JPH0754694B2 - Electrodeless fluorescent lamp system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To form a bulb into a proper contour for application by providing a mechanism for exciting in a bulb, where a closed magnetic field and an induced magnetic field for accelerating electrons are generated in a substantially closed volume for colliding with gas component atoms. CONSTITUTION: A high-frequency alternating current, flowing entirely in a toroidal coil 18 creates a potential inclination among the windings of the coil 18, so that an alternating magnetic field and an induced magnetic field with substantially the same frequency are added thereto, to accelerate and direct electrons for colliding with given gas component atoms contained in a gas housing chamber 16 in a closed contour housing 14. Ultraviolet rays which are generated by the collision of metal gas component atoms contained in the closed contour gas housing 14, especially in the gas housing chamber 16 with electrons, is radiated outward in every direction and hit a fluorescent material coating 20, formed on the inner face of a bulb 1 to form visible light.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lighting systems. The invention itself is directed to fluorescent lighting systems and, more particularly, to the conversion of ultraviolet radiation into the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum using the collision of ultraviolet photons with photoluminescent coatings. More specifically, the invention provides a closed magnetic field and a magnetic field of substantially the same direction and substantially parallel to the magnetic field for accelerating electrons in a substantially enclosed volume to collide with gas segment atoms. The present invention relates to an electrodeless fluorescent lamp system that uses an excitation mechanism that generates an induction electric field.

PRIOR ART Fluorescent lamps are known in the conventional practice of lighting systems.
Such conventional fluorescent lighting systems generally include a mixture of noble gases such as neon and argon, and in some cases secondary gases such as mercury. Such a fluorescent lamp generally comprises a pair of filament-type electrodes coated with a material having a property of easily emitting electrons when heated. When an electric current is applied to the filament type fluorescent lamp of the conventional method, the filament is heated, and the filament alternately serves as an anode and a cathode to emit electrons. In such a conventional fluorescent lamp, it is necessary to apply an extremely high voltage between the electrodes in order to generate a rare gas discharge. Therefore, such a conventional fluorescent lamp system requires a large initial input power, and further needs a starter (ballast) and a ballast (ballast) to generate a continuous discharge. The use of such a system allows the system to be complicated and costly.

Conventional fluorescent light systems typically have to be cylindrical devices of generally defined straight or arcuate diameter. The diameter of this fluorescent lamp is selected according to the operating efficiency.
Therefore, such conventional fluorescent lamps are constrained by design as a function of their operating efficiency. On the contrary, the lighting system which is the subject of the invention can be shaped as spherical, cylindrical or any other design contour, depending on the particular application. The system under consideration does not require electrodes and does not rely on an electric field extending from one end of the tubular structure to the other, as in conventional systems, and thus does not create design criteria constraints.

In conventional fluorescent lamps, during each cycle of operation, electrons flow in a single direction, collect at one electrode and attach to the wall of the fluorescent lamp tube where they recombine with ions. Recombination is separate from that which produces radiation, and its energy will be lost at the walls. Therefore, in such conventional systems, if the tube diameter becomes too small, there is an increased chance of recombination of electrons and ions without the emission of UV radiation, thus limiting the minimum tube diameter.

Conventional fluorescent lamp systems are also subject to operating efficiency constraints due to UV re-absorption by metal gas components. The font of UV radiation is emitted by the collision of electrons and ions, so that the font is attenuated by the metal gas. Therefore, it will be constrained by the distance that photons must travel. This in practice limits the maximum diameter of conventional fluorescent lamp systems. The above reabsorption is a function of the distance photons have to travel and the gas pressure in the fluorescent tube.

