Compact fluorescent lamp unit having segregated air-cooling means
First Claim
1. An electric lamp unit that is adapted for use as a compact energy-efficient light source and comprises;
- an electric discharge lamp that has an envelope which defines an elongated arc path and produces a light output that is adversely affected by elevated operating temperatures,electric circuit means coupled to said discharge lamp and adapted to energize the lamp when connected to a suitable power supply,means protectively enclosing said discharge lamp and electric circuit means comprising a housing having a first compartment that contains the discharge lamp and a second compartment that contains the electric circuit means and is physically isolated from the first compartment, andmeans integral with said housing defining air passageways which permit ambient air to circulate through said compartments in two different flow patterns that are confined to the respective compartments so that said compartments are air-cooled independently of one another when the lamp unit is energized and in use, said means defining air passageways having respective openings for receiving ambient air to flow into said first and second compartments and respective openings for venting heated air from inside said first and second compartments, and said openings for receiving ambient air being positioned lower than said openings for venting heated air whether the electric lamp unit is operated with said first compartment above or below said second compartment.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Convection air-cooling of a compact electric discharge lamp unit that is adapted for use as a screw-in energy-conserving substitute for an incandescent-type lamp bulb is enhanced by partitioning the lamp housing into two separate compartments and providing vents and connecting air passageways that direct ambient air through the respective housing compartments along two different paths--thereby cooling the compartments independently of one another. A light source (such as a convoluted low-pressure discharge lamp) is located within one of the compartments and an electrical circuit for energizing the lamp is located in the other compartment. The "segregated air-flow" mode of cooling prevents heat that is generated by the lamp from being introduced into the compartment that contains the electrical circuit and thus prevents the circuit components from becoming overheated and possibly damaged. This is an important advantage in the case of solid-state type electronic circuits that include components such as electrolytic capacitors and transistors or the like that are heat-sensitive and may fail if they become too hot. In a preferred embodiment the light source comprises a replaceable plug-in fluorescent lamp of triple-U-bent configuration that has a plastic base member with tongue-and-groove elements which permit the fluorescent lamp to be snap-locked into operative relationship with the partition and circuit components of the lamp housing.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An electric lamp unit that is adapted for use as a compact energy-efficient light source and comprises;
-
an electric discharge lamp that has an envelope which defines an elongated arc path and produces a light output that is adversely affected by elevated operating temperatures, electric circuit means coupled to said discharge lamp and adapted to energize the lamp when connected to a suitable power supply, means protectively enclosing said discharge lamp and electric circuit means comprising a housing having a first compartment that contains the discharge lamp and a second compartment that contains the electric circuit means and is physically isolated from the first compartment, and means integral with said housing defining air passageways which permit ambient air to circulate through said compartments in two different flow patterns that are confined to the respective compartments so that said compartments are air-cooled independently of one another when the lamp unit is energized and in use, said means defining air passageways having respective openings for receiving ambient air to flow into said first and second compartments and respective openings for venting heated air from inside said first and second compartments, and said openings for receiving ambient air being positioned lower than said openings for venting heated air whether the electric lamp unit is operated with said first compartment above or below said second compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An electric lamp unit that is adapted for use as a compact energy efficient light source in a socket of the type employed for incandescent-type lamp bulbs, said lamp unit comprising;
-
a low-pressure electric discharge lamp that has an elongated tubular envelope which is bent into convoluted tridimensional form and contains an ionizable medium which requires that the operating temperature of the lamp be controlled for optimum light output, electric circuit means coupled to said discharge lamp and adapted to energize and operate the lamp when connected to an alternating-current power supply, a housing protectively enclosing said discharge lamp and electric circuit means comprising a light-transmitting cover that is secured to a base module, a partition structure laterally dividing said housing into two separate compartments that are defined by said cover and base module and are so arranged and shaped that the discharge lamp is disposed within the cover compartment and the electric circuit means is located within the base module compartment, and means integral with said housing and partition structure providing passageways which permit ambient air to enter and flow through said compartments along different and separate paths so that said compartments are air-cooled independently of one another when the lamp unit is placed in the socket and is in use, said means providing air passageways having respective openings for receiving ambient air to flow into said separate compartments and respective openings for venting heated air from inside said separate compartments, and said openings for receiving ambient air being positioned lower than said openings for venting heated air whether the electric lamp unit is operated in a base-up or base-down position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An electric lamp unit comprising:
-
a housing having a base portion, a light-transmissive cover mounted on said base portion and extending lengthwise of said housing, and a partition dividing said housing transversely into two non-communicating compartments including a base compartment defined by said partition and said housing base portion and a cover compartment defined by said partition and said housing cover; said housing base portion having ventilation openings spaced separated lengthwise of said housing to provide communication between the inside and the outside of said base portion and establish an air flow path through said base portion along the length direction of said housing; means comprising a conduit open at said base portion at a position intermediate said ventilation openings spaced in the length direction of said housing and extending through said base portion into said cover without communicating with the interior of said base portion for flowing air between the exterior of said housing and the interior of said cover; vent openings to the lamp cover remote from said base portion to establish an air flow path through said cover which opens to the exterior of said housing; an electric lamp within said cover compartment; and an electric lamp operating circuit within said base portion.
-
Specification