Filament lamp infrared source
AssigneeBHK, Inc.
InventorsSteven H. Boland, James F. Weaver
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lamp configuration particularly for infrared radiation provides an internal arrangement and environment adapted to overcome failure modes of prior art broad band infrared sources, and may incorporate optical elements including spectral filters and lenses enabling wavelength selection, beam shaping, external focusing, collimating, and wave front shaping. It also facilitates optical coupling to external devices including a rotating mirror, shutter and modulator devices.
Claims37
An infrared lamp of broad spectral band output, comprising:
- a hollow body having an open end and a closed end,
- a filament means including filament pins, extending through the body, said filament emitting broad band infrared radiation when an electrical current is passed therethrough,
- an optical element window disposed on said hollow body and defining an aperture for transmission of radiation from said filament,
- an indium alloy junction comprising indium between said window and said body to seal said window to said body,
- a pliable coating overlaying said indium alloy junction and at least part of said body, and
- a gas contained in said hollow body in contact with said filament to control temperature and to prevent deterioration of said filament.
An infrared lamp having a narrow spectral band output and a substantially collimated beam, comprising:
- a quartz tube body, said body having filament pins extending through the body,
- a transmissive spectral filter sealed to the body defining a window for radiation,
- an indium alloy junction sealing said filter to the body,
- a pliable overcoating overlying the seal junction and at least part of the quartz body,
- filament means in the lamp and extending through the closed end of the quartz tube body, the filament means being at the focus of a deep parabolic reflector with substantially parallel sides near its open end,
- an inert gas in the lamp to control heat transfer from the filament, and
- means for energizing said filament, whereby a narrow band collimated beam of infrared radiation of specified wavelength band is obtained for communications.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.