Multistrike Gas Discharge Lamp Ignition Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas discharge lamps, such as xenon flash lamps, often fail to ionize gas properly due to dirty or old electrodes, inadequate electron emission, or high gas pressure, leading to unreliable discharge.
Innovation Solution
Generating multiple ignition pulses in rapid succession, with the second pulse occurring within 300 microseconds or less of the first, to improve gas ionization and increase the reliability of lamp discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single high voltage pulse is applied to the ignition electrode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of gas ionization and lamp discharge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition pulse is divided into multiple separate pulses applied in rapid succession rather than a single pulse. Each pulse contributes to progressively ionizing the gas, with the cumulative effect achieving reliable discharge while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized pulse generation circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ignition pulses are applied periodically in rapid succession at intervals of 300 microseconds or less. This periodic pulsing action progressively builds ionization in the gas, ensuring reliable discharge while using simple repetitive pulse generation rather than complex continuous control
2Reliability
If multiple ignition pulses are applied in rapid succession, then the gas ionization reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple partial ignition pulses are applied in rapid succession, each pulse contributing a portion of the total ionization effect. The cumulative action of these partial pulses achieves complete and reliable ionization more effectively than a single pulse, while the total energy remains manageable due to the short duration and progressive nature of the pulsing
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
This approach significantly reduces the voltage required for ionization, improving discharge reliability by up to 70% and ensuring consistent operation across various lamp conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In order for the gas to conduct the electrical energy between the electrodes, the gas is ionized to reduce its electrical resistance
Implementation Method 2
Once the gas is ionized, electrical energy conducts through the gas and excites the molecules of the gas. When the molecules return to their unexcited energy state, they release light energy
Implementation Method 3
The lamps have a cathode and an anode through which an electrical current is provided to create an electrical arc
Data Source
AI summary
A gas discharge lamp has a gas and has a cathode, an anode, and an ignition electrode. Individual discharges of a series of lamp discharges are spaced at least one millisecond from each other, and the individual discharges are generated by providing an electrical charge between the cathode and the anode and providing two or more electrical pulses to the ignition electrode. The second and following electrical pulses occur within a predetermined time of the first pulse. The electrical charge between the cathode and anode is of sufficient voltage and current to create an electrical arc between the cathode and the anode with the gas is ionized.