Combination UV inspection light and flashlight

• US 6,630,682 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ritchie Engineering Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ritchie Engineering Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Kranz, Kenneth J., Shanley, Victor J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GURZO, PAUL M
• Application Number:
  US09/805,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 250/504.R, 250/492.22, 250/504.H, 250/461.1, 362/293
• US Class Current: 250/504.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/02 capable of hand-held use, e.g. inspection lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/37 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/083 for portable lighting devices

Abstract

A UV light utilizing an angled dichroic cold mirror reflector to selectively direct UV light out of a window on the side of the light housing while transmitting visible and infrared light out a window in the end of the housing to eliminate heat. The light may be used both as a flashlight and a black light for UV inspection. A removable cap can be placed over the end window to block visible light.

Claims

1. A combination flashlight and light for use in inspection of leak sites and the like, comprising:

a housing;

a lamp mounted in said housing emitting intense UV, visible and infrared radiation when said lamp is energized;

a power source for energizing said lamp;

a switch controlling connection of said power source to said lamp to control energization of said lamp;

a dichroic cold mirror reflector mounted to said housing facing said lamp but inclined thereto, said dichroic cold mirror reflector coated so as to reflect UV light from said lamp laterally while transmitting visible and infrared light;

said housing having a first window located to receive said UV beam reflected laterally from said dichroic cold mirror reflector to be allowed to exit out of said housing, and a second window located aligned with said lamp and said dichroic cold mirror reflector to allow said visible and infrared light to exit therethrough and out of said housing.

2. The UV light according to claim 1 further including a detachable cap on said second window.

3. The UV light according to claim 2 further including vent holes in said housing behind said dichroic cold mirror reflector.

4. The UV light according to claim 3 further including louvers facing said second window.

5. The UV light according to claim 1 further including a parabolic reflector having said lamp approximately located at the focal point thereof and concentrating light emitted from said lamp and directing the same at said dichroic cold mirror reflector.

6. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said first and second windows have a window lens mounted therein constructed of borosilicate glass to block UV below about 320 nm.

7. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said dichroic cold mirror reflector reflects a high percentage of light in the range of 350 to 450 nm and transmits light in a range longer than 450 nm.

8. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said dichroic cold mirror reflector reflects a high percentage of in the range of 320 to 380 nm and transmits high percentage of light in a range over 400 nm.