Method and apparatus for igniting electrodeless discharge lamp
AssigneeFusion Systems Corporation
InventorMichael G. Ury
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for igniting a microwave generated discharge lamp. An ultraviolet-producing means is positioned so as to irradiate the fill-containing envelope of the discharge lamp. The ultraviolet-producing means is excited by microwave energy which is extracted from means which couples microwave energy from the microwave source to the fill-containing envelope of the discharge lamp.
Claims9
Apparatus for igniting a microwave generated light source which is comprised of a plasma forming medium-containing envelope made of a transparent material, microwave source means, and microwave coupling means for coupling the microwave energy emitted by said source means to said envelope comprising,
- ultraviolet source means for emitting ultraviolet light when excited,
- means for extracting microwave energy from said microwave coupling means and for coupling it to said ultraviolet source means to excite said ultraviolet source means,
- said ultraviolet source means being positioned so as to irradiate said envelope with said emitted ultraviolet light, thus causing ignition of the plasma forming medium in said envelope.
A method of igniting a microwave generated light source which is comprised of a plasma forming medium-containing envelope made of a transparent material, microwave source means, and microwave coupling means for coupling the microwave energy emitted by said source means to said envelope, comprising the steps of,
- positioning an ultraviolet source means so that when excited it will irradiate said envelope with ultraviolet light, and
- extracting microwave energy from said microwave coupling means and coupling it to said ultraviolet source means to excite the source means.
Apparatus for igniting a microwave generated light source comprising,
- a plasma forming medium-containing envelope made of a transparent material,
- microwave source means,
- ultraviolet source means for emitting ultraviolet light when excited,
- means for coupling microwave energy which is emitted by said microwave source means to said plasma forming medium-containing envelope and to said ultraviolet source means for exciting it,
- said ultraviolet source means being positioned so as to irradiate said envelope with said emitted ultraviolet light, thus causing ignition of the plasma forming medium in said envelope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.