Variable wavelength radiation source

• US 20060261291A1
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William G. Gardner III
• Original Assignee: William G. Gardner III
• Inventors: Gardner, William G. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/504.R
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/26 by irradiation without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/28 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/006 by means of optical elements, e.g. films, filters or screens, being rolled up around a roller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/45 by adjustment of photoluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1217 Indexed discrete filters or choppers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1221 Mounting; Adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0216 using light concentrators or collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0235 using means for replacing an element by another, for replacing a filter or a grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry

Abstract

An apparatus for selectively producing one or more of a plurality of wavelength distributions of radiation. The apparatus comprises a primary UV radiation source and one or more wavelength transforming materials separated from the primary UV radiation source, that in response to irradiation by the primary UV radiation source, produce transformed radiation having a wavelength distribution that is different from the wavelength distribution of the primary UV radiation source. None, one, or more than one of the various WT materials can be selected by the apparatus, to allow the primary UV radiation, any individual transformed radiation, or any combination of the various radiations to be to be emitted from the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively emitting one or more of a plurality of wavelength distributions of radiation, comprising:

a primary UV radiation source, disposed in a housing, wherein said primary UV radiation source produces a primary wavelength distribution;

at least one wavelength-transforming material, deposed external to the envelope of said primary UV radiation source, that in response to irradiation by said primary UV radiation source, emits a transformed radiation;

a selection mechanism deposed internal to the housing, wherein said selection mechanism is substantially non-removably coupled to the housing;

wherein said selection mechanism places at least one selected portion of said at least one wavelength-transforming materials relative to said primary UV radiation source;

a reflector unit disposed proximate to said primary UV radiation source wherein said reflector unit directs the primary wavelength distribution radiation from said primary UV radiation source onto said at least one wavelength-transforming material; and

wherein said reflector unit is also deposed relative to said primary UV radiation source such that non-selected portions of said at least one wavelength-transforming materials are shaded from irradiation by said primary UV radiation source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wavelength transforming filter, wherein said wavelength transforming filter supports and is combined with said at least one wavelength-transforming material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said selection mechanism imparts relative motion between said wavelength transforming filter and said primary UV radiation source thereby positioning said wavelength transforming filter to place said at least one selected portion of said at least one wavelength-transforming materials in position to be irradiated by said primary UV radiation source.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a cylinder encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of at least one substantially flat plate disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of a substantially flat rotatable disk disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a flexible sheet or belt encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising at least one additional wavelength-transforming material, deposed external to the envelope of said primary UV radiation source, that in response to irradiation by said primary UV radiation source, emits a second transformed radiation, wherein said at least one additional wavelength-transforming material is supported by and combined with said wavelength transforming filter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said selection mechanism imparts relative motion between said wavelength transforming filter and said primary UV radiation source thereby positioning said wavelength transforming filter to place singularly or in combination:

a) said at least one selected portion of said at least one wavelength-transforming materials, and b) said at least one additional wavelength-transforming material, in position to be irradiated by said primary UV radiation source.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a cylinder encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of at least one substantially flat plate disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of a substantially flat rotatable disk disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a flexible sheet or belt encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

14. An apparatus for selectively emitting one or more of a plurality of wavelength distributions of radiation, comprising:

a primary UV radiation source, disposed in a housing, wherein said primary UV radiation source produces a primary wavelength distribution;

a wavelength transforming filter, deposed external to the envelope of said primary UV radiation source;

a selection mechanism coupled to said wavelength transforming filter and deposed internal to the housing, wherein said selection mechanism and said wavelength transforming filter are substantially non-removably deposed internal to the housing;

a reflector unit disposed proximate to said primary UV radiation source wherein said reflector unit directs the primary wavelength distribution radiation from said primary UV radiation source towards said wavelength transforming filter; and

wherein said reflector unit is also deposed relative to said primary UV radiation source such that portions of said wavelength transforming filter are shaded from irradiation by said primary UV radiation source.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said reflector unit is further deposed to direct the primary wavelength distribution in a preferred direction.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said wavelength transforming filter comprises at least one wavelength transforming material.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter further comprises at least one portion lacking wavelength transforming material, wherein said at least one portion lacking wavelength transforming material is transparent to the primary wavelength distribution.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least one selection of said at least one wavelength transforming material is black.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least one selection of said wavelength transforming material in response to irradiation by said primary UV radiation source, emits at least one transformed radiation.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a cylinder encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of at least one substantially flat plate disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is in the shape of a substantially flat rotatable disk disposed opposite to and sequentially after said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is substantially in the shape of a flexible sheet or belt encompassing said primary UV radiation source and said reflector unit.

24. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wavelength transforming filter is constructed to form an opening in at least a portion of said wavelength transforming filter thereby permitting said primary wavelength distribution to emit there-thru unattenuated.