US2348617A - Ultraviolet ray generator - Google Patents

Description

y May 9, 1944. FUREDY 2,348,617

'- ULTRAVIOLET RAY GENERATOR Filed Feb. 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/Cfj 46 45 g;

IN VENTOR.

Fi e/72% zZ'reqy May 9, 1944-. v FUREDY I 2,348,617

ULTRAVIOLET RAY GENERATOR Filed Feb. 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented May 1944 v ULTRAVIOLET RAY GENERATOR Frank Furedy, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sun- Kraft, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 19, 194 l, Serial No. 379,585

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an ultra-violet nay generator or therapeutic lamp.

It is a most important object of this invention to provide a compact, light weight therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray generator which may be comfortably grasped and supported in the operator's or user's hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide;

a therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray generator which may be held in the hand during use and 'wherein the handle serves as a housing for. a

means supplying a high frequency voltage to the lamp bulb.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ultra-violet ray generator or therapeutic lamp embodying a gaseous. discharge tube or bulb mounted in a reflector. which forms a mounting base for certain control instrumentalities and to which is attached a handleforming also a housing for the elements of ahigh frequency oscillating circuit by which the tube or lamp is energized'; and wherein the handle cooperates with .thebas'e'oi' end of the reflector to support the lamp in vertical positionupon anyflat supporting surface. I l Applicants invention, also contemplates the provision of novel meansfor mounting the elements of the high frequency oscillating circuit such as the electronic tube, the coil and the con-. denser in a minimum of space and within the l handle of a lamp of the above-stated character. I

A further object. of the invention is to provide a hand lamp for therapeutic use or for use as an ultra-violet ray generator, which may be formed l of sheet metal stampings to the greatest practicable degree whereby a lamp, although including a pure quartz tube or bulb. may be provided for, the use of the public at a minimum cost.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a face view in perspective of a therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray generator embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken substantially along the line '2-2 of Fig ure 1;

Figure 3 is a view. in horizontal section taken 7 substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in exploded perspective illustrating the details of construction of the parts forming a lamp embodying the invention; and

Figure 5 isa fragmentary view in horizontal intensity to attain satisfactory therapeutic results are quite expensive and although there is a great need for lamps of this character, their relatively high cost has prohibited popular purchase of such lamps. Various relatively inexpensive lamps have heretofore been offered to the public as supplying ultra-violet rays, but such lamps are deficient in the amount and intensity of ultra-violet rays supplied and have not been satisfactory for therapeutic use. Such comparatively inexpensive sun lamps utilize various types of bulbs with inexpensive glass envelopes, but it is an unfortunate fact that inexpensive glasses are very poor transmitters of ultra-violet rays, and therefore the amount of ultra-violet rays which are transmitted through the.glass envelopes of inexpensive lamps is relatively very little. Quartz glass, which is the best common transmitter of ultra-violet rays, is relatively quite expensive and lamps which employ quartz'glass for the envelopes of the bulbs are relatively costly. Applicant therefore sought to provide a therapeutic lamp supplying ultra-violet rays in suflicient amount and of sufiicient intensity to be satisfactory for all therapeutic uses at a relatively low cost, although providing a quartz tube or bulb heretofore found only in the most expensive lamps. By means of the present invention, the structure of the lamp is so simplified and rendered inexpensive to manufacture that notwithstanding the relatively high cost of the quartz glass, the lamp as a whole may be produced at a relatively low cost.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5,'a therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray generator embodying the invention comprises a reflector shell 2, a combined handle and housing 4, high frequency voltage supply means 6 enclosed within the handle 4, an ultra-violet lamp bulb or gaseous discharge tube 8 mounted within the reflector shell 2, mounting and electric supply terminals l0, l2 and I4, time control means l6 and connections l8 from the high frequency voltage supply means 6 to the terminals l0. l2 and M and the time contro means Hi.

The reflector shell 2 comprises a pair of interfitting sheet metal semi-cylindrical stampings 20 and 22, the front face of the semi-cylindrical plate 22 being made highly reflecting as by providing this face of the plate with a polished, chromium or nicked coating. The semi-cylindrical plates 20 and 22 are mounted between caps 24 and 26 which are substantially semi-cylindrical in form and are provided with peripheral, lateral flanges 23 and 30 embracing the upper and lower peripheral edges of the plate 20 and spot-welded or otherwise fastened to the outer surface of this plate.. The vertical free edges of the semi-cylindrical plate 20 are crimped over the corresponding free edges of the semi-cylindrical plate 22 as at 32 and 34 (Figures 3 and to fasten the plates together, and the free edges of the caps 24 and 26 are reversely bent or turned as at 38 and 38 between the crimped over edges 32 and 34 of the plate 20 to hold the plates against inward movement or deflection. Thus by this simple structure a rigid reflector shell is provided capable of withstanding hard usage without warping or deformation.

The combined handle and housing means 4 comprises an elongated sheet metal tube or cylinder 40 closed by sheet metal caps 42 and 44 having openings 46 and 48 to permit a substantial circulation of air through the tube 40. A tube 50. of heat insulating and electrical insulating w material such as asbestos or the like is fitted in the tube 40 to minimize'the heating of the metal tube 40 and to insulate the elements of the high frequency voltage supply means 0 from this metal tube.

The high frequency voltage supply means 6 comprises an electronic or thermionic vacuum tube 52, an induction coil 54, a main, relatively vapor, small quantities of argon, helium, and krypton gases, and a globule 80 of mercury; and then sealed off. The bulb or tube 8 is termed electrodeless since it has no internal electrodes, and having no internal electrodes and consequently no metal to glass seals, the tube or lamp has an unlimited operating life.

High frequency voltage which activates or energizes the vapor or gas within the tube is ap plied to the tube by the mounting means and terminals or external electrodes I0, I2 and I4. The terminals I0 and I2 comprise a pair of spaced, generally U-shaped spring metal clips high voltage condenser 55 and auxiliary condensers andv resistors connected in a suitable high frequency oscillating circuit, preferably as disclosed in my concurrently filed application.

The tube 52 is mounted in the conventional socket 58 having the usual socket openings receiving the terminal prongs of the'tube 52 and terminal clips 80 automatically connected to the prongs of the tube upon its insertion into the socket.

The socket 58 is mounted in the tube 40 'of the handle by means of analuminum cup or bowl 62 which has its lower portion 84 of reduced diameter deformed inwardly by a spinning operation and projected as at 88 into a complementary annular groove in the socket 58. The bottom or annular shoulder 68 of the upper bowlshaped portion of the cup 82 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced ventilating openings I0 permitting circulation of air through the cup and past the tube 52 to dissipate the heat supplied by the tube.

The induction coil 54 comprises a plurality of turns of fine, insulated. magnetic wire wound upon a non-magnetic insulating cylinder I2 pref erably of pressed fiber board. The coil 54 is mounted in an aluminum cup orbowl I4 similar to the cup or bowl 62, and by a spinning operation provided with the reduced cylindrical portion I6 frictionally gripping the cylinder I2 of I the induction coil. The annular shoulder I8 formed by the spinning operation is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced openings '80 permitting the circulation of air through the handle tube 40 and permitting passage of the wires of the supply cable 82 through the cup I4. The

supply cable 82 enters the handle through an opening 84 which receives the tapered rubber bushing 86.

The ultra-violet lamp or gaseous discharge tube 8 comprises an electrodeless, pure quartz, ultraviolet ray transmitting envelope 88 exhausted to a relatively highvacuum; filled with mercury eachhavingopposed resilient legs 92 and an interconnecting base or mounting portion 94. The terminals I0 and I2 are mounted on a sheet metal channel 98, which also forms a wiring channel for the connections I8, by bolts 88, an insulating strip I00 and insulating bushings I02; the bushings I02 insulating the terminals I0 and .I2 from the channel 96, the strip I00 insulating the bolts from the channel 96, and the bolts 88 forming means for connecting the terminals I0 and I2 to the connections I8. In the form shown in the drawings. the legs 92 of each terminal are formed with outwardly pressed portions I04 having concave sides facing inwardly so that the legs 82' snugly embrace. and frictionally grip the lamp envelope 88. Inwardly pressed portions I08, having their convex sides facing inwardly, are formed in the legs 92 of the terminal I0 above the portions I04 and are formed in the legs 92 of the terminal I2 below the portions I04 so as to. overlie the rounded ends of the envelope and positively hold the lamp bulb or tube against longitudinal movement.

The starting'or auxiliary electrode I4 preterably comprises a thin, resilient, electrically conducting strip I08 soldered or otherwise fastened at one end to a mounting ring or washer IIO received by the mounting bolt 88 for the terminal I0 and connected thereby to said terminal. At the other end the strip I08 is formed with or secured to a clip or ring II2 embracing the envelope 88 above, but in juxtaposition to the terminal I2. The conducting strip I08 extends along the lamp and lightly contacts the envelope thereof above clip H2.

The time controlling means I6 may comprise any suitable clock mechanism I I4 of conventional structure including a switch not shown, the contacts of. which are closed by the setting of the knob I I6 of the clock mechanism and are opened upon the lapsing of a time interval predetermined by the setting of .the knob. The clock mechanism I is housed within a compartment formed at the upper end of the reflector shell 2 by a sheet metal plate or stamping II8 having a substantially semi-circular base portion I20 and a substantially rectangular lateral flange I22, the base portion I20 interfitting with the semi-cylindrical plate 22 of the reflector to form the bottom wall of the housing for the clock mechanism H4 and the flange I22 extending between the free edges of this plate 22 to the top cap 24 of the reflector shell to form the forward wall of the housing for the clock mechanism. The base portion I20 of the plate H8 is provided with an opening I24 to permit passage of the channel 98 through the base portion I20, the channel 96 being formed at its upper end with an outwardly bent flange or plate portion I26 forming a mounting base for the clock mechanism H4. The plate II8 may be secured in position in any suitable manner as by being fastened to the flange I26 of the channel reflector shell may be marked with suitable indicia as seen in Figures 1 and 4 for indicating the various positions to which the knob HO should be moved to. set the clock mechanism.

The elements of the high frequency voltage supply means 6 are mounted upon the reflector shell 2 by a pair of spaced bolts I30 and an insulating strip in of Bakelite, hard rubber or similar material apertured to permit passage of the bolts which are received in the mounting cups 62 and 14 for the thermionic tube52 and the induction coil 54 respectively. The sheet metal tube 40 of the handle is formed with an elongated longitudinal slot i3 receiving the insulating strip I32, the slot being of such a width as to interflt with the strip 2 so that the strip acts as a guide for the tube 40 as the tube is slid endwise over the elements of the high frequency voltage supply means d. The insulating tube 50 is also provided with a slot I" which preferably extends from end I to end of the tube to permit this tube also to be slid over the elements of the high frequency voltage supply means. The tubes 40 and 80 are of such diameters in relation to the diameter of the largest portions of the cups 82 and ll-as to permit ready slidingof these tubes over the cups.

while at the same time frictionally gripping the cups to be thereby held in assembled position. It

should be noted that at least the cap 42 of the handle 4 is readily detachable from the tube 40 so as to' permit removal of this tube by sliding it downwardly over the cups 62 and I4, and it should also be noted that the length of the portion of the supply cable within the handle is sufficient to permit this downward sliding movement of the tube 40.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicant has provided a compact. lightweight therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray gen-- erator which may be comfortably grasped and supported in the operator's or user's hand.

Applicant has further provided a therapeutic lamp or ultra-violet ray generator which may be held in the hand during use and wherein the handle serves as a housing for a means supplying a high frequency voltage to the lamp bulb.

The invention further provides an ultra-violet ray generator or therapeutic lamp embodying a gaseous discharge tube or bulb mounted in a reflector which forms a mounting base for certain control instrumentalities and to which is attached a handle forming also a housing for the elements of a high frequency oscillating circu t by which the tube or lamp is energized; and wherein the handle cooperates with the base or end of the reflector to support the lamp in vertical position upon any flat supporting surface.

Applicant's invention has also provided novel means for mounting the elements of the high frequency oscillating circuit such as the electronic tube, the coil and the condenser in a minimum of space and within the handle of a lamp of the above-stated character.

The invention has further provided a hand lamp for therapeutic use or for use as an ultraviolet ray generator. which may be formed of sheet metal stampings to the greatest practicable degree whereby a lamp, although including a pure quartz tube or bulbfmay be provided for the use of the public at a minimum cost.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of'its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all-such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An ultra-violet lamp comprising a gaseous discharge tube adapted upon excitation'to emit ultra-violet rays, a trough-shaped reflector shell liaving an open side wall and closed ends, combined voltage supplying and mounting terminals mounted in the bottom of the trough of said reflector shell and receiving said tube, a tubular I handle fastened to the rear of the trough forming wall of the reflector shell, a thermionic tube high frequency current generator mounted in and on said tubular handle and connections from -said generator passing from. the tubular handle through the trough forming wall ofthe reflector shell and connected to said voltage supplying and mounting terminals.

