Flash Lamp Sparker Integrated in Hermetic Header
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash lamp designs are structurally complex and costly to manufacture, requiring improvements for simpler and more cost-effective production while maintaining reliability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A sparker is integrated directly into a hermetic feed-through header in the flash lamp, reducing the need for complex sub-assemblies and lowering the work function of electrodes, thereby decreasing flash-to-flash variation and operational variability, and isolating extraneous electric and pressure wave effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate sparker sub-assembly is used, then the sparker function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sparker electrode is integrated directly into the hermetic feed-through header by forming a conductive lead that extends through the header wall, eliminating the need for a separate sparker sub-assembly. The lead is electrically insulated from surrounding portions of the header, and its distal end is substantially flush with the header surface, creating a unified structure that reduces complexity while maintaining sparker functionality.
2Reliability
If a separate sparker sub-assembly is used, then the sparker function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sparker electrode is integrated directly into the hermetic feed-through header by forming a conductive lead that extends through the header wall, eliminating the need for separate sparker sub-assembly. This integration reduces manufacturing steps and labor requirements while maintaining sparker functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic feed-through header structure itself provides the mounting and electrical connection for the sparker electrode, eliminating the need for additional mounting hardware, insulation components, and assembly operations that would be required for a separate sparker sub-assembly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sparker is placed in a flat ground plane away from main lamp discharge, then extraneous electric and pressure wave effects are isolated, but electrical inductance must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The sparker electrode is positioned in a specific location on the hermetic feed-through header surface that is substantially flush with the header, creating a localized discharge region that is spatially separated from the main lamp discharge area. This positioning isolates the sparker from extraneous electric fields and pressure waves generated by the main discharge while the direct integration into the header minimizes electrical inductance.
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 solution provides a compact, low-cost, and reliable flash lamp design with reduced labor and material costs, improved reliability, and performance by integrating the sparker into a flat ground plane within the flash lamp, minimizing electrical inductance and timing delays.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically conductive lead is electrically insulated from surrounding portions of the electrically conductive header
Implementation Method 2
the sparker lowers the work function of the electrodes in the flash lamp, thereby decreasing the likelihood and severity of flash-to-flash variation
Implementation Method 3
by placing the sparker in a flat ground plane, the electrical inductance that would have been inherent in the addition of a separate sparker sub assembly, welded to a hermetic feed-thru, is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A base assembly for a flash lamp is disclosed. The base assembly has an integrated sparker and includes an electrically conductive header having a surface that defines a boundary of a flash chamber for the flash lamp. There is an opening in the surface of the electrically conductive header and an electrically conductive lead within the opening. The electrically conductive lead is electrically insulated from surrounding portions of the electrically conductive header. A distal end of the electrically conductive lead is substantially flush with the surface of the electrically conductive header.