Electrodeless fluorescent lamp
First Claim
1. A fluorescent lamp structure comprising:
- an evacuable, light-transmissive, substantially globular envelope having a reentrant channel therein;
a gaseous medium within said envelope adapted to sustain an electric discharge due to an electric field induced therein, said ionizable medium emitting radiation at a first wavelength when sustaining said discharge;
means for inducing said electric field in said gaseous medium including,a closed loop magnetic core having a central opening and being at least partially contained within said channel whereby said core links said gaseous medium; and
a luminescent phosphor dispossed on the interior of said envelope and adapted to emit visible light when excited by said first wavelength radiation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrodeless fluorescent lamp adapted for economical substitution in place of an existing incandescent lamp comprises an ionizable medium contained within a phosphor coated globular envelope. A closed loop magnetic core transformer, contained within a reentrant cavity in the base of the envelope, induces a radio frequency electric field which ionizes the medium to stimulate production of visible light output from the phosphor. A tubular extension of the envelope traverses the cavity, linking the core with a column of ionizable medium, to form a "secondary winding" on the transformer. A base assembly, attached to the envelope, supports a lamp plug for receipt of input energy. A radio frequency power supply, contained within the base assembly, provides electric current to a primary winding on the core.
A method for producing lamps in accordance with the invention comprises preforming the reentrant cavity, threading the magnetic core and winding structure onto a tubular member; fusing that member to the cavity; and assembling the cavity structure to a phosphor coated, globular shell.
81 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A fluorescent lamp structure comprising:
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an evacuable, light-transmissive, substantially globular envelope having a reentrant channel therein; a gaseous medium within said envelope adapted to sustain an electric discharge due to an electric field induced therein, said ionizable medium emitting radiation at a first wavelength when sustaining said discharge; means for inducing said electric field in said gaseous medium including, a closed loop magnetic core having a central opening and being at least partially contained within said channel whereby said core links said gaseous medium; and a luminescent phosphor dispossed on the interior of said envelope and adapted to emit visible light when excited by said first wavelength radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A fluorescent lamp base structure comprising:
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a substantially rectangular member defining a cavity having approximately square front and back surfaces, said front and back surfaces each having a centrally-located perforation, the bottom surface of said cavity having a substantially rectangular perforation adapted to allow access to the interior of said cavity; a tubular dielectric member, having sectional dimensions approximately equal to the dimensions of said perforations, extending between said front surface and said back surface and sealed thereto at the edges of said perforations; and a closed loop magnetic core disposed on said tubular member and contained within said cavity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of making a fluorescent lamp comprising:
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preforming a glass capsule having a perforated bottom portion with a flare extending therefrom; wrapping at least one conductive winding on a closed loop magnetic core; inserting a tubular glass member through a central opening in said magnetic ore, the length of said tubular member being approximately equal to the width of said capsule; aligning said tubular glass member and core within said capsule so that said tubular member is parallel to the width dimension of said capsule; perforating said capsule at the ends of said tubular member; and fusing the walls of said capsule to the ends of said tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification