Combination lamp and integrating sphere for efficiently coupling radiant energy from a gas discharge to a lightguide
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An illuminated liquid crystal display system, comprising:
- a flat panel liquid crystal display;
an electrodeless discharge lamp positioned to illuminate one side of said display, said lamp comprising a light integrating, closed container having an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one of said surfaces being coated with a light-reflective material, said container enclosing a gaseous fill and having a light-transmissive window formed therein for permitting light to exit form said container;
RF excitation means coupled to said integrating container for electrically producing a field to establish a discharge current in said fill; and
an elongated .[., tapered.]. lightguide means for emitting light from said container, .[.said lightguide means having a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.end of said light-guide means being in registry with said window to intercept light exiting from said container, the .[.wide.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end of said lightguide means being positioned adjacent to said liquid crystal display, whereby the light exiting form said container is guided from said container by said lightguide means and is emitted from the .[.wide.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end thereof to illuminate said liquid crystal display.
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Abstract
A .[.collimated.]. light source is provided which combines the functions of lamp and integrating sphere into one unit for efficiently coupling radiant energy from a gas discharge to a lightguide. The light source is electrodeless and comprises an integrating sphere coated with a light-reflective material and containing a gaseous fill. To excite a discharge current in the fill, the sphere is encircled by a coupling coil driven by an RF power source, or the sphere is enclosed in a microwave cavity. Light exits from the sphere through a light-transmissive window to a lightguide.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An illuminated liquid crystal display system, comprising:
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a flat panel liquid crystal display; an electrodeless discharge lamp positioned to illuminate one side of said display, said lamp comprising a light integrating, closed container having an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one of said surfaces being coated with a light-reflective material, said container enclosing a gaseous fill and having a light-transmissive window formed therein for permitting light to exit form said container; RF excitation means coupled to said integrating container for electrically producing a field to establish a discharge current in said fill; and an elongated .[., tapered.]. lightguide means for emitting light from said container, .[.said lightguide means having a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.end of said light-guide means being in registry with said window to intercept light exiting from said container, the .[.wide.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end of said lightguide means being positioned adjacent to said liquid crystal display, whereby the light exiting form said container is guided from said container by said lightguide means and is emitted from the .[.wide.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end thereof to illuminate said liquid crystal display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 30)
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16. A .[.collimated.]. light source, comprising:
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a light integrating, closed container having an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one of said surfaces being coated with a light-reflective material, said container enclosing a gaseous fill and having a light-transmissive window former therein for permitting light to exit from said container; an elongated .[., tapered.]. lightguide means for emitting light from said container, .[.said lightguide means having a narrow end and a wide end, the narrow.]. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.end of said light-guide means being in registry with said window to intercept light exiting from said container, whereby the light exiting from said container is guided from said container by said light-guide means and is emitted from the .[.wide.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end thereof; and RF excitation means coupled to said container for electrically producing a field to establish a discharge current in said fill. - View Dependent Claims (3, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification