Gas discharge lamp, lamp panel for high operating voltages and use of such a lamp

Abstract

To provide a gas discharge lamp that satisfies requirements for electrical sealing for high operating voltages. [Solution] In a gas discharge lamp including a discharge vessel 01 filled with gas, electrodes 02', 02" for generating a gas discharge arranged at one end of the discharge vessel 01 and inside the discharge vessel 01, electrical conductors 04', 04" for electrical contact of the electrodes 02', 02", and a seal for electrically insulating and surrounding an outer portion of the electrical conductors 04', 04" adjacent to the wall of the discharge vessel 01, the electrical seal is formed by an insulating shielding portion 30', 30" which surrounds the outer portion of the electrical conductors 04', 04" at a distance from the electrical conductors 04', 04" such that a first end of the shielding portion 30', 30" facing the discharge vessel 01 is hermetically connected to the discharge vessel 01 and a second end opposite the first end is open.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a general gas discharge lamp, for example air-cooled or water-cooled, configured to produce high light intensity (luminosity) at high operating voltages. The invention particularly relates to a lamp panel including a plurality of gas discharge lamp devices arranged closely adjacent to one another. The invention also relates to the use of such a gas discharge lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical gas discharge lamp comprises a closed discharge vessel that is transparent to magnetic radiation at least in the visible range, the hollow space of which is filled with a gas. The gas discharge lamp further comprises two electrodes for generating a gas discharge, one disposed at one end of the discharge vessel and the other disposed inside the discharge vessel. The two electrodes are in contact with each other by two electrical conductors that are guided to the electrodes through respective through-holes formed gastightly in the wall of the discharge vessel.

[0003] Gas discharge lamps with relatively low operating voltages are known, for example, from motor vehicle headlights (Patent Documents 1 to 3). Such lamps comprise a gas discharge vessel followed by various seals enclosing adjacent electrical conductors and a lamp socket (lamp base) for installation in the motor vehicle. Such lamps are operated in continuous operation and have much lower requirements for electrical seals than the typical gas discharge lamps described below. The same is true for UV lamps that are operated periodically and continuously and not at high voltages or currents or high powers (Patent Document 4).

[0004] At least one electrical conductor at a high potential relative to earth potential is surrounded in an electrically insulating manner in its outer part adjacent to the wall of the discharge vessel, this surrounding, commonly called an electrical seal, preventing flashover (arcing) from the electrical conductor to devices or components of adjacent gas discharge lamps.

[0005] By high operating voltage we mean voltages from a few kilovolts to tens of kilovolts, and in special cases up to a hundred kilovolts. By closely spaced lamps we mean spacings between directly adjacent lamps on the order of the diameter of the plasma tube. By high light intensity we mean a distance of 1 kW / cm from the surface of the discharge vessel. 2 Larger, approximately 100kW / cm 2 It is intended to provide a light output of up to

[0006] Typically, gas discharge lamps with such light intensity have an arc length of more than 0.5 meters up to several meters, and in special cases up to 10 meters. Instead of individual gas discharge lamps, several lamps can be connected in series, and the arc lengths of the individual lamps are added together to form a total arc length. To obtain the same operating parameters as a first approximation, the same voltage is applied to both ends of the lamp string as for a single lamp with an arc length corresponding to the total arc length of the lamp string.

[0007] For some applications, gas discharge lamps are operated as flash lamps for short periods of time, such as less than one second, e.g., less than one millisecond, and even in the microsecond range. To uniformly illuminate a fairly large area, e.g., hundreds of square centimeters or several square meters, with high light intensity, it is possible to arrange multiple flash lamps with cylindrical geometry parallel to one another in a plane. Such lamp panels are used in so-called "flash lamp annealing" or "photonic sintering" or in coated architectural glass.

[0008] At high light intensities, e.g., 10 kilowatts per square centimeter for a duration of 1 millisecond, polymers degrade significantly, especially in the ultraviolet (UV) light emitted by flash lamps. The UV portion of the lamp spectrum can be almost completely absorbed by doping the flash lamp glass body with cerium. However, this can shorten the flash lamp's lifespan or lead to overheating of the glass body during the illumination pulse. Some applications, such as disinfecting breath or cleaning wastewater, are based on the action of UV light, so doping is not possible.

[0009] In the parallel arrangement of gas discharge lamps in one plane for the exposure of fairly large areas described above, the so-called creepage distance (creepage section) or air gap cannot often be observed due to the small spacing required to produce high light intensities with uniform simultaneous illumination.

[0010] By creepage distance is intended the distance (section) on the surface of an insulator over which a sliding charge can travel between two electrical conductors, with air as the medium adjacent to the insulator.

[0011] By air gap is meant the distance between two electrical conductors, between which only air or an inert gas is present, e.g., deionized water or other gaseous medium, which can be used to cool gas discharge lamps, is obtained with a suitable creepage distance and liquid section.

[0012] A commonly known rule for DC voltages is a creepage distance of at least 1 centimeter per kilovolt and an air gap of at least 0.5 centimeters per kilovolt, necessary to prevent large-scale air sliding charges or ionization or electrical flashover between conductors. For example, at a voltage difference of 30 kilovolts, the air gap should not be less than 15 centimeters between two wires. The surface geometry has a significant effect on the actual size. For example, small protrusions on the conductors increase the electric field strength, so air ionization is possible even at lower voltages. The same applies to electrically insulated surfaces with water films and dirt.

[0013] For example, if a one centimeter separation is desired between the two supply lines of a flash lamp to obtain high light intensity, then at an operating voltage of 20 kilovolts, an additional insulator (isolator) must be provided between the supply lines, because the required minimum air gap is ten times larger. Therefore, the supply lines are typically covered with an insulator such as a ceramic or polymer. Ceramic materials can be difficult to manufacture, are mechanically less flexible, and have poorer thermal shock resistance than polymers. Therefore, polymers are particularly used for electrical supply lines at voltages in the kilovolt range.

[0014] Special requirements for the electrical insulation in gas discharge lamps in the above-mentioned high voltage range when the gap is small arise between the end of the electrical supply line and the glass body of the gas discharge lamp, hereinafter referred to as "electrical seal". These are, in particular, high operating temperatures, which in some cases can be several hundred Kelvin higher than room temperature, very high UV stability, good adhesion between the glass body of the lamp and the polymer of the supply line, high mechanical flexibility or at least a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately the same as that of the glass body, and sufficiently high electrical dielectric strength. Gas discharge lamps in which the discharge vessel is surrounded by flow lines for realizing air and water cooling are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,629,999 and US Pat. No. 5,629,999. These are also used in continuous operation.

[0015] The electrical seal must also prevent leakage currents between the sealing material itself and the glass body of the gas discharge lamp, and between the sealing material and the polymer of the supply line, i.e., it must provide an airtight connection to the aforementioned materials. Ageing of the electrical seal due to the light of the gas discharge lamp is a regular problem, especially when the light of the gas discharge lamp has a large UV content. As a result, the electrical seal loses its electrical insulation during use, which can lead to the generation of leakage currents, which ultimately lead to the destruction of the gas discharge lamp and other components of the installation in which the lamp is used.

[0016] The degradation process can proceed very quickly, i.e., within minutes during operation. Although the process can be slowed by various measures, it cannot be prevented or delayed satisfactorily for long. Generally, no polymers have a sufficiently high UV stability, because the photon energy is much greater than the bond energy in polymers. As mentioned above, no other material has been found to date that meets all the requirements for electrical sealing.

[0017] Ceramic adhesives with a similar expansion coefficient to quartz glass are also only partially suitable because they do not provide sufficient thermal shock resistance at the surface to the glass during operation of the gas discharge lamp as a flash lamp, which can lead to the ceramic peeling off during operation. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure a permanent gas-tight bond of the supply line to the polymer with ceramic. Another important aspect is that ceramic can be easily cut compared to shrink hoses during periodic lamp replacement. Therefore, the supply line must be renewed when the lamp is replaced.

[0018] To date, it has not been possible to find a suitable material that satisfactorily meets all of the above requirements for electrical sealing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0019] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,032,758 [Patent Document 2] DE 19640666 [Patent Document 3] DE 10342801 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-216158 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-26478 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-67474 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0020] The present invention builds on the above-mentioned prior art and addresses the problem of providing a gas discharge lamp that is able to meet the requirements for electrical sealing at the above-mentioned high operating voltages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] This problem is solved in the subject matter of claim 1, which considers that the previous requirement for an electrically insulating material for the electrical seal is avoided by changing the structural form of the gas discharge lamp, thus avoiding or at least reducing the electrical sealing problems described for the prior art and significantly increasing the service life of the gas discharge lamp.

[0022] The modified design leads to further advantages, particularly with regard to the mounting of the lamp in the housing: in particular, the modified gas discharge lamp is suitable for arrangement in lamp panels with the aforementioned small spacing between the individual gas discharge lamps.

[0023] The gas discharge lamp according to the invention comprises one or more electrically insulating shields surrounding the outer components of a gas discharge vessel operated at a voltage of 1 kilovolt, preferably greater than 10 kilovolts up to 100 kilovolts, the shields being connected to the discharge vessel at a first end and open at a second end opposite the first end.

[0024] Unlike the electrically insulated jacket of the conductor according to the prior art, the shielding is at least partially enclosed, i.e., formed at a distance at least from the surface of the electrical conductor. The distance between the inner surface of the shielding facing the electrical conductor and the electrical conductor forms at least a portion of each shielding adjacent to the connection of the shielding with the discharge vessel. Optionally, the distance extends over the length of the shielding to its second end. The length of the spaced shielding depends in particular on the length of the components of the gas discharge lamp to be shielded.

[0025] At least one shielding part replaces the electrical seal known from the prior art and is connected to at least one or both ends of the discharge vessel of a gas discharge lamp, where one or more electrodes are subjected to a high operating potential. In the following, the invention will be described for a gas discharge lamp where only one end is to be electrically sealed. Similarly, the invention is applicable to two electrical seals.

[0026] The discharge vessel of a gas discharge lamp is currently generally made of glass, particularly quartz glass, due to its high transparency to electromagnetic radiation from the ultraviolet to infrared range, its small thermal expansion coefficient and associated high thermal shock resistance, and its high electrical dielectric strength. These properties make quartz glass particularly suitable for use in the aforementioned high operating voltages, high light-guiding performance, and associated steep temperature gradients that can be achieved in flash lamps. However, the present invention is also applicable to gas discharge lamps that use transparent, electrically insulating materials with the above-mentioned properties comparable to those of glass, particularly quartz glass. This also applies to such gas discharge lamps that may become available in the future as material developments in, for example, ceramic glasses, progress.

[0027] The electrical seal according to the invention achieves an electrically insulating jacket part depending on the selected material. In accordance with the features of the invention, the material of the shielding part contains an electrically insulating solid as an essential component, but the material of the shielding part and its connection to the discharge vessel does not contain a polymer.

[0028] A material containing an electrically insulating solid as an essential component is to be understood here as a material composition in which the component determining the essential electrically insulating properties is an electrically insulating solid. This includes the possibility of containing technical impurities or technical admixtures useful for producing shielding or for adjusting and maintaining, for example, optical properties. Such impurities or technical admixtures often represent a few percent of the solid, often less than 10%.

[0029] In particular, it is advantageous that the shielding is polymer-free, so that problems known from the prior art can be avoided. Additionally, the shielding being spaced apart from the electrical conductors allows that, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the electrical conductors can also be used without a polymer jacket.

[0030] For example, the shield and the discharge vessel can be made of the same material, such as quartz glass or another material suitable for both components. This allows for the integral (integrated) formation of both components of the gas discharge lamp. In this case, the same or at least nearly the same expansion coefficients and thermal shock resistance of the two materials bonded to each other are also advantageous. This allows future material developments for the discharge vessel of gas discharge lamps to be utilized for the shield.

[0031] The shield encloses at least an electrical conductor extending through the wall of the discharge vessel to an anode or cathode disposed in the discharge vessel.

[0032] Insofar as the electrical conductor is connected to the electrical contact electrode outside the discharge vessel, the contact electrode is also surrounded by a shielding in accordance with the embodiment of the invention, which in this case extends beyond the area of ​​the electrical contact electrode due to the enlargement of the insulating and shielded creepage distances and air gaps between the contact electrode and the conductive surface having a different potential than the contact electrode.

[0033] That is, the shielding surrounds (covers) the components in which air gap leakage currents or impact ionization occur. Such components can be, for example, contact sockets, covered or, optionally, uninsulated electrical lines or other components following the contact sockets. Because the shielding extends the creepage distances and air gaps, it is possible to completely or at least partially omit the formation of a conventional electrical seal in the area of ​​the shielding. For this purpose, the length of the shielding can be freely selected depending, inter alia, on the minimum creepage distance or air gap set by the operating voltage. Preferably, the required minimum creepage distance or minimum air gap is maintained by the shielding, i.e., the projection of the open second end of the shielding is equal to or greater than the minimum creepage distance and minimum air gap expected by the operating parameters. An electrical seal can also be optionally used, but the requirements for such an electrical seal may be less than those described for the prior art.

[0034] The open second end of the shield allows the contact socket to be easily inserted into the contact electrode located inside the shield at the end of the connection line for the gas discharge lamp, which makes it very easy to replace the lamp periodically.

[0035] Further extension of the creepage distance can be achieved by suitable structuring of the shield, corresponding to the configuration of the gas discharge lamp. When viewed in cross section, at least the inner surface of the shield can be formed with three-dimensional geometric structures that protrude into the space enclosed by the shield and thus enlarge the inner surface of the shield. For example, a serpentine or other surface progression is suitable for further extension of the creepage distance. Alternatively, and with the same effect, the wall of the shield can have such a progression.

[0036] The shield can be formed integrally with the cylindrical glass tube of the gas discharge lamp or can be bonded to the glass tube in various configurations. If the connection of the shield to the discharge vessel is formed integrally, the shield can be added already during the manufacture of the discharge vessel. In this case, a shield configuration made of the same material, for example quartz glass, is advantageous. Other shield configurations are possible as long as the materials to be combined with each other have sufficiently compatible expansion characteristics. Other and subsequent connections are possible under the same conditions, as long as the connection is not deteriorated or destroyed by the light of the gas discharge lamp or an adjacent gas discharge lamp.

[0037] The shield preferably consists of a cylindrical tube, optionally with a contact electrode located at the main axis of the cylinder of the discharge vessel.

[0038] The shield can be provided with a constriction, in particular for arranging a lamp bracket, a light reflector or other components near the main axis of the gas discharge lamp at that point. The constriction can be connected to a tapered section at the corresponding end of the discharge vessel of the gas discharge lamp or can form the boundary between the shield and the discharge vessel. At such a position of the constriction, a light reflector can be arranged, which tightly surrounds the reduced diameter of the wall and thus allows maximum protection of the components located in the shield of the gas discharge lamp from its light. Obviously, depending on the material used for the light reflector, it can be advantageous if the light reflector has a peripheral gap relative to the wall of the discharge vessel and / or the shield.

