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US4673846A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Microwave discharge light source apparatus

Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1985-02-26
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Granted: 1987-06-16
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Expires: 2005-02-26
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Abstract

Abstract In a microwave discharge light source apparatus for effecting discharge of an electrodeless discharge lamp held in a cavity which causes resonance by microwaves, the wall surface of the cavity resonator is constituted by a mesh and wires constituting the mesh, are electrically connected at each crossing point without resistance of contact. Effective discharging of the lamp is attainable and the cavity has a mechanically strengthened structure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenji Yoshizawa
  • 👤 Hirotsugu Komura
  • 👤 Hitoshi Kodama
  • 👤 Kazushi Ohnuki
  • 👤 Isao Shoda
  • 👤 Kazuo Magome
  • 👤 Hiroshi Ito

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 05:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/044; H01P; H01P7/00; H01P7/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, and the remaining part of which is constituted by a light reflecting plate, said light transmitting member being located within the volume defined by the light reflecting plate, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian, characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, and the remaining part of which is constituted by a light reflecting plate, said light transmitting member being located within the volume defined by the light reflecting plate, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian, characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 188 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian, characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point, aid microwave resonance cavity comprising a first element formed by rolling a flat mesh member into a cylindrical form with both ends opended and a second element of a closing part made of a flat mesh member which is fitted to one of open ends of said first element to capture said microwaves in said first element, wherein said power feeding port is arranged at the other open end of said first element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 188 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian, characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point, aid microwave resonance cavity comprising a first element formed by rolling a flat mesh member into a cylindrical form with both ends opended and a second element of a closing part made of a flat mesh member which is fitted to one of open ends of said first element to capture said microwaves in said first element, wherein said power feeding port is arranged at the other open end of said first element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microwave resonance cavity is excited by a cylindrical TE 111 mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said microwave resonance cavity is excited by a square TE 111 mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 42 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum dimension in cross section of said microwave resonance cavity in parallel to said power feeding port is 1/2 to 2 times as long as the wavelength of said microwaves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corner portion is provided in said waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said light transmitting member is provided with a reinforcing member which is placed along at least a part of said light transmitting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light transmitting member is surrounded by a member which allows transmission of light but prevents air from passing through, except for a small part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light transmitting member is provided with a lamp fixing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lamp is provided with a lamp supporting bar which is integral with the lamp wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said light transmitting member is fixed to a bottom plate in which said power feeding port is formed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a coner portion of said waveguide is an E corner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The mocrowave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a coner portion of said waveguide is an H corner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcing member is a flange connected to the outer circumference of the end of the other opening of said first element to extend outwardly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 27 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said reinforcing member has a fixing means to fix a lamp supporting member of said lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcing member is secured to an end portion of said waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcing member is placed at the outer side of said light transmitting member in a non-contact state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 26 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus ccording to claim 8, wherein said surrounding member for surrounding said light transmitting member is made of plastics or glass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 27 words
The microwave dischrage light source apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said lamp is provided with said lamp supporting bar which is secured to a bottom plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 47 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said lamp supporting bar is connected by means of a cut-off pipe formed in the bottom plate, said cut-off pipe being provided with a tapered, threaded portion formed in the forked part at the top thererof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 30 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said lamp supporting bar is supported by said cut-off pipe provided in said bottom plate by means of springs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 31 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said lamp supporting bar is supported by said cut-off pipe formed in said bottom plate by means of an adhesive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 51 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a recess is formed in said bottom plate, a coil spring is received in said recess with its one end fixed to said recess and said coil spring is engaged with a threaded portion formed in said lamp supporting bar.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 33 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said lamp supporting bar is supported by said bottom plate through a flange member having an insertion hole for the supporting bar.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to any one of claims 10 or 20 through 24, wherein said lamp supporting bar is a part of a discharge pipe which is used for manufacturing said lamp.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 46 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said surrounding member for surrounding said light transmitting member is a one piece body formed by plating or vapour deposition of metal in a mesh form on a light transmitting substance of plastics or glass.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 40 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said surrounding member for surrounding said light transmitting member has a one piece body formed by embedding a metallic mesh in a light transmitting substance of plastics or glass.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 30 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said threaded portion is constituted by a threaded body of metal which is fitted to said lamp supporting bar.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 22 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said lamp supporting bar is detachably fitted to said flange member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 22 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 24 or 29, wherein said flange member is made of a dielectric substance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 38 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the top end of said lamp supporting bar is covered by an elastic material and the top end is inserted into said flange member to be supported.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 75 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising: a source of microwaves; a waveguide connected to said source of microwaves; a microwave resonance cavity, connected to said waveguide through a power feeding port; a lamp, said lamp being illuminated by discharge owing to an electromagnetic field of microwaves produced in said resonance cavity; a hollow supporting bar projecting from a wall of said lamp and containing a rare gas and mercury to improve the starting operation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 75 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising: a source of microwaves; a waveguide connected to said source of microwaves; a microwave resonance cavity, connected to said waveguide through a power feeding port; a lamp, said lamp being illuminated by discharge owing to an electromagnetic field of microwaves produced in said resonance cavity; a hollow supporting bar projecting from a wall of said lamp and containing a rare gas and mercury to improve the starting operation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 23 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said hollow supporting bar functions as a supporting member of said lamp.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 25 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said hollow supporting bar projects toward said power feeding port of said microwave cavity.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 32 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said mercury is filled in said hollow supporting bar at a pressure below a saturated vapour pressure and a room temperature.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 19 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first element is in a cylindrical form.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 20 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first element is in a rectangular column form.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 26 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 2, 36 or 37, wherein said first element is directly connected to said second element by welding.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 25 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 2, 36 or 37, wherein said first element is connected to said second element by brazing.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 32 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein said reinforcing member is provided along the boundary of the first and second elements of said light transmitting member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 35 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein said reinforcing member is provided along the axial line of said first element in a cylindrical form of said light transmitting member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 43 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein there are two reinforcing members and said reinforcing members are provided along said first element and along the boundary of said first and second elements of said light transmitting member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 45 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein coefficient of thermal expansion of said reinforcing member is substantially equal to that of said microwave resonance cavity in a case that said reinforcing member is jointed to said microwave resonance cavity.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 21 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein said reinforcing member surrounds said light transmitting member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 139 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point, said microwave resonance cavity being provided at the other side with a light reflecting plate for reflecting light emitted from said microwave resonance cavity.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 139 words
A microwave discharge light source apparatus comprising a microwave resonance cavity having a wall surface, a substantial part of which is constituted by a light transmitting member, said microwave resonance cavity receiving microwaves from a waveguide through a power feeding port, a lamp placed in said microwave resonance cavity at such a position that the three-dimensional angle from a point in said lamp which includes the entire light transmitting member is at least 2π steradian characterized in that said light transmitting member is formed by a mesh member having a conductive surface and wires crossed each other to form said mesh member are electrically jointed integrally and without any contact resistance at each crossing point, said microwave resonance cavity being provided at the other side with a light reflecting plate for reflecting light emitted from said microwave resonance cavity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 25 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said light reflecting plate is secured to said microwave cavity wall in one piece.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said first and second elements are jointed through an annular member placed along the inner circumferential part of one open end of said first element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 36 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said first and second elements are jointed through an annular member placed along the outer circumferential part of one open end of said first element.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 34 words
The microwave discharge light source apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said reinforcing members provided along the first element and along the boundary of said first and second elements are mechanically jointed each other.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-06-15 1990-12-15 1991-06-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-06-15 1994-12-15 1995-06-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-06-15 1998-12-15 1999-06-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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