MXPA98005084A - Filamento electroluminisce - Google Patents

Abstract

A filament composed cylindrical or otherwise, which emits light, electrically activated. A core conductor (401) is optionally surrounded by a first optional insulating layer (402) surrounded by an external electrode (403) and an electroluminescent phosphor (404). The entire assembly can be coated with a second insulating layer (406). The phosphorus produces light when the core conductor (401) and the external electrode (403) are connected to, and energized by, an appropriate electrical power supply. The filament can be used to form different light emitting objects of one, two and three dimensions. The most representative figure of the invention is the number

Description

FILM ELECTROLU INISCENTE BACKGROUND The present invention relates to electro-Luminescent filaments ("EL filaments"). More specifically, the present invention relates to EL filaments, the portions of which can be individually illuminated. EL filaments have generally been known in the art; however, there have been few beyond a trial scale, and conventional filaments have had a number of problems, including low reliability and low light intensity. In addition, conventional electroluminescent filaments lack sufficient flexibility to be formed into one, two and three dimensional light emitting objects using textile manufacturing technologies, such as weaving, spinning, pressing, etc., which use the raw material in filamentary form . Conventionally, the electroluminescent filaments include a solid central core conductor coated with a luminescent material, and an external electrode that is made, either from a single conductor wound around the core, or from a transparent conductive film coated on the luminescent layer . Since conventional filaments include only an external electrode or coated transparent electrode, it is not possible to energize the individual portions of conventional filaments. This is a drawback in applications that require different portions of the filament to be energized at different times; for example, applications that require animated visual effects. Conventional filaments containing only one external electrode have the additional drawback that, if the external electrode breaks anywhere along the filament, the entire filament is no longer luminescent. This makes conventional filaments easily susceptible to damage. Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable flexible electroluminescent filament that can emit a high intensity of light when energized, and that can be formed into articles, or can be incorporated into articles, employing textile manufacturing techniques. There is also a need for an electroluminescent filament, of which only portions can be energized at any time. Moreover, there is a need for an electroluminescent filament that does not fail completely when only a part of the filament is damaged. SUMMARY The present invention solves the above needs, by providing an electroluminescent filament including a core conductor, a luminescent layer surrounding the core conductor, and a braided external electrode, either embedded in the luminescent layer, or by surrounding the luminescent layer. In one embodiment, the core conductor is a multi-wire conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the core conductor is a multi-wire conductor, the braided outer electrode covers approximately 50 percent of the surface of the luminescent layer, and the luminescent layer includes a phosphorus encapsulated in activated zinc sulfide. In another embodiment of the invention, the braided outer electrode includes a plurality of individually steerable electrodes. If the individual electrodes are isolated from each other, they can be individually energized, thereby illuminating only a portion of the electroluminescent filament. One embodiment of the present invention that accomplishes the above, includes a core conductor, a luminescent layer that at least partially surrounds the core conductor, and two or more individually steerable electrodes disposed around the core conductor. In this embodiment of the invention, the individually steerable electrodes are insulated from each other; additionally, the individually steerable electrodes can be braided together to form an external electrode, and they can be embedded in the luminescent layer, or they can be arranged surrounding the luminescent layer. To facilitate the direction of the individual electrodes in the previous mode, the electro-luminescent filament may also include a coupler to connect the individual electrodes to the external energy source. The coupler connects fragile individual electrodes tightly spaced, to more easily accessible, thicker and more robust wires, which can then be connected to the power circuit. The coupler can connect the individually steerable electrodes to two or more energy inputs. In general, a coupler includes durable robust contacts connected to the most fragile individually steerable electrodes. These contacts are for connecting to the external power source, and for supplying power to the individually steerable electrodes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood with reference to the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal elevation of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal elevation of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal elevation of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the invention. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 11 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. Figure 12 shows a series of waveforms that can be used to drive the electroluminescent filament of Figure 11. Figure 13 shows a top perspective view of a mode of a coupler according to the present invention, connected to a filament electroluminescent according to the present invention. Figure 14A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coupler in accordance with the present invention, connected to an electroluminescent filament in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14B shows a top plan view of the coupler of Figure 14A. Figure 15 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a coupler according to the present invention, connected to an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION We have discovered that, when an electroluminescent filament is fabricated using a multi-core core conductor and an external braided electrode, the resulting filament is flexible enough to be used in textile manufacturing technologies, and also has a light emission intensity and reliability that will allow it to be used commercially. This combination of flexibility, reliability and brilliance makes it possible for the electroluminescent filaments of the present invention to be used in a variety of applications, including illuminated logos, illuminated materials for use in nightwear, safety clothing, clothing that changes color, delineation of objects for security, illuminated embroidery, and illuminated needlepoint. In addition, the electroluminescent filaments of the present invention can be braided onto a non-conductive core, such as a cotton fiber. This will produce a thicker and more robust light-emitting fiber that can be spun into belts, etc. , or that can be used to make illuminated networks, which can be used, for example, in basketball, tennis, etc. In general, an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention includes a conductor, a luminescent layer surrounding the core conductor, and an external electrode surrounding the core conductor and insulated from the core conductor. "Surrounding" means that the element A surrounds the element B, if the element A covers at least partially the surface of the element B. As used herein, the element A does not have to be in contact with the element B to surround it; moreover, element A does not have to cover the entire surface of element B to surround it. For example, as used herein, a wire of helical shape around, but not touching, a core, "surrounds" the core.

The electroluminescent filament may optionally include a first insulating layer surrounding the core conductor, and a second insulating layer surrounding the luminescent layer. In one embodiment of the invention, the external electrode may surround the luminescent layer. In an alternative embodiment, the external electrode can be embedded in the luminescent layer. If the filament includes a second layer of insulation, the external electrode can be embedded in this insulation layer. To provide strength while maintaining flexibility, the core can be multi-threaded, and the outer electrode can be braided. As described in detail below, additional braided layers can be added to improve strength, cut resistance, etc. In general, an electroluminescent filament produces light in response to an alternating current source or pulsed direct current connected through the core conductor and external electrode. The core conductor and the external electrode can be connected through a voltage source, in order to produce light as desired. It is possito use more than one voltage source with a single filament. This may be the case if more than one external electrode is present in the filament (see below), or if a multi-core core conductor is used. The electroluminescent filaments of the present invention can be used to fabricate shapes that emit light when connected to, and energized by, the appropriate electrical power supply. The filaments of the present invention are flexienough to be woven, spun, braided, etc. , using textile manufacturing technologies that use raw material in filamentary form. Using these technologies, the filaments of the present invention can be used to manufacture all kinds of light-emitting objects of one, two and three dimensions. Examples of these objects include clothing, artwork, molded parts, and information displays. In clothing, for example, electroluminescent wires can be used to embroider logos, designs or other accents. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an electroluminescent filament according to the present invention. The filament 100 includes a core conductor 101, a first insulating layer 102, a luminescent layer 104, an external electrode 105, and a second insulating layer 106. Core Conductor Core conductor 101 is a conductor or semiconductor, and may be of a single or multi-filament metallic or carbonaceous material, other electrically conducting or semiconductor materials or combinations thereof. The core conductor 101 may be solid or porous. The cross-sectional shape of the core conductor 101 can be circular, planar or of any other acceptageometry. Preferably, the core conductor 101 is of a multi-strand configuration of conductive filaments, because the bundles of fine filaments are more flexithan a single solid filament. The multi-wire configuration adds strength and flexibility to the filament. In accordance with the foregoing, in a preferred embodiment of the filament, the core conductor is a multi-core core conductor. These multi-core core conductors may be parallel, coiled, twisted, braided, or in another acceptaconfiguration. The number of threads, their individual diameters, their composition, the packing method and / or the number of twists can be of any combination. A particularly preferred core conductor material is a bundle of 19 wires of stainless steel conductive filaments. Each thread (filament) is of a caliber of approximately 50 (equivalent to a diameter of approximately 25.4 microns). Each wire bundle has an insulating layer of fluorinated propylene-ethylene (FEP) of about 50.8 microns thick, with an overall outer diameter of the wire conductor of about 304.8 microns (including insulation). This core conductor is availafrom Baird Industries (Hohokus, NJ). First Insulation Layer Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the filament or filaments of the core conductor are surrounded by a first insulating layer 102 of insulating material. Although the first insulating layer 102 is not required to practice the invention, its presence is preferred. The first insulating layer 102 serves to reduce the probability of shorts between the core conductor and the external electrode, thereby increasing reliability. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first insulating layer 102 surrounds the core conductor. In the case of a multi-core core conductor, each wire can be individually surrounded by an optional first insulating layer. An additional insulating layer can also surround the entire bundle of individually surrounded wires. Luminescent layer Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a luminescent layer 104 surrounding the insulating layer or layers. The luminescent layer 104 preferably comprises "phosphorus". Phosphorus is a term that has evolved to mean any material that gives off light when placed in an electric field. The light can be of a variety of wavelengths. The luminescent layer 104 can be deposited as a continuous or interrupted coating on the outer surface of the insulating layer of the core conductor. When the luminescent layer 104 is deposited as an interrupted coating, the result can be a strip-or light-strip producing product. If there is a plurality of individually insulated wires, the luminescent layer can be coated on each wire, or it can be arranged between the insulated wires. In an alternative way, the phosphor can be directly compounded in the first insulating layer, and can be applied by an extrusion process or other process. In this mode, the first insulating layer and the luminescent sapa are the same layer. Typically, phosphorus is comprised of zinc sulphide particles activated by copper and / or manganese. In a preferred embodiment, each phosphor particle is encapsulated to improve its service life. The phosphorus may be pure or in the form of a phosphorus / resin powder compound. Suitable resins include cyanoethyl starch or cyanoethyl cellulose, supplied as Acrylosan® or Acrylocel® by TEL Systems of Troy, MI. Other resins, which have a high dielectric strength, can be used in the composite matrix material. A particularly preferred material for use in the luminescent layer 104 is the phosphorus-based powder known as EL phosphorus, available as EL-70 from Osram Sylvania Inc. (Towanda, PA). A preferred formulation for the compound is 20 percent resin / 80 percent phosphorus by total weight of the composition. However, other proportions by weight may be used. There are other available phosphors that emit different wavelengths of radiation, and combinations of phosphors can be used. The luminescent layer 104 can be deposited in any number of ways, such as: thermoplastic or thermoformable processing, electrostatic deposition, fluidized powder bed, solvent draining, printing, spray application or other acceptable methods. Another method for joining the luminescent layer 104 to the first insulating layer, or to other suitable layers, if appropriate, for use with the materials in question, is to soften the first insulating layer 102, or other suitable layers, with heat, or with a solvent, or with another method, and then imbibe the phosphor material in the first insulating layer 102, or in other suitable layers. External Electrode Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein an external electrode 105 surrounds the luminescent layer 104. In another embodiment of the invention, the external electrode 105 may be applied before or simultaneously with the luminescent layer 104. The electrode external 105 comprises an electrically conductive or semiconductor material, and preferably, the external electrode has a braided filamentary structure. "Braided filamentary structure" means a plurality of individual electrodes that are braided together. The individual electrodes forming the braided outer electrode can be coated or not. An advantage of an electroluminescent filament that includes an external braided electrode is that, if any of the individual electrodes forming the braided structure is damaged, the filament will continue to be luminescent; only if all the electrodes on the braided electrode are damaged, the filament will no longer be luminescent. The filaments of the present invention, therefore, have an integrated redundancy in the external electrode; a feature that makes the filaments of the present invention more durable than conventional filaments that contain only an individual external electrode. Examples of suitable external electrode materials include metal, carbon, metal-coated fibers, inherently conductive polymers, intrinsically conductive polymers, compounds containing indium and tin oxide, and semiconductors. Other configurations of the external electrode include: perforated metal foils wrapped around (wherein the perforations can be of any shape, ie, circular, slot or other); clothing or woven fabric, spun or unwoven, electrically conductive; non-spun terry material, such as overlapping electrically conductive pins or sequins; any other electrical conductor; or any combination of these materials. The external electrode is preferably made of a non-transparent material. In this case, it is also preferred that the external electrode is not continuous (eg, braided structure, foraminous, etc.) to allow the electroluminescence generated in the luminescent layer to be emitted through the external electrode. Second Insulating Layer Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a second insulating layer 106, inside which the outer electrode 105 is embedded. In an alternative embodiment, the insulating layer 106 may surround the external electrode 105. The second layer insulator 106 is preferably comprised of an optically transparent, electrically insulating material, such as an amorphous or crystalline organic or inorganic material. The second insulating layer 106 can be applied in a liquid form or in another form, with a subsequent cure or other process that can result in a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary protective layer. Particularly preferred materials include epoxies, silicones, urethanes, polyamides and mixtures thereof. Other materials can be used to achieve the desired effects. The electrically insulating transparent materials can also be used in other layers.

The second insulating layer 106 is not required, but it is desirable to improve reliability. The second insulating layer 106 also improves the "feel" (i.e., surface texture) of the filament, and the resulting articles made of the filament. A silicone coating resin, such as Part Number OF113-A and -B, available from Shin-Etsu Silicones of America (Torrance, CA), may be used for the second insulating layer 106. The resin may also be used. KE1871 silicone, available from Shin-Etsu Silicones of America, for the second insulating layer 106. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention that includes a core conductor 201, surrounded by a first insulating layer 202, which is surrounded by a interlayer 203. The interlayer 203 is surrounded by the luminescent layer 204, which is surrounded by a second insulating layer 206, which has embedded therein, an external electrode 205. In this embodiment, the luminescent layer 204 is attached to the surface outermost of the first insulating layer 202, using one or more adhesion promoter interlayers 203. The interlayers 203 may be used in general to promote interlayer adhesion, or for other desired effects, such it is like the modification of the force of the dielectric field, or to improve the longitudinal tension performance. To promote adhesion to the surface of the first insulating layer, any process can be used to modify the surface properties, such as: mechanical abrasion, chemical etching, physical enhancement, laser or flame treatment, plasma or chemical treatment or other processes to improve surface properties. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention including a core conductor 301 surrounded by a first insulating layer 302, which is surrounded by a luminescent layer 304. The luminescent layer 304 is surrounded by a second insulating layer 306, which is embedded inside it, an external braided electrode 305. The braided outer electrode may include three or more individual electrodes forming a diagonal pattern. The individual electrodes can be interwoven. The braided structure can form a wire grid. The braids may include individual counter-coiled electrodes having a geometry below and above. Figure 10 shows a more detailed description of the geometry above and below a counter-rolled braid 105. The braided structures add strength and flexibility to the filament. The braided external electrode may be formed of several different individual electrodes, which may have the same or different calibers. The individual electrodes may have the same or different sizes, shapes, and compositions. In the embodiment shown, the individual electrodes are braided on the electroluminescent core. Preferably, the braid covers approximately 50 percent of the electroluminescent core, although more or less coverage can be used in specific applications. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a core conductor 401 surrounded by a first insulating layer 402, which is surrounded by an interlayer 403. The interlayer 403 is surrounded by the luminescent layer 404, which is surrounded by a second insulating layer 406, which has embedded therein, an electrode 405. Interlayer 403 is preferably an adhesion promoter interlayer, but may also serve some other purpose to improve the operation of the filament. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a core conductor 501 surrounded by a first insulating layer 502, which is surrounded by a luminescent layer 504. The luminescent layer 504 is surrounded by a second insulating layer 506, which is surrounded by an electrode 505. The outer electrode 505 is surrounded by an additional protective layer 506a. The additional protective layer 506a can be any of the materials generally disclosed herein. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention including a dielectric braid 607 surrounding the first insulating layer 602, and embedded in the luminescent layer 604. To form the dielectric braid 607, a dielectric fiber is braided, spirally wrapped, or applied using a combination of both geometries, on the first insulating layer 602. The dielectric braid 607 is also can produce by braiding, spiral wrapping, or using a combination of both geometries, a dielectric fiber on the core conductor 601, such that the dielectric braid 607, surrounds the core conductor 601. The dielectric braid 607 also surrounds to the core conductor 601, or to the first insulating layer 602 surrounding the core conductor 601. In general, dielectric braiding can be used in any of the layers of the invention, using dielectric fibers as described below. The dielectric fibers forming the dielectric braids described herein can be made of glass, Kevlar®, polyester, acrylate, or other organic or inorganic materials suitable for use as dielectric fibers. The luminescent layers described herein are applied to this dielectric braid. The dielectric fiber layer then acts as a controller for the thickness of the coating, and can assist in the adhesion of the luminescent layer to the core conductor. This improvement in adhesion is particularly useful when the first insulating layer is a low friction and / or low adhesion coating, such as a fluoropolymer coating. Additionally, the dielectric fiber layer provides better "cut" resistance, and better axial strength, because the dielectric fiber layer will act as a reinforcing member. The external electrode described herein can then be applied directly to the phosphorus-containing dielectric fiber layer, and the second insulating layer described herein is applied to the external electrode. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a core conductor 701 surrounded by a first insulating layer 702, which is surrounded by an interlayer 703. The interlayer 703 is surrounded by a dielectric braid 707, similar to the dielectric braid 607 of Figure 6. The luminescent layer 704 is coated on the dielectric braid 707, in a manner similar to the relationship between the luminescent layer 604 and the dielectric braid 607 of Figure 6. Surrounding the luminescent layer 704 is the second insulating layer 706, which has embedded therein, the external electrode 705. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a core conductor 801 surrounded by a first insulating layer 802, which is surrounded by a dielectric braid 807, similar to the dielectric braid 607 of Figure 6. The luminescent layer 804 is coated on the dielectric braid 807, in a manner similar to the ratio between the luminescent layer 604 and the dielectric braid 607 of Figure 6. Surrounding the luminescent layer 804 is the second insulating layer 806, which has embedded therein, both the outer electrode 805 and a second dielectric braid 808. The second dielectric braid 808 can be the same materials as the dielectric braid already described. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the invention which includes an external electrode 905, for example, a braided wire electrode, which is applied directly on the first insulating layer 902. In another embodiment, the external electrode 905 can be applied directly on the 901 core conductor, as long as they are insulated in some way. In the embodiment shown, the entire structure is then coated with the material of the luminescent layer 904. The outer electrode 905 is then embedded in the luminescent layer 904. The external electrode 905 applied in this manner can be combined with dielectric materials. For example, if the external electrode 905 is a braided wire electrode, it can be combined to co-braid with a dielectric braid 907 directly on the first optional insulating layer 902, or the core driver 901 directly. There may also be an interlayer 903 present, if desired, for example, an adhesion promoter interlayer. Additional layers or fillers can be added, or the aforementioned layers can be modified. For example, the use of transparent colored materials and / or translucent materials in the layers can alter the spectrum of the emitted light, thus producing different colors. Opaque materials can be used in the layers, producing, for example, a striped product. You can also use phosphorescent materials (ie, "glow in the dark"), and reflective materials. The reflective materials can be partisans, or they could be a sheet material. Other additives can be used to correct the color output and filter the spectral emission. For example, a laser dye may be added to the phosphor composition, or it may be coated on top of the phosphor composition, or it may be coated on top of the phosphor coating. This material will alter the spectral emission. Additional layers, not described herein, may be added as long as they result in a useful electroluminescent filament, as would be recognized by an ordinary expert. Individually Directable Electrodes Figure 11 shows an electroluminescent filament 1000 in accordance with the present invention, which includes a braided external electrode 1010, a luminescent layer 1020, and a core conductor 1030. The figure shows a braided external electrode 1010 including a plurality (six in the embodiment of Figure 11) of individually steerable electrodes 1040-1045. In this mode, the individually steerable electrodes are isolated from each other. This can be achieved, for example, by braiding the external electrode 1010, using the individually insulated electrodes 1040-1045. This embodiment may optionally include insulating layers, interlayers, dielectric braids, and other layers described above. In operation, the individually steerable electrodes of this mode can be individually "energized". By "energize" we mean that an alternating current voltage difference (or direct current in pulses) is applied between an individual electrode and the core conductor. If the individually steerable electrode that is energized is isolated from the other individual electrodes, only an electric field will be produced in the space between the energized electrode and the core conductor. Accordingly, only the phosphor will have electroluminescence in the luminescent layer between the energized electrode and the core conductor. In this way, it is possible to make only portions of the electroluminescent filament emit light. Figure 12 shows an example of a set of voltage waveforms that can be used to produce a tracking light pattern in the electroluminescent filament of Figure 11. In Figure 12, the 1050 waveform corresponds to the applied voltage between the core conductor and the electrode 1040, the waveform 1051 corresponds to the voltage applied between the core conductor and the electrode 1041, etc. By controlling the excitation sequence of each electrode individually, any number of time-dependent patterns and light effects can be produced. In one embodiment of the invention, the individual electrodes are energized in a sequence that is controlled using a microprocessor. The use of a microprocessor to control multiple electroluminescent lamps has been previously described in United States Patent Application Number 08 / 698,973, filed August 16, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. By sequentially energizing individual braided paired electrodes using waveforms similar to those shown in Figure 12, a spiral tracking light pattern was observed. By controlling the sequence of the individual electrodes, it will be possible to produce many different light patterns, such as hairdressing pole effects, and moving stripes. In addition, by selective registration of the colored layers with the positions of the individual electrodes, it will be possible to cause the electroluminescent filament to emit different colors when different individual electrodes are energized. Figure 13 shows one embodiment of a coupler 1060 for facilitating the coupling of the individually steerable electrodes to the power source. In this embodiment, the coupler 1060 includes a spacer or manifold 1070, having an aperture 1080 to accommodate the electroluminescent filament 1090. The individually steerable electrodes 1100-1103 (four electrodes in this example) are electrically connected to the wires 1110-1113 by medium of contact bearings 1120-1123. The core conductor 1130 is also exposed to connect to the power source. The 1110-1113 wires are more robust and durable than the individually steerable 1100-1103 electrodes, and these wires are connected to the power supply circuits and the microprocessor controller. Individually steerable electrodes can be connected to the contact bearings by conventional methods; for example, welding. Figures 14A and 14B show cross-sectional and plan views of a connector similar to that shown in Figure 13. Figure 15 shows another embodiment of a coupler in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the coupler 1200 includes a set of conductive bolts 1210 mounted on a spacer 1220. One end 1220 of the bolts 1210 is projected to the individually steerable electrodes and to the core sonde. Again, the electrodes and the conductor can be connected to the pins using conventional methods, such as welding. In operation, the end 1230 of the bolts not connected to the electrodes, is supplied to the power supply. In general, a blower includes an element for connecting fragile individual electrodes to the external power supply. It is preferred that this element includes durable and robust contacts connected to the individual electrodes, and to supply energy to the more fragile electrodes. In addition, the coupler can also serve to separate in the space the individually steerable electrodes, for easy access and handling. When the electroluminescent filament includes individually steerable electrodes, it is possible to remove the core electrode completely. In this embodiment of the invention, a voltage difference between different individually steerable electrodes in the external electrode is applied. This voltage difference produces an electric field that causes the luminous sap to emit light. In this embodiment of the invention, the conductive core may be completely absent, or it may be replaced by a non-sonicating core, which may be used to add resistance to the filament. In this embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the external electrode be embedded in the luminescent layer. Example of an Electro-luminescent Filament of Conformity with the Present Invention: A core conductor is selected, comprised of a bundle of 19 50-gauge wire strands. The entire bundle has a fluoropolymer insulating coating of 50.8 microns thick forming the first layer insulating. The first insulating layer is then coated with a seed coat of a mixture of phosphorus powder and 80% resin / 20% by weight. The particle set is prepared as a solution / suspension, mixing the appropriate proporosion of phosphorus powder and resin with a 50/50 mixture of acetone and dimethylasetamide. The visosity of the solution / suspension can be adjusted by varying the solvent / solids ratio. To apply the coating, the nuscle cousin is passed through a vertisally oriented deposit of phosphorus compound, with a coating die at the bottom of the tank, which controls the thickness of the coating during the depositing process. The solvents are removed from the wet coating as the wire passes through a series of in-line heated tube furnaces. The result is a solidified composite coating that is phosphorous. Using a binary mixture of solvents, the drying process is assisted, since the two solvents evaporate at different speeds due to differences in their boiling points. The finished product is a uniform, concentric, phosphor coating of approximately 50.8 mm thick, which forms the luminescent layer on the first insulating layer. Then a braid of 16 beads (number of carriers) is used to produce a 50 percent coverage of wire of 25.4 microns in diameter over the luminescent layer. This braid forms the external electrode. Finally, a second coating tank is used with a dimensioning die of the appropriate diameter, to apply the second insulating layer on the wire. The coated filament is passed through the in-line tube furnaces to convert the second insulating layer to its final form.

Claims (35)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having dessrito the invention that antesede, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, it is claimed somo property contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. An electroluminissente filament, the sual comprises: (a) a sonducer of nuselo of multiple threads; (b) a first insulating layer surrounding the multi-wire core sprinkler; (c) a luminous sapa that surrounds the first insulating sapa; (d) a second insulating sapa surrounding the luminous sapa; (e) an external braided electrode embedded in the second insulating layer; wherein the electroluminescent filament has an external diameter of no more than about 508 microns.
2. 2. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 1, characterized in that the external electrode covers approximately 50 percent of the surface of the luminescent layer.
3. 3. An electroluminissente filament, the sual comprises: a multi-wire core conductor; a luminescent layer surrounding the multi-wire core conductor; and a braided external electrode surrounding the multi-wire core conductor.
4. 4. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 3, characterized in that the braided external electrode is embedded in the luminescent layer.
5. 5. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 4, characterized in that it also supersizes an external insulating sap surrounding the luminescent sap.
6. 6. The electroluminisente filament of sonformity with the claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the braided external electrode surrounds the luminescent layer.
7. 7. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 6, characterized in that it also includes an external insulating sap surrounding the luminous sap, and wherein the braided external eleetrode is embedded in the external insulating layer.
8. 8. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises an insulating sap disposed between the multi-core core sonder and the luminescent layer.
9. 9. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 3, characterized in that it also produces an adhesion interlayer between any of the two layers.
10. 10. The electroluminescent filament of soundness with that claimed in claim 3, sarasterized because the luminescent sap somprende a phosphorus.
11. 11. The filament elestroluminissente of sonformidad are the reslamado in claim 10, caraterizado because the phosphorus somprende a phosphor encapsulated in zinc sulphide, and an activator selected from the group consisting of envelope, manganese, and mixtures thereof.
12. 12. The electroluminescent filament of conformity is the reslamado in claim 3, sarasterized because in addition a first dielectric braid is embedded in the luminescent layer.
13. 13. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 5, characterized in that a second dielectric braid is embedded in the external insulating layer.
14. 14. The electroluminissente filament of sonformity is claimed in claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises a second dielectric braid embedded in the external insulating layer.
15. 15. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 3, characterized in that the external elestrode is formed by an elongated oriented polymer material.
16. 16. The filament elestroluminissente, sual somprende: a core sonductor; a luminescent layer surrounding the core conductor; and a foraminous external electrode surrounding the core conductor.
17. 17. The electrosurgical filament of soundness is what is called in claim 16, which is sarasterized because the outer foraminous elestrode is a braided external elestrode.
18. 18. The filament elestroluminissente of sonformidad with the claim in claim 16, sarasterized because the external foraminous elestrode is imbedded in the sapa luminis-sente.
19. 19. The electrosurgical filament of soundness is what is recited in claim 16, characterized in that the external foraminous electrode surrounds the luminescent layer.
20. 20. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 16, characterized in that the nickel sonder is a multi-wire nickel sonder.
21. 21. A filament elestroluminissente hesho by the proseso comprising the steps of: (a) provide a core sondustor; (b) coating the core sprinkler with a luminescent layer; (c) braiding an external elestrode over the luminous sapa.
22. 22. The filament elestroluminissente of sonformidad are claimed in claim 21, sarasterized because the process further comprises the step of coating the electroluminissente filament aon external insulating sapa after the external electrode has been braided on the luminescent layer.
23. 23. The electroluminisente filament of sonformity is the reslamado in the reivindicacià ³ n 21, carasterizado because the condustor of nusleo somprende a sonductor of multiple threads surrounded by an internal insulating layer.
24. 24. The electroluminissente filament, sual somprende: (a) a sonducer of nusleo; (b) a luminescent layer that at least partially surrounds the nickel sonder; and (c) two or more individually steerable electrodes arranged around the core conductor.
25. 25. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 24, characterized in that the individually steerable electrodes are isolated from each other.
26. 26. The electroluminescent filament according to what is recited in claim 25, sarasterized because the individually steerable electrodes are braided together to form an external elestrode.
27. 27. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises an element for connecting the individually steerable electrodes to one or more energy inputs.
28. 28. The electroluminescent filament in accordance with what is recited in claim 24, characterized in that the core conductor is a multi-strand sonducer.
29. 29. The electroluminescent filament of conformity is what is called in claim 24, which is sarasterized because the individually steerable electrodes are embedded in the luminous sap.
30. 30. The filament elestroluminissente of sonformidad with claiming in claim 24, caraterizado porgue the individually steerable electrodes are arranged surrounding the luminous sapa.
31. 31. The electroluminescent filament according to claim 24, characterized in that in addition an insulating sapa surrounds the luminous sap.
32. 32. The electroluminescent filament of conformity is claimed in claim 31, sarasterized because the individually steerable electrodes are embedded in the insulating sap.
33. 33. The filament elestroluminissente of sonformidad with the claimed in the reivindisasión 24, sarasterizado because in addition somprende a sapa internal insulator disposed between the sondustor of núoleo and sapa luminissente.
34. 34. A filament elestroluminissente, the sual somprende: (a) a multi-wire core conductor; (b) an inner insulating layer surrounding surrounding less partially the core conductor; (s) a luminescent sapa surrounding surrounding less parsially to the internal insulating sapa; (d) an external insulating sap surrounding surrounding less visually to the luminous sapa; and (e) two or more individually steerable electrodes braided together, and embedded in the external insulating sap.
35. 35. The electrosurgical filament of soundness with that claimed in claim 34, characterized in that in addition an element for aplying a voltage difference between the core conductor and a first subset of the individually steerable electrodes is appended, and to alleviate a voltage difference between the sondustor of nusleo and a second subsonjunto of the individually dirigible electrodes.