US5923116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reflector electrode for electrodeless bulb
Assignee: Fusion Lighting Inc
•
Filing: 1996-12-20
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2016-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A lamp apparatus includes an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber, a gas contained within the chamber in the bulb, and at least one reflector electrode adjacent the bulb for transmitting radio-frequency electromagnetic energy to the gas in the bulb to excite the gas and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated from the bulb. Preferably, there are two reflectors electrodes. The bulb can advantageously be made of a tube, in which case the reflectors electrodes can be made shorter than the bulb and centered thereon so that the intense heat caused by the plasma when the gas is excited does not reach the ends of the bulb.
Inventors
- 👤 William Burton Mercer
- 👤 Dale S. Walker
- 👤 Richard M. Knox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/025; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and at least one reflector electrode adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a diffusely reflecting material is deposited on the at least one reflector electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and at least one reflector electrode adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a diffusely reflecting material is deposited on the at least one reflector electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is made of quartz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is made of sapphire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector electrode comprises metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector electrode comprises metal deposited on the bulb.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is a quartz envelope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is a quartz sphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is a quartz tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic energy is radio frequency electromagnetic energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a radio frequency energy source connected to said at least one reflector electrode for supplying a radio frequency signal to said at least one reflector electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulb is spherical and wherein the at least one reflector electrode comprises two substantially hemispherical reflector electrodes formed to define an aperture through which light exits the lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 11, wherein a gap is formed between the two reflector electrodes and wherein a non-conductive reflective material is disposed in the gap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one reflector electrode is a single reflector electrode, the lamp further comprising: an antenna spaced from the bulb.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a mirror disposed between the bulb and the antenna.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one reflector electrode and the diffusely reflecting material are of suitable respective materials to withstand a relatively high operating temperature of the bulb.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 15, wherein the operating temperature of the bulb is between about 800° C. and 1200° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a diffusely reflecting material is deposited on the two reflector electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a diffusely reflecting material is deposited on the two reflector electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bulb is made of quartz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two reflector electrodes comprise metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two reflector electrodes comprise metal deposited on the bulb.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bulb is a quartz envelope.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bulb is a quartz sphere.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bulb is a quartz tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein said electromagnetic energy is radio frequency electromagnetic energy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: a radio frequency energy source connected to said two reflector electrodes for supplying a radio frequency signal to said two reflector electrodes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 17, wherein a gap is formed between the two reflector electrodes and wherein a non-conductive reflective material is disposed in the gap.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 17, wherein the two reflector electrodes and the diffusely reflecting material are of suitable respective materials to withstand a relatively high operating temperature of the bulb.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 27, wherein the operating temperature of the bulb is between about 800° C. and 1200° C.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
125 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein the bulb is a tube having a first end and a second end, and the two reflector electrodes extend along the length of the tube and have respective ends which are spaced from the first end and the second end of the tube, wherein the first and second ends of the tube remain relatively cool during operation as compared to the center of the tube.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
125 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein the bulb is a tube having a first end and a second end, and the two reflector electrodes extend along the length of the tube and have respective ends which are spaced from the first end and the second end of the tube, wherein the first and second ends of the tube remain relatively cool during operation as compared to the center of the tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lamp apparatus of claim 29, wherein a gap is formed between the two reflector electrodes and wherein a non-conductive reflective material is disposed in the gap.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 29, wherein the two reflector electrodes are of suitable respective materials to withstand a relatively high operating temperature of the center of the tube.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 31, wherein the operating temperature of the center of the tube is between about 800° C. and 1200° C.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a gap is formed between the two reflector electrodes and wherein a non-conductive reflective material is disposed in the gap.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
80 words
A high power discharge lamp apparatus comprising: an electrodeless bulb that includes a chamber; a fill contained within the chamber in the bulb; and two reflector electrodes adjacent the bulb for transmitting electromagnetic energy to the fill in the bulb to excite the fill and cause it to radiate light and for reflecting the light radiated by the fill, wherein a gap is formed between the two reflector electrodes and wherein a non-conductive reflective material is disposed in the gap.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 33, wherein the two reflector electrodes and the non-conductive reflective material are of suitable respective materials to withstand a relatively high operating temperature of the bulb.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The discharge lamp as recited in claim 34, wherein the operating temperature of the bulb is between about 800° C. and 1200° C.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |