Patent · US Expired

Amalgam system for electrodeless discharge lamp

US5598069A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
13References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 1995
Grant dateJan 28, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J61/56
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An amalgam system for optimizing the mercury vapor pressure of an electrodeless discharge fluorescent lamp is disclosed. A coil network induces an electric discharge in a gas mixture contained in a sealed lamp vessel. An amalgam is supported in the discharge and thermally isolated from the lamp vessel by a thin glass strand. The discharge transfers power directly to the amalgam, thus quickly heating the amalgam. Rapid heating of the amalgam provides a rapid increase in mercury vapor pressure in the lamp so that the light output rises quickly when the lamp is energized. An impedance matching and filter network is constructed such that, in combination with the coil/plasma load, it provides a desired steady-state impedance and a desired start-up impedance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.