Induction-type Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/248)
  • Patent number: 6650068
    Abstract: The induction coil core used for an induction coil of a discharge lamp, the discharge lamp including: a bulb containing discharge gas inside; and the induction coil for generating an electromagnetic field with a frequency in a range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz inclusive in the bulb. The core is made of a Mn—Zn polycrystalline ferrite and has a Curie temperature of 270° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kurachi, Koji Miyazaki, Katsushi Seki, Mamoru Takeda
  • Publication number: 20030209995
    Abstract: This invention intends to provide with 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. 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: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Akio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6646384
    Abstract: The present invention is a microwave excited lamp and a microwave gasket. A microwave excited lamp (10) in accordance with the invention includes at least one microwave source (12); a microwave structure (20) comprising a metallic material to which microwaves are coupled from the microwave source; the microwave structure, including a reflector (22) comprising the metallic material and containing a microwave excited bulb (24) which emits light in response to coupling of microwave power thereto from the microwave source; and at least one microwave gasket (100) which provides a microwave tight seal between a surface of the reflector and at least one other metallic part of the microwave structure with the gasket comprising the metallic material; and wherein during operation of the lamp a microwave current maxima flows on a surface of the gasket and the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Barry
  • Patent number: 6646256
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for an ion source that comprises a flow-through ultraviolet lamp for photoionization. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a tubular outer element and a tubular inner element. The inner element is disposed within the outer element to provide a space between the inner and outer elements. The inner element is open at its ends to provide a pathway through that element. A gas discharge between the elements produces ultraviolet radiation, which transmits through the wall of the inner element into the region within the inner element and ionizes molecules that flow through the region. The ion source can be employed in conjunction with a mass analyzer for mass spectrometry. In the method for ionizing molecules in an ion source, vaporized molecules are flowed through the region within the inner element, the region being surrounded by UV radiation. The radiation ionizes vaporized molecules in the surrounded region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell L. Gourley, Steven M. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6642671
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes: a bulb filled with discharge gas; an induction coil; a power supply circuit including a plurality of electric components; a case for accommodating the plurality of electric components; a stick-shaped heat conducting member; a first planar heat conducting member thermally connected to the stick-shaped heat conducting member; a second heat conducting member thermally connected to the first heat conducting member; and a third heat conducting member for thermally connecting at least two of the plurality of electric components, wherein the second heat conducting member is thermally connected to the case, and the thermal conductivity of the first heat conducting member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the stick-shaped heat conducting member and the thermal conductivity of the second heat conducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kurachi, Satoshi Kominami, Kouji Miyazaki, Kenichirou Takahashi, Kenichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20030197476
    Abstract: It is desirable to be able to provide evenly illuminated, long lasting, relatively high power ultraviolet radiation for manufacturing processes such as sterilisation 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 energisable 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Little, David Briggs
  • Publication number: 20030193299
    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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Patent number: 6624593
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the brightness of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp excited by power supplied to a coil disposed in closed proximity to said lamp. The apparatus includes a dimming control unit responsive to a brightness setting for the lamp that provides a PWM signal indicative of the brightness setting. An oscillator is disposed for producing a first lamp drive voltage having a first frequency selected in response to a first state of the PWM signal and a second lamp drive voltage having a second frequency selected in response to a second state of the PWM signal. Accordingly, the first drive voltage turns on the lamp by transferring maximum power to the lamp and the second drive voltage turns off the lamp by transferring minimum power to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Randall D. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6617793
    Abstract: A resonator for use in microwave lighting apparatus includes a mesh portion formed in a cylindrical shape with one side opened, at least one portion of which prevents microwave transmitted through a waveguide from leaking and light radiated from a light bulb is transmitted outwardly, the mesh portion being formed integral without a joint. Since the portion of the mesh structure is integrally formed as one body without a joint rather than being welded to be coupled, the microwave is prevented from leaking. In addition, since the holes of the mesh portion are uniformly formed without any clogged portion, the light transmittance area is enlarged, improving the light efficiency of the lighting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joon Sik Choi, Yong Seog Jeon
