Patent US4001631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4001631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable length center conductor for termination fixtures for electrodeless lamps
Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
•
Filing: 1975-11-17
•
Granted: 1977-01-04
•
Expires: 1995-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A light source includes a source of high frequency power, an electrodelsss lamp and a termination fixture for coupling power to the lamp, the fixture having an outer conductor and an inner conductor whose length is adjustable for providing dynamic matching of the impedance of the lamp during the operating mode to the output impedance of the source. Variations in the power level from the source, such as is desirable in providing lamp brightness selectivity, vary both the real and imaginary components of the lamp impedance, and corresponding adjustments of the inner conductor length provide a tuning technique to compensate for these variations.
Inventors
- 👤 William McNeill
- 👤 Joseph Lech
- 👤 Paul Haugsjaa
- 👤 Robert Regan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/044; H01J65/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A light source including: a. a source of power at a high frequency, b. an electrodeless lamp having an envelope made of a light transmitting substance, the envelope enclosing a volatile fill material which emits light upon breakdown and excitation, the lamp having a complex impedance in the operating condition, c. a termination fixture coupled to the source, the fixture having an inner conductor and outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor, the conductors, having a first end which is coupled to the source and the inner conductor having a second end which couples power to the lamp, and d. means for changing the effective length of the inner conductor so that the termination fixture matches the complex impedance of the lamp during the operating condition to an output impedance of the power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A light source including: a. a source of power at a high frequency, b. an electrodeless lamp having an envelope made of a light transmitting substance, the envelope enclosing a volatile fill material which emits light upon breakdown and excitation, the lamp having a complex impedance in the operating condition, c. a termination fixture coupled to the source, the fixture having an inner conductor and outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor, the conductors, having a first end which is coupled to the source and the inner conductor having a second end which couples power to the lamp, and d. means for changing the effective length of the inner conductor so that the termination fixture matches the complex impedance of the lamp during the operating condition to an output impedance of the power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The light source according to claim 1 wherein the length changing means includes means for changing the length of the inner conductor with respect to the outer conductor along a longitudinal axis of the termination fixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The light source according to claim 2 wherein the inner conductor length changing means includes: a. first and second inner conductor sections disposed along the longitudinal axis, the sections further having mutually telescopically engaging end means to permit variations in total length of the inner conductor while maintaining electrical contact between the sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The light source according to claim 3 further including means external to the fixture for moving the first section with respect to the second section while the lamp is in the operating condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The light source according to claim 3 wherein the telescopically engaging end means includes: a. one end of one of the sections being formed with an aperture sized to receive an end of the other of the sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The light source according to claim 5 further including mutually engaging threads on the inner wall of the end forming the aperture and on the outer walls of the aperture engaging end so that the length of the inner conductor may be varied by rotating the first section with respect to the second section, and wherein the means for moving the first section includes means for rotating the first section with respect to the second section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The light source according to claim 4 wherein the means for moving the first section includes: a. the outer conductor being formed with an aperture, b. a lever arm made of a non-conducting material disposed through the aperture and having an outer end affixed to the first section of the inner conductor, and c. the lever arm being pivotally affixed at the aperture to the outer conductor so movement of the outer end of the lever arm causes a translational movement of the first section of the inner conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The light source according to claim 7 further including a spring contactor made of non-corrosive material disposed between the first and second sections of the inner conductor to maintain electrical contact between the sections as the first section is translated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light source according to claim 1 wherein the length changing means includes means for moving the outer conductor with respect to the inner conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The light source according to claim 9 wherein the outer conductor moving means includes: a. an externally threaded conductive tube extending from the first end of the outer conductor and being disposed around the inner conductor, b. an internally threaded conductive tube in engagement with the threads of the externally threaded tube, c. a power coupling outer conductor tube; and d. means for maintaining electrical contact between the power coupling tube and the internally threaded tube while the internally threaded tube rotates so that the outer conductor moves with respect to the inner conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
A light source including: a. a source of power at a high frequency, b. an electrodeless lamp having an envelope made of a light transmitting substance, the envelope enclosing a volatile fill material which emits light upon breakdown and excitation, the lamp having a complex impedance whose real and imaginary components vary in response to the power level, c. a termination fixture coupled to the source, the fixture having an inner conductor and outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor, the conductors having a first end which is coupled to the source and the inner conductor having a second end which is coupled to the lamp, d. variable parallel capacitance means at the first end of the termination fixture for matching the imaginary impedance component of the lamp to the output impedance of the source, and e. means for changing the effective length of the inner conductor so that the termination fixture matches the complex impedance of the lamp during the operation condition to an output impedance of the power source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
A light source including: a. a source of power at a high frequency, b. an electrodeless lamp having an envelope made of a light transmitting substance, the envelope enclosing a volatile fill material which emits light upon breakdown and excitation, the lamp having a complex impedance whose real and imaginary components vary in response to the power level, c. a termination fixture coupled to the source, the fixture having an inner conductor and outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor, the conductors having a first end which is coupled to the source and the inner conductor having a second end which is coupled to the lamp, d. variable parallel capacitance means at the first end of the termination fixture for matching the imaginary impedance component of the lamp to the output impedance of the source, and e. means for changing the effective length of the inner conductor so that the termination fixture matches the complex impedance of the lamp during the operation condition to an output impedance of the power source.
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) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |