EP1646070B1 - Noble gas flashlight - Google Patents

Noble gas flashlight Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1646070B1
EP1646070B1 EP05292078A EP05292078A EP1646070B1 EP 1646070 B1 EP1646070 B1 EP 1646070B1 EP 05292078 A EP05292078 A EP 05292078A EP 05292078 A EP05292078 A EP 05292078A EP 1646070 B1 EP1646070 B1 EP 1646070B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bulb
flashlight according
cathode
anode
optical window
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP05292078A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1646070A1 (en
Inventor
Bernard Teneze
Emmanuel Diot
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MBDA France SAS
Original Assignee
MBDA France SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MBDA France SAS filed Critical MBDA France SAS
Publication of EP1646070A1 publication Critical patent/EP1646070A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1646070B1 publication Critical patent/EP1646070B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/025—Associated optical elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/54—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting
    • H01J61/547—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting using an auxiliary electrode outside the vessel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a rare gas flashlamp, more particularly, although not exclusively, intended for a missile guide beacon, and thereby to be both powerful, resistant and space-saving.
  • US Pat. No. 6,316,867 and US Pat. No. 6,351,058 disclose a rare-gas flash lamp comprising a body provided with a cavity, the bottom of which bears a concave mirror and whose open end , opposite said bottom, is closed by an optical window, said cavity being filled with said rare gas and enclosing an anode and a cathode between which forms a controlled electric arc.
  • the volume of said cavity is large relative to the arc, so that there are large temperature differences between the different points of said cavity, which causes the instability of said arc.
  • the rare gas is confined to the volume of said bulb, which is less than that of the concave mirror, so that the temperature inside said bulb - where the arc is homogeneous and that the stability of the arc is improved.
  • the present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage.
  • anode and said cathode being respectively provided with an anode tail and a cathode tail which pass through the wall of said ampoule in a sealed manner, it is advantageous that said anode tail and said cathode tail are axial by report to said concave mirror and are accessible outside said lamp because one passes through said body and the other said optical window.
  • said cavity is extended, on the opposite side to said optical window, by an axial housing, which is traversed by one of said anode and cathode tails and in which is nested. the end of said bulb opposite said optical window.
  • said optical window may comprise an axial recess and the end of said bulb facing said optical window may be nested in said axial recess. It is then advantageous to provide, on the one hand, between said axial housing and the end of said bulb disposed in said housing and, on the other hand, between said axial recess and the end of said bulb disposed in said recess, a pad of a heat-resistant material and relatively flexible, such as a silicone-based material, capable of absorbing thermal expansion.
  • the lamp according to the invention comprises, in addition to said anode and cathode, a trigger electrode, generally called trigger, powered in THT (very high voltage, for example of the order of 10 kV).
  • the means for supplying the THT trigger electrode are at least partly at said axial housing. They may comprise a metal ring, housed in said axial housing concentrically to it and surrounding said sealed bulb, and a very high voltage conductor, the free end is applied with pressure against said metal ring. At least in the vicinity of said metal ring, said conductor may be orthogonal to the axis of said concave mirror to be laterally introduced into said strobe lamp.
  • Said trigger electrode may be of any known type and be arranged in any known manner with respect to said bulb.
  • said trigger electrode is carried by the wall of said sealed envelope, on the outside thereof, and is able to ionize said rare gas contained in said bulb by induction through the wall of it. It can then be formed by a helical spring which is wound on said sealed bulb and whose one end, free and protruding, is elastically applied to said metal ring.
  • Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the flashlamp according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded axial sectional view of the flashlight of FIG.
  • Figure 3 is a partial sectional view along the arrow III of Figure 1.
  • the strobe lamp comprises a body 1, for example glass, quartz, a ceramic material, ... comprising a cavity 2 provided with an opening 3
  • the bottom of said cavity 2, opposite the opening 3 is shaped as a concave mirror with axis LL and is coated with a metallization layer 4, for example based on gold.
  • said layer 4 forms a concave mirror of axis L-L, the opening 3 being at least approximately orthogonal to said axis.
  • the cavity 2 of the body 1 is extended by an axial housing 5, which is provided with an opening opening 5A opposite the cavity 2 and in which is disposed a metal ring 6, concentric to the LL axis.
  • the strobe lamp also comprises an optical window 7, for example of polycarbonate or borosilicate, pierced with a central recess 8 and adapted to be secured to the body 1 to seal the opening 3 of the cavity 2, orthogonal to the axis LL.
  • an optical window 7 for example of polycarbonate or borosilicate
  • the strobe lamp according to the invention comprises a sealed bulb 9, whose wall 10 is for example made of glass, quartz, borosilicate, etc.
  • the sealed bulb 9 is oblong, of axis XX and it encloses a rare gas, for example xenon, and an anode 11 and a cathode 12.
  • the anode 11 and the cathode 12 are disposed at the opposite ends of the bulb 9 and are provided with a tail.
  • anode 13 and a cathode tail 14 rectilinear and coaxial with the axis XX.
  • said tails 13 and 14 pass sealingly through the wall 10 of the bulb 9, at the opposite ends thereof.
  • sleeves 15, 16, for example based on silicone respectively crossed by the tails 13 and 14 and respectively adapted to the axial housing 5 and the central recess 8.
  • a metal coil spring 17 capable of serving as inductive arc trigger electrode.
  • a free end 18 of the spring 17 projects from the bulb 9.
  • the body 1 further comprises, at the level of the metal ring 6, a lateral tubular chimney 19, of axis at least substantially orthogonal to the axis LL, for bringing the free end of a very high voltage conductor 20 to this effect, for example, said tubular chimney 19 is internally threaded to receive an electrically insulating hollow screw 21, which is traversed by said conductor 20 and whose end facing the ring 6 is in abutment against a conductive widening 22 (for example a ball of welded) secured to the free end of said conductor 20.
  • a conductive widening 22 for example a ball of welded
  • the strobe lamp is ready to operate by electrically feeding (in a known manner, not shown) the anode tail 13 and the cathode tail 14 and electrically supplying the trigger electrode 17 via the conductor 20, the enlargement 22, the metal ring 6 and the projecting end 18.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Luminescent Compositions (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)