  • Patent number: 6617806
    Abstract: An electrodeless microwave discharge lamp includes a source of microwave energy, a microwave cavity, a structure configured to transmit the microwave energy from the source to the microwave cavity, a bulb disposed within the microwave cavity, the bulb including a discharge forming fill which emits light when excited by the microwave energy, and a reflector disposed within the microwave cavity, wherein the reflector defines a reflective cavity which encompasses the bulb within its volume and has an inside surface area which is sufficiently less than an inside surface area of the microwave cavity. A portion of the reflector may define a light emitting aperture which extends from a position closely spaced to the bulb to a light transmissive end of the microwave cavity. Preferably, at least a portion of the reflector is spaced from a wall of the microwave cavity. The lamp may be substantially sealed from environmental contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Kirkpatrick, James T. Dolan, Donald A. MacLennan, Brian P. Turner, James E. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6611104
    Abstract: A coupling structure of a waveguide and an applicator including: an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide for transmitting an electromagnetic wave generated by the electromagnetic wave generator; and an applicator for receiving the electromagnetic wave through the waveguide and transmitting it to a lamp bulb, wherein the wall of the waveguide and the applicator are partially or wholly held in common, on which at least two slots are formed, so that when the electromagnetic wave reflecting from the applicator is directed to the waveguide, it does not go back toward the electromagnetic wave generator. According to the coupling structure of a waveguide and an applicator of the present invention, variation of the load does not affect the electromagnetic wave generator, without requiring expensive devices such as a waveguide tuner or a circulator, so that the life of the electromagnetic wave generator is increased and the system is stably operated all the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Seok Kim, Joon-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 6608443
    Abstract: In a lighting apparatus, a lighting apparatus using microwave energy includes a magnetron for generating microwave energy, a bulb for generating lights by the microwave energy, a wave guide for connecting the magnetron and the bulb and transmitting the microwave energy generated in the magnetron to the bulb, and a casing housing the magnetron and the wave guide inside and combining with the bulb, herein the casing housing the magnetron is tightly contacted to the exterior of the magnetron in order to emit heat generated in the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 6608444
    Abstract: A mercury-free high-intensity discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a horizontally operated high-intensity discharge lamp including an arc tube in which a luminous material is enclosed and a pair of electrodes are arranged in the arc tube; a ballast including an alternating current generation means for supplying alternating current to the pair of electrodes; and a magnetic field application means for applying in substantially vertical direction a magnetic field having a component that is substantially perpendicular to a straight line connecting heads of the pair of electrodes; wherein mercury is not included as the luminous material in the arc tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Minamihata, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Yuriko Kaneko, Mamoru Takeda, Hideaki Kiryu, Takayuki Murase, Masato Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6605889
    Abstract: An electrodeless low pressure discharge lamp comprises an envelope made from a straight tube and a reentry cavity sealed to one of tube's ends. The cavity has several hollow ferrite cores separated from each other with a few mm distance. Each ferrite core has an induction coil of few turns wound around the core. Each cavity has a cooling copper tube or rod located inside the ferrite core that removes heat from the cores and dumps the heat into a heat sink welded to the cooling tube/rod thereby keep the temperature of the ferrite cores below their Curie point. Each induction coil is electrically connected to the matching network while all matching networks are connected in parallel to the high frequency power source (driver). Inductively coupled plasmas generated in the envelope by several core/coil assemblies produce axially uniform UV and visible radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
    Inventors: Shinichi Anami, Robert Chandler, Oleg Popov
  • Publication number: 20030141828
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Joon-sik Choi, Yong-Seog Jeon, Hyo-sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Publication number: 20030132719
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Joon-Sik Choi, Young-Seog Jeon, Hyo-Sik Jeon, Hyun-Jung Kim, Ji-Young Lee, Byeong-Ju Park
  • Publication number: 20030122501
    Abstract: The invention is a lighting system which produces visible and UV light. The system includes a light bulb (60) which emits light in response to excitation by radio frequency energy; an electrically powered bulb rotation motor (50) mechanically coupled to the light bulb which rotates the light bulb coupled thereto; an electrically energized radio frequency energy source (70) which provides the radio frequency energy coupled to the light bulb, the electrically energized radio frequency energy source including a heater (110) which is energized at least while the radio frequency energy source is turned on; and a control circuit (24), for coupling to an electrical power source, which controls application of a regulated voltage to the heater and the bulb rotation motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert M. Ervin, George Jarrard, Pedro Lezcano
