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:
Nov. 12, 1991
Filed:
Sep. 01, 1989
Ulrich Greb, Cossington, GB;
Thorn EMI plc, London, GB;
Abstract
A discharge tube arrangement for use as a light source includes a discharge tube made of a light-transmissive dielectric material and containing a fill. An excitation device for exciting surface waves in the discharge tube comprises an r.f. power generator and a launcher. The launcher is formed as an inner tube, an outer tube coaxial with the inner tube and first and second end walls, at least one of the first and second end walls having an aperture for receiving the discharge tube. A launcher gap extends axially from a first end of the inner tube and there is also a further gap. The outer tube and the first and second end walls form an unbroken electrically conductive path to provide an r.f. screening structure around the inner tube.