On the contrary, in the illumination system of interest here, the above constraint limits the ion-electron collisions held within the enclosed volume boundary and does not cause the electron re-trapping by the ions on the tube wall. It never happens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system provided herein comprises an excitation mechanism to generate: (1) a closed alternating magnetic field; (2) substantially parallel to the above magnetic field. In the same direction, the induced electric field, and (3) the radiated electric field substantially orthogonal to the closed magnetic field. The magnetic and induced electric fields described above are applied at substantially the same frequency to accelerate the electrons and direct them to collide with certain gas component atoms. An electrostatic shield portion is provided within the electrodeless fluorescent lamp system and substantially incorporates an excitation mechanism for holding the radiated electric field within the illumination system. The valve portion contains the electrostatic shield portion and the excitation mechanism. The valve portion contains a gas component containing gas component atoms that are ionized by collisions with accelerated electrons. Ionized atoms of the gas component emit energy in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum following collision,
Upon striking the phosphor coating on the inner surface of the bulb portion, its UV energy is at least partially absorbed and re-radiates the absorbed energy in the form of visible light to the outside of the illumination system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of an electrodeless fluorescent lamp system 10 that produces highly efficient and long-lived visible light emission as compared to conventional lighting systems. Has been done. Lighting system
The ten basic operating concepts are directed to bombarding gas component atoms with electrons to produce ultraviolet radiation. This ultraviolet radiation is isotropically carried to the phosphor coating and strikes it, which re-emits the ultraviolet radiation to the visible portion within the electromagnetic bandwidth.

In particular, in the electrodeless lighting system 10, a combined field of magnetic and electric fields is generated, as will become apparent in the following paragraphs. In this case, the magnetic fields are contained in substantially closed volumes. Focusing electrons by combining a magnetic field and an electric field has been successfully used in many applications such as Brown. The concept of the invention itself is to obtain a collision probability that is greater than the collision probability that would result if an electron were to be carried only by the effect of only one of the fields and only colliding with randomly moving gas component atoms. In addition, it is aimed at causing a composite of forces generated by an induction electric field and a magnetic field to act on electrons.

One of the major electrical disturbances in the surrounding environment comes from the magnetic fields generated. To avoid this type of interference, magnetic field interference is used in what is conceptually used in high-acceleration particle devices, commonly referred to as magnetic bottles, as will become clear in the following paragraph. It is erased by confining the magnetic field. The lighting system 10 operates at relatively high frequencies, on the order of 10.0 MHz, as will be shown later, and the magnetic fields generated interfere with the transmission of communications over a wide range if not confined within a particular range. there is a possibility. As will be seen later, the external effects of the radiated electric field are minimized by introducing an electrostatic shield inside the lighting system 10.

In conventional fluorescent lamp systems, there are two filaments that alternately act as cathode and anode. Taking a half cycle, the electrons move in one direction, causing a concentrated field effect on the ultraviolet radiation of the contained plasma as a function of the diameter of the fluorescent tube. In such conventional systems, metastable atoms and ions recombine on the wall of the tube, resulting in electron capture other than radiative recombination. In general, standard fluorescent lamps have an overall efficiency of 15-20.
%. By confining the electron path as well as collisions in a substantially closed volume, the lighting system 10
Eliminates the risk of transporting electrons to the tube or housing wall, which would reduce the visible light efficiency of the actuation system, as is the case with standard fluorescent lamp systems.

In general, two phenomena that affect the life of conventional fluorescent lamp systems are the filament life itself that evaporates during the operating cycle and the increase in deposition that occurs on the inner surface of the coating components after a certain number of lighting operations. Is directed to. This latter phenomenon is partly due to the decrease in gas pressure that results from the constant bombardment by heavy ion or electrons.

The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system 10 includes an excitation mechanism 12 for generating a permanent magnetic field, a closed magnetic field, and an induced electric field parallel to the magnetic field and oriented in the same direction as the alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field and the induced electric field are applied at substantially the same frequency to accelerate and direct the electrons to collide with the predetermined gas constituent atoms contained in the gas housing chamber 16 of the gas housing 14 having a closed contour. To do. As already mentioned, the alternating current flowing through the toroidal coil 18 at high frequency creates a potential gradient between each winding of the coil 18. This potential gradient is generated based on the increase / decrease in the current passing through each coil / winding.
Therefore, this potential gradient makes the electric field substantially parallel to the magnetic field.

The general idea is that the current through the toroidal coil 18 generates both a magnetic field and an induced electric field, causing electrons to collide with the gas constituent atoms contained within the gas housing chamber 16 in a predetermined path. Accelerate and point in that direction. Closed contour gas housing 14, especially gas housing
Electron collisions with metal gas component atoms contained within chamber 16 occur inside the boundaries of toroidal coil 18.

The ultraviolet radiation generated by such a collision is emitted outward in all directions and finally as visible light as explained in the next paragraph. Gas housing
The collision of the metal gas ions contained in the chamber 16 with the electrons produces ultraviolet radiation which is isotropically radiated outwardly and which forms a fluorescent coating on the inner surface of the bulb housing 22. Hit 20. The fluorescent coating 20, or a similar coating component, partially or more absorbs the ultraviolet energy impinging on it and re-emits the absorbed energy in the form of visible light to the outside of the electrodeless lighting system 10.

Obviously, the gaseous plasma is contained within a closed contour gas chamber 14 within the gas housing chamber 16 of the electrodeless lighting system 10. The ultraviolet energy generated in this plasma passes through an excitation mechanism 12 that is substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation and strikes the coating 20 as ultraviolet radiation that undergoes no chemical reaction or structural degradation. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this has the effect of increasing the operating life and efficiency of the lighting system 10 compared to conventional fluorescent lighting systems.

Further, the lighting system 10 shown in FIGS.
The excitation mechanism 12 used in the embodiment includes a self-contained gas component blocked from the valve portion 22 by applying a vacuum to the valve portion chamber 24, and the heat transfer effect from the excitation mechanism 12 to the external environment is obtained. Has been minimized.

The special construction of the exciter mechanism 12 is such that it is essentially unaffected by the temperature generated and the gas pressure in the gas housing chamber 16 is higher than in prior art systems.

High-voltage lighting systems are well known for street lighting and other applications that emit large amounts of light over large areas, but such high-pressure systems are still cylindrical tube-enclosed and have a very high luminous intensity with an internal pressure of a few atmospheres. We are supplying. The voltage applied to start and maintain a discharge in such a high voltage lighting system is extremely high. Therefore, the electrodes that are exposed to this high electric field and are subject to shocks are immersed in the gas components, which has the effect of impairing the life of such high-voltage actuated lighting systems.

In the electrodeless fluorescent lamp system 10 of interest here, the inside of the excitation mechanism 12 is a closed contour gas housing.
It contains no metallic constituents other than the gas constituents and possible metallic constituents configured as 14 parts. Therefore, other than these, there is nothing that comes into contact with the generated electric field. In the illumination system 10, the above-described ionizing inside the enclosed contour gas housing 14 to form a plasma does not contact the toroidal coil 18,
It only contacts the inner surface of the housing chamber 16.

The excitation mechanism 12 includes a toroidal coil 18 for generating an alternating magnetic field and an alternating electric field. Further, a closed contour gas housing 14 having a substantially toroidal contour is provided with a toroidal coil 18 as shown in FIGS.
It is provided inside. The charge flows through the toroidal coil 18 in the helical direction, as evidenced by the coil profile shown in the above figure. The alternating current in the toroidal coil 18 creates a potential gradient between each winding of the coil 18 in response to an increase or phenomenon in current. This alternating potential induces an electric field that is substantially parallel to the magnetic field. The magnetic flux generated by the toroidal coil 18 is completely contained within the enclosed contour gas housing 14. The magnetic field surrounding the enclosed contour gas housing 14 is
It sustains the motion of the electrons that move cyclically inside the chamber and provides an excited plasma that recirculates between the inner diameter A and the outer diameter B of the gas housing 14. In this way, the electrons and ions produce an accumulation that is confined in the gas housing 16 by the magnetic field.

In order to keep the actuation system efficient, the electrodeless lighting system 10 operates at a relatively high frequency to maintain the orientation of the circulating electron motion path within the gas housing chamber 16 and keep it within contours. It enables the generation of a sufficiently high magnetic field necessary to confine it.

In experiments, the lighting system 10 operated efficiently in the frequency range on the order of 0.1-50.0 MHz, with 10.0 MHz being used in the particularly efficient embodiment.

The conductor diameter for the toroidal coil 18 is relatively small, the spacing between the windings of the toroidal coil 18 is chosen to be relatively large, and the ultraviolet radiation generated in the hermetically contoured gas housing 14 causes the bulb portion or bulb Housing 22
It is substantially unobstructed or blocked by the toroidal coil 18 in the middle of the UV radiation path to the inner coating component 20 of the. Each winding of the toroidal coil 18 is a thin conductor wire having a diameter of about 0.5 mm, and the winding interval can be about 20.0 mm.

The gas housing 14 is formed of a component that is transparent to ultraviolet radiation, such as a glass component. When a glass component is used, the ultraviolet ray-transmitting property means a glass component that does not contain iron. In order to obtain considerable radiation, the plasma cross section must be increased accordingly. Experiments were conducted with the cross-sectional area of the gas housing chamber 16 between 0.75 and 1.0 square inches, with the inner and outer diameters of the doughnut-shaped housing varying between 30.0 and 40.0 mm.

The closed contour gas housing 14 contains a predetermined gas component which is a metal gas component at a predetermined pressure. The predetermined gas components are mercury, argon, neon, sodium, and similar gas components, and the filling pressure in the gas housing 14 is about 3.0 torr, which is a good result.

The donut shape of the gas housing 14 is provided for illustration only. In practice, the gas housing 14 can be square or rectangular, but it has been found difficult to fabricate a donut profile having an inner diameter that is small compared to its diameter. In the lighting system 10 of interest, the entire toroidal contour can be created in two halves. The donuts can be made in halves by molding pieces of glass to form a semi-circle, which can be joined and finished in a manner similar to welding or frit glass sealing.

The toroidal coil 18 is formed of a metal component having substantially high conductivity such as copper, silver, or an alloy thereof. As already mentioned, the toroidal coil 18 is connected to the gas housing chamber 16 of the closed contour gas housing 14.
It is formed of a plurality of windings that are wound with a predetermined spacing between the windings to substantially pass the ultraviolet radiation generated therein. The special coupling from the toroidal coil 18 to the power supply is described in the next paragraph.

The radiated electric field produced by the toroidal coil 18 can be radiated in all outward directions and have a disturbing effect on various transmission systems outside the valve member 22 as well as similar electrical systems. Therefore, the electrodeless fluorescent lamp system 10
Comprises an electrostatic shield portion 26 substantially enclosing the excitation mechanism 12 so as to retain the radiated electric field described above within the illumination system 10. The electrostatic shield portion 26 substantially surrounds the toroidal coil 18 and prevents the radiated electric field from leaking out beyond the boundaries of the illumination system 10.

The electrostatic shield portion 26 is a perforated metallic material that is formed so that photons of ultraviolet radiation pass through with little interference or reflection. The electrostatic shield portion 26 is
As shown in FIG. 1, it is electrically connected to ground 28 in a direct coupling mode or in a capacitor series connection.

Other types of electrostatic shields may be used by providing a conductive coating on the outer surface of the valve portion 22. A spray of tin chloride or a similar component may be applied to the exterior of the bulb portion 22 to coat it, thereby retaining the above electric field within the illumination system 10. In this case, as in the case of electrostatic shield portion 26, the conductive coating is coupled to ground 28 either directly or by a series connection of capacitors (not shown).

In this way, the ultraviolet energy emitted from the gas housing chamber 16 passes through the gas housing 14, the toroidal coil 18, which is transparent to ultraviolet radiation, and then through the electrostatic shield portion 26 to the valve member 22. It is collided with and absorbed by the fluorescent coating 20 formed on the inner surface of and is re-emitted as energy in the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The valve subchamber 24 is maintained in a high vacuum, as previously described, to minimize absorption of ultraviolet radiation, heat transfer effects, and transmission from the excitation mechanism 12 to the external environment.

Conventional lighting systems require the generation of a high voltage to cause an electrical discharge within the gas components enclosed in the tube, while the lighting system 10 uses a relatively low voltage and gas housing. -Toroidal coil 18 must be energized to create the electric and magnetic fields necessary to cause electron-ion collisions in chamber 16 and to provide sufficient energy to produce ultraviolet radiation. By operating the toroidal coil 18 at high frequencies, the voltage used to drive the lighting system 10 is kept to a minimum and the current through the coil 18 may be on the order of 1.0-3.0A. The toroidal coil 18 is coupled to the ballast system 30 via leads 34, 36 attached to the outer surface of the dielectric structural frame 38. The structural frame 38 is the part that does not matter in the inventive concept.
The structural frame 38 is formed with a vertical standard system with lugs (ears) 40 that radially interface with the inner surface of the closed contour gas housing 14 to connect the closed contour gas housing 14 within the valve portion 22. Hold in steady position. Leads 34, 36 connect the opposite ends of toroidal coil 18 and ballast system 30 to each.

Ballast 30 may be that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,492 "Electronic Ballast System", and U.S. Patent Application No. 580,624 "Automatic Adjusting Electronic Ballast System", registered February 23, 1984. All of these systems are adopted as references.

The valve portion 22 includes the electrostatic shield portion 26 and the excitation mechanism 12. The valve portion 22 contains a metal gas component retained therein, specifically within the gas housing chamber 16. The gas component atoms are ionized by colliding with accelerated electrons provided by the excitation mechanism 12, and the ionized gas component atoms become metastable or in an ionic state and emit energy in the ultraviolet band of the electromagnetic spectrum. To do. A fluorescent coating 20 is applied to the inner surface of the bulb portion 22 to absorb at least a portion of the ultraviolet energy described above and re-emit it in the form of visible light to the outside of the illumination system 10. The radiated electric field generated by the excitation mechanism 12 is limited in its radiation distance by the electrostatic shield portion 26, which blocks this radiation from passing out of the illumination system 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the electrodeless fluorescent lamp system 10 'includes a bulb portion 22 defining a closed chamber 24'.
Is equipped with. In this embodiment, the excitation mechanism 12 'is formed solely by the toroidal coil 18',
Included within the 18 'envelope. The toroidal coil 18 'produces a magnetic field and, based on the potential gradient between the windings of the coil 18', produces the same electric field parallel and oriented with the magnetic field. In this embodiment, the electrons in the envelope surface of the toroidal coil 18 'are driven and accelerated by the helical path and the toroidal coil 1
It collides with the atoms of a predetermined gas component contained in the envelope surface of 8 '. Toroidal coil 18 'according to classical electrodynamic theory
The magnetic field created by is contained inside the toroidal envelope. Therefore, in the case of the toroidal coil 18 ', the magnetic flux and electron flow generated by the toroidal coil 18' are restricted by the winding itself of the toroidal coil 18 '. Magnetic field containment is significant and no magnetic field radiation exits the illumination system 10 '.

In this embodiment, the enclosed chamber 24 'contains a metal gas component. The metal gas may be mercury gas and its ions are attracted to the magnetic field generated in the toroidal coil 18 '. The electric and magnetic fields generated by the toroidal coil 18 'greatly increase the probability of collisions between electrons and metal gas ions compared to when the free electrons are accelerated with a constant field gradient. When sufficient energy is applied to these fields, radiation in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum occurs when the above-mentioned collision occurs, as previously described in the embodiment of the illumination system 10. The radiated electric field produced by toroidal coil 18 'is limited in its radiating distance by electrostatic shield 26', which is substantially the same as electrostatic shield 26 shown previously. The electrostatic shield portion 26 'uses a perforated conductive metal component or a screen mesh component. In this case, the perforations provide substantial transparency with respect to the ultraviolet radiation generated within the core of the toroidal coil 18 '. A fluorescent coating 20 is provided on the inner surface of the bulb portion 22 to absorb ultraviolet radiation and re-emit this energy in the form of visible light.

In order to satisfy the skin effect, the toroidal coil 18 'is made of copper or a highly conductive metal component wire such as silver wire. However, in the presence of mercury vapor, such a highly conductive material absorbs mercury atoms for a long time and reduces the mercury atoms in the gas component, thus reducing the illumination system 10 '.
Adversely affects the light output of. In the embodiment of the electrodeless fluorescent system 10, such gas component atoms are retained within the closed contour gas housing 14 and do not contact the toroidal coil 18, as previously indicated. However, in the present example, the gas component atoms are in contact with the toroidal coil 18 ', and thus such coil 18' is made of a highly conductive wire with a dielectric coating to prevent absorption of mercury atoms. be able to. The plating or coating 19 is shown in FIG. An insulating or at least less conductive coating than the toroidal coil component of copper or silver prevents absorption of mercury atoms or molecules by the toroidal coil 18 '. Electrically, if one is about 1/10 the resistance of the other, put two resistors in parallel (one very small, one relatively large) with a net effect substantially equivalent to the resistance The high frequency resistance of the toroidal coil 18 'is not affected by conductive plating because it creates an equivalent circuit that has. Therefore, the toroidal coil 18 'is formed by iron plating or a silver wire of insulating coating,
It is possible to substantially avoid the influence of mercury gas components in the lighting system 10 '.

The opposite ends of toroidal coil 18 'are coupled to ballast 30 with leads 34,36 (as shown for lighting system 10). The electrostatic shield portion 26 'is also the valve portion 22.
Is coupled to ground 28 through the bottom of the.

We conclude with a description of how to provide visible light from a lighting system 10, 10 ', which involves the use of an excitation mechanism 12 for accelerating electrons in a given path. The use of toroidal coils 18, 18 'accelerates the electrons into a periodic path in a substantially closed contour envelope, which coils accelerate the electrons in a circular donut-shaped closed path.

The accelerated electrons collide with atoms of a predetermined gas component, and these atoms are ionized to emit ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet radiation photons pass through the toroidal coils 18, 18 'and eventually strike the phosphor coating 20, where the ultraviolet radiation is re-emitted in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Fluorescent agent
20 is applied to the inner surface of a valve housing 22 that contains the excitation mechanism 12.

The step of accelerating the electrons in the closed contour path comprises holding the electron path in a closed volume space defined by the inner envelope of the circular toroidal coils 18,18 '.

Retaining the electron path further comprises creating a closed magnetic field and an electric field that is substantially parallel and has the same orientation. By using a toroidal closed contour volume created by the toroidal coils 18, 18 ', the magnetic field is retained inside the closed toroidal contour. In this manner, by passing an electric current through the toroidal coils 18, 18 ', the electrons are periodically driven in the closed toroidal contour volume to collide with certain gas constituent atoms.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, certain gas component atoms are retained within a gas housing chamber 16 formed within a closed contour gas housing 14. Toroidal coil 18 is a closed contour gas housing
Wrapped around the outer surface of 14. In this embodiment, the valve partial chamber 24 of the valve housing 22 is evacuated of air. Therefore, the accelerated electrons passing through the interior of the donut-shaped gas housing chamber 16 collide with the gas component atoms and ionize them, resulting in ultraviolet radiation following ionization. This ultraviolet radiation is a closed contour gas formed of components that substantially pass ultraviolet light, such as fused silica glass.
Pass through the housing 14.

This ultraviolet radiation then passes through the electrostatic shield 26 and impinges on the phosphor or phosphor coating 20, which re-emits the impinging energy as visible light.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the accelerating electrons are driven cyclically in a substantially circular path within the envelope formed by the toroidal coil 18 '. Similar to the case of the toroidal coil 18, the toroidal coil 18 'is formed by a relatively thin wire, and the winding portions of each are sufficiently spaced so that the gas component atoms collide with the accelerating electrons to ionize them. Is formed so as to substantially pass through the ultraviolet radiation emitted. In this embodiment, the gas component atoms are provided in the valve subchamber 24 ', but the collisions only occur within the toroidal envelope formed by the toroidal coil 18'.