  • Patent number: 6577074
    Abstract: The invention is a lighting system which produces visible and UV light. The system includes a light bulb (60) which emits light in response to excitation by radio frequency energy; an electrically powered bulb rotation motor (50) mechanically coupled to the light bulb which rotates the light bulb coupled thereto; an electrically energized radio frequency energy source (70) which provides the radio frequency energy coupled to the light bulb, the electrically energized radio frequency energy source including a heater (110) which is energized at least while the radio frequency energy source is turned on; and a control circuit (24), for coupling to an electrical power source, which controls application of a regulated voltage to the heater and the bulb rotation motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Ervin, George Jarrard, Pedro Lezcano
  • Patent number: 6570301
    Abstract: A dielectric-barrier discharge lamp device that can reliably prevent leakage of the coolant fluid used to cool the dielectric-barrier discharge lamp, and that can reliably cool the dielectric-barrier discharge lamp, is achieved by the dielectric-barrier discharge lamp device having a dielectric-barrier discharge lamp (1) with a hollow-cylinder-shaped discharge space (P) formed by an outer tube (3) that is roughly cylindrical in external shape and a co-axial inner tube (2), in which the inner tube (2) has a cylindrical tube extension (2A) that extends outward from the discharge space (4), and in which the outer periphery of the end (2A1) of the tube extension (2A) is held tightly by a coupler fitting (8) connected to a guide tube (11) through which a coolant fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hishinuma, Shinji Sugioka, Satoru Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20030094909
    Abstract: To advantageously eliminate the disadvantage of attenuation of the radiant light from dielectric barrier discharge lamps by a UV transmission component, a treatment device using dielectric barrier discharge lamps is provided with a lamp chamber in which dielectric barrier discharge lamps are located and in which there is an inert gas atmosphere; a treatment chamber, in which an article to be treated is located, is provided with a treatment gas atmosphere, and a UV transmission component by which the lamp chamber and the treatment chamber are separated from one another. In each of the lamp chamber and the treatment chamber there are devices for determining the gas pressure within the respective chamber, a supply arrangement for delivering gas to the inside the respective chamber and an arrangement for discharging gas from the respective chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 6566823
    Abstract: A discharge pulse generator for supplying power between a pair of electrodes (1 and 2), comprises a distribution constant line (8) of a predetermined length being connected at one termination to the electrodes (1 and 2), charging means (16) being connected to the distribution constant line (8) for charging the capacitance of the distribution constant line (8), rectification means (13) being connected to an opposite termination of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8) in a direction in which no current flows relative to voltage of the above-mentioned charging means (16), and a resistor (10) being connected in series to the above-mentioned rectification means (13) and having a resistance value equal to the characteristic impedance of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8). For example, to use the discharge pulse generator for electric discharge machining, a workpiece can be worked on with higher accuracy and higher quality at higher speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kinbara, Takashi Yuzawa, Hajime Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20030085671
    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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Joon-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 6559607
    Abstract: The present invention is a microwave excited electrodeless bulb and a process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb. A process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb in accordance with the invention includes providing an electrodeless bulb (19) with an envelope (32) containing an ultraviolet emissive material which emits ultraviolet light in response to microwave excitation. The envelope is filled with an ultraviolet emissive material. The envelope has a major internal dimension (30) between ⅓ and ½&lgr; to which a strong field of the microwave excitation is coupled during emission of ultraviolet light with &lgr; being the free space wavelength of the microwave excitation which varies between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. The strong field is produced by a microwave source having a steady state rated output power of no greater than 0.85 kW. The bulb is rotated at a rotational velocity of at least 20 revolutions per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ervin, Pedro A. Lezcano, Miodrac Cekjc
  • Patent number: 6555954
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a compact electrodeless fluorescent lamp that includes a transparent envelope containing a fill of inert gas along with a vaporizable metal such as mercury. An induction coil is operated by a driver circuit, and is positioned inside of a reentrant cavity in the envelope with an adjacent permeable magnetic field manipulation structure having a shunting surface ending at a shunting surface periphery. A thermally and electrically conductive primary cooling structure is positioned adjacent the magnetic field manipulation structure to extend within the shunting surface periphery while being separated from the induction coil thereby. A further component cooling structure is provided to at least partially enclose the driver circuit connected to the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Chandler, Edward K. Shapiro, Oleg A. Popov, Jakob Maya
  • Publication number: 20030071583
    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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yoko Shimomura, Koji Miyazaki, Satoshi Kominami, Kohei Enchi, Hiroyuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6548965
    Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp employs a glass envelope made from a single linear tube or bulb and a reentry cavity disposed on the envelope axis and sealed to the envelope. The envelope is filled with inert gas and mercury vapor. Phosphor and protective coatings are disposed on the inner surfaces of the envelope and the cavity. An induction coil of A few turns made from silver coated copper wire is wrapped around the envelope in its axial direction. The inductively-coupled axially uniform plasma is generated inside the envelope. The discharge electric field and current form a closed-loop path inside the envelope along its walls. The introduction of the reentry cavity decreases the lamp wall loading without loosing lamp power efficiency and efficacy. The lamp is operated at frequencies from 50 kHz to 200 MHz and RF power from 5 W to 2000 W without the use of ferrite inside of the reentry cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Research and Development Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Maya, Oleg Popov, Robert Chandler
  • Publication number: 20030067276
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the brightness of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp excited by power supplied to a coil disposed in closed proximity to said lamp. The apparatus includes a dimming control unit responsive to a brightness setting for the lamp that provides a PWM signal indicative of the brightness setting. An oscillator is disposed for producing a first lamp drive voltage having a first frequency selected in response to a first state of the PWM signal and a second lamp drive voltage having a second frequency selected in response to a second state of the PWM signal. Accordingly, the first drive voltage turns on the lamp by transferring maximum power to the lamp and the second drive voltage turns off the lamp by transferring minimum power to the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Randall D. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6545429
    Abstract: A gas discharge lamp assembly is provided wherein the regulator housing and the ballast housing are placed remote from each other. Further, an ignitor and a capacitor are added to the circuitry of the ballast housing to allow for the regulator's remote placement. Such gas discharge lamps are typically between 1000 Watts and 2000 Watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Isaac L. Flory, IV
  • Publication number: 20030062852
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Sin Park, Hyoun-Soo Hea
  • Publication number: 20030062851
    Abstract: A method for joining cut surfaces of different portions of a ferrite core for a fluorescent lamp includes the steps of providing a high magnetic permeability paste, applying the paste to the cut surface of at least one of the core portions, abutting the cut surfaces and squeezing out and removing excess paste. The paste is an admixture of ferromagnetic material and a suitable carrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: John W. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20030057840
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Kang, Joon Sik Choi
  • Publication number: 20030057877
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes: a bulb filled with discharge gas; an induction coil; a power supply circuit including a plurality of electric components; a case for accommodating the plurality of electric components; a stick-shaped heat conducting member; a first planar heat conducting member thermally connected to the stick-shaped heat conducting member; a second heat conducting member thermally connected to the first heat conducting member; and a third heat conducting member for thermally connecting at least two of the plurality of electric components, wherein the second heat conducting member is thermally connected to the case, and the thermal conductivity of the first heat conducting member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the stick-shaped heat conducting member and the thermal conductivity of the second heat conducting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kurachi, Satoshi Kominami, Kouji Miyazaki, Kenichirou Takahashi, Kenichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20030057841
    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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hyung-Joo Kang
  • Publication number: 20030057842
    Abstract: In an electrodeless discharge lamp using microwave energy, an electrodeless discharge lamp using microwave energy includes a resonator having an opening portion at the side and forming a resonance region at which microwave energy is resonated, a magnetron having an antenna in order to output microwave energy, a coaxial wave guide installed to the other side of the resonator, transmitting microwave energy from the magnetron to the resonator and having an internal guide extended in the projecting direction of the antenna of the microwave generator, a bulb placed inside the resonator and having enclosed fluorescent materials generating lights by the microwave energy, and a mesh member installed to the opening portion of the resonator, preventing leakage of microwave energy and passing lights generated in the bulb. Accordingly, by reducing a size of a lamp, it can be easily applied to a low-output system required a compact construction such as a projection TV, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Hyun-Jung Kim, Joon-Sik Choi
  • Publication number: 20030042857
    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 a 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 caused by a self-heating due to a reflected wave of the microwave and is used when a light begins to be emitted from the electrodeless lamp 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: ORC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Suzuki, Takeshi Tada, Taisei Kato
