Illumination unit having at least one essentially U-shaped gas discharge lamp
First Claim
1. An illumination unit comprising:
- at least one essentially U-shaped gas discharge lamp comprising mercury operable to promote gas discharge and electrodes connected respectively to output terminals of a high-frequency driver circuit, wherein the output terminals of the high-frequency driver circuit are each electrically floating and the gas discharge lamp is capacitively coupled to an electrical ground at a central region thereof.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A substantially U-shaped gas discharge lamp (1′), containing mercury for the gas discharge, is connected to a high-frequency driver circuit (6′). To ensure that the gas discharge lamp operates with minimum loss and maximum light yield, the respective output terminals (4′, 5′) of the high-frequency driver circuit are not electrically grounded and the central section (11′) of the gas discharge lamp is capacitively coupled to an electric ground. A substantial reduction of lamp current in the central section is ensured, thus lowering thermal production in the central section of the gas discharge lamp. Accordingly, the central section becomes the coldest place in the gas discharge chamber and the place where condensation of the mercury occurs. The mercury vapor pressure can thus be regulated and the light yield optimized.
12 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An illumination unit comprising:
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at least one essentially U-shaped gas discharge lamp comprising mercury operable to promote gas discharge and electrodes connected respectively to output terminals of a high-frequency driver circuit, wherein the output terminals of the high-frequency driver circuit are each electrically floating and the gas discharge lamp is capacitively coupled to an electrical ground at a central region thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A gas discharge lamp comprising:
a sealed container operable to contain gas, wherein said sealed container comprises at least two opposing portions and a transverse portion connecting the opposing portions, wherein said transverse portion is coupled to an electrical ground. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification