Abstract:
A lamp device is disclosed. The lamp device comprises a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector located at a first end portion of the lamp device. The first end portion of the lamp device is received in a receptacle of a first base portion. A first locking portion is included for secunng the first base portion to the first end portion. The present radiation lamp device obviates or mitigates the need to use adhesive and/or polymer insulation/O-rings to achieve electrical connections. Further, the present radiation lamp may be oriented in a vertical orientation without the need to use springs and/or rubber part to support the distal end of the lamp.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a lamp device. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation lamp. In yet another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source assembly. In yet another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source module. In yet another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a fluid treatment system. In yet another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a water disinfection system. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Fluid treatment systems such as water disinfection systems are generally known in the art. 
         [0003]    See, for example, one or more of the following United States patents:
       Re36,896,   U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,370,   U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,809,   U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,980,   U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,244,   U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,063,   U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,355,   U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,210,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,188,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,346,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,028,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,269,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,674,084,   U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,586, and   U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,078.       
 
         [0019]    Many of the above-identified United States patents teach fluid treatment systems that employ ultraviolet (UV) radiation to kill, sterilize and/or prevent replication of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, pathogens and the like) that may be present in the fluid. 
         [0020]    Generally, such prior art fluid treatment systems employ an ultraviolet radiation lamp to emit radiation of a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths (usually between 185 and 400 nm) to kill, sterilize and/or prevent replication of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, pathogens and the like) that may be present in the fluid. 
         [0021]    Conventional ultraviolet radiation lamps include low pressure lamps, medium pressure lamps, low pressure high output lamps and the like. 
         [0022]    In more recent years, it has become conventional to use such ultraviolet lamps configured to have all of the electrical connections disposed at one end of the lamp. See, for example, FIGS. 2-8 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,101 [Ellner et al. (Ellner)] and FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,527 [Solymar]. 
         [0023]    As can be seen from the prior art radiation lamps taught by Ellner, Solymar and others, it is conventional in the art to utilize so-called electrical pins at one end of the lamp. Typically, a ceramic base is used to cover the pinch of the lamp and the electrical pins emanate from the ceramic base. Another ceramic base is used to cover the pinch of the lamp at the opposite end (i.e., where there are no electrical pins emanating from the lamp. It is conventional to secure such ceramic (or similar) bases to the pinch of the lamp using an adhesive. 
         [0024]    Unfortunately, the use of such adhesives to secure the ceramic bases to the pinch ends of the lamp often results in off-gas production from the adhesive thereby causing fouling on the inside of the quartz sleeve thus reducing radiation (e.g., ultraviolet radiation) output to the fluid (e.g., water) being treated. Further, the use of such adhesives can lead to stress cracking of the quartz pinch area of the lamp when the lamp is operated at relatively high temperature and/or during curing of the adhesive. Still further, from an engineering perspective, it is difficult to achieve reliable bonding using such adhesives. 
         [0025]    It has also been conventional in the art of such lamps having electrical connections at a single end to utilize insulated return wires (e.g., insulated with a polymer such as Teflon) and polymer O-rings (e.g., Teflon O-rings) to hold the return wires in place along the lamp. If the polymer O-rings are omitted, a further problem can be created, namely that the wires can become non-aligned potentially blocking a radiation sensor element and/or creating short circuit (if non-insulated wires are used). 
         [0026]    Unfortunately, the use of polymer (e.g., Teflon) insulation on the return wires and the O-rings often results in off-gas production thereby causing fouling on the inside of the quartz sleeve thus reducing radiation (e.g., ultraviolet radiation) output to the fluid (e.g., water) being treated. 
         [0027]    In prior art, it is known to dispose ultraviolet radiation lamps vertically in a fluid treatment system. Such lamps are disposed in a protective quartz sleeve having an open end from which the lamp connections emanate and a closed (or domed) end. In such configurations, it is convention to utilize springs and/or rubber parts in the closed (or domed) end of the sleeve to support the lamp when installed vertically, thereby obviating undue stress on the electrical connection. Further, conventional such springs/and or rubber parts work best when the lamp is fully installed. There is a risk of partial or full disconnection of the electrical connection during installation and/or removal of the lamp. 
         [0028]    Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a radiation lamp device in which the need to use adhesive and/or polymer insulation/O-rings is obviated or mitigated. Further, there is a need in the art for an arrangement that allows for disposition of a radiation lamp in a vertical orientation without the need to use springs and/or rubber part to support the distal end of the lamp. Still further, there is a need in the art for a radiation lamp device that obviates or mitigates the problem of partial or full disconnection of the electrical connection described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0030]    Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a lamp device comprising: (i) a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector located at a first end portion of the lamp device, (ii) a first base portion having a first receptacle for receiving the first end portion, and (iii) a first locking portion for securing the first base portion to the first end portion. 
