Metal matrix composite integrated lamp head

• US 6,252,346 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fusion Lighting, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Malcolm, Kipling, Kent, Turner, Brian P., Shanks, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/616,994
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 313/493, 313/634, 313/636, 313/575, 315/248, 315/344, 315/39
• US Class Current: 313/493
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/12 Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/125 having an halogenide as principal component
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/523 Heating or cooling particular parts of the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/044 the field being produced by a separate microwave unit
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/048 the field being produced by using an excitation coil
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/24 in which the lamp is fed by high frequency ac, or with separate oscillator frequencyH05B41/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

An integrated lamp head for an electrodeless lamp includes a metal-matrix composite enclosure, an insulating ceramic encased by the metal-matrix enclosure, the insulating ceramic having an interior surface, and an excitation structure integrally formed on the interior surface of the insulating ceramic. The excitation structure may include an excitation coil such as a wedding ring shaped excitation coil or a coil having a cross sectional shape similar to an upper-case Greek letter omega. The integrated lamp head optionally includes a pre-formed connection from an exterior portion of the integrated lamp head to the excitation structure and/or a conductive insert in an area of a solder connection point.

Claims

1. An integrated lamp head for an electrodeless lamp, the integrated lamp head comprising:

a metal-matrix composite enclosure;

an insulating ceramic encased by the metal-matrix enclosure, the insulating ceramic having an interior surface; and

an excitation structure integrally formed on the interior surface of the insulating ceramic.

2. The integrated lamp head as recited in claim 1, wherein the integrally formed excitation structure comprises an excitation coil.

3. The integrated lamp head as recited in claim 1, wherein the integrally formed excitation structure comprises a wedding ring shaped excitation coil.

4. The integrated lamp head as recited in claim 1, wherein the integrally formed excitation structure comprises a cross-sectional shape generally corresponding to the upper-case Greek letter omega.

5. The integrated lamp head as recited in claim 1, wherein the integrally formed excitation structure comprises a pre-formed connection from an exterior portion of the integrated lamp head to the excitation structure.