Abstract

The lamp has a body (1) including a concave mirror at its base and an open end, opposite to the base, closed by an optical window (7). An oblong leak-proof bulb (9) enclosing noble gas is provided with an anode (11) and a cathode (12) at its opposite ends and has a trigger electrode supplied with 10 kilo voltage. One end of the bulb is fixed to the body in the vicinity of the summit of the mirror and another end is fixed to the window.

Description

La présente invention concerne une lampe à éclats à gaz rare, plus particulièrement, quoique non exclusivement, destinée à une balise de guidage de missile, et devant de ce fait être à la fois puissante, résistante et peu encombrante.The present invention relates to a rare gas flashlamp, more particularly, although not exclusively, intended for a missile guide beacon, and thereby to be both powerful, resistant and space-saving.

On connaît déjà, par exemple par les documents US-6 316 867 et US-6 351 058, une lampe à éclats à gaz rare comportant un corps pourvu d'une cavité, dont le fond porte un miroir concave et dont l'extrémité ouverte, opposée audit fond, est obturée par une fenêtre optique, ladite cavité étant emplie dudit gaz rare et enfermant une anode et une cathode entre lesquelles se forme un arc électrique commandé.US Pat. No. 6,316,867 and US Pat. No. 6,351,058 disclose a rare-gas flash lamp comprising a body provided with a cavity, the bottom of which bears a concave mirror and whose open end , opposite said bottom, is closed by an optical window, said cavity being filled with said rare gas and enclosing an anode and a cathode between which forms a controlled electric arc.

Dans ces lampes à éclats connues, le volume de ladite cavité est grand par rapport à l'arc, de sorte qu'il existe de grands écarts de température entre les différents points de ladite cavité, ce qui provoque l'instabilité dudit arc.In these known flashlights, the volume of said cavity is large relative to the arc, so that there are large temperature differences between the different points of said cavity, which causes the instability of said arc.

Pour éviter un tel inconvénient, il est déjà connu (voir par exemple le document US-4 758 759) de prévoir une ampoule étanche oblongue enfermant ledit gaz rare et pourvue à ses extrémités opposées d'une anode et d'une cathode entre lesquelles peut se former un arc électrique par suite de l'ionisation dudit gaz rare, ladite ampoule oblongue étant disposée dans l'axe dudit miroir concave et étant fixée, par l'une de ses extrémités, en porte-à-faux, audit corps, au voisinage du sommet dudit miroir concave.To avoid such a disadvantage, it is already known (see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,758,759) to provide an oblong sealed bulb enclosing said rare gas and provided at its opposite ends with an anode and a cathode between which forming an electric arc as a result of the ionization of said rare gas, said oblong bulb being disposed in the axis of said concave mirror and being fixed at one of its ends cantilevered to said body at the near the top of said concave mirror.

Ainsi, grâce à une telle disposition, le gaz rare est confiné au volume de ladite ampoule, qui est inférieur à celui du miroir concave, de sorte que la température à l'intérieur de ladite ampoule -où se produit l'arc- est homogène et que la stabilité de l'arc est améliorée.Thus, thanks to such an arrangement, the rare gas is confined to the volume of said bulb, which is less than that of the concave mirror, so that the temperature inside said bulb - where the arc is homogeneous and that the stability of the arc is improved.

Cependant, afin d'obtenir un bon rendement optique/électrique avec une lampe à éclats du type de celui du document US-4 758 759, il est important que ladite ampoule soit longue pour engendrer un arc long. Or, du fait de la fixation de ladite ampoule dans la lampe, cette dernière est d'autant plus fragile que l'ampoule est plus longue.However, in order to obtain good optical / electrical performance with a flash lamp of the type of that of US-4,758,759, it is important that said bulb be long to generate a long arc. However, because of the fixing of said bulb in the lamp, the latter is more fragile than the bulb is longer.

La présente invention a pour objet de remédier à cet inconvénient.The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage.

A cette fin, selon l'invention, la lampe à éclats à gaz rare comportant :

  • un corps pourvu d'une cavité, dont le fond porte un miroir concave et dont l'extrémité, opposée audit fond, est ouverte ;
  • une fenêtre optique obturant ladite extrémité ouverte ; et
  • une ampoule étanche oblongue enfermant ledit gaz rare et pourvue à ses extrémités opposées d'une anode et d'une cathode entre lesquelles peut se former un arc électrique par suite de l'ionisation dudit gaz rare, ladite ampoule oblongue étant disposée dans l'axe dudit miroir concave et étant fixée, par l'une de ses extrémités, audit corps, au voisinage du sommet dudit miroir concave,
est remarquable en ce que l'autre extrémité de ladite ampoule oblongue est fixée à ladite fenêtre optique.For this purpose, according to the invention, the rare gas flashlight comprising:
  • a body provided with a cavity, whose bottom carries a concave mirror and whose end, opposite said bottom, is open;
  • an optical window closing said open end; and
  • an elongated sealed bulb enclosing said rare gas and provided at its opposite ends with an anode and a cathode between which an electric arc can be formed as a result of the ionization of said rare gas, said oblong bulb being disposed in the axis said concave mirror and being fixed, at one of its ends, to said body, in the vicinity of the apex of said concave mirror,
is remarkable in that the other end of said oblong bulb is attached to said optical window.

Ainsi, on obtient une fixation solide de ladite ampoule, ce qui permet d'utiliser une ampoule de grande longueur présentant de bonnes performances.Thus, there is obtained a solid attachment of said bulb, which allows to use a bulb of great length with good performance.

Ladite anode et ladite cathode étant respectivement pourvues d'une queue d'anode et d'une queue de cathode qui traversent la paroi de ladite ampoule de façon étanche, il est avantageux que ladite queue d'anode et ladite queue de cathode soient axiales par rapport audit miroir concave et soient accessibles à l'extérieur de ladite lampe du fait que l'une traverse ledit corps et l'autre ladite fenêtre optique.Said anode and said cathode being respectively provided with an anode tail and a cathode tail which pass through the wall of said ampoule in a sealed manner, it is advantageous that said anode tail and said cathode tail are axial by report to said concave mirror and are accessible outside said lamp because one passes through said body and the other said optical window.