[0039] Preferably, the shield has an inner diameter that is the same as, larger than, or smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical glass tube of the gas discharge lamp. Depending on the variations, it is possible to provide good access to the contact electrodes inside the shield, or to reduce the space required, or to provide a compact gas discharge lamp that can be manufactured with little effort. Other requirements of the application of the gas discharge lamp can be important for the shape of the shield.

[0040] The shield can be open or closable at its second end facing away from the glass body of the gas discharge lamp. The closure can have through-holes for introducing a cooling medium into the envelope of the gas discharge lamp and / or for the conduction of electrical lines. In addition, the closure of the shield can be formed using a lamp bracket, which is suitable for mounting the gas discharge lamp, for example, in a housing or a composite device.

[0041] Therefore, the lamp bracket can be essentially spaced from the light source, so that when using a polymer for the bracket, the bracket is essentially only very slightly exposed to UV radiation, and / or a protective device such as the above-mentioned optical reflector can be used. The optical reflector can be arranged, for example, at an end of the gas discharge vessel. For example, the optical reflector can be arranged in a narrowed part of the shield, for example, arranged at a first end of the shield.

[0042] The connecting lines from the contact electrodes can be formed without a jacket, preferably in a closed shield, and in particular electrically insulating materials made of polymers can be omitted, thus also extending the service life of the connecting lines.

[0043] The formation of a shield instead of a conventional electrical seal also aids in the cooling of the gas discharge lamp by the coolant, since the shield can be formed so as to close the volume around the connecting lines, preferably also the volume around the contact electrodes.

[0044] In this case, the flow conduit surrounding the discharge vessel with the distance A and conducting the cooling medium also includes the shielding portion, so the electrical lines contained therein, and possibly the connecting lines, and the contact electrodes connecting both lines are not directly located in the cooling medium, and therefore electrical insulation is not required in this area. Therefore, since there is no need to use a polymer for insulation, the contact electrodes can be exposed to higher temperatures during operation. The electrical connecting lines only have insulating material made of polymer from the second end of the closed shielding portion. In this way, a significantly larger distance is achieved between the polymer-based portion and the light source compared to the prior art. The larger distance reduces the requirements for the material, particularly with regard to UV stability or heat resistance.

[0045] Thus, in addition to the jacket of the electrical lines, the connecting plate, which closes the shielding gas-tight and therefore water-tight, can also be made of at least one polymer material. Such connecting plates can be used not only for conducting lines of voltage and media such as cooling medium or signal lines, but also as brackets for gas discharge lamps and flow lines at the same time.

[0046] The above-mentioned advantages of the gas discharge lamp make it suitable for use in a lamp panel comprising two or more gas discharge lamps which can be arranged with respect to one another with reduced spacing compared to the prior art. The inner spacing L between directly adjacent lamps can be on the order of the average outer diameter of the cylindrical discharge vessels of the lamp panel or on the next smaller order. If the average outer diameter is 10 of a given length unit, 1 If the distance between the insides of two adjacent discharge vessels is on the order of 1 (= 1 × 10 0 ) to 99(=9.9×10 1 ) Obviously, the usual tolerances for each configuration and arrangement of the gas discharge lamp to be used should be added here.

[0047] According to the invention, the gas discharge lamp is provided with a shield according to the above description at at least one end of the lamp. The parallelism and planarity of the lamp panel can be set, for example, based on the cylindrical axis or cylindrical wall of the discharge vessel of the gas discharge lamp.

[0048] To determine the outer diameter of the cylindrical discharge vessel, the cylindrical portion that defines the geometry is taken into account. Locally limited constrictions such as the above-mentioned constrictions or similar extensions remain unaccounted for. The average outer diameter is obtained based on the average of all the thus determined outer diameters of the gas discharge lamps of the lamp panel.

[0049] Generally, one order of magnitude is called an "order" based on the unit of measurement. 2 It is inherent in the use of the term "order of mm" that the order of mm includes all lengths having values ​​between 100 and 999 mm, and may include slight excesses or deficiencies of up to 10% of the above limits.

[0050] The description of the gas discharge lamp is correspondingly applicable to its use in a lamp panel and / or with the above possibilities. The advantages of the gas discharge lamp are correspondingly use-related.

[0051] Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the gas discharge lamp described above. By providing an electrical seal, for example with a shield made of glass or other suitable material, and by avoiding or at least reducing the presence of polymers in the immediate vicinity of the light source, it is possible to achieve high voltages in the range of 1 to 100 kilovolts when voltage is applied during illumination, and thus high light output. The above voltage values ​​refer to the maximum values ​​that the voltage can assume at the start of illumination.

[0052] This relates to another aspect of the present invention. The above-mentioned properties and advantages of the gas discharge lamp according to the invention allow in particular to use several gas discharge lamps, but at least two of them, in a lamp panel. Such a lamp panel is suitable, for example, for treating components of various formats with high light doses. For example, large-format composite components, such as components in the fields of photovoltaic modules, displays or "concentrated solar power" or architectural glass with so-called Low-E coatings or others, can also be effectively and uniformly treated. Such lamp panels can also be used for other applications in the semiconductor industry or other technical fields.

[0053] For such processes, flash lamps capable of achieving only thin boundary layers of material with steep temperature gradients and minimal influence of adjacent layers are often desired. The gas discharge lamp according to the present invention supports such use, both as individual lamps and in lamp panels.

[0054] The above-mentioned features are illustrated in examples, for clarity, but not by way of limitation, with reference to the associated drawings. Those skilled in the art will combine, in further embodiments, the features of the various configurations of the invention described above and those realized in the examples below, as they deem useful and reasonable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0055] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of a gas discharge lamp according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 2 is a partial detailed illustration of the left half of the air-cooled gas discharge lamp according to FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 is a partial detailed illustration of the left half of the water-cooled gas discharge lamp according to FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 1 shows a gas discharge lamp configuration according to the invention with electrical seals arranged on both sides of the lamp; [Figure 5]5 shows the arrangement of the air-cooled gas discharge lamp according to FIG. 4 with the optical reflector, the lamp bracket and the connecting lines in a detailed view of the left end of the lamp. [Figure 6] 5 shows another configuration of the gas discharge lamp according to FIG. 4 with a light reflector, a lamp bracket, connecting lines and a water cooling part in a detailed view of the left end of the lamp. [Figure 7] 5 shows a gas discharge lamp based on the gas discharge lamp of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 shows a lamp panel in which a plurality of gas discharge lamps according to FIG. 4 are arranged in one plane; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The drawings show the devices only diagrammatically to the extent necessary to explain the invention, and the drawings do not impose any claims as to completeness or scale.

[0057] same Components designated by the same reference numeral perform the same function.

[0058] All figures described below show cross sections of rotationally symmetrical members, the axis of rotation being horizontal in the plane of the paper.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows an example of a prior art gas discharge lamp consisting of a cylindrical discharge vessel 01, e.g., a glass body made of quartz glass. The hollow space of the discharge vessel 01 is filled with a noble gas, e.g., xenon. Arranged in the hollow space of the discharge vessel 01 are two tungsten electrodes 02′, 02″, one at each end, which represent the anode and cathode of the gas discharge lamp, respectively. An arc length 06, which serves as the actual light source of the gas discharge lamp, extends between the electrodes 02′, 02″. Arranged outside the gas-filled space are two contact electrodes 03′, 03″ for electrical contact on both sides of the gas discharge lamp, and two rod-shaped conductors 04′, 04″, e.g., made of tungsten, which connect the electrodes 02′, 02″ to the contact electrodes 03′, 03″. The passage of electrical current into the hollow space of the discharge vessel 01 is made possible by two transition glasses 05', 05" having a thermal expansion coefficient between that of the discharge vessel 01 and that of the electrical conductors 04', 04". In the illustrated case, the transition glass 05 is arranged in the inner region of the discharge vessel 01. In gas discharge lamps with small diameters of the glass cylinder, for example less than 16 mm, the transition glass is often arranged in the outer region without significantly affecting the light output and application of the lamp.

[0060] In Fig. 2, in an excerpt, a detailed illustration of the left half of the gas discharge lamp according to Fig. 1 is shown, the right half of which has a mirror-symmetrical structure. For the sake of clarity of the mirror-symmetrical illustration, the reference numerals shown contain a prime "'", even if the corresponding mirror-image components are not shown in the drawing.

[0061] In this case, the shape of the electrodes 02', 02" in the hollow space and their doping may be different. For example, the cathode has a higher doping for easier emission of electrons. In practice, asymmetric or other structures than cylindrical shapes arise, but these structures do not differ particularly from the materials used.

[0062] 2 shows further components of a gas discharge lamp in addition to the illustration in Fig. 1: an electrical connection line 11' surrounded by a polymer, for example silicone, an electrical contact socket 12' which fits into the contact electrode 03', a lamp bracket 14' made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is used to fix the gas discharge lamp in a housing not shown, and a light reflector 15' which, in addition to its function of reflecting the light of the arc length 06, may also have other functions, such as protecting other parts of the lamp bracket or the housing or electrical supply lines from UV rays or overheating.

[0063] The electrical seal 13', 13" between the polymer of the connecting lines 11', 11" and the glass body 01 of the gas discharge lamp is, for example, a shrink hose made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with an adhesive located inside for a gas-tight connection. Other gas-tight and electrically insulating electrical seals can also be used.

[0064] In particular, the arrangement of components in FIG. 2 is typical for prior art air-cooled gas discharge lamps, since the light reflectors 15′, 15″ surround the glass body of the gas discharge lamp as closely as possible without touching it. This minimizes the exposure of the components, in particular the polymers used, to light, in particular UV radiation.

[0065] 3 shows a modified structure for water cooling of a gas discharge lamp. For this purpose, a flow conduit 20, often called a flow tube and made of, for example, quartz glass, is used, through which highly purified and deionized water is pumped. The centering of the gas discharge lamp in the flow conduit 20 is achieved by lamp brackets 14', 14" made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and provided with suitable through-holes 16', 16" for example for the flow of cooling water (indicated by arrows, the direction of which is shown only by way of example and not of limitation). In this embodiment, optical reflectors 15', 15" are arranged outside the flow conduit 20.

[0066] The gas discharge lamp according to Figures 1 to 3 shows an example according to the prior art. Various components can be configured differently for the same function, for example in terms of geometry, material, spatial arrangement or cooperation with other components or other details.

