Cathode-Ray UV Light Source With Phosphor Target for Mercury-Free UVC
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV light sources for sterilization, such as low pressure mercury vapor lamps and LEDs, face inefficiencies, high costs, and environmental hazards due to mercury use, while pulsed Xenon lamps are expensive and require filtering.
Innovation Solution
A cathode-ray ultraviolet light source utilizing an elongated glass envelope with an electron gun, target, and focusing mechanism to produce UVC light efficiently without mercury, using phosphor materials and reflective metal films to emit UV light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If low pressure mercury vapor lamps are used to produce UVC light, then energy efficiency and cost effectiveness are improved, but environmental hazards and toxicity increase due to mercury use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates mercury from the UVC light generation process by using a cathode-ray tube with phosphor coating instead of mercury vapor, thereby removing the environmental hazard while maintaining energy efficiency through electron-beam excitation of phosphor materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the light source from mercury vapor phase to solid phosphor material, fundamentally altering the generation mechanism from thermal excitation of gas to electron-beam excitation of solid-state phosphors, achieving both energy efficiency and environmental safety
2Adaptability or versatility
If pulsed Xenon lamps are used to produce UVC light, then a wide spectrum of UV light is achieved, but cost increases and filtering requirements are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by coating specific regions of the cathode-ray tube interior with phosphor materials that emit at desired UVC wavelengths, allowing targeted UVC generation without the need for broad-spectrum filtering, thus simplifying device complexity while maintaining spectral effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light Emitting Diodes are used to produce UVC light, then mercury-free operation is achieved, but efficiency and capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces phosphor material as an intermediary between the electron beam and UVC light generation, where the phosphor converts electron beam energy into UVC photons with high efficiency, achieving both mercury-free operation and high light output capacity through this intermediate conversion process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cathode-ray UV light source provides efficient and cost-effective UVC light production without hazardous materials, offering controlled beam angles and emission patterns for sterilization and covert communication.
Implementation Method 1
an electron gun positioned within the evacuated volume proximate to the first end and being capable of developing an electron beam
Implementation Method 2
directing an electron beam to reflective metal film covering a phosphor in an evacuated glass envelope and emitting ultraviolet light from the phosphor
Implementation Method 3
a target disposed within the evacuated volume between the first and second end of the glass envelope, the target comprising a phosphor material covered with a reflective metal film
Data Source
AI summary
A cathode-ray ultraviolet light source comprising: an elongated glass envelope having a first end and second end, the glass envelope defining an evacuated volume; an electron gun positioned within the evacuated volume proximate to the first end and being capable of developing an electron beam; a target disposed within the evacuated volume between the first and second end of the glass envelope, the target comprising a phosphor material covered with a reflective metal film; and an electron beam focusing and deflecting mechanism disposed within the evacuated volume between the electron gun and the target to direct the electron beam towards the reflective metal film of the target.