Variable Pressure Sealed Beam Lamp Flat Ingress Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-intensity arc lamps, such as Xenon lamps, face challenges in maintaining a precisely focused beam due to the distortion caused by curved lamp surfaces, which increases complexity and cost when attempting to correct with optics.

Innovation Solution

A variable pressure laser-driven sealed beam lamp with a substantially flat ingress window and a reflective chamber design that allows for controlled pressure adjustments within the sealed chamber, enabling precise focusing of the laser beam and minimizing beam distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a curved lamp surface is used to contain the ionizable medium, then the lamp structure is compact and sealed, but the laser beam becomes distorted and the focal area is not crisply defined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp surface shapeVSAvoidbeam focusing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp is divided into two distinct windows: a curved egress window for light output and a flat ingress window for laser beam input. This segmentation allows each window to serve its specific function without compromising the other, solving the beam distortion problem while maintaining the compact sealed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the lamp have different surface properties: the egress window maintains a curved surface optimized for light extraction, while the ingress window has a flat surface optimized for laser beam transmission. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between compact structure and beam precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If optics are added to correct beam distortion from the curved surface, then beam focusing precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam focusing precisionVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The problematic curved surface is extracted from the beam input location and relocated to the light output location. By placing the flat ingress window at the laser input point, the need for corrective optics is eliminated, reducing device complexity while maintaining focusing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat ingress window acts as an intermediary element that transmits the laser beam without distortion, serving as a mediator between the external laser source and the ionizable medium, thereby eliminating the need for additional corrective optics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If pressure is increased within the sealed chamber to improve plasma density and light output, then illumination intensity increases, but beam distortion increases and plasma stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output intensityVSAvoidbeam focal precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp structure segments the pressure effects from the beam path by introducing a flat ingress window that isolates the laser input from pressure-induced distortions in the plasma region, allowing high pressure operation without compromising beam focusing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If a flat ingress window is used to admit the laser beam, then beam distortion is minimized and focal area is crisply defined, but the structural integrity and sealing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam focal precisionVSAvoidwindow structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp structure is segmented into separate functional windows, allowing the ingress window to be optimized for optical performance (flat for beam precision) while the egress window handles the mechanical and thermal stresses (curved for structural integrity).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each window is designed with local quality appropriate to its function: the ingress window has flat surfaces for optimal beam transmission, while the egress window has curved surfaces for structural strength and light extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a more crisply defined focal area with reduced complexity and cost, enhancing the stability and efficiency of high-intensity illumination by maintaining a stable plasma region and optimizing light output.

Implementation Method 1

configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

ionizable medium having a plasma sustaining region, and a plasma ignition region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

emits high intensity light from the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from plasma: Luminescence

Implementation Method 4

A substantially flat ingress window located within a wall of the chamber admits the laser beam into the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through flat window: Refraction

Implementation Method 5

a high intensity light egress window emits high intensity light from the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and transmission: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3533079A1Apparatus and a method for operating a variable pressure sealed beam lamp
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 EXCELITAS TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for operating a sealed high intensity illumination lamp configured to receive a laser beam from a laser light source. The lamp includes a sealed chamber configured to contain an ionizable medium having a plasma sustaining region, and a plasma ignition region. A high intensity light egress window emits high intensity light from the chamber. A substantially flat ingress window located within a wall of the chamber admits the laser beam into the chamber. The lamp includes means for controlled increasing and decreasing a pressure level within the sealed chamber while the lamp is producing the high intensity illumination.