[0067] In all the above figures reflecting the prior art, despite the shading provided by the light reflector 15', 15" or the lamp bracket 14', 14", a large portion of the light generated by the gas discharge lamp is incident on the electrical seal 12', 12", and at least on the surface where the electrical seal 12', 12" contacts the discharge vessel 01 of the gas discharge lamp. One consequence is the formation and progressive expansion of leakage currents, which leads to the aforementioned failure of the adhesive of the electrical seal 12', 12" and ultimately to an electrical flashover (arc) or destruction of the gas discharge lamp. As explained in the introduction to the prior art, transition glasses 05', 05" also extend the life of gas discharge lamps only in some applications.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a gas discharge lamp according to the invention with its typical components in a cylindrical discharge vessel 01: two electrodes 02′, 02″ made of tungsten for generating and maintaining the arc length, their electrical connection using electrical conductors 04′, 04″, and their penetration through the wall of the discharge vessel 01 using transition glass 05′, 05″. The transition of the discharge vessel 01 to the shielding part 30′, 30″ made of glass is formed on both sides in this example by constrictions 34′, 34″. The material of the shielding part 30′, 30″ can correspond to the material of the discharge vessel 01 or can differ therefrom at least in individual components, as long as the above-mentioned material properties can be guaranteed.

[0069] The gas discharge lamp includes an electrically insulated shield 30', 30" at each end of the discharge vessel 01, surrounding a contact electrode 03', 03" therein. The shield 30', 30" is integrally connected to the discharge vessel 01 at its first end 32', 32" and is open at its opposite second end 33', 33" where the shield protrudes beyond the contact electrode 03', 03".

[0070] Due to the arrangement and length of the shielding parts 30', 30", both the contact electrodes 03', 03" and parts of the electrical supply lines of the electrodes 03', 03" that follow them are enclosed by the shielding parts 30', 30". In addition, parts of the connection lines 11', 11" of the gas discharge lamp can also be enclosed.

[0071] However, the shielding portions 30', 30" in Figure 4 are exemplary and are not originally formed as cylindrical glass tube extensions and can be added already during manufacture of the gas discharge lamp. Additionally, the second ends 33', 33" of the shielding portions 30', 30" shown open can be closed.

[0072] The diameter of the shielding parts 30', 30" shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the cylinder of the discharge vessel 01 in the part that characterizes the shape between the tungsten electrodes 02', 02". In principle, however, the respective diameters can depend on the specific requirements without changing the operating parameters of the gas discharge lamp. Similarly, the length of the shielding parts 30', 30" with or without a surface structure or the inner projections 31', 31" of the second ends 33', 33" of the shielding parts 30', 30" beyond the ends of the contact electrodes 32', 32" can be freely selected as described above.

[0073] Similar to the configurations with light reflectors and lamp brackets known from the prior art, the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is equipped with these components. Fig. 5 shows a configuration of the gas discharge lamp according to Fig. 4 with light reflectors 15', 15" and lamp brackets 14', 14".

[0074] The plate-shaped light reflectors 15', 15" are positioned and extend radially at the narrowed portions 34', 34" between the glass tube of the integrally formed discharge vessel 01 and the shielding portions 30', 30" to optimally protect components outside the discharge vessel 01 from light of the arc length 06.

[0075] Similarly, plate-like lamp brackets 14', 14" can be attached to the second ends 33', 33" of the shields 30', 30", where they are protected from the harmful beam of the gas discharge lamp by optical reflectors 15', 15". The lamp brackets serve to hold the gas discharge lamp in a housing (not shown). The lamp brackets can then form a gap against the housing wall that can be used for air cooling of the gas discharge lamp.

[0076] In another embodiment of the gas discharge lamp according to FIG. 4, the gas discharge lamp is water-cooled (FIG. 6). For this purpose, the gas discharge lamp is arranged in a flow conduit 20. A lamp bracket 14′, 14″, each arranged on either side of the discharge vessel 01, closes the flow conduit 20 and holds it at a distance from the discharge vessel 01 and thus from the shielding parts 30, 30″ formed as glass tube extensions. Like the flow conduit 20, the shielding parts end (are discontinued) at the lamp brackets 14′, 14″, so that the lamp brackets 14′, 14″ also close the shielding parts 30′, 30″.

[0077] The lamp brackets 14', 14" are provided with suitable through-passages 16', 16" for conducting the connection lines 11', 11" of the gas discharge lamp to the shielding parts 30', 30" and towards the contact electrodes 03', 03". Further through-passages 16', 16" located outside the shielding parts 30', 30" serve to supply and discharge a suitable cooling medium (shown by arrows), such as water or air or other suitable fluids.

[0078] Due to the closure of the shielding portions 30', 30" by the connecting plates 14', 14", the contact electrodes 03', 03" and the lines 04', 04", 11', 11" connected thereto are not in contact with the cooling medium, so that these lines 04', 04", 11', 11" can be used without an insulating jacket, in particular without such a jacket made of a polymer. The parts of the connecting lines that are not covered or are covered differently are indicated by the reference numerals 17', 17" for distinction.

