CN202167463U - Plasma lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a plasma lamp to improve efficiency with higher lumen/watt. The plasma lamp comprises a waveguide body, wherein radio frequency signals drive the entire structure by structural resonant frequency, at least two layers of dielectric material are arranged between an input feed and a bulb of the lamp so as to improve capacitance of the waveguide body and further to reduce the structural resonant frequency, and a layered structure can comprise an air chamber arranged between the dielectric layers and the input feed. Under the situation that the resonant frequency of the lamp is reduced, the plasma lamp can use a radio frequency amplifier with higher efficiency and has a higher lumen/watt ratio accordingly.

Description

Plasma lamp

Technical field

The utility model relates generally to lighting technology.Particularly, the utility model provides the method and apparatus of the plasma illuminating device that uses the dielectric waveguide body (dielectric waveguide body) with the structure that is shaped.The utility model can be applicable to various application occasions, comprises lamp and other application scenarios in warehouse lamp, stadium lamp, the small-sized and building.

Background technology

For a long time, the mankind have just used various technology to throw light on.The early stage mankind rely on the fire cave of throwing light in the time of dark.Fire consumes timber usually and is used as fuel.The candle that wood fuel is derived from grease very soon replaces.Afterwards, candle is at least partly replaced by lamp.Some lamp is a fuel with oil or other energy.Gas lamp is very universal and still very important for outdoor activities (as encamping).In 19 th century later, greatest inventor all the time---Thomas Edison (Thomas Edison) has envisioned incandescent lamp, and incandescent lamp uses the tungsten filament that couples with pair of electrodes in bulb.Many traditional buildings and dwelling house still use incandescent lamp, and this incandescent lamp is commonly called Edison (Edison) bulb.Although extremely successful, a lot of energy of Edison bulb consumption and common efficient are very low.

In some application scenario, fluorescent lighting device has replaced incandescent lamp.Fluorescent lamp is made up of the fluorescent tube of air inclusion material generally, and this fluorescent tube and pair of electrodes couple.Said electrode is coupled to electric ballast, and electric ballast helps to cause the discharge of fluorescent lighting device.Fluorescent lighting device is more much higher than the efficient of incandescent lamp, but initial cost is higher usually.

Shuji Nakamura has developed the blue LED efficiently as solid state lamp (solid state lamp).Blue light-emitting diode forms the basis of white solid state luminous element, and the white solid state luminous element normally is placed on blue LED in the bulb that is coated with yellow fluorescent material.Blue-light excited fluorescent material is to send white light.Blue LED makes lighting industry that change take place, and has replaced the conventional illuminator that is used for dwelling house, building and other structures.

The lighting device of another form is commonly called electrodeless lamp (electrodeless lamp), and said electrodeless lamp can be used to discharge and sends the light that is used for high strength application.Frederick M.Espiau is one of pioneer of the improved electrodeless lamp of research and development.This electrodeless lamp relies on the solid ceramic resonator structure, and this solid ceramic resonator structure couples with the filler that is encapsulated in the bulb.Bulb couples via rf feed electrical equipment (feed) and resonator structure, and rf feed electrical equipment transfers its energy to filler, makes the filler discharge send high-strength light.The solid ceramic resonator structure is limited to 2 or bigger dielectric constant.At United States Patent(USP) No. 7,362, the instance of this solid ceramic waveguide has been described in 056, this patent is incorporated into this to quote mode as proof.Although be successful to a certain extent, electrodeless lamp still has some restrictions.For example, electrodeless lamp is not also successfully widely applied in general illumination application occasion.In addition, this lamp uses high-frequency and has big relatively size, and this makes that usually it is very heavy and is difficult to make and use.

From above-mentioned visible, be starved of the technology that is used to throw light on of improving.

The utility model content

The utility model provides the method and apparatus of the electrodeless plasma lighting device that uses the dielectric waveguide body with the structure that is shaped.The utility model can be applicable to various application scenarios, such as stadium, safety devices, parking lot, military affairs and defense installation, street, large-scale and aedicula, headlight for vehicle, aircraft lands, bridge, warehouse, ultraviolet water processing, agricultural, architectural lighting, stage illumination, lighting, medical illumination, microscope, projecting apparatus and display etc.

In an embodiment, the utility model provides electrode-less plasma lamps equipment.This lamp apparatus has body, and this body comprises at least two kinds of dielectric materials and has at least one major part, this major part have first surface and with the first surface opposing second surface.This equipment has loop (feed), and this loop passes first surface and is inserted in the major part of body and is configured to body RF energy is provided.Dielectric material is arranged in the body with hierarchy, makes radiofrequency signal pass two kinds or more kinds of dielectric material.In said structure, can use different dielectric materials.Therefore, reduced the resonance frequency of whole device, thereby allowed with low radio frequency energy signal level operations.This so reduced with enough energy and produced radiofrequency signal driving the amount of the required power of this structure resonance, and make that then bulb sends plasma.In an execution mode of the utility model, a kind of dielectric material is an air, makes to have air chamber (aircavity) in the hierarchy dielectric material in waveguide body.

In an embodiment, the utility model provides a kind of plasma lamp, comprising: waveguide body, have first material and second material at least, and wherein the dielectric constant of at least a material is less than 2; Power supply is coupled to said waveguide body, so that to said waveguide body energy is provided with at least one frequency at said waveguide body interior resonance; And bulb, comprise in order to form the filler of plasma, so that when said waveguide body provides energy, causing the light emission, said bulb has single rotationally symmetric axis and is positioned near the central axis of said waveguide body; And said waveguide body has length that is arranged essentially parallel to said central axis and the width that is transverse to said length.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of waveguide body is greater than the length of waveguide body.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body also comprises the 3rd material.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein at least a material comprises fluid.Fluid comprises air or inert gas at least.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein a kind of material comprises electric conducting material.This electric conducting material comprises metal.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body comprises coupling element, and a said coupling element and a radio frequency source and a reference potential couple.Said reference potential is a ground potential.

In a preferred embodiment, bulb comprises columniform basically cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, bulb is moulding.

In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of bulb and waveguide body separate a gap.

In a preferred embodiment, also comprise the bulb strutting piece, wherein bulb is coupled to waveguide body through the bulb strutting piece.

In a preferred embodiment, when with the frequency in 0.5GHz to the 10GHz scope when waveguide body applies energy, waveguide body resonance; Bulb is positioned at place, maximum resonance field; And the width of bulb is half the less than the power wavelength in the free space basically.

In a preferred embodiment, comprise also and the contacted loop of waveguide body that wherein said loop is coupled to power supply to waveguide body energy to be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the single rotationally symmetric axis of bulb is aimed at the central axis of waveguide body.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the rotationally symmetric axis of bulb.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the central axis of waveguide body.

In a preferred embodiment, bulb is elongated, has the length with the rotation axes of symmetry line parallel of bulb.

In a preferred embodiment, bulb has parabolic profile.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one frequency at the waveguide body interior resonance is basic mode of resonance.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body is the body of rectangle.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body is the body of right cylindrical.

In a preferred embodiment, waveguide body has the outer surface that comprises metal coating.

In a preferred embodiment, comprise and contacted first loop of waveguide body and second loop.First loop and second loop are configured to waveguide body energy is provided.In first loop and second loop at least one is configured to provide the feedback from said waveguide body.

In a preferred embodiment, comprise the probe that is configured to provide to waveguide body energy, said probe is arranged to be parallel to the rotationally symmetric axis of bulb.

In a preferred embodiment, comprise the probe that is configured to provide to waveguide body energy, said probe is arranged to be parallel to the central axis of waveguide body.

In a preferred embodiment, the ledge of dielectric material is around the circumference of bulb.Preferably; Bulb has first end, second end and the area of space between first end and second end; The predetermined volume that also has the encapsulation gas filler; Gas filler is positioned to from body received RF energy, makes the major part (substantial portion) of electric field be arranged near the area of space.In an embodiment, second surface is coated with electric conducting material.In an embodiment; At least a portion of the bulb of the feasible encapsulation of this equipment gas filler is positioned at the major part top and the contiguous second surface of body; And this equipment has a radio frequency source; This radio frequency source is coupled to second surface to body RF energy to be provided, and makes gas filler send the major part of electromagnetic radiation through the part of area of space, and this electromagnetic radiation has the lumens/watt of the amount of confirming at least.

In an embodiment; The utility model provides the method and apparatus that disposes input, output and couples back element; These coupling elements are provided so that the electromagnetic coupled bulb, the rate transmission and the characterstics of frequency resonance of this bulb depend on the waveguide body with at least two kinds of materials to a great extent.In a preferred embodiment, the utility model provides a kind of and has for improve making the method and the structure of the layout that property and design flexibility provide.Other execution modes comprise the integrated package of output coupling element and bulb, and this assembly is that the street lighting application scenario plays a role with the mode of complementation with existing coupling element structure.Typically, waveguide body comprises that dielectric constant is 2 or littler dielectric material, and this has reduced the whole radio-frequency loss of plasma lamp apparatus.For example, dielectric material is made up of air (for example, dielectric constant is about 1) basically.Contrast with it, various types of traditional electrodeless lamps use high dielectric constant material to reduce the size of waveguide in waveguide.In some execution mode of the utility model, use dielectric material such as air or fluid.For example, the part of whole wave guide is filled with air or is arranged to vacuum.It should be understood that with the waveguide of filling and compare that the amount (about 1 decibel) of the radio-frequency loss of the fills with air part of this waveguide is compared with the conventional waveguide with high dielectric constant material and reduced, thereby has improved performance with high dielectric constant material.In addition, through substituting a part or the whole wave guide that high dielectric constant material is filled waveguide, reduced the processing cost and the weight of waveguide with air.The benefit that also has other.In an example embodiment, the utility model provides such waveguide shapes design: compare with traditional waveguide shapes, this design provides the electric capacity and/or the inductance of increase.In an embodiment, this method and thus obtained structure be simple relatively and low cost of manufacture for commercial application.According to execution mode, can realize one or more benefits in these benefits.These are described in whole specification with other benefits, and below will more specifically describe.

The utility model has been realized other benefits of these benefits and known procedure technical elements.Yet,, can further understand the essence and the advantage of the utility model through part and accompanying drawing with reference to this specification back.

Description of drawings

When description related to the preferred embodiment below considering and the accompanying drawing that combines to provide here when reading, with the more complete understanding of acquisition to the utility model and advantage thereof.Accompanying drawing with describe, reference number is represented each characteristic of the utility model, and in accompanying drawing and description, representes similar characteristic with similar reference number.

Fig. 1 is the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps with RF-coupled element and couples back element of the utility model one execution mode.

Fig. 2 A is having RF-coupled element but not having the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps of couples back element of the utility model one execution mode.

Fig. 2 B is the three-dimensional sketch of the lamp among Fig. 2 A, shows the electrode-less plasma lamps that has RF-coupled element but do not have the couples back element.

Fig. 3 is the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps of the utility model one execution mode, wherein uses folding (folded) resonator/waveguiding structure to realize more compact structure.

Fig. 4 is the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps of another execution mode of the utility model, and this figure is similar with Fig. 3, and just resonator/waveguiding structure is made up of to improve the performance of electrodeless lamp multiple dielectric material and possible air.

Embodiment

The utility model provides the method and apparatus of the electrodeless plasma lighting device that uses the dielectric waveguide body with the structure that is shaped.The utility model can be applicable to various application scenarios, such as: stadium, safety devices, parking lot, military affairs and defense installation, street, large-scale and aedicula, headlight for vehicle, aircraft lands, bridge, warehouse, ultraviolet water processing, agricultural, architectural lighting, stage illumination, lighting, medical illumination, microscope, projecting apparatus and display etc.

The utility model provides to use has the method and apparatus of dielectric constant less than the plasma illuminating device of 2 dielectric waveguide.More specifically; The utility model provides the method and apparatus with electrodeless plasma lighting device; This electrodeless plasma lighting device uses the resonator structure/waveguide body that comprises at least two kinds of different dielectric materials, and wherein, a kind of dielectric constant of dielectric material is less than 2.For example, wherein a kind of dielectric material consists essentially of air.

Carry out following description and make those of ordinary skills can realize and use the utility model, and it is attached in the certain applications occasion.Various changes and will be conspicuous to those skilled in the art in the various application of different application occasion, and the General Principle that this paper limits can be applicable to far-ranging execution mode.Therefore, the utility model is not intended to be limited to the execution mode that is proposed, but consistent with the most wide in range scope and principle disclosed herein and novel feature.

In the detailed description below, more detail will be described, so that the more complete understanding to the utility model to be provided.Yet, it will be apparent for a person skilled in the art that enforcement and nonessential these details that is limited to of the utility model.In other instances, known construction and device illustrates with the block diagram form, and does not describe in detail, to highlight the utility model.

Only if offer some clarification in addition, in this specification disclosed all characteristics can be same by being fit to, be equal to or the replacement characteristic of similar purpose replaces.Therefore, only if offer some clarification in addition, disclosed each characteristic only is a series of common being equal to or an instance of similar characteristics.

In addition, not offering some clarification in the claim be used to carry out a certain concrete function " be used for ... device " or be used to carry out a certain concrete function " be used for ... step " any key element all should not be construed to implication like " device " or " step " of regulation in the 6th section the 35th in U.S.C. the 112nd chapter.Particularly, in this article, the use of " ... step " or " ... action " is not intended to quote the regulation of the 6th section the 35th in U.S.C. the 112nd chapter in the claim.

It should be noted that if use, then use sign: left, right, front and rear, top, bottom, advance, fall back, clockwise and counterclockwise, only for convenience purpose is not intended to hint any special fixed-direction.On the contrary, use these to identify relative position and/or direction between the various piece that reflects object.In addition, the uninevitable order of representation of term " first " and " second " or other similar descriptors, but should explain with common implication.

Fig. 1 is the sketch of the utility model one execution mode.Resonator/waveguide 100 is made up of less than 2 dielectric material 120 dielectric constant.In an embodiment, dielectric material comprises air, and the dielectric constant of air is about 1.The surfaces coated of dielectric material is covered with conductive layer, or alternatively, dielectric material processed and be filled with to resonator/waveguide can by metal shell.Gas filling containers (bulb) 130 is inserted in resonator/waveguide with passing bore portion in conductive layer and the dielectric material.The gas filling containers is filled with inert gas (like argon gas or xenon) and luminous element (like mercury, sodium, dysprosium, sulphur or metal halide (such as indium bromide, scandium bromide, thallium iodide, Holmium tribromide, cesium iodide)) or other similar materials (perhaps it can comprise multiple luminous element simultaneously).RF-coupled element 150 inserts in resonator/waveguide with the hole that couples back element 160 passes in the conductive layer.Couples back element 160 is than RF-coupled element 150 weak points.Should be understood that couples back element 160 is custom-designed than the short length of RF-coupled element 150, so that suitable resonance frequency to be provided.

One radio-frequency power amplifier 110 is connected between couples back element and the RF-coupled element.Couples back element 160 is connected to the input 112 of radio-frequency power amplifier through radio frequency connector 165.The output 111 of radio frequency amplifier is connected to the radio frequency connector 155 that is connected with RF-coupled element 150.Combining of resonator/waveguide and couples back element, amplifier and RF-coupled element formed resonant circuit, and under correct oscillating condition, this resonant circuit will vibrate and radio frequency amplifier will provide RF energy to resonator/waveguide.Resonator/waveguide is coupled to the gas filling containers with RF energy, causes inert gas ionization thus and makes the luminous element gasification, thereby send high light from lamp 115.

Fig. 2 A is the sketch of another execution mode of the utility model.This execution mode is similar to Fig. 1, except resonator/waveguide does not have the couples back element.Alternatively, radio frequency source 105 is used for RF energy is offered resonator/waveguide with radio frequency amplifier 110, and and then offers lamp.

Fig. 2 B is the three-dimensional sketch of the lamp shown in Fig. 2 A, shows the electrode-less plasma lamps that has RF-coupled element but do not have the couples back element.Describe columniform lamp body, but also can use rectangle or other shapes.

Fig. 3 is the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps of another execution mode of the utility model.This execution mode is similar to Fig. 2 A, but is to use alternative folding resonator/waveguiding structure 300 to realize more compact structure, and this folding resonator/waveguiding structure uses dielectric constant less than 2 dielectric material 320.

Fig. 4 is the sketch of the electrode-less plasma lamps of another execution mode of the utility model.This execution mode is similar to Fig. 3, but resonator/waveguide 400 is made up of multiple dielectric material 420 and 430, to improve the performance of electrodeless lamp.The part of resonator/waveguide also can be filled with air or for vacuum, with whole radio-frequency loss that reduces resonator/waveguide and the performance that improves lamp.

In one embodiment, the utility model provides a kind of electrode-less plasma lamps, comprises waveguide, power supply and bulb.Waveguide body comprises first material and second material at least.A kind of material is characterised in that dielectric constant is less than 2.For example, wherein a kind of material is that dielectric constant is about 1 air.The width of waveguide body is greater than the length of waveguide body.In one embodiment, waveguide body also comprises the 3rd material.In one embodiment, at least a fluid that comprises in these materials.For example, fluid comprises air or inert gas at least.In a replacement execution mode, material comprises electric conducting material.For example, electric conducting material comprises metal.

In one embodiment, waveguide body comprises coupling element, this coupling element and radio frequency source and reference potential coupling.For example, reference potential is a ground potential.When with the frequency in 0.5GHz to the 10GHz scope when waveguide body applies energy, waveguide body resonance.Bulb is positioned at place, maximum resonance field.The width of bulb is half the less than the power wavelength in the free space basically.Plasma lamp can extraly comprise and the contacted loop of waveguide body that wherein this loop is coupled to power supply to waveguide body energy to be provided.The length of the extensible rotation axes of symmetry line parallel with bulb of bulb.In one embodiment, bulb has parabolic profile.

According to the application scenario, waveguide body can be a different shape.For example, waveguide body can be rectangular body, straight cylinder bodily form body or other.In one embodiment, waveguide body has the outer surface that comprises metal coating.

In some embodiments, plasma lamp comprises and all contacted first loop of waveguide body and second loop.First loop and second loop are configured to waveguide body energy is provided.For example, at least one frequency at the waveguide body interior resonance is basic mode of resonance.In one embodiment, at least one in first loop and second loop is configured to provide the feedback from waveguide body.

Plasma lamp can further comprise probe (probe), and this probe is configured to waveguide body energy is provided.Probe is arranged to be parallel to the rotationally symmetric axis of bulb.In another embodiment, probe is arranged to be parallel to the central axis of waveguide body.

Supply coupling is in waveguide body, so that to waveguide body energy is provided with at least one frequency at the waveguide body interior resonance.

Bulb comprises the filler that is used to form plasma, so that when waveguide body provides energy, causing the light emission.Bulb has single rotationally symmetric axis and is positioned near the central axis of waveguide body.Waveguide body has length that is arranged essentially parallel to this central axis and the width that is transverse to this length.In one embodiment, bulb comprises columniform basically cross section.In another embodiment, bulb is moulding (contoured).In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of bulb and waveguide body separate a gap.Plasma lamp may further include the bulb strutting piece, and wherein bulb is coupled to waveguide body through the bulb strutting piece.In one embodiment, the single rotationally symmetric axis of bulb is aimed at the central axis of waveguide body.For example, waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the rotationally symmetric axis of bulb.As another instance, waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the central axis of waveguide body.

