ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION LAMP AND SOURCE MODULE AND TREATMENT SYSTEM CONTAINING SAME

• US 20090090667A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trojan Technologies Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Trojan Technologies Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Fraser, Jim, Sasges, Michael, Elku, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,318,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/222
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/22 the sensing element being a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/523 Heating or cooling particular parts of the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/56 One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultraviolet radiation lamp. The lamp comprises a substantially sealed cavity comprising a mercury-containing material; a filament disposed in the sealed cavity; and an electrical control element in contact with the filament, the electrical control element configured to adjust or maintain a temperature of the mercury-containing material with respect to a prescribed temperature. Such a constructions allows the present ultraviolet radiation lamp to be operated at optimal efficiency without the need to use additional components to add heat to and/or remove heat from the mercury-containing material.

Claims

1. An ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising:

a substantially sealed cavity comprising a mercury-containing material;

a filament disposed in the sealed cavity; and

an electrical control element in contact with the filament, the electrical control element configured to adjust or maintain a temperature of the mercury-containing material with respect to a prescribed temperature.

2. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 1, further comprising a thermal sensor configured to detect and respond to a change in temperature of the mercury-containing material.

3. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein the electrical control element is in electrical contact with the filament and the thermal sensor, the electrical control element configured to change a temperature of the filament in response to a signal received from the thermal sensor if the temperature is different from the prescribed temperature.

4. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermocouple.

5. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermal switch or a RTD.

6. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein a portion of the thermal sensor is disposed in the cavity.

7. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein the thermal sensor is disposed in an annular element surrounding at least a portion of the cavity.

8. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection unit disposed at one end of the cavity and comprising at least one electrical connector in electrical connection with the filament.

9. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 8, wherein the electrical connection unit comprises a first connection unit disposed at one end of the lamp and a second connection unit releasably engageable with respect to the first connection unit.

10. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 9, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the first connection unit.

11. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 9, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the second connection unit.

12. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 9, wherein the first connection unit and the second connection unit have a substantially complementary fit.

13. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 9, wherein the second connection unit comprises a receptacle portion for receiving the at least one electrical connector when the first connection unit and the second connection unit are engaged.

14. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 2, wherein the mercury-containing material is disposed in a first portion in the cavity.

15. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 14, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed substantially near the filament.

16. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 14, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed adjacent the filament.

17. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 1, wherein the prescribed temperature is empirically determined with respect to at least one parameter relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

18. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 17, wherein the prescribed temperature is empirically determined with respect to two or more parameters relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

19. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 17, wherein the at least one parameter is a fixed parameter.

20. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 19, wherein the fixed parameter is selected from the group comprising sleeve diameter, maximum lamp power, lamp power range, lamp orientation, lamp diameter, lamp internal design, lamp base design, dimension of the filament, composition of the filament, configuration of the filament and lamp orientation in the sleeve.

21. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 17, wherein the at least one parameter is a variable parameter.

22. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 21, wherein the variable parameter is selected from lamp power, water temperature and electrode changes that occur during the lamp life cycle of the lamp.

23. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 17, further comprising an integrated circuit encoded with the at least one parameter.

82. A radiation source assembly comprising the ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 1 and a radiation transparent protective sleeve therefore.

83. A radiation source module comprising a first support element and at least one radiation source assembly as defined in claim 82 connected at a first end thereof to the first support element.

84. The radiation source module defined in claim 83, comprising a plurality of radiation source assemblies connected at a first end thereof to the first support element.

85. The radiation source module defined in claim 83, further comprising a second support element to which is connected a second end of the at least one radiation source assembly.

86. A fluid treatment system comprising the radiation source assembly defined in claim 82.

87. A fluid treatment system comprising a plurality of radiation source assemblies as defined in claim 82.

88. A fluid treatment system comprising the radiation source module defined in claim 83.

89. A fluid treatment system comprising a plurality of radiation source modules as defined in claim 83.

24. An ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising:

a substantially sealed cavity comprising a mercury-containing material having a predetermined optimum temperature range in which the mercury-containing material is vaporized;

a filament disposed in the sealed cavity; and

an electrical control element in contact with the filament, the electrical control element configured to cause the temperature of the mercury-containing material to remain substantially within the predetermined optimum temperature range.

25. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 24, further comprising a thermal sensor configured to detect and respond to a change in temperature of the mercury-containing material.

26. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein the electrical control element is in electrical contact with the filament and the thermal sensor, the electrical control element configured to change the temperature of the filament in response to a signal received from the thermal sensor to cause the temperature of the mercury-containing material to remain substantially within the predetermined optimum temperature range.

27. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermocouple.

28. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermal switch or a RTD.

29. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein a portion of the thermal sensor is disposed in the cavity.

30. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein the thermal sensor is disposed in an annular element surrounding at least a portion of the cavity.

31. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, further comprising an electrical connection unit disposed at one end of the cavity and comprising at least one electrical connector in electrical connection with the filament.

32. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 31, wherein the electrical connection unit comprises a first connection unit disposed at one end of the lamp and a second connection unit releasably engageable with respect to the first connection unit.

33. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 32, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the first connection unit.

34. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 32, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the second connection unit.

35. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 32, wherein the first connection unit and the second connection unit have a substantially complementary fit.

36. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 32, wherein the second connection unit comprises a receptacle portion for receiving the at least one electrical connecter when the first connection unit and the second connection unit are engaged.

37. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 25, wherein the mercury-containing material is disposed in a first portion in the cavity.

38. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 37, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed substantially near the filament.

39. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 37, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed adjacent the filament.

40. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 24, wherein the predetermined optimum temperature range is empirically determined with respect to at least one parameter relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

41. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 24, wherein the predetermined optimum temperature range is empirically determined with respect to two or more parameters relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

42. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 40, wherein the at least one parameter is a fixed parameter.

43. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 42, wherein the fixed parameter is selected from the group comprising sleeve diameter, maximum lamp power, lamp power range, lamp orientation, lamp diameter, lamp internal design, lamp base design, dimension of the filament, composition of the filament, configuration of the filament and lamp orientation in the sleeve.

44. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 40, wherein the at least one parameter is a variable parameter.

45. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 44, wherein the variable parameter is selected from lamp power, water temperature and electrode changes that occur during the lamp life cycle of the lamp.

46. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 40, further comprising an integrated circuit encoded with the at least one parameter.

47. An ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising:

a substantially sealed elongate cavity comprising a first filament and a second filament disposed therein near opposite ends thereof;

a reservoir disposed in the cavity;

a mercury-containing material disposed in the reservoir, the mercury-containing material having a predetermined optimum temperature range in which the mercury-containing material is vaporized; and

an electrical control element in contact with the filament, the electrical control element configured to cause the temperature of the mercury-containing material to remain substantially within the predetermined optimum temperature range.

48. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 47, further comprising a thermal sensor configured to detect and respond to a change in temperature of the mercury-containing material.

49. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the electrical control element is in electrical contact with the filament and the thermal sensor, the electrical control element configured to change the temperature of the filament in response to a signal received from the thermal sensor to cause the temperature of the mercury-containing material to remain substantially within the predetermined optimum temperature range.

50. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermocouple.

51. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the thermal sensor comprises a thermal switch or a RTD.

52. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein a portion of the thermal sensor is disposed in the cavity.

53. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the thermal sensor is disposed in an annular element surrounding at least a portion of the cavity.

54. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, further comprising an electrical connection unit disposed at one end of the cavity and comprising at least one electrical connector in electrical connection with the filament.

55. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 54, wherein the electrical connection unit comprises a first connection unit disposed at one end of the lamp and a second connection unit releasably engageable with respect to the first connection unit.

56. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 55, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the first connection unit.

57. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 55, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the second connection unit.

58. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 55, wherein the first connection unit and the second connection unit have a substantially complementary fit.

59. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 55, wherein the second connection unit comprises a receptacle portion for receiving the at least one electrical connecter when the first connection unit and the second connection unit are engaged.

60. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the reservoir is disposed substantially near the first filament.

61. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 48, wherein the reservoir is disposed adjacent the first filament.

62. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 47, wherein the predetermined optimum temperature range is empirically determined with respect to at least one parameter relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

63. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 47, wherein the predetermined optimum temperature range is empirically determined with respect to two or more parameters relating to the environment in which the lamp is used.

64. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 62, wherein the at least one parameter is a fixed parameter.

65. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 64, wherein the fixed parameter is selected from the group comprising sleeve diameter, maximum lamp power, lamp power range, lamp orientation, lamp diameter, lamp internal design, lamp base design, dimension of the filament, composition of the filament, configuration of the filament and lamp orientation in the sleeve.

66. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 62, wherein the at least one parameter is a variable parameter.

67. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 66, wherein the variable parameter is selected from lamp power, water temperature, lamp orientation, sleeve diameter, electrode changes and the like that occur during the lamp life cycle of the lamp.

68. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 62, further comprising an integrated circuit encoded with the at least one parameter.

69. An ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising:

a substantially sealed cavity comprising a mercury-containing material;

a filament disposed in the sealed cavity;

a detector configured to measure ultraviolet radiation (e.g., Uv-C) from the sealed cavity during operation of the lamp; and

an electrical control element in contact with the detector and the filament, the electrical control element configured to adjust or maintain a temperature of the mercury-containing material with respect to a prescribed temperature.

70. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 69, wherein at least a portion of the detector is disposed within the cavity.

71. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 69, wherein the detector is disposed outside the cavity.

72. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 69, further comprising an electrical connection unit disposed at one end of the cavity and comprising at least one electrical connector in electrical connection with the filament.

73. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 72, wherein the electrical connection unit comprises a first connection unit disposed at one end of the lamp and a second connection unit releasably engageable with respect to the first connection unit.

74. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 73, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the first connection unit.

75. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 73, wherein the electrical control element is disposed in the second connection unit.

76. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 73, wherein the first connection unit and the second connection unit have a substantially complementary fit.

77. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 73, wherein the second connection unit comprises a receptacle portion for receiving the at least one electrical connecter when the first connection unit and the second connection unit are engaged.

78. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 69, wherein the mercury-containing material is disposed in a first portion in the cavity.

79. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 78, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed substantially near the filament.

80. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 78, wherein the first portion of the cavity is disposed adjacent the filament.

81. The ultraviolet radiation lamp defined in claim 69, wherein the prescribed temperature is within an range prescribed for optimum operation of the lamp.