US5047693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1990-05-23
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2010-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises a spiral starting electrode which, at least during lamp starting, conforms to the shape of the arc tube so as to provide a relatively high capacitive starting current upon receipt of a radio frequency starting signal, resulting in a rapid transition from a glow discharge to a high intensity solenoidal discharge. At least one turn of the spiral starting electrode is preferably in contact with the portion of the arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be formed and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge to further ease lamp starting. In one embodiment, the spiral starting aid comprises first and second coil portions. The first coil portion conforms to the shape of the arc tube and has at least one turn disposed nearest the portion of the arc tube where the arc discharge is to be formed. The second coil portion has at least one turn in contact with the arc tube and the remaining turns extend outwardly therefrom. Once the lamp is started, the starting aid may be moved to a predetermined location away from the arc tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor D. Roberts
- 👤 Sayed-Amr A. El-Hamamsy
- 👤 Robert J. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:53
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/24; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/048; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/382; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp which includes an excitation coil situated about an arc tube for exciting an arc discharge in an ionizable fill contained in said arc tube, said starting aid comprising: a spiral starting electrode having a plurality of turns for which, at least during initiation of the arc discharge in said arc tube, at least two of said turns substantially conform to the shape of said arc tube, and at least one of said turns is positioned adjacent to the portion of said arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be initiated and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current in said arc tube that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge; and means for coupling a radio frequency signal to said spiral starting electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A starting aid for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp which includes an excitation coil situated about an arc tube for exciting an arc discharge in an ionizable fill contained in said arc tube, said starting aid comprising: a spiral starting electrode having a plurality of turns for which, at least during initiation of the arc discharge in said arc tube, at least two of said turns substantially conform to the shape of said arc tube, and at least one of said turns is positioned adjacent to the portion of said arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be initiated and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current in said arc tube that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge; and means for coupling a radio frequency signal to said spiral starting electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The starting aid of claim 1 wherein said spiral electrode comprises a first coil portion and a second coil portion continuous therewith, said first coil portion substantially conforming to the shape of said arc tube at least during initiation of the arc discharge, said second coil portion being positioned so that at least one turn thereof is adjacent to said arc tube at least during initiation of the arc discharge, said first and second coil portions sharing a common longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The starting aid of claim 1, further comprising electrode moving means for moving said starting electrode to a predetermined location away from said arc tube after the arc discharge is initiated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The starting aid of claim 3 wherein said electrode moving means comprises heat responsive means for moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location upon receipt of heat energy from said arc tube, said heat responsive means moving said starting electrode back toward aid arc tube upon sufficient reduction in receipt of heat energy from said arc tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The starting aid of claim 4 wherein said heat responsive means comprises bimetallic support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The starting aid of claim 3 wherein said electrode moving means comprises piezoelectric bender means for moving said starting electrode adjacent to said arc tube in response to a voltage stimulus, said piezoelectric bender means moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location away from said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in said voltage stimulus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The starting aid of claim 2, further comprising electrode moving means for moving said starting electrode to a predetermined location away from said arc tube after the arc discharge is initiated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The starting aid of claim 7 wherein said electrode moving means comprises heat responsive means for moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location upon receipt of heat energy from said arc tube, said heat responsive means moving said starting electrode back toward said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in receipt of heat energy from said arc tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The starting aid of claim 8 wherein said heat responsive means comprises bimetallic support means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The starting aid of claim 7 wherein said electrode moving means comprises piezoelectric bender means for moving said starting electrode adjacent to said arc tube in response to a voltage stimulus, said piezoelectric bender means, moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location away from said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in said voltage stimulus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp, comprising: a light-transmissive arc tube for containing a fill; an excitation coil disposed about said arc tube and coupled to a radio frequency power supply for exciting an arc discharge in said fill; a spiral starting electrode having a plurality of turns for which, at least during initiation of the arc discharge in said arc tube, at least two of said turns substantially conform to the shape of said arc tube, and at least one of said turns is positioned adjacent to the portion of said arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be initiated and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current in said arc tube that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge; and means for coupling a radio frequency signal to said starting electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp, comprising: a light-transmissive arc tube for containing a fill; an excitation coil disposed about said arc tube and coupled to a radio frequency power supply for exciting an arc discharge in said fill; a spiral starting electrode having a plurality of turns for which, at least during initiation of the arc discharge in said arc tube, at least two of said turns substantially conform to the shape of said arc tube, and at least one of said turns is positioned adjacent to the portion of said arc tube nearest the arc discharge to be initiated and is oriented so as to provide a capacitive starting current in said arc tube that flows in substantially the same location as the arc discharge; and means for coupling a radio frequency signal to said starting electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
The lamp of claim 11 wherein said spiral electrode comprises a first coil portion and a second coil portion continuous therewith, said first coil portion substantially conforming to the shape of said arc tube at least during initiation of the arc discharge, said second coil portion being positioned so that at least one turn thereof is adjacent to said arc tube at least during initiation of the arc discharge, said first and second coil portions sharing a common longitudinal axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lamp of claim 11, further comprising electrode moving means for moving said starting electrode to a predetermined location away from said arc tube after the arc discharge is initiated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lamp of claim 13 wherein said electrode moving means comprises heat responsive means for moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location upon receipt of heat energy from said arc tube, said heat responsive means moving said starting electrode back toward said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in receipt of heat energy from said arc tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lamp of claim 14 wherein said heat responsive means comprises bimetallic support means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The starting aid of claim 13 wherein said electrode moving means comprises piezoelectric bender means for moving said starting electrode adjacent to said arc tube in response to a voltage stimulus, said piezoelectric bender means moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location away from said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in said voltage stimulus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lamp of claim 12, further comprising electrode moving means for moving said starting electrode to a predetermined location away from said arc tube after the arc discharge is initiated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lamp of claim 17 wherein said electrode moving means comprises heat responsive means for moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location upon receipt of heat energy from said arc tube, said heat responsive means moving said starting electrode back toward said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in receipt of heat energy from said arc tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lamp of claim 18 wherein said heat responsive means comprises bimetallic support means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The starting aid of claim 17 wherein said electrode moving means comprises piezoelectric bender means for moving said starting electrode adjacent to said arc tube in response to a voltage stimulus, said piezoelectric bender means moving said starting electrode to said predetermined location away from said arc tube upon sufficient reduction in said voltage stimulus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lamp of claim 11 wherein the radio frequency signal coupling means comprises means for coupling said starting electrode to, said radio frequency power supply.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lamp of claim 21 wherein said means for coupling said starting electrode to said radio frequency power supply comprises means for coupling said starting electrode to said excitation coil.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The lamp of claim 11 wherein the radio frequency signal coupling means comprises means for coupling said starting electrode to a second radio frequency power supply for providing said radio frequency signal to said starting electrode, said excitation coil and said electrode being separately excited.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lamp of claim 11, further comprising an outer light transmissive envelope enclosing said arc tube, said excitation coil being situated outside said envelope in the vicinity of said arc tube.
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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) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |