Electric lamp and discharge devices – With gas or vapor – Envelope with particular structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-07-31
Patel, Nimeshkumar D. (Department: 2879)
Electric lamp and discharge devices
With gas or vapor
Envelope with particular structure
C313S160000, C313S161000, C313S607000, C313S234000, C313S493000, C362S263000, C362S265000, C362S310000, C315S248000, C315S039000, C445S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268699
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to electrodeless gas discharge lamps and more particularly to the configuration and arrangement of the envelope in which the discharge gas is sealed relative to the surrounding induction coil and mounting base.
2. Related Prior Art
Various configurations and arrangements of the induction coil and envelope of electrodeless gas discharge lamps are known. The simplest in form comprises an oblong envelope having opposite axial ends and a midsection about which the coil is wrapped. One end of the envelope is mounted in a socket of a lamp base and the other end is free and unobstructed. The blockage of the midsection and mounted end of the envelope by the coil and base restricts the light output of the lamp.
Attempts to overcome the blockage problems often involve the provision of an envelope of complex shape, for example bell-shaped envelope having an interior cavity in which the coil is disposed. However, such complications add to the cost and complexity of manufacturing such light sources.
It would be desirable to provide an electrodeless gas discharge lighting assembly having an envelope, coil and base of simple construction configured and arranged in a way that minimizes obstruction of the envelope by either the coil or base in order to increase the total light output of the assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
An electrodeless gas discharge lamp assembly constructed according to the present invention comprises a light-transmissive envelope having opposite ends and a mid-section between the ends with an ionizable gas sealed therein. An induction coil is disposed about the midsection in substantially unobstructing relation to the ends of the envelope and is operative to excite the gas within the envelope to discharge illumination. The envelope and coil are mounted transversely on a lamp base with the opposite ends of the envelope exposed such that light emitting from the envelope is transmitted out of both ends of the envelope substantially unobstructed by the coil and base.
By constructing and arranging the components in such a way that the ends of the envelope are not blocked substantially by either the coil or the base, the total light output is increased in comparison to lamps in which only one end is exposed. The double-ended envelope effectively provides two light sources at the opposite ends of the envelope as opposed to just one. In an application where the light assembly includes a reflective housing for redirecting rearwardly transmitted light rays forwardly, the greater light output of the double ended envelope correspondingly increases the total light output of the lamp assembly.
In other applications where light is required to be directed in different directions, such as double-sided beacon-type flashers commonly used on road construction barriers, pylons, signage, and the like, the double-ended light assembly of the invention can be employed as a single source supply of oppositely directed light.
The invention also provides a method of making electrodeless gas discharge light assemblies and includes disposing an induction coil about the midsection of a gas discharge envelope without substantially obstructing opposite ends of the envelope and mounting the coil and envelope transversely on a lamp base with the ends of the envelope exposed such that light emitting from the envelope is transmitted out of both ends of the envelope substantially unobstructed by the coil and base.
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Bodem Jack D.
Kohne Robert L.
Woodward Ronald O.
Federal-Mogul World Wide Inc.
Haynes Mack
Patel Nimeshkumar D.
Reising Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
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