Electrodeless Discharge Lamp Ignition via Frequency Sweeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrodeless discharge lamps face ignition challenges due to tolerances in electronic components and manufacturing, leading to prolonged ignition times and reduced service life, necessitating frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wobble generator to cyclically detune the operating frequency of the electrodeless discharge lamp, providing an additional ignition voltage, and using a high-voltage transformer to ensure reliable ignition within 2 seconds of supply voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ignition circuits are used with fixed operating frequency, then the circuit design is simple, but ignition reliability is poor and ignition time exceeds 10 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating frequency variable instead of fixed. A sweep generator cyclically varies the operating frequency during ignition to increase the probability of successful ignition, and then switches to a fixed frequency for stable operation. This dynamic frequency adjustment resolves the contradiction between simple circuit design and reliable ignition within 2 seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter dynamically during ignition using a sweep generator that cyclically varies the frequency. This parameter change increases the likelihood of achieving ignition conditions, thereby improving ignition reliability and reducing ignition time from over 10 minutes to under 2 seconds.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If electrodeless discharge lamps are permanently installed to avoid frequent replacement, then service life is extended, but replacement complexity increases when failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliable ignition and operation through preliminary actions including optimized ignition circuits and frequency sweeping, which maximize lamp service life. By ensuring the lamp operates reliably from the start and maintains stable operation, the need for replacement is minimized, addressing the contradiction between extended service life and replacement complexity.
3Reliability
If high-frequency coil is used for inductive coupling, then electrodeless operation is achieved, but ignition reliability is insufficient due to tolerances in electronic components and manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sweep generator to dynamically vary the operating frequency during ignition, which compensates for tolerances in electronic components and manufacturing variations. This dynamic approach improves ignition reliability without requiring overly complex circuit design, as the frequency sweeping is achieved through relatively simple circuit modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweep generator performs periodic frequency sweeping during the ignition phase, cyclically varying the operating frequency to increase the probability of successful ignition. This periodic action improves reliability by accounting for component tolerances while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through systematic frequency modulation.
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
Ensures rapid and reliable ignition of electrodeless discharge lamps, extending their service life and reducing replacement frequency by ensuring operation within 2 seconds of power application.
Implementation Method 1
The gas-specific radiation is generated by a plasma discharge, which is coupled inductively, for example, using a high-frequency coil
Implementation Method 2
The radiation generation mechanisms in the plasma discharge are mostly impact ionization processes, in which the gas molecules are either dissociated and/or partially or completely stripped of their electron shells
Implementation Method 3
a gas mixture that generates corresponding gas-specific electromagnetic resonance radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves arranging a discharge lamp within a metal housing. The operating frequency of the lamp is influenced during the ignition of the discharge lamp by a sweep generator which is arranged within the metal housing. The electrode less discharge lamp has lamp body made of glass. An additional ignition voltage is generated during the influencing of the operating frequency. An independent claim is also included for a device for operating an electrode less discharge lamp.