REPLACEABLE EXCIMER LAMP

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/269,257, entitled “EXCIMER ILLUMINATOR WITH REPLACEABLE LAMP”, filed March 13, 2022 (docket number 3083-006-02), which, to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present application claims priority benefit from International PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2023/061608, entitled “ULTRAVIOLET ILLUMINATOR WITH NETWORK COMMUNICATION”, filed January 30, 2023 (docket number 3083-003-04), currently pending; from International PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/077822, entitled “IMPROVED DISINFECTION LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, filed October 7, 2022 (docket number 3083-001-04), currently pending; and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/348,439, entitled “FAR ULTRAVIOLET LAMP AND SYSTEM WITH ILLUMINATION DIFFUSER”, filed June 6, 2022 (docket number 3083-004-02), currently pending; each of which, to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, is incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, an excimer lamp includes a quartz glass tube holding krypton and a halogen that form a gas characterized by an excimer discharge energy including ultraviolet light emission between at least a portion of a range delimited by 200 nanometers and 235 nanometers wavelength, an electrode pair mechanically supported by or adjacent to the quartz glass tube configured to, when an alternating voltage is applied, capacitively charge the gas, whereupon the gas undergoes the excimer discharge, a lamp housing supporting the quartz glass tube and the electrodes, and at least one connector operatively coupled to the electrode pair, the at least one connector being configured for reversibly coupling to a circuit in a far ultraviolet illumination system. The excimer lamp may be replaceable at a location where an excimer illumination system is installed.

According to an embodiment, an excimer lamp includes a quartz bulb holding a halogen and krypton gas, at least two electrodes configured to at least partially support the quartz bulb, an electrically insulative lamp housing configured to physically support the at least two electrodes. The electrically insulative lamp housing includes a back surface and at least one side surface defining a perimeter of an internal lamp volume, the electrically insulative lamp housing and the at least one side surface defining a lamp aperture disposed opposite to the back surface of the lamp housing. Two or more electrical conductors operatively coupled to respective electrodes extend through one or more holes through the electrically insulative lamp housing. The two electrical conductors are configured to convey power for electrically energizing the at least two electrodes, causing dielectric barrier discharge inside the quartz bulb and through the halogen and krypton gas to cause the halogen and krypton gas to undergo excimer discharge. In an embodiment, the excimer lamp is replaceable as a unit. In an embodiment, the quartz bulb is replaceable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an excimer illumination system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of an excimer illumination system, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a diagram of an excimer illumination system, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a housing and replaceable excimer lamp, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an excimer lamp, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a side sectional diagram of the excimer lamp of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4B is an end sectional view A-A of the excimer lamp of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to an embodiment.

FIG 5 is a diagram of an excimer lamp including a window disposed in a lamp aperture, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view B-B through a quartz bulb, an electrode and a back of the electrically insulative lamp housing of FIGS 3, 4A, 4B, and 5, according to an embodiment

FIG 7 is a diagram of an excimer lamp including a lamp screen disposed a the lamp aperture, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

For economy of language, as used herein the term “excimer” (derived from the term EXcited dIMER) will be understood to extend to non-homogeneous atom pairings including a noble gas atom and a halogen gas atom. In the literature, this is sometimes referred to as “exciplex” (derived from the term EXCIted comPLEX).

Excimer lamps operate by charging atoms to a high energy state corresponding to atomic pairing, followed by fast discharge to a lower energy state as the atoms dissociate. The discharge energy of interest herein corresponds to photonic emission between 200 and 235 nanometers. Specifically, a krypton-chlorine (KrCI) excimer lamp has a nominal output wavelength of 222 nanometers, and a krypton-bromine (KrBr) excimer lamp has a nominal output wavelength of 207 nanometers. Band spreading and other effects can cause longer or shorter wavelength output. For example, a pairing Kr-Kr has a nominal output at 146 nanometers, CI-CI has a nominal output at 259 nanometers, and Br-Br has a nominal output at 289 nanometers.

It has been found that illumination of virus particles in air, in an aerosol, and/or on a surface at 200-235 nanometers causes disinfection (loss of the virus’s ability to infect cells) while also being eye- and skin-safe under controlled (moderate) exposure.

For this reason KrCI and KrBr lamps are attractive for reducing viral exposure in human-occupied spaces.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an excimer illumination system 100, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view 200 of a system housing 102 and replaceable excimer lamp 110, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1 A and 2, an excimer illumination system 100 includes a system housing 102 defining a housing illumination aperture 104 and an excimer drive circuit 106 disposed in the system housing 102 and including at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b, the excimer drive circuit 106 being configured to output, to the at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b, an alternating current for driving an excimer lamp 110. A physical mounting structure may receive and hold the excimer lamp 110 such that the excimer lamp 110 is at least partially disposed inside 114 the system housing 102. In an embodiment, the at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b and the physical mounting structure are accessible to a user whereby the excimer lamp 110 is configured to be removed and replaced by the user at a location 116 (such as mounted on a wall or ceiling) where the excimer illumination system 100 is installed.

The at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b may be configured as a circuit electrical connector 118. The excimer lamp 110 may include a lamp electrical connector 120 configured to fit and make contact with the circuit electrical connector 118. The at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b and at least a portion of the mounting structure may be the same structure forming a circuit electrical connector 118. The excimer lamp 110 may be configured to be electrically and physically coupled to the excimer drive circuit 106 by coupling a lamp electrical connector 120 to the circuit electrical connector 118. The circuit electrical connector 118 and the lamp electrical connector 120 may be configured to cooperate to hold the excimer lamp 110 in alignment with the housing illumination aperture 104 when the excimer lamp 110 is installed.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of an excimer illumination system 101 , according to another embodiment. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the excimer lamp 110 includes a pigtail 148 operatively coupled to respective dielectric barrier capacitive emission electrodes 122a, 122b disposed to energize excimer emission, the pigtail 148 being terminated with a lamp electrical connector 120. The at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b may include a circuit electrical connector 118 configured to couple to the lamp electrical connector 120. The circuit electrical connector 118 may be accessible to receive the lamp electrical connector 120 through the housing illumination aperture 104. For example, the circuit electrical connector 118 may be accessible to receive the lamp electrical connector 120 through the housing illumination aperture 104 when the lamp electrical connector 120 is held between a thumb and forefinger of a human (not shown). The pigtail 148 may have a sufficiently long length to be plugged into the circuit electrical connector 118 through the housing illumination aperture 104 when the lamp electrical connector 120 is held between a thumb and forefinger of a human (not shown).

FIG. 1C is a diagram of an excimer illumination system 103, according to another embodiment. According to the embodiment 103 of FIG. 1C, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes a circuit pigtail 150 terminated with at least one circuit electrical connector 118, the at least one circuit electrical connector 118 forming the at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b. The excimer lamp 110 may include at least one lamp electrical connector 120 configured to couple to the at least one circuit electrical connector 118, the at least one lamp electrical connector 120 being operatively coupled to respective dielectric barrier capacitive emission electrodes 122a, 122b disposed to energize excimer emission. The circuit pigtail 150 may have a sufficiently long length to be plugged into the lamp electrical connector 120 when the circuit electrical connector 118 is held between a thumb and forefinger of a human (not shown) and before the excimer lamp 110 is seated into an operating position.

According to an embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 includes a pigtail 148 operatively coupled to one 122a of two dielectric barrier capacitive emission electrodes 122a, 122b disposed to energize excimer emission, the pigtail 148 being terminated with a lamp electrical connector 120. A first electrical connection point 108a of the at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b may include a circuit electrical connector 118 configured to couple to the lamp electrical connector 120. A second electrical connection point 108b (of the at least two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b) may include a conductive member configured to couple to a conductive chassis (not shown). In other words, one of the two lamp drive electrical connection points 108a, 108b may be grounded. The conductive chassis (not shown) may be operatively coupled to a second 122b of the two dielectric barrier capacitive emission electrodes 122a, 122b disposed to energize excimer emission.

According to another embodiment, the system housing 102 of the excimer illumination system 100 includes a system housing physical coupler configured to couple to a lamp physical coupler (not shown).

In an embodiment, the system housing 102 defines a depression (see FIG. 2, 206) adjacent to the housing illumination aperture 104. The excimer lamp 110 may include a flange sized to fit at least partially into the depression 206. The depression 206 and the flange may each include structure and/or fasteners (not shown) configured to be physically coupled together. The structure and/or fasteners (not shown) may be configured to be fastened together without a use of a tool.

According to another embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 may fit through the housing illumination aperture 104 and be held in place by features (not shown) other than a flange. A bezel 126 may hold the excimer lamp 110 in the housing 102 (102a, 102b). As will be appreciated more fully from other description herein, the bezel 126 may support a window 133 through which UV light is passed to an illuminated environment.

According to another embodiment, a lamp housing 146 supporting the electrodes 122a, 122b may be coupled to or integral with the system housing 102 (e.g., a front portion 102a, or alternatively coupled to or integral with a back portion 102b of the system housing 102). The quartz tube 144 may be removed and replaced from contact with the electrodes 122a, 122b through the housing aperture 104.

According to an embodiment, the system 100 includes a system housing 102 or circuit 118 physical mounting point disposed to receive a lamp physical coupler. The system housing 102 physical mounting point may be configured to hold the excimer lamp 110 in alignment with the housing illumination aperture 104.

In one example, the system housing 102 physical mounting point may include at least three holes defined by the system housing 102 and configured to respectively receive a fastener (not shown). A lamp physical coupler (not shown) including corresponding at least three fasteners (not shown) configured to couple to the at least three holes defined by the system housing 102. For example, the system housing 102 physical mounting point may include a plurality of holes configured to respectively receive a quarter-turn fastener (not shown), and the excimer lamp 110 may include a corresponding plurality of quarter-turn fasteners (not shown).

In another example, the system housing 102 physical mounting point may include a plurality of quarter-turn fasteners (not shown), and the excimer lamp 110 may include a corresponding plurality of quarter-turn fastener receiving holes (not shown).

In an embodiment, the system housing 102 defines a depression 206 adjacent to the housing illumination aperture 104. The excimer lamp 110 may include a flange (not shown) sized to fit at least partially into the depression 206. The excimer illumination system 100 may further include a bezel 126 sized to fit over the depression 206 and the flange (not shown) and be configured to couple the excimer lamp 110 to the system housing 102. A plurality of fasteners (not shown) may be configured to fasten the bezel 126 to the system housing 102. The flange may thus be held in alignment with the housing illumination aperture 104, such that the housing illumination aperture 104 is formed at least partially by the bezel 126.

In another embodiment, the system housing 102 includes a system housing physical mounting point including at least one magnet (not shown), and the excimer lamp 110 includes a lamp physical coupler including at least one corresponding magnet (not shown). The system housing at least one magnet (not shown) and the lamp at least one corresponding magnet (not shown) may thus form N-S or S-N magnetic couples when the excimer lamp 110 is installed.

According to an embodiment of the excimer illumination system 100, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes a circuit physical mounting point (not shown). The excimer lamp 110 may be configured to physically couple to the circuit physical mounting point (not shown). For example, the circuit physical mounting point may include at least three through-holes (not shown) configured to respectively receive a standoff (not shown). The excimer lamp 110 may include a lamp physical coupler (not shown) including at least three corresponding standoffs configured to couple to the at least three through-holes. In another example, the circuit physical mounting point includes a plurality of holes (not shown) configured to receive a quarter-turn fastener (not shown), and the excimer lamp 110 includes a corresponding plurality of quarter-turn fasteners (not shown). In another example, the circuit physical mounting point includes a plurality of quarter-turn fasteners (not shown), and the excimer lamp 110 includes a corresponding plurality of quarter-turn fastener (not shown) receiving apparatuses.

According to an embodiment, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes a low- capacitance Edison-type socket (not shown) and the excimer lamp 110 includes a low capacitance Edison-type screw-in connector (not shown).

According to an embodiment, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes at least one circuit electrical connector 118 configured to drive at least two different models of excimer lamp 110. The excimer drive circuit 106 may include a pin jumper or a switch (not shown) configured to select an excimer lamp 110 drive characteristic corresponding to the at least two different models of excimer lamp 110. For example, the pin jumper or switch (not shown) may be configured to select between two different AC drive frequencies. In an example, one AC drive frequency is between 30 Hertz and 100 Hertz and another AC drive frequency is between 40 Hz and 200 Hertz.

In an embodiment, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes an excimer lamp 110 adjustment circuit (not shown). The excimer lamp adjustment circuit (not shown) may be configured to determine a value of an excimer lamp electrical characteristic of a connected excimer lamp 110, and to adjust a drive parameter of the excimer drive circuit 106 according to a requirement of the excimer lamp 110 exhibiting the electrical characteristic. For example, the electrical characteristic includes a capacitance of the excimer lamp 110. In another example, the electrical characteristic includes one or more make-break values physically formed in a lamp connector 120. The drive parameter may include a drive frequency. In another example, the drive parameter includes a start-up sequence.

According to an embodiment, the at least one circuit electrical connector 118 includes a respective separate circuit electrical connector 118 for each of a plurality of excimer lamps 110. In another embodiment, the at least one circuit electrical connector 118 includes one circuit electrical connector 118 configured to couple to the at least two different models of excimer lamp 110. For example, the one circuit electrical connector 118 may include at least three conductors (not shown) configured to couple to two different models of excimer lamp 110. The excimer drive circuit 106 may output a drive signal corresponding to which of the at least three conductors (not shown) are coupled to an installed excimer lamp 110.

According to an embodiment, the one circuit electrical connector 118 includes two sets of two circuit conductors (not shown) configured to respectively couple to two different models of excimer lamp 110. A portion of a lamp electrical connector 120 may short or insulate the unused set of conductors (not shown). The excimer drive circuit 106 may detect which of the two different models of excimer lamp 110 is coupled to the circuit electrical connector 118 according to which set of two circuit conductors is shorted or insulated.

According to an embodiment, the excimer drive circuit 106 is configured to prevent energization of the excimer lamp 110 when the excimer lamp 110 is in a process of being replaced.

One issue with an excimer lamp that outputs 200-235 nanometer light is that it is not possible to look at the lamp and see how bright the light is. The inventors contemplate plural approaches or dealing with this issue.

According to an embodiment, the excimer drive circuit 106 includes a timer 127 configured to monitor a total duration of illumination output by the excimer lamp 110. The excimer drive circuit 106 further includes an indicator 128 to cause indication of when the duration of illumination output by the excimer lamp 110 meets or exceeds a predetermined duration. In an example, the indicator 128 includes a light emitting diode configured to output light within a visible spectrum. In another example, the indicator 128 includes an audible indicator 128.

According to an embodiment, the excimer illumination system 100 includes a logic circuit 130 portion of the excimer drive circuit 106. An indicator 128 may be disposed on or in the system housing 102, the indicator 128 being operatively coupled to the logic circuit 130. The excimer lamp 110 and/or the excimer drive circuit 106 includes an ultraviolet light detectori 32 configured to detect a lamp response parameter measured when the excimer lamp 110 receives an applied signal from the excimer drive circuit 106, the ultraviolet light detector 132 being operatively coupled to the logic circuit 130. The logic circuit 130 of the excimer drive circuit 106 may be configured to drive the indicator 128 to cause indication of when the lamp response parameter meets or exceeds a predetermined value.

As described above, the indicator 128 may include a sonic indicator or a visible indicator. In another embodiment, the indicator 128 includes a haptic indicator.

A visible indicator 128 may include at least one light emitting diode where the logic circuit 130 and the visible indicator are configured to cooperate to emit a green light when the lamp response parameter falls within a nominal first range, to emit a yellow light when the lamp response parameter is within a predetermined amount different from a limit of the lamp response parameter, and to emit a red light when the lamp response parameter meets the limit of the lamp response parameter. An ultraviolet light detector 132 may be operatively coupled to the logic circuit portion of the excimer drive circuit 106 and configured to measure ultraviolet light emitted by Kr-CI, Kr-Br, CI-CI, and/or Br-Br dissociation in the excimer lamp. In an example, the lamp response parameter includes a detectable excimer light output measured by the ultraviolet light detector 132. For example, the ultraviolet light detector 132 may include a photodiode or phototransistor configured to detect 222 nanometer (KrCI excimer) light output by the excimer lamp 110. In another example, the ultraviolet light detector 132 includes a photodiode or phototransistor configured to detect 207 nanometer (KrBr excimer) light output by the excimer lamp 110. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet light detector 132 includes a photodiode or photo transistor configured to detect 207 and 222 nanometer light output by the excimer lamp 110. In another example, the ultraviolet light detector 132 includes a photodiode or photo transistor configured to detect 258 nanometer light (characteristic of undesirable CI-CI excimer emission) output by the excimer lamp 110.

According to an embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 includes a lamp connector 120 configured to couple to an excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118 and to receive a drive signal from the excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118 for driving excimer emission from the excimer lamp 110. The excimer lamp 110 may also include an ultraviolet light detector 132. The ultraviolet light detector 132 may be disposed in the excimer lamp 110 and operatively coupled to a lamp sensor connector 134 configured to couple to a drive circuit sensor connector 136. The lamp sensor connector 134 may be integrated with the lamp connector 120 such that the excimer lamp is coupled to the excimer drive circuit 106 by a single integrated connector (arrangement not shown).

In another embodiment, the excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118 includes the drive circuit sensor connector 136, and the excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118 includes electrical conductors configured to drive the excimer lamp 110 and separate electrical conductors configured to couple to the ultraviolet light detector 132.

According to embodiments, the excimer lamp 110 includes an excimer lamp module. The excimer lamp module may be configured to be replaced as a unit. The excimer lamp module may include an optical filter 133 configured to limit excimer illumination transmitted to an illuminated region 135 to a wavelength range of 200 nanometers to 235 nanometers. The excimer lamp module may not include an optical filter 133 configured to limit a wavelength range excimer illumination transmitted to an illuminated region. An optical filter 133 may be operatively coupled to the system housing 102, the optical filter 133 being configured to attenuate ultraviolet light transmitted to an illuminated region falling outside a wavelength range of 200 to 235 nanometers. The optical filter 133 may include a low pass filter configured to attenuate ultraviolet light wavelengths longer than 235 nanometers. Additionally or alternatively, the optical filter 133 may include a notch filter configured to attenuate ultraviolet light wavelengths shorter than 200 nanometers and attenuate ultraviolet light wavelengths longer than 235 nanometers.

In another embodiment, the optical filter 133 may be part of the excimer illumination system, separate from the lamp 110, and may be configured to couple to the system housing 1O2.The excimer illumination system 100 may further include an excimer lamp housing 146 coupled to or integral with the system housing 102, such as a front portion 102a or a back portion 102b of the system housing, according to an embodiment. The excimer lamp 110 includes one or more quartz glass tubes 144 holding a lower than atmospheric pressure mixture 124 including krypton and a halogen. The one or more quartz glass tubes 144 may be arranged to be replaceable by the user by inserting a thumb and finger through the housing illumination aperture.

The one or more quartz glass tubes may be disposed behind a window 133 operatively coupled to the illumination aperture 104 of the system housing 102. The window 133 may be configured to be removed by a user. The quartz glass tube 144 may be configured to be grasped by the user for removal.

The electrodes 122a, 122b may be configured to release the quartz glass tube 144 when the user pulls the quartz glass tube toward the housing illumination aperture. The electrodes 122a, 122b may be configured to receive and hold a replacement quartz glass tube 144 when the user places a replacement quartz glass tube into an operating position contacting the electrodes 122a, 122b.

According to an embodiment, an excimer lamp module includes a start-up apparatus 138 configured for coupling to the excimer drive circuit 106. The start-up apparatus 138 may include an ultraviolet light emitting diode aligned to illuminate one or more quartz glass tubes containing krypton and a halogen gas 124, the ultraviolet light emitting diode having an output wavelength configured to cause activation of (e.g., cause charge carriers to form in) the krypton and halogen gas 124. For example, the output wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 138 includes 207 and/or 222 nanometers. In another embodiment, the start-up apparatus 138 includes a resistance heater configured to cause activation of the krypton and halogen gas 124. In another embodiment, the start-up apparatus 138 includes a start-up electrode configured to inject charge carriers into the krypton and halogen gas 124.

The start-up apparatus 138 may be operatively coupled to a lamp start-up connector 140 and the lamp start-up connector 140 may be configured to connect to an excimer drive circuit start-up connector 142. Alternatively, the excimer lamp 110 includes a lamp electrical connector 120 configured to couple to an excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118 and to receive a drive signal from the excimer drive circuit electrical connector 118. The lamp start-up connector 140 may be integrated with the lamp electrical connector 120.

According to an embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 module includes a reflective surface (not shown) configured to direct ultraviolet light through the housing illumination aperture 104.

According to an embodiment, the excimer illumination system 100 may include a visible indicator 128, visible from outside the system housing 102 and operatively coupled to the excimer drive circuit 106. The excimer drive circuit 106 may be configured to cause the visible indicator 128 to inform a user of a status of the excimer lamp 110. For example, the visible indicator 128 may include a visible light emitting diode (LED). The visible indicator 128 may be configured to output green light when the excimer lamp 110 has provided illumination for an amount of time within a life expectancy of the excimer lamp 110. The visible indicator 128 may be configured to output yellow or amber light when the excimer lamp 110 has provided illumination near an amount of time near an end of a life expectancy of the excimer lamp 110. The visible indicator 128 may be configured to output red light when the excimer lamp 110 has provided illumination for an amount of time exceeding a life expectancy of the excimer lamp 110.

The excimer illumination system 100 may further include the excimer lamp 110.

According to an embodiment, an excimer lamp 110 includes a quartz glass tube 144 holding krypton and a halogen that form a gas 124 characterized by an excimer discharge energy including ultraviolet light emission between at least a portion of a range delimited by 200 nanometers and 235 nanometers wavelength, and an electrode pair 122a, 122b mechanically supported by or adjacent to the quartz glass tube 144 configured to, when an alternating voltage is applied, capacitively charge the gas 124, whereupon the gas 124 undergoes the excimer discharge. An excimer lamp housing 146 supports the quartz glass tube 144 and the electrodes 122a, 122b. At least one lamp connector 120 operatively coupled to the electrode pair 122a, 122b may be configured for reversibly coupling to an excimer drive circuit 106 in a far ultraviolet illumination system 100. The excimer lamp 110 may be replaceable at a location 116 (such as mounted on a wall or ceiling, as shown) where an excimer illumination system 100 is installed.

The excimer discharge may alternatively be referred to as exciplex discharge.

The quartz glass tube 144 may arranged for longitudinal discharge through the krypton and halogen gas 124. Additionally or alternatively, the quartz glass tube 144 and the electrode pair 122a, 122b may be arranged for transverse discharge through the krypton and halogen gas 124.

The excimer lamp 110 may include a lamp housing 146 including a UV- transmissive window 133 aligned to pass the far UV illumination. The lamp housing 146 may support at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b arranged for capacitive coupling to a discharge path through an excimer gas 124 contained by the quartz glass tube 144. The lamp housing 146 may be configured for reversible coupling to at least one socket or plug 118 for coupling the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b to and excimer drive circuit 106 configured to deliver an alternating current to the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b. The lamp housing 146 and the at least one socket or plug 118 may be configured for coupling and decoupling without a use of a tool.

In an embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 includes an electrical pigtail 148 physically and electrically coupled to the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b. The electrical pigtail 148 may be terminated in a lamp socket or plug 120 and the lamp socket or plug 120 may be configured to couple to a corresponding excimer drive circuit plug or socket 118 accessible at least by a human technician from an exterior volume 135 through a housing illumination aperture 104 defined by a system housing 102 dividing the exterior volume 135 from an interior volume 114 containing an excimer drive circuit 106 for powering the excimer lamp 110.

In another embodiment, the excimer lamp 110 includes an electrical pigtail (not shown) physically and electrically coupled to the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122 and terminated in a pair of conductive fittings (not shown). The pair of conductive fittings (not shown) may be configured for fastening to an excimer drive circuit 106 for powering the excimer lamp 110, the excimer drive circuit 106 being accessible at least by a human technician from an exterior volume 135 through an aperture 104 defined by a dielectric system housing 102 dividing the exterior volume 135 from an interior volume 114 containing the excimer drive circuit 106.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an excimer lamp 300, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4A is a side sectional diagram 400 of the excimer lamp 300 of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B is a sectional view A-A 401 of the excimer 300 lamp of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 4A, and 4B, according to an embodiment, an excimer lamp 110, 300 includes a quartz glass tube 144, 302 holding krypton and a halogen that form a gas 124 characterized by an excimer discharge energy including ultraviolet light emission between at least a portion of a range delimited by 200 nanometers and 235 nanometers wavelength, and an electrode pair 304a, 304b (also shown as 122a, 122b) mechanically supported by or adjacent to the quartz glass tube 144, 302 configured to, when an alternating voltage is applied, capacitively charge the gas 124, whereupon the gas 124 undergoes excimer discharge to produce ultraviolet light. A lamp housing 146, 306 supports the quartz glass tube 144, 302 and the electrodes 304a, 304b (122a, 122b). At least one lamp connector 308 (see FIG. 3) operatively coupled to the electrode pair 304a, 304b (122a, 122b) may be configured for reversibly coupling to an excimer drive circuit 106 in a far ultraviolet illumination system (see FIG. 1, 100; see FIG. 2, 200). The excimer lamp 110, 300 and/or quartz glass tube 144, 302 may be replaceable at a location 116 (such as mounted on a wall or ceiling, as shown) where an excimer illumination system 100, 200 is installed.

The excimer discharge may alternatively be referred to as exciplex discharge.

The quartz glass tube 144, 302 may be arranged for longitudinal discharge parallel to a long dimension of the quartz glass tube 302 through the krypton and halogen gas 124. Additionally or alternatively, the quartz glass tube 144, 302 and the electrode pair 304a, 304b (122a, 122b) may be arranged for transverse discharge perpendicular to a long dimension of the quartz glass tube 144, 302 through the krypton and halogen gas 124.

