US5276378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluorescent light emitting device
Assignee: GOTHARD DAVID AS TRUSTEE FOR LOCKE FAMILY TRUST
•
Filing: 1992-01-10
•
Granted: 1994-01-04
•
Expires: 2012-01-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides for a light emitting device which comprises an envelope of electrically insulative material which defines within its boundaries an ionization chamber. A noble gas is disposed within the chamber and two spaced electrodes are located on the light emitting device such that the electrodes are in electrical communication with the interior of the chamber. At least one conductive member is disposed on the device and arranged to define a tortuous path between the two electrodes but without providing a direct electrical connection between the two electrodes. When a high frequency alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the tortuous path.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Gothard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/70; H01J61/02; H01J61/04; H01J61/10; H01J61/103; H01J61/76; H01J61/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A lighting device for actuation by a high frequency power supply comprising: two spaced apart sheets of electrically insulative material joined at the edges thereof to define an envelope forming a sealed ionization chamber; a noble gas disposed within the chamber; at least two spaced apart electrodes located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; and at least one conductive member disposed on said envelope outside said chamber and arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the two electrodes, the conductive member being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes, whereby when an actuating voltage of at least 20,000 Hz is applied across the electrodes, the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A lighting device for actuation by a high frequency power supply comprising: two spaced apart sheets of electrically insulative material joined at the edges thereof to define an envelope forming a sealed ionization chamber; a noble gas disposed within the chamber; at least two spaced apart electrodes located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; and at least one conductive member disposed on said envelope outside said chamber and arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the two electrodes, the conductive member being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes, whereby when an actuating voltage of at least 20,000 Hz is applied across the electrodes, the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined path is tortuous and of a length substantially longer than the direct distance between the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A lighting device according to claim 2 wherein the interior surfaces of the sheets are coated with a fluorescent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lighting device according to claim 3 wherein the fluorescent material is phosphorous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the sheets comprise glass or similar vitreous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lighting device according to claim 5 wherein the sheets are flat plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the member is non-continuous along the predetermined path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lighting device according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined path is serpentine and configured so that adjacent bands of light resulting from the ionization path complement one another so as to present a substantially uniform sheet of light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting device according to claim 8 wherein the member is disposed on the lighting device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting device according to claim 8 wherein the gas is one of argon or neon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lighting device according to claim 1 which is configured to be operable by an alternating voltage source of a frequency greater than or equal to 20 kH.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A light emitting device for actuation by a high frequency power supply comprising: an envelope of electrically insulative material defining within its boundaries a sealed ionization chamber; a noble gas disposed within the chamber; at least two spaced apart electrodes located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; and at least one conductive member disposed on a surface of said envelope outside said chamber and arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the two electrodes, the conductive member being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes, whereby when an oscillatory voltage of at least 20,000 Hz is applied across the electrodes, the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
A light emitting device for actuation by a high frequency power supply comprising: an envelope of electrically insulative material defining within its boundaries a sealed ionization chamber; a noble gas disposed within the chamber; at least two spaced apart electrodes located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; and at least one conductive member disposed on a surface of said envelope outside said chamber and arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the two electrodes, the conductive member being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes, whereby when an oscillatory voltage of at least 20,000 Hz is applied across the electrodes, the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A light emitting device according to claim 12 wherein the predetermined path is of a length substantially longer than the direct distance between the electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light emitting device according to claim 13 wherein the interior surfaces of the envelopes are at least partially coated with a fluorescent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A light emitting device according to claim 14 wherein the fluorescent material is phosphorous.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light emitting device according to claim 12 wherein the envelope comprise glass or similar vitreous material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light emitting device according to claim 12 wherein the member is non-continuous along the predetermined path.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of controlling the pattern of light emitted by a light emitting device actuatable by a high frequency power supply, comprising: providing an envelope of electrically insulative material which defines within its boundaries a sealed ionization chamber; causing a noble gas to be disposed within the chamber; causing at least two spaced apart electrodes to be located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; providing at least one conductive member on a surface of said envelope outside of said chamber, said member being arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the spaced apart electrodes and being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes; and applying an oscillator voltage of at least 20,000 Hz across the electrodes such that the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of controlling the pattern of light emitted by a light emitting device actuatable by a high frequency power supply, comprising: providing an envelope of electrically insulative material which defines within its boundaries a sealed ionization chamber; causing a noble gas to be disposed within the chamber; causing at least two spaced apart electrodes to be located on the envelope with each being in communication with the interior of the chamber; providing at least one conductive member on a surface of said envelope outside of said chamber, said member being arranged to define a predetermined path other than a straight line between the spaced apart electrodes and being electrically isolated from at least one of the electrodes; and applying an oscillator voltage of at least 20,000 Hz across the electrodes such that the electrical interaction between the electrodes and the conductive member causes an ionization path between the electrodes to substantially follow the predetermined path defined by said conductive member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the predetermined path is of a length substantially longer than the direct distance between the electrodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting device according to claim 18 wherein the member is non-uniform along the predetermined path.
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) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |