Abstract:
A reflector for use in an ultraviolet or other type of lamp system having a plasma bulb. The reflector includes one or more longitudinally extending reflector panels having a characteristic shape that advantageously reflects ultraviolet radiation emanating from the bulb to provide a uniform irradiance over a relatively large surface area of a substrate. A substantial portion of each reflector panel has a characteristic shape described by the equation (x/a)(2+n)+(y/b)(2+m)=1, where a and b are constants and n and m are exponents that range between 0 and 2.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the gas content of dispensed hot melt thermoplastic adhesive foam. Air or another relatively inert gas is mixed with molten thermoplastic adhesive, and the mixture is pressurized to form a gas and molten adhesive "solution". When the molten adhesive and gas "solution" is dispensed at atmospheric pressure, the gas is released from "solution" and becomes entrapped in the adhesive in order to form a homogeneous closed cellular adhesive foam. In order to control the gas content of the dispensed adhesive and gas "solution", in accordance with one preferred embodiment, the pressure drop across a restriction in the flow path of the solution is sensed, and a control circuit controls the addition of gas to the adhesive to maintain the sensed pressure drop at a desired level. Other sensing techniques can be used to measure a parameter of the dissolved gas/molten adhesive single phase liquid solution which is correlated to the dissolved gas content of the solution and substantially independent of the molten adhesive content thereof, such as measuring the transmittance of infrared radiation through the gas/adhesive single phase solution at a wavelength relatively heavily absorbed by the gas and unabsorbed by the adhesive.
Abstract:
A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber supplied with cooling air from an air source. At least one of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is positioned within the system to sense a pressure associated with the flow of cooling air or a temperature of the lamp system. A control receives a signal from the sensor and is operable to adjust the flow of cooling air from the source to obtain a desired cooling air flow rate.
Abstract:
An ultraviolet radiation curing system is disclosed for treating a substrate, such as fiber optic cable or silicone tubing. The system comprises a processing chamber allowing transport of a continuous piece of substrate to be treated. As the substrate moves through the processing chamber, ultraviolet radiation from a plasma lamp activated by a microwave generator treats the surface of the substrate. The system comprises two elliptical reflectors of different sizes so that larger diameter substrates may be efficiently treated with ultraviolet radiation. The system may also comprise an ultraviolet-transmissive conduit enclosing the substrate and split into a first portion and a second portion, where the second portion is movable from the first portion to open the conduit and allow insertion or alignment of the substrate within the conduit and processing chamber.
Abstract:
A detector for an ultraviolet lamp system of the type having a microwave generator includes a first circuit that is configured to detect the microwave energy generated from the microwave generator. The first circuit includes at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy. A second circuit is coupled to the first circuit and configured to intermittently test whether the radiation sensitive component has failed. An ultraviolet lamp system includes the detector. An associated method includes monitoring the microwave energy through the first circuit including at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy and testing the radiation sensitive component to determine whether the radiation sensitive component has failed.
Abstract:
An ultraviolet lamp assembly and corresponding methods is operable to generate ultraviolet light for irradiating a substrate.. The lamp assembly includes a magnetron, an electrodeless lamp for emitting ultraviolet light when excited by microwave radiation generated from the magnetron, and a power control circuit arrangement configured to control an output power of the microwave radiation generated by the magnetron corresponding to the intensity of ultraviolet light produced by the lamp. A first control loop of the power control circuit is configured to regulate an input current to the magnetron based upon an input current setting associated with a desired intensity of UV light output of the lamp and a second control loop coupled to the first control loop configured to adjust the input current setting used by the first control loop to regulate the input current to the magnetron based upon an input power to the magnetron, which is proportional to the intensity of UV light output from the lamp.
Abstract:
An ultraviolet lamp system for irradiating a substrate includes a magnetron and a memory physically attached to the magnetron. An electrodeless lamp is configured to emit ultraviolet light when excited by microwave energy generated from the magnetron. Main control circuitry is operable to read and write operational data associated with the magnetron to the memory. The ultraviolet lamp system is operated by generating microwave energy from the magnetron. A plasma within an electrodeless lamp is excited with the microwave energy to emit ultraviolet light. Operational data associated with the magnetron is tracked and written to the memory associated with the magnetron.
Abstract:
An ultraviolet radiation curing system is disclosed for treating a substrate, such as fiber optic cable or silicone tubing. The system comprises a processing chamber allowing transport of a continuous piece of substrate to be treated. As the substrate moves through the processing chamber, ultraviolet radiation from a plasma lamp activated by a microwave generator treats the surface of the substrate. The system comprises two elliptical reflectors of different sizes so that larger diameter substrates may be efficiently treated with ultraviolet radiation. The system may also comprise an ultraviolet-transmissive conduit enclosing the substrate and split into a first portion and a second portion, where the second portion is movable from the first portion to open the conduit and allow insertion or alignment of the substrate within the conduit and processing chamber.
Abstract:
An electrical connector includes a receptacle and a plug. The receptacle includes a tubular housing having an axial bore and at least one electrical contact within the bore. The plug is received in the bore of the receptacle housing and includes a tubular core having an axial bore and at least one electrical contact that engages the electrical contact on the receptacle when the plug is coupled to the receptacle. The plug further includes a rotatable collar for securing the plug to the receptacle. A visual indicator on at least one of the plug core or the receptacle housing is visible through a window in the collar to provide a visual indication when the plug is fully coupled to the receptacle.
Abstract:
A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber supplied with cooling air from an air source. At least one of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is positioned within the system to sense a pressure associated with the flow of cooling air or a temperature of the lamp system. A control receives a signal from the sensor and is operable to adjust the flow of cooling air from the source to obtain a desired cooling air flow rate.