[0079] The optical reflectors 15', 15'' per side of the discharge vessel 01 are optionally arranged outside the flow conduit 20 in the region of the constrictions 34', 34''.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a gas discharge lamp based on the gas discharge lamp of FIG. 4. The two lamps differ by the configuration of the walls of the shielding parts 30′, 30″. The shielding parts are formed in a serpentine shape from the second end 33′, 33″ to the vicinity of the second end 32′, 32″, so that the upper surface, and in particular the inner surface, of the shielding parts 30′, 30″ is enlarged.

[0081] Figure 8 shows a lamp panel (lamp field) in which several gas discharge lamps according to Figure 4 are arranged side by side and parallel to one another in a plane, here in the plane of the paper. Their inner spacing L, measured between the walls of the discharge vessel 01, is the next smaller order of magnitude of the uniform outer diameter of the cylindrical discharge vessel of the lamp panel. For the configuration of the gas discharge lamps of the lamp panel, reference is made to the description of Figure 4. The present invention may also include the following aspects: 1. A gas discharge lamp comprising a closed discharge vessel (01) transparent to electromagnetic radiation at least in the visible range, the hollow space of which is filled with a gas, two electrodes (02', 02") for generating a gas discharge, arranged respectively at one end of the discharge vessel (01) and inside the discharge vessel (01), two electrical conductors (04', 04") passing through respective through-holes in the wall of the discharge vessel (01) for electrical contact of each of the electrodes (02', 02"), and at least one seal, also referred to hereinafter as electrical seal (13', 13"), surrounding in an electrically insulating manner the outer parts of the electrical conductors (04', 04") adjacent to the wall of the discharge vessel, 10. A gas discharge lamp comprising: at least one electrical seal (13', 13") formed by an electrically insulating shield (30', 30") which surrounds the outer part of the electrical conductor (04', 04") at an at least partially existing distance from the electrical conductor (04', 04"), such that a first end of the shield (30', 30") facing towards the discharge vessel (01) is hermetically connected to the discharge vessel and a second end opposite the first end is open. 2. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the shielding parts (30', 30") contains an electrically insulating solid as an essential component, and the material of the shielding parts (30', 30") and their connection with the discharge vessel (01) do not contain polymers. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical connection lines (11', 11") do not have an electrically insulating material made of polymer within the shielding parts (30', 30"). 4. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp further comprises two contact electrodes (03', 03") for electrical contact of the gas discharge lamp, the contact electrodes being arranged at the end and outside of the discharge vessel, respectively, and each shielding portion (30', 30") has a length that protrudes beyond the corresponding contact electrode (03', 03"). 5. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of 1. to 4. above, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one shielding portion (30', 30") has a three-dimensionally formed geometric structure portion between its first end (32', 32") and second end (33', 33") that extends the surface length between both ends (32', 32", 33', 33"). 6. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of the above items 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one shielding part (30', 30") is cylindrical and / or coaxial with the discharge vessel (01) and / or integral with the discharge vessel (01) and / or is made of the same material as the discharge vessel (01) at least adjacent to the discharge vessel (01), and / or comprises a narrowed part (34', 34") at the first end (32', 32") or between the first end (32', 32") and the second end (33', 33"). 7. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of the above items 1 to 6, characterized in that the open second end (33', 33") of one shielding part (30', 30") is formed so as to be closable, and the closure part has a conductive part for an electrical conductor. 8. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of 1. to 7. above, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp comprises a lamp bracket (14', 14") and / or an optical reflector (15', 15"), and the lamp bracket (14', 14") is arranged on the shielding part (30', 30"). 9. A gas discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp comprises a flow duct (20) surrounding the discharge vessel (01) at a radial distance A, the flow duct being closed or closable on each side by one connecting plate (18', 18"), each connecting plate (18', 18") comprising a through-passage (16', 16") for the flow medium and for electrical connecting lines (17', 17") of the gas discharge lamp. 10. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting plate (18', 18") is formed as a bracket for the gas discharge lamp and / or for the second end (33', 33") of the shielding part (30', 30") and / or for the flow conduit (20). 11. A gas discharge lamp according to paragraph 9 or 10, characterized in that the second end (33', 33") of the shielding part (30', 30") is connected or can be connected to the connecting plate (18', 18") in a tight manner relative to the flow medium. 12. A lamp panel including at least two gas discharge lamps, the gas discharge lamps being arranged in one plane and parallel to one another with an inner spacing L, A lamp panel, wherein the gas discharge lamp is formed according to any one of the above 1. to 11., and the distance L is on the order of the average outer diameter of the cylindrical discharge vessel (01) of the gas discharge lamp or the next smaller order. 13. The maximum voltage applied during operation is 1 to 100 kilovolts and / or 1 to 100 kW / cm 2 12. Use of a gas discharge lamp formed according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for irradiating a substrate with the light output emitted during operation. 14. Use of a lamp panel comprising at least two gas discharge lamps and formed according to paragraph 12 above for irradiating a composite material, characterized in that the composite material is a photovoltaic module, a display or a component in the field of "concentrated solar power" or coated architectural glass. 15. Use of at least one gas discharge lamp according to paragraph 13 or 14 above, characterized in that at least one gas discharge lamp is operated as a flash lamp. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 01 Discharge vessel 02',02” electrode 03',03” Contact electrode 04',04" conductor 05',05" transitional glass 06 Arc length 11',11" connecting line 12',12" Contact Socket 13',13" Electrical Seal 14',14" Lamp Bracket 15',15" Optical Reflector 16',16" gangway 17',17" connecting line 18',18" connecting plate 20 Flow Pipe 30',30” shielding part 31',31" Inner protrusion 32',32" First end 33',33" Second end 34',34” stenosis A: Distance between discharge vessel and flow line L is the inner distance between two gas discharge lamps

Claims

1. 1. A gas discharge lamp designed for operation as a flash lamp, comprising: a closed discharge vessel (01) transparent to electromagnetic radiation at least in the visible range, the hollow space of which is filled with a gas; two electrodes (02', 02") for generating a gas discharge, each arranged at one end of the discharge vessel (01) and inside the discharge vessel (01); two electrical conductors (04', 04") for electrical contact of each one of the electrodes (02', 02"), which pass through a respective through-hole in the wall of the discharge vessel (01); and at least one seal, also referred to hereinafter as electrical seal (13', 13"), which surrounds in an electrically insulating manner an outer part of at least one of the two electrical conductors (04', 04") adjacent to the wall of the discharge vessel, the at least one electrical seal (13', 13") is formed by an electrically insulating shield (30', 30") that surrounds the outer part of at least one of the two electrical conductors (04', 04") with a spacing that is at least partially present relative to the electrical conductor (04', 04"), such that a first end of the shield (30', 30") facing the discharge vessel (01) is hermetically connected to the discharge vessel and a second end opposite the first end is open; the gas discharge lamp further comprises two contact electrodes (03', 03") for electrical contact of the gas discharge lamp, the contact electrodes being respectively arranged at ends and externally of the discharge vessel; and each shield (30', 30") has a length that protrudes beyond the corresponding contact electrode (03', 03").

2. 2. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the shield (30', 30") contains an electrically insulating solid as an essential component, and the material of the shield (30', 30") and its connection to the discharge vessel (01) do not contain polymers.

3. A gas discharge lamp as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical connection lines (11', 11") extending from the contact electrodes (03', 03") do not have an electrically insulating jacket part made of polymer within at least one of the shielding parts (30', 30").

4. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one shielding part (30', 30") has, between its first end (32', 32") and its second end (33', 33"), a three-dimensionally formed geometric structure which extends the surface length between both ends (32', 32", 33', 33").

5. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one shielding part (30′, 30″) is cylindrical and / or coaxial with the discharge vessel (01) and / or integral with the discharge vessel (01) and / or made of the same material as the discharge vessel (01) at least adjacent to the discharge vessel (01), and / or comprises a constriction (34′, 34″) at the first end (32′, 32″) or between the first end (32′, 32″) and the second end (33′, 33″).

6. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the open second end (33', 33") of one shielding part (30', 30") is closable, the closure having a conducting part for an electrical conductor.

7. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp comprises a lamp bracket (14', 14") and / or a light reflector (15', 15"), the lamp bracket (14', 14") being arranged on the shield (30', 30").

8. 3. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp comprises a flow duct (20) surrounding the discharge vessel (01) at a radial distance A, the flow duct being closed or closable on both sides by one connecting plate (18', 18") each, each connecting plate (18', 18") comprising through-holes (16', 16") for the flow medium and for electrical connecting lines (17', 17") of the gas discharge lamp.

9. 9. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting plate (18', 18") is formed as a bracket for the gas discharge lamp and / or for the second end (33', 33") of the shield (30', 30") and / or for the flow conduit (20).

10. 9. A gas discharge lamp according to claim 8, characterized in that the second end (33', 33") of the shield (30', 30") is connected or can be connected to the connecting plate (18', 18") in a tight relation to the flow medium.

11. A lamp panel including at least two gas discharge lamps, the gas discharge lamps being arranged in one plane and parallel to one another with an inner spacing L, 3. A lamp panel, wherein the gas discharge lamp is formed according to claim 1 or 2, and wherein the distance L is on the order of magnitude of the average outer diameter of the cylindrical discharge vessel (01) of the gas discharge lamp or the next smaller order of magnitude.

12. A maximum voltage applied during operation of 1 to 100 kilovolts and / or 1 to 100 kW / cm ２ 3. Use of a gas discharge lamp formed according to claim 1 or 2 for irradiating a substrate with the light output emitted during operation.

13. A maximum voltage applied during operation of 1 to 100 kilovolts and / or 1 to 100 kW / cm ２ 6. Use of a gas discharge lamp formed in accordance with claim 5 for illuminating a substrate with the light output emitted during operation.

14. 12. Use of a lamp panel formed according to claim 11 comprising at least two gas discharge lamps for irradiating a composite material, characterized in that the composite material is a photovoltaic module, a component in the field of displays or "concentrated solar power" or coated architectural glass.

15. 15. Use of a lamp panel according to claim 14, characterized in that the gas discharge lamp is operated as a flash lamp.

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