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US4710676A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multi-level fuser lamp

Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-25
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2007-06-25
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Abstract

Abstract A tubular incandescent lamp for use in heating applications where multiple levels of infrared energy are available from one source while providing for compactness in size and ease in manufacturing. The primary use for such a lamp is in the fusing system of a photocopy machine where speed in attaining the desired operating temperature greatly determines the machine's rating. In one embodiment of the lamp, quartz envelope is provided with dual chambers extending longitudinally therethrough. A filament extends longitudinally through each of the chambers and is hermetically sealed within press-sealed ends at the opposed ends of the lamp. The filaments are capable of being selectively or simultaneously activated.

Inventors

  • 👤 Merle E. Morris
  • 👤 Lawrence M. Rice
  • 👤 Steven L. Meade

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 06:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01K; H01K9/00; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 339 words
A tungsten-halogen, incandescent heating lamp for use in a photocopier, said lamp comprising; a tubular quartz envelope having first and second press sealed end portions; first and second coiled tungsten filaments extending longitudinally through the interior of said tubular envelope; a fill gas mixture disposed within said envelope; first contact means associated with said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a first end of each of said first and second filaments; second contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said first filament, said first filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means to provide a first level of heating energy from said lamp along a given length of said lamp; third contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said second filament, said second filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and third contact means to provide a second level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp, said second level of heating energy different from said first level of said heating energy; and means for electrically isolating said first and second filaments, said isolating means disposed within and extending longitudinally through the interior of said envelope, said lamp providing a third level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp substantially equal to the total of said first and second levels of heating energy upon simultaneous application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means and across said first and third contact means, said lamp thereby providing three different levels of heating energy along said same given length of said lamp and per square centimeter of paper heated by said lamp within said photocopier, said isolating means comprised of electrically insulative material and including at least one quartz tube disposed within said coiled tungsten filaments therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 339 words
A tungsten-halogen, incandescent heating lamp for use in a photocopier, said lamp comprising; a tubular quartz envelope having first and second press sealed end portions; first and second coiled tungsten filaments extending longitudinally through the interior of said tubular envelope; a fill gas mixture disposed within said envelope; first contact means associated with said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a first end of each of said first and second filaments; second contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said first filament, said first filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means to provide a first level of heating energy from said lamp along a given length of said lamp; third contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said second filament, said second filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and third contact means to provide a second level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp, said second level of heating energy different from said first level of said heating energy; and means for electrically isolating said first and second filaments, said isolating means disposed within and extending longitudinally through the interior of said envelope, said lamp providing a third level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp substantially equal to the total of said first and second levels of heating energy upon simultaneous application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means and across said first and third contact means, said lamp thereby providing three different levels of heating energy along said same given length of said lamp and per square centimeter of paper heated by said lamp within said photocopier, said isolating means comprised of electrically insulative material and including at least one quartz tube disposed within said coiled tungsten filaments therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The lamp according to claim 1 wherein said isolating means includes two quartz tubes disposed longitudinally within said envelope, each of said tubes having one of said filaments extending longitudinally therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 60 words
The lamp according to claim 1 wherein said first contact means is comprised of a first lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said first press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said first lead-in conductor and to said first end of each of said filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 59 words
The lamp according to claim 3 wherein said second contact means is comprised of a second lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said second press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said second lead-in conductor and to said second end of said first filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 59 words
The lamp according to claim 4 wherein said third contact means is comprised of a third lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said second press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said third lead-in conductor and to said second end of said second filament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The lamp according to claim 1 wherein said lamp is used to set the toner on said paper used in said photocopier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 368 words
A tungsten-halogen, incandescent heating lamp for use in a photocopier, said lamp comprising: a tubular quartz envelope having first and second press sealed end portions; first and second coiled tungsten filaments extending longitudinally through the interior of said tubular envelope; a fill gas mixture disposed within said envelope; first contact means associated with said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a first end of each of said first and second filaments; second contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said first filament, said first filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means to provide a first level of heating energy from said lamp along a given length of said lamp; third contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said second filament, said second filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and third contact means to provide a second level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp, said second level of heating energy different from said first level of said heating energy; and means for electrically isolating said first and second filaments, said isolating means disposed within and extending longitudinally through the interior of said envelope, said lamp providing a third level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp substantially equal to the total of said first and second levels of heating energy upon simultaneous application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means and across said first and third contact means, said lamp thereby providing three different levels of heating energy along said same given length of said lamp and per square centimeter of paper heated by said lamp within said photocopier, said isolating means comprised of electrically insulative material and including an insulative divider forming a structural part of said envelope and extending longitudinally through said envelope to form at least two chambers within said envelope such that each of said coiled filaments is located within a respective one of said chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 368 words
A tungsten-halogen, incandescent heating lamp for use in a photocopier, said lamp comprising: a tubular quartz envelope having first and second press sealed end portions; first and second coiled tungsten filaments extending longitudinally through the interior of said tubular envelope; a fill gas mixture disposed within said envelope; first contact means associated with said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a first end of each of said first and second filaments; second contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said first filament, said first filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means to provide a first level of heating energy from said lamp along a given length of said lamp; third contact means associated with said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to a second end of said second filament, said second filament being energized upon application of a predetermined voltage across said first and third contact means to provide a second level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp, said second level of heating energy different from said first level of said heating energy; and means for electrically isolating said first and second filaments, said isolating means disposed within and extending longitudinally through the interior of said envelope, said lamp providing a third level of heating energy from said lamp along said same given length of said lamp substantially equal to the total of said first and second levels of heating energy upon simultaneous application of a predetermined voltage across said first and second contact means and across said first and third contact means, said lamp thereby providing three different levels of heating energy along said same given length of said lamp and per square centimeter of paper heated by said lamp within said photocopier, said isolating means comprised of electrically insulative material and including an insulative divider forming a structural part of said envelope and extending longitudinally through said envelope to form at least two chambers within said envelope such that each of said coiled filaments is located within a respective one of said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
The lamp according to claim 7 wherein said divider is substantially planar in configuration, said chambers formed by said divider and said envelope being sealed at said sealed end portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
The lamp according to claim 7 wherein said divider is comprised of quartz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 60 words
The lamp according to claim 7 wherein said first contact means is comprised of a first lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said first press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said first press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said first lead-in conductor and to said first end of each of said filaments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 59 words
The lamp according to claim 10 wherein said second contact means is comprised of a second lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said second press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said second lead-in conductor and to said second end of said first filament.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 59 words
The lamp according to claim 11 wherein said third contact means is comprised of a third lead-in conductor extending externally from and internally within said second press sealed end portion and a foil portion disposed within said second press sealed end portion and electrically coupled to said third lead-in conductor and to said second end of said second filament.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
The lamp according to claim 7 wherein said lamp is used to set the toner on said paper used in said photocopier.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3443144A Cited
US3435272A Cited
US3867660A Cited
US4442374A Cited
US4510416A Cited
US4621220A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-11-30 1991-06-01 1991-12-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-11-30 1995-06-01 1995-12-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-11-30 1999-06-01 1999-12-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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