In both the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the UV radiation is isotropically followed by a valve portion or housing following the step of ionizing a predetermined gas component. Fluorescent material formed on the inner surface of 22
The step of sending to 20 is performed.

In either of the first and second embodiments of the illumination system 10, an electrical shield 26, which includes an excitation mechanism 12, 12 'to provide an electrostatic shield barrier to the electric field generated by the excitation mechanism 12, 12'. 26 'is provided. Both electrical shield portions 26,26 'are formed of a mesh screen or perforation component to substantially pass ultraviolet radiation from the excitation mechanism 12,12' to the fluorescent coating 20 formed on the inner surface of the bulb portion 22. To be done.

Embodiment 1 of an electrodeless lighting system different from the electrodeless lighting system 10, 10 'shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3
0 "will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 shown therein. Illumination system 10" is a constant magnet with permanent magnets positioned orthogonal to the closed magnetic field of coil 18 or 18 '. It is based on the basic concept of reducing the current required to obtain a given magnetic field strength by using the vector sum with the magnetic field.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the excitation mechanism 1
The 2 ″ includes permanent magnets 42, 44 for producing a constant magnetic field which is substantially orthogonal to the alternating magnetic field already mentioned. In this way, the permanent magnetic field is vectorically combined with the alternating magnetic field. Generate increased magnetic field strength.

In this way, the illumination system 10 "will have a predetermined magnetic field strength by passing less current through the toroidal coil 18" than through the coils 18 and 18 '.

For illustration purposes, the permanent magnet 42 has a north pole on one side and a south pole on the opposite side of the magnet 42. The permanent magnet 42 is a gas housing
Located above the centerline of the cross section of the enclosure 14 'and within the formed donut shaped center opening.

The magnetic pole surface of the permanent magnet 42 is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the toroid (annular surface). Permanent magnet 44 is mounted in mirror image with permanent magnet 42 below the centerline of gas housing enclosure 14 '. The permanent magnet 44 is oriented with its pole face opposite that of the magnet 42.

For purposes of illustration, permanent magnet 42 has its south pole oriented toward permanent magnet 44, and thus permanent magnet 44 has its north pole oriented toward magnet 42. The determined orientations of the magnets 42 and 44 are as follows.
The magnetic field between the outer surfaces of magnets 42 and 44 is generated by the toroidal coil 1.
A cross section of a toroid or closed contour gas housing 14 'formed of 8 "is passed such that the permanent magnetic field is perpendicular to the field contained within the cross section.
The magnetic circuit is completed by the magnetic field coupled between the poles of the magnets 42,44 facing each other within the central aperture of the overall toroid profile.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with its specific form and examples, various modifications other than those set forth above can be readily made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Will be recognized. For example, what is shown and described can be replaced by equivalent elements, some features can be used separately from other features, and in some cases the particular positions of the elements can be reversed. They may also be intervened, but these do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view with partial cutaway showing an electrodeless lighting system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrodeless lighting system taken along line 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electrodeless lighting system. FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an embodiment of an electrodeless illumination system showing a permanent magnet excitation mechanism. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electrodeless lighting system taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the coated toroidal (annular) coil.