De plus, il est avantageux que, dans ledit corps, ladite cavité soit prolongée, du côté opposé à ladite fenêtre optique, par un logement axial, qui est traversé par l'une desdites queues d'anode et de cathode et dans lequel est emboîtée l'extrémité de ladite ampoule opposée à ladite fenêtre optique. De même, ladite fenêtre optique peut comporter un évidement axial et l'extrémité de ladite ampoule en regard de ladite fenêtre optique peut être emboîtée dans ledit évidement axial. Il est alors avantageux de prévoir, d'une part, entre ledit logement axial et l'extrémité de ladite ampoule disposée dans ledit logement et, d'autre part, entre ledit évidement axial et l'extrémité de ladite ampoule disposée dans ledit évidement, un coussinet d'une matière résistant à la chaleur et relativement souple, comme par exemple une matière à base de silicone, apte à absorber les dilatations thermiques.In addition, it is advantageous that, in said body, said cavity is extended, on the opposite side to said optical window, by an axial housing, which is traversed by one of said anode and cathode tails and in which is nested. the end of said bulb opposite said optical window. Similarly, said optical window may comprise an axial recess and the end of said bulb facing said optical window may be nested in said axial recess. It is then advantageous to provide, on the one hand, between said axial housing and the end of said bulb disposed in said housing and, on the other hand, between said axial recess and the end of said bulb disposed in said recess, a pad of a heat-resistant material and relatively flexible, such as a silicone-based material, capable of absorbing thermal expansion.

Par ailleurs, afin d'assurer la fiabilité des déclenchements de l'arc dans l'ampoule étanche, il est avantageux que la lampe selon l'invention comporte, en plus desdites anode et cathode, une électrode de déclenchement, généralement appelée trigger, alimentée en THT (très haute tension, par exemple de l'ordre de 10 kV).Furthermore, in order to ensure the reliability of the trips of the arc in the sealed bulb, it is advantageous that the lamp according to the invention comprises, in addition to said anode and cathode, a trigger electrode, generally called trigger, powered in THT (very high voltage, for example of the order of 10 kV).

Dans ce cas, il est préférable que les moyens pour alimenter l'électrode de déclenchement en THT se trouvent, au moins en partie, au niveau dudit logement axial. Ils peuvent comporter une bague métallique, logée dans ledit logement axial concentriquement à celui-ci et entourant ladite ampoule étanche, ainsi qu'un conducteur à très haute tension, dont l'extrémité libre est appliquée avec pression contre ladite bague métallique. Au moins au voisinage de ladite bague métallique, ledit conducteur peut être orthogonal à l'axe dudit miroir concave pour pouvoir être introduit latéralement dans ladite lampe à éclats.In this case, it is preferable that the means for supplying the THT trigger electrode are at least partly at said axial housing. They may comprise a metal ring, housed in said axial housing concentrically to it and surrounding said sealed bulb, and a very high voltage conductor, the free end is applied with pressure against said metal ring. At least in the vicinity of said metal ring, said conductor may be orthogonal to the axis of said concave mirror to be laterally introduced into said strobe lamp.

Ladite électrode de déclenchement peut être de tout type connu et être agencée de toute façon connue par rapport à ladite ampoule. Cependant, dans un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention, ladite électrode de déclenchement est portée par la paroi de ladite ampoule étanche, du côté extérieur de celle-ci, et est apte à ioniser ledit gaz rare contenu dans ladite ampoule par induction à travers la paroi de celle-ci. Elle peut alors être formée par un ressort hélicoïdal qui est enroulé sur ladite ampoule étanche et dont une extrémité, libre et saillante, s'applique élastiquement sur ladite bague métallique.Said trigger electrode may be of any known type and be arranged in any known manner with respect to said bulb. However, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said trigger electrode is carried by the wall of said sealed envelope, on the outside thereof, and is able to ionize said rare gas contained in said bulb by induction through the wall of it. It can then be formed by a helical spring which is wound on said sealed bulb and whose one end, free and protruding, is elastically applied to said metal ring.

