Electric lamp and discharge devices – With gas or vapor – Envelope with particular structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-09-04
Patel, Nimeshkumar D. (Department: 2879)
Electric lamp and discharge devices
With gas or vapor
Envelope with particular structure
C313S576000, C313S570000, C313S110000, C445S026000, C445S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285131
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to arc lamps, and specifically to components and methods used to reduce the cost of manufacturing xenon arc lamps.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Short arc lamps provide intense point sources of light that allow light collection in reflectors for applications in medical endoscopes, instrumentation and video projection. Also, short arc lamps are used in industrial endoscopes, for example in the inspection of jet engine interiors. More recent applications have been in color television receiver projection systems.
A typical short arc lamp comprises an anode and a sharp-tipped cathode positioned along the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical, sealed concave chamber that contains xenon gas pressurized to several atmospheres. U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,465, issued Feb. 24, 1998, to Roy D. Roberts, describes such a typical short-arc lamp. A typical xenon arc lamp, such as the CERMAX marketed by ILC Technology (Sunnyvale, Calif.) has a three-legged strut system that holds the cathode electrode concentric to the lamp's axis and in opposition to the anode.
The manufacture of high power xenon arc lamps involves the use of expensive and exotic materials and sophisticated fabrication, welding, and brazing procedures. Because of the large numbers of xenon arc lamps being produced and marketed, every opportunity to save money on the materials and/or assembly procedures is constantly being sought. Being the low-cost producer in a market always translates into a strategic competitive advantage.
The three-legged strut system used in the CERMAX-type arc lamp requires two more brazes and three more parts than that for embodiments of the present invention. It is estimated that just the strut assembly alone in the CERMAX-type arc lamp costs $15-$20. The strut system of the present invention that could replace it is estimated to cost only $3.00-$3.50.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a xenon arc lamp with reduced manufacturing costs.
Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention is a xenon arc lamp with an improved cathode support. The improvements reduce the number of assembly procedures and parts to produce an arc lamp. A single piece of sheet Kovar material is formed into a cup. Pieces are cut from the bottom of the cup so that three webs connect the outside ring to the center. The three webs each have a flap that is folded back 90° to form a rigid strut arm. A tungsten cathode electrode is brazed at the center and apex of the three struts with a sleeve that helps bridge the fillet area.
An advantage of the present invention is that a xenon arc lamp is provided that is less costly to produce compared to conventional designs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3495118 (1970-02-01), Richter
patent: 3715615 (1973-02-01), Lavering
patent: 3725714 (1973-04-01), Anderson
patent: 4940922 (1990-07-01), Schuda et al.
patent: 5721465 (1998-02-01), Roberts
Kiss John
O'Hare Daniel Joseph
Roberts Roy D.
EG&G ILC Technology, Inc.
Guharay Karabi
Law Offices of Thomas E. Schatzel
Patel Nimeshkumar D.
Schatzel Thomas E.
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