         [0031]    In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source assembly comprising such a lamp device, together with a radiation transparent protective sleeve. 
         [0032]    In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a radiation lamp comprising: an elongate radiation-emitting cavity having a longitudinal axis; a first electrical connection base disposed at a first end of the elongate radiation-emitting cavity; a second electrical connection base disposed at a second end of the elongate radiation-emitting cavity; a first elongate electrical connector and a second elongate electrical connector disposed in the first electrical connection base; an electrical lead electrically connecting one of the first elongate electrical connector and a second elongate electrical connectors to the second electrical connection base; and a tensioning element disposed on at least one of the first electrical connection base and the second electrical connection base, the tensioning element being configured to apply tension to the electrical lead between the first electrical connection base and the second electrical connection base. 
         [0033]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a lamp device comprising: (i) a first elongate electrical connector and a second elongate electrical connector located at a first end portion of the lamp device, and (ii) a first base portion comprising a first element and a second element configured to be engageable to one another to secure the first base portion to the first end portion. 
         [0034]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a radiation lamp comprising: an elongate radiation-emitting cavity having a longitudinal axis; a first connection base disposed at a first end of the elongate radiation-emitting cavity; a second connection base disposed at a second end of the elongate radiation-emitting cavity; a connection member interconnecting the first connection base and the second connection base; and a tensioning element disposed on at least one of the first connection base and the second connection base, the tensioning element being configured to apply tension to the connection member to secure at least one of the first electrical connection base and the second electrical connection base with respect to the elongate radiation-emitting cavity 
         [0035]    Other aspects of the present invention relate to fluid treatment systems and water disinfection systems incorporating the above lamp device, radiation source assembly, radiation lamp and radiation source module, respectively. 
         [0036]    The present radiation lamp device obviates or mitigates the need to use adhesive and/or polymer insulation/O-rings to achieve electrical connections. Further, the present radiation lamp may be oriented in a vertical orientation without the need to use springs and/or rubber part to support the distal end of the lamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and in which: 
           [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the lamp in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that has been ghosted; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side elevation of the opposite end of the lamp shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view of the lamp shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 8-15  illustrate a third embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 16-17  illustrate a third embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 18-22  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 23-24  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present lamp device; 
           [0048]      FIG. 25  illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present lamp device; and 
           [0049]      FIGS. 26-27  illustrate a seventh embodiment of the present lamp device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0050]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is illustrated a portion of a lamp device  100 . 
         [0051]    Lamp device  100  comprises an end portion  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, end portion  110  comprises a pinch section  115  having a bulb  120  at one end thereof. Pinch section  115  interconnects a pair of electrical pins  125 , 130  to a filament  135  via a pair of electrical strips  140 , 145 . 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a base portion  150  is provided having a large receptacle  155  and a pair of small receptacles  160 . 
         [0053]    With further reference to  FIG. 1 , there is a provided a key member  165  having a pair of tongues  170 . 
         [0054]    When it is desired to secure base member  150  to end portion  110  of lamp  100 , bulb portion  120  is disposed in receptacle  155  of base member  150 . Next, key element  165  is positioned such that tongues  170  are aligned with receptacles  160 . Key element  165  is then pushed into place resulting in a secured connection of base member  150  to end region  110  of lamp  100 —see  FIG. 2 . 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-7 , there is illustrated a second embodiment of the present lamp device. Specifically, lamp device  200  comprises all of its electrical connections at one end of the lamp only.  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the end of lamp  200  containing the exposed electrical connections whereas  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the end of lamp  200  containing the return electrical connections. 
         [0056]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a portion of radiation lamp emitting cavity  205  having disposed therein a filament  210 . Filament  210  comprises a pair of electrical connections that are connected to a pair of electrical leads  215 , 220  via a conventional base element  225 . 
         [0057]    Electrical lead  215  is connected to a return wire  230  and electrical lead  220  is connected to a return wire  235 . 
         [0058]    Base element  225  comprises a pair of receptacles  240  each of which receive an end portion of return wires  230 , 235 . Each of return wires  230 , 235  has crimped (or otherwise secured thereto) a stop member  245  which serves to abut against the walls of receptacle  240  of base element  225 . 
         [0059]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , return wires  230 , 235  are shown passing through base element  250 . Preferably, base element  250  is similar to base element  150  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 ; base element  250  is modified to include a pair of receptacles  255  through which return wires  230 , 235  pass. 
         [0060]    Crimped (or otherwise secured to) the ends of return wires  230 , 235  is a stop member  260 . Disposed between stop member  260  and receptacle  255  is a spring  265 . 
         [0061]    Spring  265  is chosen to impart tension on return wires  230 , 235  in the direction of Arrow A ( FIG. 5 ). The conveyance of such tension to return wires  230 , 235  serves to compensate for thermal expansion of the wires while eliminating stress on the electrical connections at the distal end of the lamp. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIGS. 8-15 , there is illustrated a third preferred embodiment of the present lamp device shown with a plug connector ( FIGS. 8-12 ). 
         [0063]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an insert element  305  is disposed near the end of lamp device  300 . Insert element  305  (typically the pinch portion of the lamp) comprises a depression  306  and a step portion  307  on each side thereof. 
         [0064]    Lamp device  300  has a filament  310  and a pair of electrical connectors  315  (only one is shown in  FIG. 13 ) which is connected to a pair of electrical pins  320  emitting from insert  305 . Electrical pins  320  are connected to electrical connector  315  by an electrical connection  317 . Next, with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , first half  325  of a base element is positioned such that insert  305  is seated in first half  325 . Each of electrical pins  320  of insert  305  passes through a stop member  330  that is seated in first half  325 . 
         [0065]    On the marginal portions of first half  325  is disposed a pair of channels  335 . Each channel  335  comprises a stop member  340  connected to each of a pair of return wires  345 . As will be seen, each return wire  345  passes through a spring  350  disposed in channel  335 . Spring  350  is chosen to achieve the same effect as spring  265  discussed above with reference to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , it will be seen that first half  325  comprises a post  355  and a receptacle  360 . A second half  365  ( FIG. 12 ) of the base unit is provided and has a mirror image design of first half  325 . Second half  365  is disposed on first half  325  to complete the base unit as shown in  FIG. 9 . The completed base unit as shown in  FIG. 9  comprises a pair of slots  370  on which may be clipped a plug connector  375 . Plug connector  375  has electrical leads (not shown) connected to it which are, in turn, connected to a power supply (not shown). Disposition of the complete connection shown in  FIG. 8  in a quartz sleeve  400  is shown in  FIG. 12 . As will be evident, the design of plug connector  375  is such that accidental disconnection of plug connector  375  from the completed base unit is not possible (i.e., there is not sufficient space within the confines of quartz sleeve  400  to allow plug connector  375  to disengage from the completed base unit). 
         [0067]    Each of first half  325  and second half  365  are configuration to have an interior shape that is complementary to depression  306  and step portion  307  of insert element  305 . This serves to engage insert element  305  to the assembled unit of first half  325  and second half  365 . 
         [0068]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , there is shown the complete base unit. First half  325  and second half  365  are secured to one another by a roll (or split) pin  367  that is passed through an aperture  366  in first half  325  and an aperture (not shown) in second half  365 . 
         [0069]    With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , there is shown a slightly modified version of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-15 . In this case, the tensioning function that was in channel  335  of first half  325  has been moved to the opposite end of the lamp and is shown, particularly, at  FIG. 17 . 
         [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 18-22 , there is illustrated a lamp device  400 . 
         [0071]    Lamp device  400  comprises a proximal end portion  410  and a distal end portion  420 . A lamp cavity portion  430  is disposed between proximal end portion  410  and distal end portion  420 . Lamp cavity portion  430  is conventional and, for example, may contain electrodes (not shown for clarity) or the like at or near proximal end portion  410  and distal end portion  420 . The important point is that lamp cavity  430  is configured to emit radiation such as ultraviolet radiation. 
         [0072]    Proximal lamp end portion  410  comprises a socket element  425 . Connected to socket element  425  are a pair of support rods  427 , 429 . 
         [0073]    Proximal end portion  410  further comprises an elongate pinch portion  435  emanating from lamp cavity  430 . As is known in the art, it is conventional to construct lamp cavity  430  from a radiation transparent material such as quartz. Preferably, this is also the material used for construction of elongate pinch portion  435 . In a highly preferred embodiment, elongate pinch portion  435  is integral with lamp cavity  430 . 
         [0074]    Emanating from lamp cavity  430  are a pair of electrical leads  440 , 445 . As illustrated particularly in  FIG. 19 , electrical lead  440  emanates from elongate pinch portion  435  and is connected to an electrode (not shown) disposed in the proximal region of lamp cavity  430 . Preferably, elongate pinch portion  435  surrounds, more preferably encases, electrical lead  440 . 
         [0075]    Electrical lead  445  emanates from distal end portion  420  of lamp device  400 . Electrical lead  445  is fed back toward proximal end portion  410  of lamp device  400 . 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , socket  425  comprises a pair of electrical attachments to connect lamp device  400  to an electrical power supply (not shown). These electrical attachments are configured to be complementary to electrical attachments connected to the power supply (not shown). 
         [0077]    Thus, socket  425  comprises a receptacle  421  having disposed therein a pin  422  connected to electrical lead  440 . 
         [0078]    Socket  425  further comprises a male member  423  having a receptacle  424  for receiving a complementary pin connector (not shown) from the power supply (not shown). 
         [0079]    Disposed on elongate pinch portion  435  is a pin  450 . 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , proximal end portion  410  also comprises a base portion  455 . As will be described in more detail below, base portion  455  serves to secure lamp cavity  430  to socket  425 . Preferably, base portion  455  is made from a material capable of absorbing heat. For example, base portion  455  may be made from a ceramic material such as alumina. In a preferred embodiment, base portion  455  is constructed as a single piece base—e.g., using casting or other conventional techniques. 
         [0081]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , it can be seen that base portion  455  comprises a main passageway  457  through which elongate extension portion  435  may pass. Base portion  455  further comprises a secondary passageway  459  through which electrical lead  445  may pass. 
         [0082]    Base portion  455  further comprises a slot  460  whose function will be described below. 
         [0083]    Base portion  455  further comprises a pair of receptacle portions  461  for receiving the distal ends of support rods  427 , 429 . 
         [0084]    Finally, base portion  455  comprises a pair of wire support members  463  which are mechanically attached to base portion  455  in a conventional manner (not shown). Wire support member  463  serve to locate lamp device  400  in a quartz sleeve (not shown). 
         [0085]    When it is desired to connect base portion  455  to lamp cavity  430 , a clip portion  452  is disposed on pin  450 —see  FIG. 20 . Clip portion  452  comprises a tab portion  454 . 
         [0086]    Base portion  455  is slid over the end of elongate extension portion  435  until tab portion  454  of clip portion  452  engages with slot  460  of body portion  455 . At this point, body portion  455  is secured to lamp cavity  430 . Clip portion  452  can be configured to be reversibly or irreversibly engageable to slot  460  of body portion  455 . 
         [0087]    Support rods  427 , 429  may then be inserted into and secured with respect to receptacle portions  461  of base portion  455 —see  FIG. 22 . 
         [0088]    With reference to  FIGS. 23-24 , there is shown a lamp device  500 . 
         [0089]    Lamp device  500  comprises a pinch element  510  similar to the one described above with reference to  FIG. 14 . Pinch element  510  comprises a depression  515  and a step element  520 . 
         [0090]    A base unit  555  is provided and comprises a first base half  555   a  and a second base half  555   b . The inside surfaces of base halves  555   a , 555   b  are configured such that they are complementary with depression  515  and step portion  520  of pinch element  510 . 
         [0091]    Base unit half  555   b  comprises a pair of wire support members  563  (only one is shown) which are mechanically attached to base unit half  555   b  and serve a function similar to that described above with reference to wire support members  563 . 
         [0092]    Also provided on pinch portion  515  is a tension ring  570  comprising a pair of tension tabs  575 . When it is desired to connect base unit  555  to pinch portion  515 , base unit halves  555   a , 555   b  are positioned around pinch portion  515 . Next, each of tension tabs  575  of tension ring  570  are squeezed together thereby securing base unit halves  555   a , 555   b  together—the completed assembly is shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0093]    With reference to  FIG. 25 , there is a slight modification shown to lamp device  500 . Specifically, wire support members  563  have been omitted and tension ring  570  comprises a trio of tension tabs  575 . The provision of trio of tension tabs  575  serves to facilitate correct location of lamp device  500  in a quartz sleeve  580 . 
         [0094]    With reference to  FIGS. 26-27 , there is illustrated an end portion of a lamp device  600 .  FIG. 26  illustrates a side elevation of lamp device  600  and  FIG. 27  illustrates a top view of lamp device  600 . 
         [0095]    Lamp device  600  comprises pinch portion  610  over which is disposed a unitary base portion  655  that is similar to base portion  455  discussed above. In this embodiment, base portion  455  is secured to pinch  610  by a pair of clips  611 , 612  which are placed under tension in a conventional manner so as to create a friction fit with pinch portion  610 . 
         [0096]    While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and examples, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Thus, various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments. 
         [0097]    All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.