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. An electrodeless fluorescent lamp system having the following structure: (a) (1) a closed magnetic field, (2) an induced electric field substantially parallel to the magnetic field and having the same direction, and (3) the above. Toroidal field that produces a radiated electric field that is orthogonal to the closed magnetic field of
Excitation means for enclosing a coil and for accelerating and directing electrons at the magnetic field and the induction electric field at substantially the same frequency to collide with atoms of a predetermined gas component, (b) the excitation means is included, and the radiated electric field An electrostatic shield member for holding in the fluorescent lamp system, (c) including the excitation means and the electrostatic shield member, including the gas component, and atoms of the gas component colliding with the accelerated electron. And ionized, and the ionized gas component atoms radiate the energy of the electromagnetic spectrum in the ultraviolet region by the collision, (d) is applied to the inner surface of the valve member, and at least a part of the energy in the ultraviolet region is applied. A phosphor coating that absorbs and re-emits out of the fluorescent lamp system in the form of visible light, (e) to create a substantially constant magnetic field that is substantially orthogonal to the closed magnetic field above. Permanent magnet. 2. An electric field induced by the excitation means accelerates the electrons, and the magnetic field of the excitation means directs the electrons to a predetermined helical path. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to item 1. 3. The permanent magnet means of claim 1 including a pair of disk-shaped magnets located substantially within the inner diameter of the toroidal coil. Electrodeless fluorescent lamp system. 4. An electrodeless fluorescent lamp system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gas component is enclosed in a closed contour gas housing located in said toroidal coil in a donut shape. 5. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined gas component includes a metal gas component. 6. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system of claim 5 wherein said predetermined gas component is held within said closed contour gas housing at a predetermined pressure. 7. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined gas component includes one or more kinds of rare gas components. 8. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 7, wherein the metal gas component is mercury. 9. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 4, wherein said closed contour gas housing is formed of a material component that transmits ultraviolet radiation. 10. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 9, wherein the material that transmits the ultraviolet radiation is a crystal component. 11. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system of claim 9 wherein said closed contour gas housing is formed of a glass component that is transparent to ultraviolet radiation. 12. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 4, wherein the toroidal coil is formed of a substantially conductive metal component. 13. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 12, wherein the coil metal component is copper. 14. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 12, wherein the coil metal component is silver. 15. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 12, wherein the coil metal component is formed of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of copper and silver. 16. A toroidal coil as defined by claim 1, wherein the toroidal coil is formed of a plurality of windings, the windings having a predetermined distance between the windings and substantially transmitting the ultraviolet radiation. Item 4. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to item 4. 17. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 4, wherein the electrostatic shield is formed of a conductive material component. 18. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 17, wherein the electrostatic shield portion is perforated so that ultraviolet radiation can pass therethrough. 19. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 18, wherein said electrostatic shield is electrically coupled to ground. 20. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system of claim 1 including ballast means coupled to said excitation means for driving said excitation means. 21. A patent characterized in that the valve member defines a closed chamber, and the electrostatic shield, the excitation means, and the predetermined gas component are located in the closed chamber. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 1. 22. The electrodeless fluorescent light as claimed in claim 21, wherein the toroidal coil is formed by a plurality of windings formed of a substantially highly conductive metal component. Lighting system. 23. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 21, wherein the toroidal coil is metal-plated. 24. The electrodeless fluorescent material of claim 23, wherein the toroidal coil is formed of a metal component containing one or more elements from the group consisting of copper and silver. Lighting system. 25. The toroidal coil metal plating contains a dielectric component.
Item 23. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to Item 23. 26. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 23, wherein the toroidal coil includes an iron electroplating film. 27. Each winding of the toroidal coil maintains a predetermined distance from the next winding, and the toroidal coil
23. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 22, wherein the coil substantially keeps passage of passing ultraviolet energy. 28. The toroidal coil is about 0.1-5.
23. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 22, which is electrically operated at a predetermined frequency within a range of 0.0 MHz. 29. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 28, wherein the predetermined operating frequency of the toroidal coil is about 10.0 MHz. 30. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 21, wherein the electrostatic shield is formed of a conductive material component. 31. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 30, wherein the electrostatic shield conductive material is perforated. 32. The electrostatic shield according to claim 1, which is formed of a conductive screen portion.
Item 30. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to Item 30. 33. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 30, wherein said electrostatic shield is electrically coupled to ground. 34. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined gas component is a metal gas component. 35. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 34, wherein the metal gas component is held in the closed chamber at a predetermined pressure. 36. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 34, wherein the metal gas component is mercury. 37. The electrodeless fluorescent lamp system according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent agent is formed of a phosphorus component. 38. The electrodeless device according to claim 37, further comprising ballast means connected to the toroidal coil for electrically driving the toroidal coil at a predetermined frequency. Fluorescent light system. 39. The electrodeless fluorescence according to claim 1, further comprising a permanent magnet located in the vicinity of the excitation means in order to enhance the field strength of the closed magnetic field. Lighting system.