Les figures du dessin annexé feront bien comprendre comment l'invention peut être réalisée. Sur ces figures, des références identiques désignent des éléments semblables.The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be realized. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

La figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un exemple de réalisation de la lampe à éclats conforme à la présente invention.Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the flashlamp according to the present invention.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale éclatée de la lampe à éclats de la figure 1.FIG. 2 is an exploded axial sectional view of the flashlight of FIG.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la flèche III de la figure 1.Figure 3 is a partial sectional view along the arrow III of Figure 1.

La lampe à éclats, conforme à la présente invention et représentée sur les figures 1 et 2, comporte un corps 1, par exemple en verre, en quartz, en une matière céramique, ... comprenant une cavité 2 pourvue d'une ouverture 3. Le fond de ladite cavité 2, opposé à l'ouverture 3, est conformé en miroir concave d'axe L-L et est revêtu d'une couche de métallisation 4, par exemple à base d'or. Ainsi, ladite couche 4 forme un miroir concave d'axe L-L, l'ouverture 3 étant au moins approximativement orthogonale audit axe.The strobe lamp, according to the present invention and shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a body 1, for example glass, quartz, a ceramic material, ... comprising a cavity 2 provided with an opening 3 The bottom of said cavity 2, opposite the opening 3, is shaped as a concave mirror with axis LL and is coated with a metallization layer 4, for example based on gold. Thus, said layer 4 forms a concave mirror of axis L-L, the opening 3 being at least approximately orthogonal to said axis.

Du côté opposé à l'ouverture 3, la cavité 2 du corps 1 est prolongée par un logement axial 5, qui est pourvu d'un orifice d'ouverture 5A à l'opposé de la cavité 2 et dans lequel est disposée une bague métallique 6, concentrique à l'axe L-L.On the opposite side to the opening 3, the cavity 2 of the body 1 is extended by an axial housing 5, which is provided with an opening opening 5A opposite the cavity 2 and in which is disposed a metal ring 6, concentric to the LL axis.

La lampe à éclats comporte également une fenêtre optique 7, par exemple en polycarbonate ou en borosilicate, percée d'un évidement central 8 et apte à être solidarisée du corps 1 pour obturer l'ouverture 3 de la cavité 2, orthogonalement à l'axe L-L.The strobe lamp also comprises an optical window 7, for example of polycarbonate or borosilicate, pierced with a central recess 8 and adapted to be secured to the body 1 to seal the opening 3 of the cavity 2, orthogonal to the axis LL.

Par ailleurs, la lampe à éclats selon l'invention comporte une ampoule étanche 9, dont la paroi 10 est par exemple réalisée en verre, en quartz, en borosilicate, etc ... L'ampoule étanche 9 est oblongue, d'axe X-X, et elle enferme un gaz rare, par exemple du xénon, ainsi qu'une anode 11 et une cathode 12. L'anode 11 et la cathode 12 sont disposées aux extrémités opposées de l'ampoule 9 et sont pourvues d'une queue d'anode 13 et d'une queue de cathode 14, rectilignes et coaxiales à l'axe X-X. Bien entendu, lesdites queues 13 et 14 traversent avec étanchéité la paroi 10 de l'ampoule 9, aux extrémités opposées de cette dernière.Moreover, the strobe lamp according to the invention comprises a sealed bulb 9, whose wall 10 is for example made of glass, quartz, borosilicate, etc. The sealed bulb 9 is oblong, of axis XX and it encloses a rare gas, for example xenon, and an anode 11 and a cathode 12. The anode 11 and the cathode 12 are disposed at the opposite ends of the bulb 9 and are provided with a tail. anode 13 and a cathode tail 14, rectilinear and coaxial with the axis XX. Of course, said tails 13 and 14 pass sealingly through the wall 10 of the bulb 9, at the opposite ends thereof.

Sur ces extrémités sont emboîtés, respectivement, des manchons 15, 16, par exemple à base de silicone, respectivement traversés par les queues 13 et 14 et respectivement adaptés au logement axial 5 et à l'évidement central 8.On these ends are nested, respectively, sleeves 15, 16, for example based on silicone, respectively crossed by the tails 13 and 14 and respectively adapted to the axial housing 5 and the central recess 8.

De plus, sur la face extérieure de la paroi 10 de l'ampoule 9 est enroulé un ressort hélicoïdal métallique 17, apte à servir d'électrode de déclenchement d'arc par induction. Une extrémité libre 18 du ressort 17 est en saillie par rapport à l'ampoule 9.In addition, on the outer face of the wall 10 of the bulb 9 is wound a metal coil spring 17, capable of serving as inductive arc trigger electrode. A free end 18 of the spring 17 projects from the bulb 9.

Le corps 1 comporte de plus, au niveau de la bague métallique 6, une cheminée tubulaire latérale 19, d'axe au moins sensiblement orthogonal à l'axe L-L, permettant d'amener l'extrémité libre d'un conducteur de très haute tension 20 au contact de ladite bague métallique 6. A cet effet, par exemple, ladite cheminée tubulaire 19 est intérieurement filetée pour recevoir une vis creuse électriquement isolante 21, qui est traversée par ledit conducteur 20 et dont l'extrémité en regard de la bague 6 est en butée contre un élargissement conducteur 22 (par exemple une boule de soudure) solidaire de l'extrémité libre dudit conducteur 20. Ainsi, en vissant la vis 21 dans la cheminée 19, il est possible de presser l'élargissement conducteur 22 contre la face externe de la bague métallique 6 et donc de porter celle-ci à la très haute tension dudit conducteur 20.The body 1 further comprises, at the level of the metal ring 6, a lateral tubular chimney 19, of axis at least substantially orthogonal to the axis LL, for bringing the free end of a very high voltage conductor 20 to this effect, for example, said tubular chimney 19 is internally threaded to receive an electrically insulating hollow screw 21, which is traversed by said conductor 20 and whose end facing the ring 6 is in abutment against a conductive widening 22 (for example a ball of welded) secured to the free end of said conductor 20. Thus, by screwing the screw 21 in the chimney 19, it is possible to press the conductive enlargement 22 against the outer face of the metal ring 6 and therefore to carry it at the very high voltage of said conductor 20.

En état de fonctionnement, comme cela est représenté sur la figure 1 :

  • la fenêtre optique 7 est fixée, par exemple par collage, au corps 1 en obturant l'ouverture 3 ;
  • l'ampoule 9 est disposée dans la cavité 2 de façon que son axe X-X soit confondu avec l'axe L-L du miroir 4 ;
  • le coussinet 15 est logé dans le logement axial 5 et dans l'orifice 5A et est traversé par la queue d'anode 13 qui apparaît ainsi à l'extérieur de la lampe à éclats dans l'axe L-L ;
  • le coussinet 16 est logé dans l'évidement axial 8 et est traversé par la queue de cathode 14 qui apparaît ainsi à l'extérieur de la lampe à éclats dans l'axe L-L ; et
  • l'électrode de déclenchement 17 est entourée par la bague métallique 6 et l'extrémité saillante 18 de ladite électrode de déclenchement s'appuie élastiquement sur la face interne de ladite bague.
In operating condition, as shown in FIG. 1:
  • the optical window 7 is fixed, for example by gluing, to the body 1 by closing the opening 3;
  • the bulb 9 is disposed in the cavity 2 so that its axis XX coincides with the axis LL of the mirror 4;
  • the pad 15 is housed in the axial housing 5 and in the orifice 5A and is traversed by the anode tail 13 which thus appears outside the strobe lamp in the axis LL;
  • the pad 16 is housed in the axial recess 8 and is traversed by the cathode tail 14 which thus appears outside the strobe lamp in the axis LL; and
  • the trigger electrode 17 is surrounded by the metal ring 6 and the projecting end 18 of said trigger electrode is resiliently supported on the inner face of said ring.

Ainsi, la lampe à éclats est prête à fonctionner en alimentant électriquement (de façon connue, non représentée) la queue d'anode 13 et la queue de cathode 14 et en alimentant électriquement l'électrode de déclenchement 17, par l'intermédiaire du conducteur 20, de l'élargissement 22, de la bague métallique 6 et de l'extrémité saillante 18.Thus, the strobe lamp is ready to operate by electrically feeding (in a known manner, not shown) the anode tail 13 and the cathode tail 14 and electrically supplying the trigger electrode 17 via the conductor 20, the enlargement 22, the metal ring 6 and the projecting end 18.

