Method and system for selectively tuning the frequency of a resonator assembly for a plasma lamp
AssigneeTopanga Technologies, Inc.
InventorsFrederick M. Espiau, Erik H. M. Lundin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plasma lamp system is described with the capability to tune the resonant frequency of the resonator of the plasma lamp system after the manufacturing process has been completed. The tuning method developed allows a simple low-cost approach to continuously tune the resonant frequency and set the desired frequency to an ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band or set the resonant frequency to optimize the performance of the system. The tuning ability of the resonator relaxes the tolerance required for the dimensions of the resonator reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the manufacturing yield of the plasma lamp.
Claims20
A plasma lamp apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a spatial volume defined within the housing, the spatial volume having an inner region and an outer region;
- a support region coupled to the inner region of the spatial volume;
- a support body having an outer surface region disposed within or partially disposed within the support region, the support body having a support length, a support first end, and a support second end, the second end being coupled to one or more portions of the housing;
- a gas-filled vessel coupled to the support first end of the support body, the gas filled vessel having a transparent or translucent body, an inner surface and an outer surface, a cavity formed within the inner surface;
- an RF (radio frequency) source operably coupled to the gas-filled vessel;
- a tuning device configured within the inner region of the housing, the tuning device having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tuning device being a first electrode element of a capacitor;
- a second electrode element spatially disposed along a length of the first electrode element, the second capacitor electrode element protruding from a portion of the housing;
- a capacitor dielectric material configured between the first electrode element and the second electrode element;
- and
- an adjustment device coupled to the lower portion of the of the tuning device and configured to cause movement of the first electrode element to the second electrode element to increase a size of the capacitor and capacitance value from a first capacitance value to a second capacitance value based on a predetermined distance to capacitance ratio.
A method for selecting a resonant frequency from a plurality of frequencies from a plasma lamp apparatus comprising a gas fill bulb coupled to a housing and a resonator source, the method comprising adjusting an adjustment device to move a first electrode element relative to a second electrode element within an inner region of the housing to cause an increase or decrease in a capacitor region to tune a frequency to a selected frequency from a plurality of frequencies.
A method of selecting a resonant frequency from a plurality of frequencies for a plasma lamp device, the method comprising:
- providing a plasma lamp apparatus, comprising:
- a housing having a spatial volume defined within the housing, the spatial volume having an inner region and an outer region;
- a support region coupled to the inner region of the spatial volume;
- a support body having an outer surface region disposed within or partially disposed within the support region, the support body having a support length,
- a support first end, and a support second end, the second end being coupled to one or more portions of the housing;
- a gas-filled vessel coupled to the support first end of the support body, the gas filled vessel having a transparent or translucent body, an inner surface and an outer surface, a cavity formed within the inner surface;
- an RF (radio frequency) source operably coupled to the gas-filled vessel;
- a tuning device configured within the inner region of the housing, the tuning device having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tuning device being a first electrode element of a capacitor;
- a second electrode element spatially disposed along a length of the first electrode element, the second capacitor electrode element protruding from a portion of the housing;
- a capacitor dielectric material configured between the first electrode element and the second electrode element;
- and an adjustment device coupled to the lower portion of the of the tuning device and configured to cause movement of the first electrode element to the second electrode element to increase a size of the capacitor and capacitance value from a first capacitance value to a second capacitance value based on a predetermined distance to capacitance ratio;
- and
- causing movement of the adjustment device to select a resonant frequency from a plurality of frequencies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.