Ultraviolet discharge lamp apparatuses having optical filters which attenuate visible light
The apparatuses disclosed herein include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet and visible light, an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light, and a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp. Some embodiments of the apparatuses are configured such that ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus. Some cases of the apparatuses include a sensor system configured to monitor a first parameter associated with the operation of the discharge lamp and a second parameter associated with the transmittance of the optical filter. Some of the apparatuses include a means for moving the optical filter while the apparatus is in operation. In some cases, the apparatuses may be configured such that the optical filter may be arranged in and out of alignment with the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the optical filter may be a multifaceted.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a u-shaped discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light;
a power circuit configured to operate the u-shaped discharge lamp; and
an optical filter arranged adjacent to the u-shaped discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter is configured to attenuate a majority amount of visible light emitted from the discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter comprises multiple panels which attenuate visible light, wherein the multiple panels are fused together or joined by one or more support structures, and wherein a spacing between two parallel sections of the u-shaped discharge lamp is larger than a width of a fused area between two of the multiple panels or is larger than a width of one of the support structures; and
a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least some ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter is propagated to a region which encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus, and wherein the ultraviolet light propagated to the encircling region during an operation of the apparatus collectively occupies the entirety of the encircling region.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optical filter encircles the discharge lamp.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a means for moving the optical filter;
a processor; and
a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for moving the optical filter while the discharge lamp is emitting light.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor for moving the optical filter continuously while the apparatus is in operation.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the means for moving the optical filter comprises a means for rotating the optical filter around the discharge lamp.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the means for moving the optical filter comprises a means for oscillating the optical filter.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multiple panels comprise the same material.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more support structures are reflective.
9. An apparatus, comprising:
a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light;
a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp;
an optical filter arranged adjacent to the discharge lamp, wherein the emitted optical filter is configured to attenuate a majority amount of visible light emitted from the discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter comprises multiple panels of the same material which attenuates visible light and passes ultraviolet light; and
a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least some ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter is propagated to a region which encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus, and wherein the ultraviolet light propagated to the encircling region during an operation of the apparatus collectively occupies the entirety of the encircling region.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the material of the multiple panels passes a majority amount of ultraviolet light in a range of approximately 260 nm to approximately 265 nm.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the optical filter encircles the discharge lamp.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the discharge lamp is a pulsed light source.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the multiple panels are joined by reflective support structures.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the discharge lamp is u-shaped, wherein the multiple panels are fused together or joined by one or more support structures, and wherein a spacing between two parallel sections of the u-shaped discharge lamp is larger than a width of a fused area between two of the multiple panels or is larger than a width of one of the support structures.
15. An apparatus, comprising:
a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light and visible light;
a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp;
an optical filter arranged adjacent to the discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter is configured to attenuate a majority amount of visible light emitted from the discharge lamp, wherein the optical filter comprises multiple panels which attenuate visible light, and wherein the multiple panels are joined by one or more reflective support structures of a different material than the multiple panels; and
a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least some ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp and passed through the optical filter is propagated to a region which encircles an exterior surface of the apparatus, and wherein the ultraviolet light propagated to the encircling region during an operation of the apparatus collectively occupies the entirety of the encircling region.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the one or more reflective support structures are metal.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the optical filter encircles the discharge lamp.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the discharge lamp is arranged lengthwise perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the apparatus and extends beyond an exterior surface of the support structure.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the multiple panels comprise the same material.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the discharge lamp is u-shaped, wherein a spacing between two parallel sections of the u-shaped discharge lamp is larger than a width of one of the reflective support structures.