Abstract:
A gas discharge lamp includes a plurality of gas discharge bulbs arranged on a base along a perimeter defining a middle region and at least one reflective mirror positioned in the middle region and operative to reflect light outward from the middle region. Alternatively, at least one light pipe can be positioned in the middle region and configured to gather light and redirect the light outward from the middle region.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 37 C.F.R. § 119 to provisional application Serial Nos. 60/460,379 and 60/463,286, filed on Apr. 4, 2003 and Apr. 16, 2003, respectively, both entitled “Fluorescent Lamp Systems Using Reflectors,” both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to fluorescent lamps. More specifically, this invention relates to fluorescent lamps using reflectors. Additionally, this invention relates to compact fluorescent lamps using reflectors in several configurations.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    In one aspect, a gas discharge lamp includes a plurality of gas discharge bulbs arranged on a base along a perimeter defining a middle region and at least one reflective mirror positioned in the middle region and operative to reflect light outward from the middle region.  
           [0004]    Alternatively, at least one light pipe can be positioned in the middle region and configured to gather light and redirect the light outward from the middle region. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    Objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and in which:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs with a circular mirrored reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2A is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs with hyperbolic mirrored reflectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2B is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs with parabolic mirrored reflectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of bulbs with parabolic mirrored reflectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs with light pipes according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]    Fluorescent light operates by creating a discharge or arc across an ionized gas within a glass tube. The traditional fluorescent—or gas discharge—lamp comprises a tube containing an inert gas and a material such as mercury vapor which, when ionized, can collide with electrons of a current flow across the electrodes of a lamp, and emit photons. These photons strike fluorescent material on the inner wall of the glass tube and produce visible light.  
         [0012]    A problem with lamps is the efficiency of the light generation. The present invention contemplates using mirrored reflectors in between an arrangement of lamps to generate more light from smaller wattage lamps.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs  10  with a circular mirrored reflector  30  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bulbs  10  may be compact florescent bulbs or any other type of lamp designed in a compact configuration. A circle of U shaped tubes or a spiral lamp design may be used in accordance with the invention. According to a particular embodiment, U-shaped bulbs  10  are in a curricular arrangement on a base  30  with a circular reflective mirror  30  in the middle. This arrangement allows a maximum amount of light to be reflected from the interior to the outside.  
         [0014]    The arrangement of the bulbs need not be circular, but can be along any perimeter that defines a middle region for placing a reflective material. The bulbs need not be U-shaped, but can be any shape.  
         [0015]    The circular mirror  30  may be replaced with a mirror or any shape which efficiently reflects light from the U-shaped bulbs  10  outward. The U-shaped bulbs  10  may be arranged in any geometric shape capable of surrounding an inner mirrored reflector. FIG. 1 shows three U-shaped bulbs, however any number of bulbs greater than one may be used according the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2A is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs  110  with a series of hyperbolic mirrored reflectors  150  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the U-shaped bulbs  110  may be compact florescent bulbs or any other type of lamp designed in a compact configuration. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bulbs  110  are attached to a base  120 . The U-shaped bulbs  110  are in a circular arrangement. The reflectors  150  are hyperbolic, and paired together to individually reflect light from each arm of the U-shaped bulbs  110 . This arrangement increases the light reflected outward. FIG. 2 shows four U-shaped bulbs, however any number of bulbs  110  greater than one may be used according the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2B is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of U-shape bulbs  110  with a series of parabolic mirrored reflectors  160  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, the U-shaped bulbs  110  may be compact fluorescent bulbs or any other type of lamp designed in a compact configuration and are attached to a base  120  in a circular arrangement. In this embodiment, however, the reflectors  160  are parabolic, and paired together to individually reflect light from each arm of the U-shaped bulbs  110 . This arrangement increases the light reflected outward. Any number of bulbs  110  greater than one may be used according the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a top view of a circular arrangement of bulbs  210  with parabolic mirrored reflectors  250  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reflectors  250  may be light pipes or other reflecting techniques known by those skilled in the art. In this exemplary embodiment, the U-shaped bulbs  210  may be compact florescent bulbs or any other type of lamp designed in a compact configuration of multiple light sources from one or more lamps. In this embodiment, the U-shaped bulbs  210  are attached to a base  220 . The U-shaped bulbs  110  are in a circular arrangement. The reflectors  250  are parabolic, and arranged so that each end of each reflector  250  is near the point on the inner side of bulbs  210  that faces the center of the circular arrangement of bulbs. This arrangement increases the light reflected outward. For example, each reflector  250 , according to this embodiment reflects approximately half the light from each of two of the bulbs  210 . FIG. 3 shows four U-shaped bulbs  210 , however any number of bulbs greater than one may be used according the invention.  
         [0019]    Reflective materials in various shapes, from a simple cylinder to multiple parabolic shapes may be employed to increase the efficiency of gas discharge lamps. In the above examples, compact fluorescent lamps have been shown, but any gas discharge light source may be used, as will be appreciated by those having skill in this art.  
         [0020]    In addition to reflectors, “light pipes” may be employed as well from the back of each light collecting light and bringing it out between the lamps. Light pipes can be in vertical strips or of any shape to effect the desired result. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the invention, light pipes  50  are used to gather light at a rear portion of the bulbs and to carry light to the outward from the lamp. In FIG. 4, the lamp includes more than one bulb positioned such that there is a middle region inside the group of bulbs. One end  60  of the light pipe or pipes  50  is positioned to receive light from the portion of a bulb that is facing toward the middle region of a group of bulbs. The other end  70  of the pipe or pipes  50  is position so that the light coming out of that end of the pipe is directed outside of the group of bulbs. In the embodiment illustrated, the light pipes  50  split the light form the rear of one prong of the U-shaped lamp into two paths that lead the light out of the lamp system on either side of the one prong of lamp. This can be accomplished with one light pipe as well. Other arrangements that guide light from the inside to the outside of the lamps may be used in accordance with the invention.  
         [0021]    The light pipe  50  may be formed of a solid piece of molded glass or may be a bundle of smaller fibers. The material of the pipe may be glass or plastic. Those skilled in the art will know of other materials suitable to carry light in accordance with the present invention. The material may also be solid or semi-flexible. A flexible material may be used that becomes solid or more solid with the application of heat or over a period of time. The pipe may be linear or curvilinear. In this particular embodiment the light pipe is molded to fit the curvature of the tube. The light pipe may also be coated with a metalized layer to reflect light within the pipe and guide the light from one end to the other end of the pipe. The lamp may be U-shaped. The lamp may also be spiral shaped or other geometric shape that is desired.  
         [0022]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in various specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The disclosed embodiments are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced thereby.  
         [0023]    It should be emphasized that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including”, when used in this description and claims, are taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components, but the use of these terms does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components, or groups thereof.