Claims (13)

  1. Noble gas flashlight comprising:
    - a body (1) provided with a cavity (2), whose bottom carries a concave mirror (4) and whose end, opposite to the said bottom, is open (at 3);
    - an optical window (7) obturating the said open end; and
    - a sealed oblong bulb (9) enclosing the said Noble gas and provided at its opposite ends with an anode (11) and with a cathode (12) between which an electric arc can be formed as a result of the ionisation of the said Noble gas, the said oblong bulb being placed in the axis (L-L) of the said concave mirror (4) and being fixed, by one of its ends, to the said body (1), in the vicinity of the apex of the said concave mirror (4), characterized in that the other end of the said oblong bulb (9) is fixed to the said optical window (7).
  2. Flashlight according to Claim 1, in which the said anode (11) and the said cathode (12) are respectively provided with an anode tail (13) and a cathode tail (14) which traverse the wall (10) of the said bulb (9) in a sealed manner, characterized in that the said anode tail (13) and the said cathode tail (14) are axial with respect to the said concave mirror (4) and are accessible from outside of the said lamp due to the fact that one of them traverses the said body (1) and the other traverses the said optical window (7).
  3. Flashlight according to Claim 2, characterized in that, in the said body (1), the said cavity (2) is extended, on the side opposite to the optical window (7), by an axial housing (5) which is traversed by one (13) of the said anode and cathode tails and in which is housed the end of the said bulb (9) that is opposite to the said optical window (7).
  4. Flashlight according to Claim 3, characterized in that a bush (15) is interposed between the said axial housing (5) and the end of the said bulb (9) placed in the said housing.
  5. Flashlight according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said optical window (7) comprises an axial opening (8) and in that the end of the said bulb (9) facing the said optical window (7) is fitted in the said axial opening (8).
  6. Flashlight according to Claim 5, characterized in that a bush (16) is interposed between the said axial opening (8) and the end of the said bulb (9) placed in the said opening.
  7. Flashlight according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, in addition to the said anode and cathode (11, 12), it comprises a triggering electrode (17) fed with very high voltage (THT).
  8. Flashlight according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that it comprises means (19, 20, 21, 22, 6) for taking the said very high voltage to the position of the said axial housing (5).
  9. Flashlight according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said means for taking the very high voltage comprise a metal ring (6) housed in the said axial housing (5) such that it is concentric with the latter and surrounding the said sealed bulb (9).
  10. Flashlight according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the said triggering electrode (17) is carried by the wall (10) of the said sealed bulb (9), on the external side of the latter, and is able to ionize the said Noble gas contained in the said bulb (9) by induction through the wall (10) of the latter.
  11. Flashlight according to Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the said triggering electrode (17) is formed by a coil spring which is wound on the said sealed bulb (9) and of which one protruding end (18) is applied elastically on the said metal ring (6)
  12. Flashlight according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the said means of taking the very high voltage comprise a conductor (20) whose end (22) is applied with pressure against the said metal ring (6).
  13. Flashlight according to Claim 12, characterized in that the said conductor (20) is, at least in the vicinity of the said metal ring (6), perpendicular to the axis (L-L) of the said concave mirror (4).
EP05292078A 2004-10-08 2005-10-06 Noble gas flashlight Active EP1646070B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0410614A FR2876494B1 (en) 2004-10-08 2004-10-08 RARE GAS SHOCK LAMP

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1646070A1 EP1646070A1 (en) 2006-04-12
EP1646070B1 true EP1646070B1 (en) 2007-04-25

Family

ID=34949717

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05292078A Active EP1646070B1 (en) 2004-10-08 2005-10-06 Noble gas flashlight

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1646070B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE360883T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005000979T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1646070T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2284143T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2876494B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1646070E (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7852004B2 (en) 2007-06-06 2010-12-14 General Electric Company Ignition aid and fitting shroud for discharge lamp

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5720755B2 (en) * 2013-10-28 2015-05-20 ウシオ電機株式会社 Double-ended short arc flash lamp

