, a diameter of the ball exceeding an inner diameter of the core portion, and a coating of a metal wetting agent is disposed on interior surfaces of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Speer, Louise D. Cleary, Joseph V. Lima
  • Publication number: 20030214257
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Publication number: 20030214256
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Publication number: 20030214255
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton