The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 25, 1991
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1990
Valery Godyak, North Andover, MA (US);
Iosif Sheynberg, Lynn, MA (US);
GTE Products Corporation, Danvers, MA (US);
Abstract
An integrated light source for use in a large scale video display. The light source includes a cylindrical housing containing at least one electrodeless fluorescent lamp and a circuit for starting and operating the lamp. The circuit includes a radio-frequency generator whose output is capacitively coupled to the electrodeless lamp by means of a pair of coupling members mounted adjacent the exterior surface of the lamp's envelope. A strong electric field produced between the coupling members is sufficient to cause breakdown and excitation of the electrodeless lamp fill material. In a preferred embodiment, a circuit coupled to the input of the radio-frequency generator controls operation of the lamp in response to a low voltage control signal. The integrated light source of the present invention overcomes problems in the prior art of premature lamp life due to failures of the electrode or the glass to metal seal.