US3790852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave-excited light emitting device
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A microwave-excited light emitting device is provided comprising an electrodeless evacuated discharge lamp containing ionizable elements and mounted in the frequency determining resonator of a microwave oscillator. The oscillator resonator is tuned to provide a microwave frequency of sufficiently high frequency to provide ionization and excitation of the elements within the electrodeless discharge lamp while mitigating deterious ion bombardment of the walls of the electrodeless discharge lamp. By placing the lamp in the oscillator resonator any changes in the electrical characteristics of the lamp after firing will cause a frequency change in the oscillator allowing the lamp and the oscillator to remain in tuned relationship. However, the oscillator is further provided with thermal isolation means to isolate the lamp from the active device within the oscillator such as a vacuum tube or a solid state device. The light-emitting device is further provided with heating means to conduct externally generated heat to the lamp thermally independently of the active device. In this manner the lamp may be operated at a steady, and preferably elevated, temperature without exposing the active device to excessive heat which would have a deleterious effect on the life of the active device.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bolin
- 👤 C Hopper
- 👤 S Jolly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A light-emitting device comprising: a. a microwave oscillator including: 1. a composite electrically conductive shell defining a resonant cavity, said conductive shell being dimensioned to be electrically one-half the operating frequency wavelength, and thus creating at least two positions of maximum electric field intensity; 2. an active device disposed within said cavity adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operaTing frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said cavity and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed of another of said at least two positions of maximum electric intensity in said cavity; c. a first heat transmitting means, interposed between said active device and said lamp, for conducting heat generated by the active device to the surrounding environment, said first heat transmitting means being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A light-emitting device comprising: a. a microwave oscillator including: 1. a composite electrically conductive shell defining a resonant cavity, said conductive shell being dimensioned to be electrically one-half the operating frequency wavelength, and thus creating at least two positions of maximum electric field intensity; 2. an active device disposed within said cavity adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operaTing frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said cavity and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed of another of said at least two positions of maximum electric intensity in said cavity; c. a first heat transmitting means, interposed between said active device and said lamp, for conducting heat generated by the active device to the surrounding environment, said first heat transmitting means being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said shell comprises a first shell portion adjacent said active device, having good heat conducting properties, said first shell portion being thermally coupled to said first heat transmitting means; a second shell portion adjacent said lamp, having good heat conducting properties; and a third shell portion interposed between said first and second members, having poor thermal conducting properties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
an active device disposed within said cavity adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operaTing frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said cavity and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed of another of said at least two positions of maximum electric intensity in said cavity; c. a first heat transmitting means, interposed between said active device and said lamp, for conducting heat generated by the active device to the surrounding environment, said first heat transmitting means being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
an active device disposed within said cavity adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operaTing frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said cavity and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed of another of said at least two positions of maximum electric intensity in said cavity; c. a first heat transmitting means, interposed between said active device and said lamp, for conducting heat generated by the active device to the surrounding environment, said first heat transmitting means being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
means dividing said resonant cavity into first and second shell chambers;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
means dividing said resonant cavity into first and second shell chambers;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
an active device, disposed within said first shell chamber, adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operating frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said second shell chamber and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed at another of said at least two positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
an active device, disposed within said first shell chamber, adjacent one of said at least two positions for providing a sustained emission of microwave energy at a predetermined operating frequency; b. an electrodeless discharge lamp disposed within said second shell chamber and spaced from said active means at least a distance one-half the operating frequency wavelength of said cavity and thereby being disposed at another of said at least two positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said oscillator further comprises a central electrode having a first portion electrically coupled to said active device and a second portion comprising a poor thermal conductor extending from said first portion toward said lamp, said central electrode first portion extending through and being thermally coupled to said first heat-transmitting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The light-emitting device of claim 3 wherein said lamp is disposed in said second portion of said central electrode and a second heat transmitting means is thermally coupled between said lamp and said second portion of said shell for conducting heat to and away from said lamp, said second heat transmitting means being constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light-emitting device of claim 4 wherein heat generating means is thermally coupled to said second shell portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
A light-emitting device comprising: a. a microwave oscillator including:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
9 words
A light-emitting device comprising: a. a microwave oscillator including:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said shell comprises a first shell portion having good heat conductive properties, said first shell portion defining said first shell chamber, and a second shell portion having good heat conducting properties, said second shell portion defining said second shell chamber; and said dividing means includes a first heat transmitting means thermally coupled to said first shell portion for transmitting heat generated by the active device to said first shell portion for dissipation to the surrounding environment and a second heat transmitting means thermally coupled between said lamp and said second shell portion for conducting heat to and away from said lamp, said first and second heat transmitting means constructed of electrically non-conductive material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said shell further comprises a third shell portion interposed between said first and second shell portions having poor thermal conducting properties.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 7 wherein heat generating means is thermally coupled to said second shell portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |