US3983385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for operating a mercury vapor lamp
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1975-11-17
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Granted: 1976-09-28
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Expires: 1995-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A mercury vapor lamp is rendered substantially independent of the thermal environment by connecting each sealed end to a heat sink which is maintained at below 100°C and located sufficiently close to the sealed ends to hold the seal temperature to below 400°C.
Inventors
- 👤 Harden Henry Troue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:57
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V29/00; F21V29/50; F21V29/70; F21V29/56; F21V29/74; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/12; H01J61/18; H01J61/20; H01J61/52; H01J61/523
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for continuously operating at least one mercury vapor UV lamp in any gaseous environment existing in a confined optical enclosure; said lamp consisting of a single elongated quartz envelope, a quartz to metal seal at each end and an exposed terminal at each end; the improvement comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one thermally conductive heat sink independent of said lamp and locating said heat sink so that it does not contact said single elongated quartz envelope; b. mechanically connecting only each exposed terminal of said lamp to said thermally conductive heat sink; c. maintaining said heat sink at a temperature below 100° C by passing a cooling liquid therethrough; d. and locating said heat sink in such close physical proximity to said quartz to metal seal so that the seal temperature is held below 400° C.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for continuously operating at least one mercury vapor UV lamp in any gaseous environment existing in a confined optical enclosure; said lamp consisting of a single elongated quartz envelope, a quartz to metal seal at each end and an exposed terminal at each end; the improvement comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one thermally conductive heat sink independent of said lamp and locating said heat sink so that it does not contact said single elongated quartz envelope; b. mechanically connecting only each exposed terminal of said lamp to said thermally conductive heat sink; c. maintaining said heat sink at a temperature below 100° C by passing a cooling liquid therethrough; d. and locating said heat sink in such close physical proximity to said quartz to metal seal so that the seal temperature is held below 400° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the cooling liquid is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein heat sink is composed of material selected from the class consisting of copper, aluminum and alloys thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for photopolymerizing chemical coatings comprising an enclosure having a radiation chamber therein; an inlet tunnel to said radiation chamber and an outlet tunnel from said radiation chamber; a plurality of terminal assemblies mounted in said radiation chamber; a plurality of mercury vapor lamps having sealed ends and exposed power terminals mounted in said terminal assemblies so that the exposed power terminals only are connected to the terminal assembly; each of said terminal assemblies having water passages therein for carrying cooling water sufficiently close to the power terminals of said mercury vapor lamp to keep said sealed ends below a temperature of 400° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for photopolymerizing chemical coatings comprising an enclosure having a radiation chamber therein; an inlet tunnel to said radiation chamber and an outlet tunnel from said radiation chamber; a plurality of terminal assemblies mounted in said radiation chamber; a plurality of mercury vapor lamps having sealed ends and exposed power terminals mounted in said terminal assemblies so that the exposed power terminals only are connected to the terminal assembly; each of said terminal assemblies having water passages therein for carrying cooling water sufficiently close to the power terminals of said mercury vapor lamp to keep said sealed ends below a temperature of 400° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including a plenam chamber communicating with said inlet tunnel through a gas injector for maintaining a non-turbulent flow of inert gas throughout said enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a mercury vapor lamp for generating ultraviolet light consisting of a single elongated quartz envelope surrounding two tungsten electrodes located at opposite ends of the envelope, a quartz to metal seal at each end and an exposed terminal at each end, the improvement comprising: terminal means located adjacent each opposite end of said envelope in close physical proximity thereto but in contact only with said exposed terminal; means for electrically coupling said terminal means across a source of alternating current and means for passing a cooling liquid through said terminal means at a predetermined rate so that the temperature of the molybdenum strip is held below 400° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a mercury vapor lamp for generating ultraviolet light consisting of a single elongated quartz envelope surrounding two tungsten electrodes located at opposite ends of the envelope, a quartz to metal seal at each end and an exposed terminal at each end, the improvement comprising: terminal means located adjacent each opposite end of said envelope in close physical proximity thereto but in contact only with said exposed terminal; means for electrically coupling said terminal means across a source of alternating current and means for passing a cooling liquid through said terminal means at a predetermined rate so that the temperature of the molybdenum strip is held below 400° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB465137A
Cited
US2924731A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-28 | 1980-03-29 | 1980-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-28 | 1984-03-29 | 1984-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-28 | 1988-03-29 | 1988-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |