Excimer light source
AssigneeUltraviolet Sciences, Inc.
InventorsJames Randall Cooper, Ronald W. Chaffee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A light source, with electrodes of alternating polarity attached to a substrate in an excimer ultraviolet (UV) lamp, for generating a plasma discharge between each of the electrodes. The shape of the substrate can shape and control the plasma discharge to reduce exposure of materials susceptible to attack by the halogens. The electrodes can be located such that the plasma discharge occurs in a region where it produces less contact of the halogens with the vulnerable areas of the lamp enclosure. The materials, such as the electrodes, substrate, and envelope, can be selected to withstand corrosive materials. In another embodiment, a plurality of sealed tubes, at least some of which contain an excimer gas are positioned between two electrodes.
Claims31
An UV excimer lamp comprising:
- at least two electrodes;
- a plurality of sealed tubes, at least some of which contain an excimer gas therein, the plurality of tubes positioned between the at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are not between any of the plurality of sealed tubes;
- and
- an envelope that surrounds the plurality of sealed tubes, wherein the at least two electrodes are outside of the envelope.
A system for treating a fluid comprising:
- a treatment chamber coupled to a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- and
- at least one excimer gas discharge light source wherein the light source is configured to expose a fluid passing through the treatment chamber to radiation,
- wherein the at least one excimer gas discharge light source comprises:
- at least two electrodes;
- and
- a plurality of sealed tubes, at least some of which contain an excimer gas therein, the plurality of sealed tubes positioned between the at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are not between any of the plurality of sealed tubes,
- wherein the at least one excimer gas discharge light source further comprises an envelope that surrounds the plurality of sealed tubes, wherein the at least two electrodes are outside of the envelope.
A method for purifying fluids of contaminants comprising:
- producing light using an excimer gas discharge light source, the light having wavelength in a range of 100 nm-400 nm;
- and
- exposing a fluid to the light,
- wherein the excimer gas discharge light source used to produce the light comprises:
- at least two electrodes;
- and
- a plurality of sealed tubes, at least some of which contain an excimer gas therein, the plurality of sealed tubes positioned between the at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are not between any of the plurality of sealed tubes, and
- wherein the excimer gas discharge light source used to produce the light further comprises an envelope that surrounds the plurality of sealed tubes, wherein the at least two electrodes are outside of the envelope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.