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU738013A1 (en) * 1977-07-04 1980-05-30 Предприятие П/Я А-3695 Pulsed gas discharge light source
US4758759A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-07-19 Gte Products Corporation Lamp with light-source capsule support members having equal thermal conductivity
US4870551A (en) * 1988-05-20 1989-09-26 Tomar Electronics, Inc. Strobe flash lamp with focussed front beam and collimated lateral beams
US6351058B1 (en) 1999-07-12 2002-02-26 Eg&G Ilc Technology, Inc. Xenon ceramic lamp with integrated compound reflectors
US6316867B1 (en) * 1999-10-26 2001-11-13 Eg&G Ilc Technology, Inc. Xenon arc lamp
EP1134784B1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2007-07-11 Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha High-pressure mercury lamp luminescent device and means of ignition
JP3528836B2 (en) * 2002-01-09 2004-05-24 ウシオ電機株式会社 Discharge lamp
JP4134793B2 (en) * 2002-08-20 2008-08-20 ウシオ電機株式会社 Light source device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7852004B2 (en) 2007-06-06 2010-12-14 General Electric Company Ignition aid and fitting shroud for discharge lamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2876494A1 (en) 2006-04-14
DK1646070T3 (en) 2007-07-23
ATE360883T1 (en) 2007-05-15
DE602005000979T2 (en) 2008-01-17
FR2876494B1 (en) 2007-11-23
ES2284143T3 (en) 2007-11-01
PT1646070E (en) 2007-07-23
DE602005000979D1 (en) 2007-06-06
EP1646070A1 (en) 2006-04-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2479562A1 (en) DISCHARGE LAMP IN LOW PRESSURE MERCURY STEAM
FR2697944A1 (en) Halogen-tungsten incandescent lamp.
FR2669398A1 (en) Motor vehicle headlamp
FR2772983A1 (en) ELECTRIC DISCHARGE BULB DEVICE
EP1646070B1 (en) Noble gas flashlight
FR2489066A1 (en) INCANDESCENT CANDLES FOR DIESEL ENGINES
FR2566177A1 (en) LOW PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMP
FR2701598A1 (en) Insulating base for a discharge lamp device.
EP1067356A1 (en) Optical igniter using a graded index glass rod lens
FR2497401A1 (en) ARC LAMP HAVING A CAPACITIVE STARTING ASSIST DEVICE
FR2513809A1 (en) HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMP
US20050264150A1 (en) Short arc lamp
EP0067758B1 (en) Flash lamp with radial electric connections and gaseous supply
EP0170326B1 (en) Electrical incandescent lamp having a reflector screen
FR2553575A1 (en) High-pressure sodium vapour lamp
EP0085948B1 (en) Wave-guide laser
FR2478877A1 (en) HALOGEN INCANDESCENT LAMP HAVING AN INCORPORATED FUSE
JP2001319502A (en) Light source device
CH647357A5 (en) Incandescent lamp for decoration
FR2648273A1 (en) LAMP BLOCK COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC LAMP
FR2615929A1 (en) Round signalling light with discharge lamp
FR2718281A1 (en) High or medium voltage circuit breaker with blow out coil
FR2823562A1 (en) Equipment for controlling ignition of fireworks, comprises resistance and ignitable material in envelope with resistor leads connected as a loop within container to carry externally induced current
HU200858B (en) High-pressure sodium-vapour discharge lamp with clamping cable
FR2466902A1 (en) Filter assembly with electrical terminal on cylindrical mounting - has tubular member connected to ground plate by component with one end in filter and other in potting material to develop rigidity

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060805

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20070606

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20070523

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 20070710

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: CRONIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070825

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2284143

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070725

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20080128

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070726

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071006

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070425

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20071026

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R073

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20110922

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R073

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R074

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R074

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20111218

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R074

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20111215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121006

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PCAR

Free format text: NEW ADDRESS: CHEMIN DE LA VUARPILLIERE 29, 1260 NYON (CH)

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20200917

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20201015

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20210927

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220406

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20211031

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20211031

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20220922

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20221011

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20221107

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20221012

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

Effective date: 20221031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221031

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20231019

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20231017

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231023

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20231016

Year of fee payment: 19

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602005000979

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20231101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20231101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20231101

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20240501