Abstract:
Ignition of an electrodeless lamp, energized by microwave or radio frequency energy, is achieved by disposing an additive material in the lamp envelope along with the primary fill material. In a first embodiment, the additive is at least partially electrically conductive at room temperatures but non-conductive or a vapor at lamp operating temperatures. The preferred additives for this embodiment are mercury sulfide and mercury selenide. In a second embodiment, the additive is a material, such as piezoelectric crystals, that produces sparks in the envelope when the crystals collide with each other, or with other materials, in response to agitation of the envelope. The additive may alternatively build up electrostatic charge by rubbing along the interior surface of the lamp envelope when the envelope is agitated, the charge build up being sufficient to ignite the primary fill material.
Abstract:
A lamp for providing visible light which utilizes a fill containing selenium and/or sulfur, or compounds of these substances. The lamp is excited such that the excited fill emits radiation from elemental selenium and/or elemental sulfur which is in a continuous band principally within the visible range.
Abstract:
A valve stem gas leak sensor or detector configured to surround a possibly leaking petrochemical or like flow line valve stem and provide for external monitoring equipment an electrical resistance related to the amount of hydrocarbon gas leakage occurring around the valve stem. Such a gas leak detector, termable a ring sensor, is configured as a stem surrounding enclosure, with interconnecting segments for ease of installation around and removability from a valve stem, with one or both of each such segments having an interiorly arranged layer of gas sensor particulate material characterized by change in electrical resistance in the presence of a changing concentration of hydrocarbon gas leakage around a valve stem, and with interengaging connector/conductor pins holding the segments together around the valve stem and across which the electrical resistance of one or both gas sensor material layers can be measured with the ring sensor in place on the valve stem.
Abstract:
An optical system comprising reflectors of elliptical and circular cross section for efficiently coupling radiation from a large scale radiation source such as a light bulb into an optical fiber bundle.
Abstract:
An electrodeless microwave discharge lamp includes a source of microwave energy, a microwave cavity, a structure configured to transmit the microwave energy from the source to the microwave cavity, a bulb disposed within the microwave cavity, the bulb including a discharge forming fill which emits light when excited by the microwave energy, and a reflector disposed within the microwave cavity, wherein the reflector defines a reflective cavity which encompasses the bulb within its volume and has an inside surface area which is sufficiently less than an inside surface area of the microwave cavity. A portion of the reflector may define a light emitting aperture which extends from a position closely spaced to the bulb to a light transmissive end of the microwave cavity. Preferably, at least a portion of the reflector is spaced from a wall of the microwave cavity. The lamp may be substantially sealed from environmental contamination. The cavity may include a dielectric material is a sufficient amount to require a reduction in the size of the cavity to support the desired resonant mode.
Abstract:
A discharge lamp for providing visible radiation includes a lamp envelope which is made of light transmissive material a fill in the envelope including either calcium halide or strontium halide together with either elemental sulfur or elemental selenium in gaseous form which is obtainable when the fill is excited by sufficient power in operation, in an amount such that the excited fill emits a discharge of visible radiation from the fill with substantially all of the radiation being molecular radiation which is emitted in the visible region of the spectrum. The calcium halide or strontium halide operates at a vapor pressure which provides a significant amount of radiation in the red region of the spectrum therefrom and the overall spectrum has a color rendering index of about 87 or more.
Abstract:
A jacketed lamp bulb envelope includes a ceramic cup having an open end and a partially closed end, the partially closed end defining an aperture, a lamp bulb positioned inside the ceramic cup abutting the aperture, and a reflective ceramic material at least partially covering a portion of the bulb not abutting the aperture. The reflective ceramic material may substantially fill an interior volume of the ceramic cup not occupied by the bulb. The ceramic cup may include a structural feature for aiding in alignment of the jacketed lamp bulb envelope in a lamp. The ceramic cup may include an external flange about a periphery thereof. One example of a jacketed lamp bulb envelope includes a ceramic cup having an open end and a closed end, a ceramic washer covering the open end of the ceramic cup, the washer defining an aperture therethrough, a lamp bulb positioned inside the ceramic cup abutting the aperture, and a reflective ceramic material filling an interior volume of the ceramic cup not occupied by the bulb. A method of packing a jacketed lamp bulb envelope of the type comprising a ceramic cup with a lamp bulb disposed therein includes the steps of filling the ceramic cup with a flowable slurry of reflective material, and applying centrifugal force to the cup to pack the reflective material therein.
Abstract:
The envelope of an electrodeless lamp which would tend to produce a discharge which does not substantially fill the interior of the envelope if the envelope is not rotated or is rotated at insufficient speed, is rotated at a high enough speed to cause the discharge to substantially fill the interior of the envelope.
Abstract:
The spectral energy characteristic of a discharge lamp is controlled by changing the density of the fill substance. The spectral characteristic can be shifted while substantially maintaining its shape by changing the density of the fill. A sulfur or selenium containing discharge lamp which is operated at a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere contains a low ionization potential substance in the fill. Characteristics which are improved are one or more of spatial color uniformity, extinguishing characteristics, and bulb starting reliability. Particular substances which are added to the fill are alkalai metal containing substances, III B metal containing substances, and alkaline earth metal containing substances. When light is reflected back into the bulb, the light which is re-emitted is stronger in the higher wavelengths.
Abstract:
A lamp for emitting in the visible portion of the spectrum, which utilizes a fill which includes a selenium and/or a sulfur containing substance. The lamp has superior performance characteristics. Special electrode structures are provided which enhance longevity.