  • Patent number: 6528953
    Abstract: An arc discharge lamp comprises an arc chamber having an amalgam tip attached to and communicating with it. The communication comprises a narrow tubular extension that penetrates the amalgam tip for a distance less than the depth of the tip. An amalgam that includes bismuth is contained within the amalgam tip. This construction allows operation of the lamp in any position and prevents the bismuth in the amalgam from penetrating the lamp and poisoning the phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Pearson, Joseph V. Lima, David C. Wentzel
  • Patent number: 6522085
    Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a closed-loop (“tokamak”) envelope, two ferrite cores, and an induction coil that is disposed on the envelope walls inside the closed-loop formed by the envelope. The envelope comprises two straight tubes of the same diameter. All coils' turns have essential the same length and are parallel to each other and to the closed-loop axis. Each ferrite core encircles a segment of each the coil's turn and one connecting tube. The lamp can be operated at driving frequencies of 100-600 kHz and lamp powers of 50-250 W. The ferrite core power losses were 6-8 W when the lamp was operated at a frequency of 200-300 kHz and lamp power of 140-150 W. The lamp light output was 12,500 lumen and luminous efficacy was 87 LPW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Research and Development Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Oleg A. Popov, Jagannathan Ravi, Robert Chandler, Edward Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6522084
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a transparent discharge vessel (1) in which a luminescent substance is enclosed; a coil (3) for generating an alternating electromagnetic field that discharges the luminescent substance; a power source (4) for supplying alternating current to the coil (3). The coil (3) comprises at least a magnetic material, and is disposed on an inner side than the outer side wall of the discharge vessel (1), and the luminescent substance comprises at least a rare gas, and does not comprise mercury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Miyazaki, Toshiaki Kurachi, Mamoru Takeda, Katsushi Seki, Young-Jae Cho
  • Patent number: 6518703
    Abstract: Relatively uniform high frequency energy can be applied to a planar or linear discharge space and a more uniform discharge can be produced by using an electrodeless discharge energy supply apparatus which comprises a surface wave transmission line 11 for exciting a surface wave by a high frequency, the surface wave transmission line 11 being formed from a conductive material having a periodic array of corrugations 14, wherein using the surface wave produced in the vicinity of the surface wave transmission line 11, energy necessary to produce an electrodeless discharge is supplied to an electrodeless discharge tube 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Mamoru Takeda, Kazuyuki Sakiyama
  • Publication number: 20030020414
    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 ex-tending 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: James W. Schmitkons, James M. Borsuk
  • Patent number: 6509675
    Abstract: A discharge lamp includes means for containing a light emitting fill, the fill being capable of absorbing light at one wavelength and re-emitting the light at a different wavelength, the light emitted from the fill having a first spectral power distribution in the absence of reflection of light back into the fill; means for exciting the fill to cause the fill to emit light; and means for reflecting some of the light emitted by the fill back into the fill while allowing some light to exit, the exiting light having a second spectral power distribution with proportionately more light in the visible region as compared to the first spectral power distribution, wherein the light re-emitted by the fill is shifted in wavelength with respect to the absorbed light and the magnitude of the shift is in relation to an effective optical path length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. MacLennan, Brian P. Turner
  • Patent number: 6509697
    Abstract: A compact, electrodeless, microwave-powered lamp (e.g., ultraviolet light emitting lamp) is provided, as well as methods of using this lamp. The lamp includes a microwave generator, waveguide and RF cavity. The RF slot between the waveguide and RF cavity, for introducing microwaves from the waveguide into the RF cavity, extends through an end member forming the RF cavity rather than through the elliptical-shaped reflector; and the RF slot is aligned with the bulb. Cooling air for cooling the bulb passes through the RF slot, and preferably this cooling air passes by both the bulb and microwave generator for cooling both. The bulb is rotated during use. The compact size of the lamp facilitates its use in small devices, such as inkjet printers for office use to cure ultraviolet light curable inkjet inks, among other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ervin, Gregory Walter, David Snyder
  • Publication number: 20030011322
    Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a closed-loop (“tokamak”) envelope, two ferrite cores, and an induction coil that is disposed on the envelope walls inside the closed-loop formed by the envelope. The envelope comprises two straight tubes of the same diameter. All coils' turns have essential the same length and are parallel to each other and to the closed-loop axis. Each ferrite core encircles a segment of each the coil's turn and one connecting tube. The lamp can be operated at driving frequencies of 100-600 kHz and lamp powers of 50-250 W. The ferrite core power losses were 6-8 W when the lamp was operated at a frequency of 200-300 kHz and lamp power of 140-150 W. The lamp light output was 12,500 lumen and luminous efficacy was 87 LPW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Oleg A. Popov, Jagannathan Ravi, Robert Chandler, Edward Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20030011323
