Electric lamp and discharge devices – With optical device or special ray transmissive envelope – Reflector
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-11
2004-10-19
Patel, Ashok (Department: 2879)
Electric lamp and discharge devices
With optical device or special ray transmissive envelope
Reflector
C313S567000, C313S595000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06806627
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a probe stabilized arc discharge lamp usually operated in a pulsed mode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Arc discharge lamps are used for spectroscopy, as sources of light with a response over a broad spectrum, and for many other uses. Most arc discharge lamps have several components in common: an arc gap defined by two opposing electrodes, one of which is a cathode, another being an anode, disposed in a gas (e.g., Xenon) filled chamber. A reflector is typically disposed about the arc gap and light emitted at the arc gap is directed by the reflector out a window.
There are two basic types of arc discharge lamps: those designed to operate in a continuous mode and those designed to be operated in a pulsed mode. Typically, arc discharge lamps designed to be operated in a continuous mode cannot generally be operated in a pulsed mode because of, inter alia, the differences in the internal pressures generated, the lack of a trigger probe in continuously operated lamps, the increased cathode and anode sputtering which occurs in the pulse mode and the criticality of cathode and anode alignment in pulsed mode lamps.
Therefore, continuous mode lamps, if operated in a pulsed mode, would suffer from a short useful life and a less than desirable output. There are also two basic continuous mode lamp designs: those with horizontally disposed cathodes and anodes, and those with vertically disposed cathodes and anodes. By horizontally disposed electrodes, we mean electrodes disposed across the light path from the arc gap to the reflector and out through the window. By vertically disposed electrodes, we mean electrodes extending in the direction of the light path. The vertically disposed cathode and anode design advantageously has an improved lambertian distribution because the arc gap can be set at the focal point of the reflector and there is a minimum of structure disposed in the light path between the arc gap and the window.
Today, however, all successful pulsed mode arc discharge lamp designs have included only horizontally disposed electrodes. But, because of the benefits of vertically disposed electrodes in continuous mode arc discharge lamps, as discussed above, those skilled in the art have long desired a pulsed mode arc discharge lamp with vertically disposed electrodes. Due to the required physical differences between pulsed mode and continuous mode arc discharge lamps, however, the design of a continuous mode arc discharge lamp with vertically disposed electrodes has not translated into a successful pulsed mode arc discharge lamp design with vertically disposed electrodes.
Disclosed herein is a probe stabilized short arc discharge lamp designed to be operated in a pulse mode and advantageously having vertically disposed electrodes made possible, inter alia, by unique cathode and anode configurations, a uniquely designed trigger probe electrode, a preionization device called a sparker, monolithically constructed ceramic housing with a reflector integrally disposed thereon, a novel cathode jig for co-axially aligning and correctly distancing the cathode with respect to the anode, and a novel trigger probe jig for orienting the probe tip with respect to the arc gap. And, preferably, all of the electrode connections extend through the base of the lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a high output, long life arc discharge lamp designed to be operated in a pulsed mode.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp with vertically disposed electrodes.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp with integrated optical components.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which can be operated at a high pressure.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a more efficient arc discharge lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp with improved lambertian distribution.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an arc discharge lamp with increased stability.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an arc discharge lamp which requires less power to operate for a given output.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which lasts longer.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which does not exhibit excessive sputtering.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which does not suffer from breakdown potentials.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an arc discharge lamp which is single ended: that is, all the electrical connections extend from the base portion of the lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arc discharge lamp which can be repeatedly assembled in an exacting configuration.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a cathode jig for co-axially aligning and correctly distancing the cathode with respect to the anode.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a trigger probe jig which correctly orients the trigger probe tip with respect to the arc gap.
In this invention, the advantages of vertically disposed electrodes are realized in a pulsed mode arc discharge lamp by a uniquely configured anode and cathode, the presence of a trigger probe, a preionization device call a sparker, a monolithically constructed base and side wall lamp housing portion typically made of ceramic material, an integral reflector constructed directly on the ceramic housing, the use of a novel cathode jig which assists manufacturing personnel in co-axially aligning and correctly distancing the cathode with respect to the anode, and a novel trigger probe jig which assists manufacturing personnel in correctly orienting the probe tip with respect to the arc gap.
This invention features a probe stabilized arc discharge lamp. Typically, the lamp includes a monolithic base portion and side wall portion defining a concave surface, a window spaced from the base portion and sealed with respect to the side wall portion defining a chamber, a gas in the chamber, and a reflector disposed on or integral with the concave surface. A first electrode is usually centrally disposed in the base portion and has a distal end which extends outwardly from the base portion. In the preferred embodiment, the first electrode includes an anode support and an anode vertically supported by the anode support. Also in the preferred embodiment, there is a second electrode also having a distal end which extends outwardly from the base portion. The second electrode preferably includes a cathode support extending vertically upward through the side wall portion, a cathode support arm extending horizontally inward from the cathode support, and a cathode extending vertically downward from the cathode support arm to a location spaced from the anode to define an arc gap at the focal point of the reflector. Finally, a third electrode is preferably included which also has a distal end extending outwardly from the base portion. The third electrode extends vertically upward through the side wall portion and has a reduced circumference region or probe support pin proximate the side wall portion. The third electrode further includes a trigger probe extending from the reduced circumference region to or proximate to the arc gap for triggering an arc in the arc gap between the anode and the electrode.
In one example, the base portion and the side wall portion are made of a ceramic material, the anode support includes a distal seat for receiving the anode, the anode support is made of Kovar, the anode has a flat distal surface with no chamfers, the cathode support is made of Kovar, the cathode support arm is made of molybdenum, the cathode is made of a material including tungsten and the catho
Iandiorio & Teska
Patel Ashok
PerkinElmer Inc.
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