Excimer Lamp Power Control to Prevent Filament Hot Spots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Excimer lamps have a reduced lifespan due to filament hot spots forming between dielectrics and electrodes, leading to voltage discharges that heat and damage the metal mesh, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
An excimer lamp system that adjusts the position of filaments by modifying the electrical power delivery and using a magnetic field, along with a temperature sensor and processor to detect hot spots and adjust the power signal, and optionally moving the metal mesh to prevent attachment at a single location, thereby extending the lamp's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrical power is delivered to generate UV light, then illumination intensity is improved, but temperature increases causing filament hot spots and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of electrical power delivery parameters (frequency, pulse width, amplitude) based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. This dynamic control prevents static overheating by continuously adapting operating conditions, allowing the system to maintain UV light generation while preventing filament hot spots from forming at fixed locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor filament temperature and feed this information back to the power supply control. This feedback loop enables the system to detect temperature increases and adjust electrical parameters accordingly, preventing the formation of persistent hot spots that would otherwise lead to metal mesh damage and reduced lamp lifespan.
2Productivity
If electrical power is increased to improve UV output, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to voltage discharges and metal mesh damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed electrical signals rather than continuous power delivery. By operating in pulses with controlled duty cycles, the system generates UV light effectively during active periods while allowing cooling and relaxation periods to prevent cumulative thermal damage. This periodic action reduces the formation of persistent voltage discharges and prevents metal mesh degradation, thereby extending lamp lifespan while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple electrical parameters including frequency, pulse width, and amplitude based on operating conditions and temperature feedback. These parameter adjustments optimize UV output for each operating phase while preventing conditions that lead to voltage discharges and metal mesh damage, thus maintaining both high productivity and reliability throughout the lamp's operational life.
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 system effectively extends the lifespan of excimer lamps by reducing electrical power to shift filament positions, preventing hot spots and maintaining the integrity of the metal mesh, thus enhancing the lamp's operational longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to acquire temperature measurements that indicate a temperature of the excimer lamp
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field such that the excimer lamp is within the magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
The magnetic field can be adjusted to adjust a position of the one or more filaments with respect to the dielectrics
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
System and method generally relate to extending a lifespan of an excimer lamp. The system 100 includes a ultra-violet (UV) light source 101 (for example, an excimer lamp) having a pair of dielectrics 104,108 configured to separate electrodes 102,110. One of the electrodes includes a metal mesh 102. The system includes a power supply 116 electrically coupled to the UV light source and configured to deliver electrical power to the UV light source. The system includes a temperature sensor 118 operably coupled to the UV light source. The temperature sensor is configured to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the UV light source. The system includes at least one processor 114. The at least one processor is configured to determine a temperature of the UV light source based on the temperature signal, and adjust the electrical power delivered to the UV light source based on the temperature signal.