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes an electrodeless lamp bulb enclosing a fill which emits light when excited, an excitation structure positioned near the bulb and adapted to excite the fill, a rotation assembly connected to the bulb and adapted to rotate the bulb during operation of the lamp, and a plurality of structures formed on an outer surface of the bulb adapted to enhance cooling of the bulb. In some cases the structures are distributed in accordance with a temperature profile of the bulb to provide a relatively more uniform bulb temperature during operation. Some structures include protrusions which are distributed around the entire surface of the bulb. Some structures include protrusions which are distributed around the entire surface of the bulb except in the region of the bulb equator. Some structures include a plurality of ribs attached to an outer surface of the bulb, wherein the ribs are aligned transverse to a plane of the equator of the bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas A. Kirkpatrick, Anatoliy Y. Elbert, Thomas L. Sumner, Paul E. Steiner
  • Patent number: 6504319
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the discharge lamp an additional transparent body (21) is disposed along the optical axis (10) in a second end (16) of the bulb (2). In the area of the second end (16) outside of the lamp bulb (2) an additional radiation source (configured as a thermal radiator (22) is provided, whose radiation passes through the transparent body (21) into the bulb (2), both the radiation produced by the plasma and the radiation of the thermal radiator being carried out through the first transparent body (20) configured as a condenser lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventor: Beate Herter
  • Publication number: 20030001519
    Abstract: An integrated high brightness electrodeless lamp includes a lamp base defining two or more compartments housing components of the lamp, wherein at least one compartment provides an opening in the lamp base, a cover fitted to the lamp base, and an optics assembly positioned in the opening in the lamp base, wherein the lamp base, the cover, and the optics assembly provide an RF sealed system. The lamp components include an RF source providing RF energy for the lamp, an aperture bulb assembly including an electrodeless envelope containing a discharge forming fill which emits light when excited by RF energy, and an excitation structure for coupling RF energy from the RF source to the discharge forming fill. The optics assembly may be mounted in the opening in the lamp base with a twist lock mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas A. Kirkpatrick, Gary K. Bass, Jesse F. Copsey, Aleksandr Gitsevich, David Helsel, David W. Lawrence, Edward P. Rhyne, Stephen J. Sweeney, Peter Tsai
  • Publication number: 20020167282
    Abstract: An oscillator includes an amplifier having an input and an output, a feedback network connected between the input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier, the feedback network being configured to provide suitable positive feedback from the output of the amplifier to the input of the amplifier to initiate and sustain an oscillating condition, and a tuning circuit connected to the input of the amplifier, wherein the tuning circuit is continuously variable and consists of solid state electrical components with no mechanically adjustable devices including a pair of diodes connected to each other at their respective cathodes with a control voltage connected at the junction of the diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas A. Kirkpatrick, Aleksandr Gitsevich
  • Patent number: 6476565
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a remote powered electrodeless light bulb 12 and an RF transmitter 14. The bulb 12 requires no electrical connection and will not burn out, can be submerged into water without causing electrocution, is safe and non toxic and has many uses. The bulb 12 may be of any size or shape, and is filled with inert argon gas and or other inert gases under vacuum. The transmitter 12 emits an RF field from a distance of 1 to 25 feet and comprises a variable frequency adjustment knob 16, an output power field adjustment knob 18 and a special effects transmitter knob 20 for changing the pulse/strobe rate. Also shown is a power source 22, a base 24, which may be made of metal, a chassis ground wire 26, an antenna 28, and a transmitter housing 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Charles Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6476557
    Abstract: An electrodeless lamp includes a stationary bulb (10) containing a fill for producing a discharge, the fill has a primary radiating material which ordinarily produces an unstable discharge in the absence of bulb rotation. The fill further includes an alkali metal in an amount sufficient to stabilize the discharge without bulb rotation. The alkali metal may be, for example, cesium bromide. Preferably, the fill is excited by a non-stationary electric field (E, E1) such as, for example, a circular polarized electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongzhang Leng, Brian P. Turner, James E. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20020149327
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a remote powered electrodeless light bulb 12 and an RF transmitter 14. The bulb 12 requires no electrical connection and will not burn out, can be submerged into water without causing electrocution, is safe and non toxic and has many uses. The bulb 12 may be of any size or shape, and is filled with inert argon gas and or other inert gases under vacuum. The transmitter 12 emits an RF field from a distance of 1 to 25 feet and comprises a variable frequency adjustment knob 16, an output power field adjustment knob 18 and a special effects transmitter knob 20 for changing the pulse/strobe rate. Also shown is a power source 22, a base 24, which may be made of metal, a chassis ground wire 26, an antenna 28, and a transmitter housing 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Charles Kaminski