2. An ultra-violet lamp. comprising a gaseous cylindrical wall, voltage supplyingresilient metal clips secured to saidchannel in spaced relation to receive the ends of said tube,.a transverse partition in said reflector adjacent one end wall thereof to form a housing. a switchoperated timer mounted in said housing, ahollow' handle secured to ,the reflector, a thermionictube high frequency current generator mounted in said handle, and connections extending from said generator out of the handle and through the wall of the reflector into and along said channel and connected to said timer and said voltage supplying and mounting terminals.

3. In an ultra-violet lamp, a generally semicylindrical reflector closed at its opposite ends, a channel-shaped member extending longitudinally of the reflector substantially centrally of the semi-cylindrical wall, a gaseous discharge tube adapted to emit ultra-violet rays upon excitation thereof, U-shaped spring metal clips secured to said channel in spaced relation longitudinally thereof to receive said tube, a tubular handle mounted on said reflector externally thereof and extending longitudinally of the semicylindrical wall substantially centrally of said wall and terminating adjacent one end of the reflector to assist in supporting the reflector when in vertical position, a thermionic tube high frequency generator mounted in said handle, electric connections extending through said channel from said terminals and outwardly of the reflec tor into the handle and connected to said generator, and means for permitting a draft of air through said handle to dissipate the heat of said thermionic tube generator.

4. In an ultra-violet lamp, an elongated gaseous discharge tube adapted to emit ultra-violet rays upon excitation thereof, a reflector comto the outer shell, said caps having peripheral flanges extending laterally and over the end edges of the outer shell to hold the shells against outward movement and said caps having their diametrical edges turned inwardly and abutting the inturned edges of the outer shell to hold the shells against inward movement, a channel member extending longitudinally and substantially centrally thereof, U-shaped spring metal clips mounted on said channel andreceiving opposite ends of said elongated tube; said clips forming main electrodes for said tube, a starting electrode comprising a metal strip connected to one clip and extending therefrom along the tube to a point adjacent the other of said clips'and engaging said tube adjacent said other clip, and means for supplying high frequency current to said clips, said means comprising connections extending through the reflector into said channel and connected to said clips.

5. In an ultra-violet lamp, a gaseous discharge tube adapted upon excitation to emit ultra-violet rays. a semi-cylindrical sheet metal reflector, U- shaped spring metal clips mounted in said reflector in spaced relation to receive the ends of said tube, said clips forming exciting electrodes for said tube, an elongated tubular handlemount-ed externally on said reflector and extending substantially centrally thereof, a high frequency generator comprising a thermionic tube, an induction coil and a condenser, a. cup-shaped sheet metal shell mounted in said tubular handle, a socket received in said shell and receiving the thermionic tube, a second cup-shaped sheet metal shell mounted in said handle in longitudinally spaced relation to the first cup-shaped shell and supportin the induction coil, means mounting the condenser within said coil, connections extending from said generator through the wall of the handle and the wall of the reflector and connected to said U-shaped clips, said tubular handle and said cup-shaped shells having openings therethrough to permit the circulation of air through the handle and about the thermionic tube to dissipate the heat of said tube.

6. In a lamp, a gaseous discharge tube, a sheet metal generally semi-cylindrical reflector, clips mounted in said reflector for receiving said tube, a metal shell forming a hollow handle, means securing said reflector to said shell with the shell at the rear of the reflector, high frequency current supply means in said handle, said high frequency current supply means comprising a tube receiving socket secured in said shell, a thermionic tube mounted in said socket, a second socket mounted in said shell, a coil connected to said tube and mounted in said socket, condensers mounted in said shell and connected to said tube and coil, and connections from said coil extending out said shell through the rear of the reflector and to said tube.

7. In a lamp, a gaseous discharge tube, a reflector housing. a concave sheet metal reflector secured in said housing, main electric terminals in said reflector and externally engaging said tube for mounting said tube in said reflector, means providing a handle separate from said housing, high frequenc current supply means mounted in said handle, means securing said handle to said reflector housing, an auxiliary,

discharge startingelectric terminal in said reflector and externally engaging said tube adjacent one of said main'terminals, and electric connections extending from said supply means out of the handle into the reflector housing and to the main and auxiliary terminals in said sheet metal reflector.

. FRANK FUREDY.

CERTIFICATE OFVGORREGTJVTON.

Patent No. 2,5148, 6l7. May 9, 191414.

FRANK FUREDY.

It is hereby certified that error appear; in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 1, for "nicked" read --n1ckel--; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patentoffice.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of June, A. D. 19%.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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