The excimer lamp 110, 300 may include a lamp housing 146, 306 defining a lamp aperture 312 aligned to pass the far UV illumination from the quartz glass tube 144, 302.

FIG 5 is a diagram 500 of the excimer lamp 300 of FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B including a window 502 disposed in the lamp aperture 312, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the excimer lamp 110, 300 may include a UV- transmissive window 502 disposed at the lamp aperture 312. According to an embodiment, the UV-transmissive window 502 does not include an optical filter. According to other embodiments, the UV-transmissive window 502 includes one or more optical filters. For example, the UV-transmissive window 502 may include a low pass filter configured to attenuate UV light having a wavelength longer than 235 nanometers. In another example, the UV-transmissive window 502 may include a high pass filter configured to attenuate UV light having a wavelength shorter than 200 nanometers. In another example, the UV- transmissive window 502 includes a notch filter configured to attenuate UV light having a wavelength shorter than 200 nanometers and longer than 235 nanometers wavelength. The notch filter 502 may be configured to pass at least 90% of UV light between 200 and 235 nanometers wavelength and less than 10% of UV light at 258 nanometers wavelength. In another embodiment, the notch filter 502 is configured to pass at least 97% of UV light between 200 and 235 nanometers wavelength and less than 3% of UV light at 258 nanometers wavelength.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, 4A, 4B, and 5 the lamp housing 146, 306 may be configured for reversible coupling to at least one socket or plug 118 for coupling the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b (304a, 304b) to an excimer drive circuit 106 configured to deliver an alternating current to the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b (304a, 304b). The lamp housing 146, 306 and the at least one socket or plug 118 may be configured for coupling and decoupling without a use of a tool.

In an embodiment, the excimer lamp 110, 300 includes an electrical pigtail 148 physically and electrically coupled to the at least a pair of electrodes 122a, 122b (304a, 304b). The electrical pigtail 148 may be terminated in a lamp socket or plug 120, also shown in FIG. 3, and the lamp socket or plug 120 may be configured to couple to a corresponding excimer drive circuit plug or socket 118 accessible at least by a human technician from an exterior volume 135 through a housing illumination aperture 104 defined by a system housing 102 (102a) dividing the exterior volume 135 from an interior volume 114 containing an excimer drive circuit 106 for powering the excimer lamp 110, 300.

Referring to FIGS 3, 4A, and 4B, an excimer lamp 300 includes a quartz bulb 302 holding a halogen and krypton gas, according an embodiment. The excimer lamp 300 may include at least two electrodes 304a, and 304b configured to at least partially support the quartz bulb 302, for example, supporting the quartz bulb in at least one plane. An electrically insulative lamp housing 306 may be configured to physically support the at least two electrodes 304a, 304b, the electrically insulative lamp housing 306 including a back surface 308 and four side surfaces 310a, 310b, 310c, 31 Od, the electrically insulative lamp housing 306 defining a lamp aperture 312 disposed opposite to the back surface 308 of the lamp housing 306.

Two electrical conductors 314a, 314b may be operatively coupled to respective electrodes 304a, 304b and extending through one or more holes 316a, 316b through the electrically insulative lamp housing 306. The two electrical conductors may be configured to convey power for electrically energizing the at least two electrodes 304a, 304b to cause dielectric barrier discharge inside the quartz bulb 302 and through the halogen and krypton gas 318 (see FIG. 6) to cause the halogen and krypton gas to undergo excimer discharge to transmit far IIV-C light between at least 200 and 235 nanometers wavelength through the lamp aperture 312.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view B-B 600 through a quartz bulb 302, an electrode 304a and a back 308 of the electrically insulative lamp housing 306 of FIGS 3, 4A, 4B, and 5, according to an embodiment. According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, at least a portion of the electrically insulative lamp housing 146, 306 may be formed from a ceramic or hybrid organo-ceramic material 320. The back 308 of the electrically insulative lamp housing 146, 306 may be formed from the ceramic or hybrid organo-ceramic material 320. The ceramic or hybrid organo- ceramic material 320 may be formed by cross-linking a siloxane monomer or mixture of siloxane monomers in a mold. The ceramic or hybrid organo-ceramic material may form, in part, a heat sink 322 configured to receive and remove heat dissipated by the quartz bulb 144, 302.

The heat sink 322 may be formed to fit adjacent to a portion of the quartz bulb 144, 302 surface with a gap 324 therebetween. A thermal gasket 326 may be disposed between the quartz bulb 144, 302 and the heat sink 322. Alternatively, dielectric grease 326 may be disposed between the quartz bulb 144, 302 and the heat sink 322. The gap 324 may be an air gap selected to cause the heat sink 322 to receive heat from the quartz bulb 144, 302 via natural convection, conduction, and/or radiation heat transfer. The at least two electrodes 304a, 304b(122a, 122b) may be adjusted to cause the gap to 324 to be a predetermined size. The at least two electrodes 304a and 304b (122a, 122b) may include fuse clips.

According to an embodiment, the quartz bulb 302 is replaceable by removing electrical power from the fuse clips, lifting the quartz bulb 302 out of the fuse clips 304a, 304b, and pressing a new quartz bulb 302 into the fuse clips 304a, 304b. The quartz bulb 144, 302 may be a quartz glass tube. In another embodiment, the quartz bulb 144, 302 is a quartz glass annular body.

The excimer discharge may output an ultraviolet wavelength longer than 235 nanometers. The quartz bulb may support a bulb optical filter disposed on a surface 602 configured to attenuate at least 96% of wavelengths longer than 235 nanometers from reaching the lamp aperture. The bulb optical filter may include a quarter wave stack disposed on at least a portion of the quartz bulb, such that the bulb optical filter operates as a low pass filter configured to reduce far UV-C light greater 235 nanometers wavelength reaching the lamp aperture. The bulb optical filter may be configured to reduce far UV-C light less than 200 nanometers and far UV-C light greater than 235 nanometers reaching the lamp aperture.

The lamp housing 306 may be formed from a resin material (such as polyimide) resistant to heat generated by the quartz bulb. The lamp housing may be formed partially from a ceramic or hybrid organo-ceramic material 320 and partially from a resin material 328.

An ultraviolet light sensor 330 may be configured to monitor ultraviolet light power output by the quartz bulb. A starter device 332 may be configured to activate the krypton-halogen mixture 318 during start-up. The starter device 332 may include an ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) configured to output ultraviolet light at 207 and/or 222 nanometers wavelength. The lamp aperture 312 may be open and not include any optical filter. The quartz bulb 302 may include at least a portion that is tubular in shape.

Referring to FIG. 5, a window 502 configured to transmit ultraviolet light may be disposed in the lamp aperture 312. The window 502 may include a lamp optical filter disposed in the lamp aperture 312. The excimer discharge may output an ultraviolet wavelength longer than 235 nanometers. The lamp optical filter may be configured as a low pass filter configured to attenuate at least 96% of wavelengths longer than 235 nanometers passing through the lamp optical filter 502. In another embodiment, the window 502 is configured as a notch filter configured to attenuate at least 96% of wavelengths longer than 235 nanometers and at least 96% of wavelengths shorter than 200 nanometers passing through the lamp optical filter. In an embodiment, a lamp window 502 is formed from quartz glass. The quartz glass may be formed as fused quartz or as fused silica. In an embodiment, the lamp window 502 does not include an optical filter.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 of an excimer lamp according to another embodiment. A lamp screen 702 may be disposed in the lamp aperture 312. The lamp screen 702 may be formed from a perforated metal, a perforated glass, or a perforated resin material.

Referring to FIG. 2, the excimer lamp 110 may be configured for mounting inside a luminaire housing 102a, 102b behind a luminaire aperture 104. A luminaire optical filter 133 may be disposed in the luminaire aperture 104. The luminaire optical filter 133 may be configured to reduce far UV-C light greater 635 nanometers wavelength from transmission through the luminaire optical filter 133. The excimer lamp 110 may further include the luminaire housing 102. A luminaire screen 133 akin to the perforated screen akin to the screen 702, described in conjunction with FIG. 7, may be disposed in the luminaire aperture 104.

According to an embodiment, a kit for user replacement of a quartz bulb containing krypton and a halogen includes a replacement quartz bulb, instructions for replacing the quartz bulb by snapping the quartz bulb into a pair of electrodes akin to a fuse clip, and a planar material selected for preventing the human fingers from touching an outside surface of the quartz bulb during installation. The planar material may includes a disposable glove or be wrapped around the quartz bulb, for example. The kit for user replacement of the quartz bulb of claim 46 may further include a replacement dielectric thermal gasket for placement between the replacement quartz bulb and a ceramic heat sink or a quantity of replacement dielectric thermal grease for placement between the replacement quartz bulb and a ceramic heat sink. In an embodiment, the kit for user replacement of the quartz bulb may include a plastic tool for grasping the quartz bulb without a human touching the quartz bulb.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.