Ultraviolet ray lamp and sterilizers and cleaners using the lamp

• US 20020024278A1
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Saito, Akiko, Ishizaki, Ariyoshi, Matsuda, Ryoutarou
• Granted Patent: US 6,861,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/112
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/725 by catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/302 characterised by the material of the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/40 by light filters; by coloured coatings in or on the envelope
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/72 having a main light-emitting filling of easily vaporisable metal vapour, e.g. mercury
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/046 the field being produced by using capacitive means around the vessel

Abstract

An ultraviolet ray lamp comprises a discharge vessel made of quartz glass, filled with a filling. A pair of electrodes is able to generate a discharge in the discharge vessel. An optical filter made of metal oxide, which is partly formed on the outer surface of the discharge vessel, transmits ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and cuts off ultraviolet rays of short wavelength. Furthermore, A device for generating ultraviolet rays comprises an ultraviolet ray lamp generating ultraviolet rays including short and long wavelength, having a discharge vessel made of quartz glass. An enclosure accommodates the discharge vessel, transmitting at least ultraviolet ray of short wavelength. An optical filter made of metal oxide, which is partly formed on at least one side of the surface of the enclosure, transmits ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and cuts off ultraviolet rays of short wavelength. An ultraviolet ray lamp or a device for generating ultraviolet rays may be used for a sterilizer, an apparatus for treating fluid, or an air cleaner.

Claims

1. An ultraviolet ray lamp comprising:

a discharge vessel made of quartz glass having a filling gas therein;

a pair of electrodes constructed and arranged to generate a discharge in the discharge vessel; and

an optical filter including a metal oxide, which is formed on part of the outer surface of the discharge vessel, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength.

2. An ultraviolet ray lamp according to claim 1, wherein the quartz glass does not contain substantial amounts of titanium oxide (TiO₂), and cerium oxide (CeO₂).

3. An ultraviolet ray lamp according to claim 1, wherein the optical filter has an energy band gap of 4.5 to 6.7 eV.

4. An ultraviolet ray lamp according to claim 1, wherein the optical filter comprises zirconium oxide (ZrO₂).

5. A device for generating ultraviolet rays comprising:

an ultraviolet ray lamp constructed and arranged to generate ultraviolet rays including short and long wavelength, the lamp having a discharge vessel made of quartz glass;

an enclosure accommodating the discharge vessel, transmitting at least ultraviolet rays of short wavelength; and

an optical filter comprising a metal oxide, which is formed on at least part of one side surface of the enclosure, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the optical filter has an energy band gap of 4.5 to 6.7 eV.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the optical filter comprises zirconium oxide (ZrO₂).

8. A sterilizer comprising:

a device constructed and arranged to generate ultraviolet rays comprising;

an ultraviolet ray lamp constructed and arranged to generate ultraviolet rays including short and long wavelength, and having a discharge vessel made of quartz glass;

an enclosure accommodating the discharge vessel, the enclosure transmitting at least ultraviolet rays of short wavelength; and

an optical filter comprising a metal oxide, which is formed on at least part of one side of a surface of the enclosure, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength;

a holder supporting the ultraviolet ray lamp; and

a body fixing the holder, and accommodating the ultraviolet ray lamp.

10. A sterilizer according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a photocatalytic member arranged so as to be able to receive ultraviolet rays.

9. A sterilizer comprising:

an ultraviolet ray lamp;

a holder supporting the ultraviolet ray lamp, the ultraviolet ray lamp comprising;

a discharge vessel made of quartz glass and having a filling gas therein;

a pair of electrodes constructed and arranged to generate a discharge in the discharge vessel; and

an optical filter comprising a metal oxide, which is formed on at least a part of the outer surface of the discharge vessel, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength; and

a body fixing the holder, and accommodating the ultraviolet ray lamp.

11. An apparatus for treating water comprising:

a device constructed and arranged to generate ultraviolet rays comprising;

an ultraviolet ray lamp generating ultraviolet rays including short and long wavelength, having a discharge vessel made of quartz glass;

an enclosure accommodating the discharge vessel, transmitting at least ultraviolet rays of short wavelength; and

an optical filter comprising a metal oxide, which is formed on at least part of one side of the surface of the enclosure, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength;

a holder supporting the ultraviolet ray lamp;

a water tank fixing the holder, and accommodating the ultraviolet ray lamp; and

a blower supplying air to the tank.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a photocatalytic member arranged so as to be able to receive ultraviolet rays.

14. An air cleaner according to claim 13, further comprising a photocatalytic member.

13. An air cleaner comprising:

a case having an intake and an exhaust;

a blower for causing air to flow through the case; and

an ultraviolet ray lamp, arranged in the airflow, the lamp comprising;

a discharge vessel made of quartz glass and having a filling gas therein;

a pair of electrodes constructed and arranged to generate a discharge in the discharge vessel; and

an optical filter comprising a metal oxide, which is formed on at least part of the outer surface of the discharge vessel, transmitting ultraviolet rays of long wavelength and blocking ultraviolet rays of short wavelength.