According to the application scenario, plasma lamp also can comprise additional parts.In an embodiment, plasma lamp is included in the volume on the part of waveguide body.Except other materials, waveguide body comprises air.Above-mentioned volume be dielectric material to reduce the size of waveguide body.

Although illustrated and described the execution mode and the advantage of the utility model, it will be apparent for a person skilled in the art that can have many changes under the situation of the principle that does not deviate from the utility model.Therefore, the utility model does not receive to limit except extramental other of accompanying claims.

Claims (29)

1. a plasma lamp is characterized in that, comprising:

Waveguide body has first material and second material at least, and wherein the dielectric constant of at least a material is less than 2;

Power supply is coupled to said waveguide body, so that to said waveguide body energy is provided with at least one frequency at said waveguide body interior resonance; And

Bulb comprises in order to form the filler of plasma, so that when said waveguide body provides energy, causing the light emission, said bulb has single rotationally symmetric axis and is positioned near the central axis of said waveguide body; And said waveguide body has length that is arranged essentially parallel to said central axis and the width that is transverse to said length.

2. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that the width of said waveguide body is greater than the length of said waveguide body.

3. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that said waveguide body also comprises the 3rd material.

4. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, wherein at least a material comprises fluid.

5. plasma lamp according to claim 4 is characterized in that said fluid comprises air or inert gas at least.

6. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, wherein a kind of material comprises electric conducting material.

7. plasma lamp according to claim 6 is characterized in that said electric conducting material comprises metal.

8. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that said waveguide body comprises coupling element, and a said coupling element and a radio frequency source and a reference potential couple.

9. plasma lamp according to claim 8 is characterized in that said reference potential is a ground potential.

10. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said bulb comprises columniform basically cross section.

11. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said bulb is moulding.

12. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, at least a portion of said bulb and said waveguide body separate a gap.

13. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the bulb strutting piece, wherein said bulb is coupled to said waveguide body through said bulb strutting piece.

14. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, when with the frequency in 0.5GHz to the 10GHz scope when said waveguide body applies energy, said waveguide body resonance; Said bulb is positioned at place, maximum resonance field; And the width of said bulb is half the less than the power wavelength in the free space basically.

15. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises and the contacted loop of said waveguide body, wherein said loop is coupled to said power supply to said waveguide body energy to be provided.

16. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, the single rotationally symmetric axis of said bulb is aimed at the central axis of said waveguide body.

17. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the rotationally symmetric axis of said bulb.

18. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said waveguide body is configured to provide and the substantially parallel maximum field of the central axis of said waveguide body.

19. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said bulb is elongated, has the length with the rotation axes of symmetry line parallel of said bulb.

20. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said bulb has parabolic profile.

21. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, is basic mode of resonance at least one frequency of said waveguide body interior resonance.

22. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said waveguide body is the body of rectangle.

23. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said waveguide body is the body of right cylindrical.

24. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said waveguide body has the outer surface that comprises metal coating.

25. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises and contacted first loop of said waveguide body and second loop.

26. plasma lamp according to claim 25 is characterized in that, said first loop and second loop are configured to said waveguide body energy is provided.

27. plasma lamp according to claim 26 is characterized in that, at least one in said first loop and second loop is configured to provide the feedback from said waveguide body.

28. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises the probe that is configured to provide to said waveguide body energy, said probe is arranged to be parallel to the rotationally symmetric axis of said bulb.

29. plasma lamp according to claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises the probe that is configured to provide to said waveguide body energy, said probe is arranged to be parallel to the central axis of said waveguide body.

Images