Compact coiled coil incandescent filament using pitch for sag control

Abstract

 This invention provides an improved compact fine wire incandescent lamp filament and method for making the same. The filament has a primary mandrel ratio in the range of about 1.40 to about 3.00 and a secondary mandrel ratio which in the range of about 3.0 to about 10.0.
The improved filament design exhibits an increase in compactness and retains or increases structural rigidity while exhibiting minimal sag when the filament is incorporated into an incandescent lamp of the tungsten halogen type variety.
The compact coiling method is particularly useful in designing compact filaments for high voltage applications where it is desirable to eliminate the use of rectifying means to lower the effective voltage across the filament.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a unique coiled coil incandescent filament and supports therefor, especially useful in a European version of Sylvania's Capsylite lamps. Both PAR and A-line versions of these lamps are commercially available in the United States. The U.S. versions of these lamps are characterized by a low-wattage, tungsten - halogen, hard glass light-source capsule, mounted within a heavy outer envelope. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,598,225, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR), elliptical reflector (ER), or reflector (R) lamps for general spot, downlighting, and/or flood lighting applications is well established. In particular, R, PAR, and ER type lamps have been accepted as the lamps of choice for short to medium distance outdoor uses, as well as for indoor display, decoration, accent, and inspection applications of down lighting.

[0003] Traditionally, incandescent PAR-type lamps, particularly Sylvania's PAR38, have used a filament mounted transversely in the reflector, that is, perpendicular to its axis of symmetry, because this was the simplest configuration to manufacture.

[0004] The result of this configuration is an asymmetric beam pattern and the spreading of stray light outside of the useful beam. Additionally, the necessity of maintaining the proper atmosphere in the outer jacket required that the lamp be hermetically sealed with the lens flane-sealed to the reflector.

[0005] With the introduction of Sylvania's Capsylite PAR lamps, which use a halogen capsule as a light source, came lamps with axially mounted filaments which yield a more symmetric beam pattern and more efficient collection of light by the reflector into a useful beam.

[0006] Part of this gain in optical efficiency is due to the fact that the Capsylite lamps use a compact filament which more nearly approaches the theoretically ideal "point" source.

[0007] In Capsylite lamps operating under United States type electrical systems (i.e., 120-130V; 60 Hertz) such compact filaments are made possible by the use of a halfwave rectifying diode which effectively reduces the capsule voltage from 120V to about 84V. Furthermore, since the atmosphere in the outer envelope is no longer critical because of the capsule, the lamp need not be hermetic and bonded beam lamps have appeared.

[0008] In European line voltage PAR lamps, typically of 220 to 250V, halogen capsules have not been used because of the exceedingly fine wire that is required at this high voltage.

[0009] Low wattage (<150W), line voltage filaments tend to be long and flimsy, prone to sag and requiring multiple supports which reduce efficiency. Voltage reducing diodes cannot be used because they produce objectionable flickering of the filament when run on the 50 cycle AC which is standard in Europe.

[0010] "Folded" filaments tend to have detrimental interactions between adjacent sections of the filament which will reduce life.

[0011] Coiled filaments are known, see for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 1,180,159; 1,247,068; 2,142,865; 2,306,925; 2,774,918; 4,208,609; and 4,316,116. However, none of these coiled filaments provides the unique features of the filament of the present invention.

[0012] Filament supports typically cause shadowing and scattering of light. Examples of typical filament supports may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,359,665; 4,208,606; 3,780,333; 3,736,455; 3,678,319; 3,634,722; 3,335,312; and 3,173,051.

[0013] While quartz halogen capsules in the 220-250V range have been made, they are generally inefficient and complicated affairs with zig-zagged" filaments and multiple coil supports.

[0014] Thus, conventional quartz capsules are not well suited for use in PAR lamps since they are lacking both in luminous efficiency and in optical efficiency. They are also more expensive to produce than hard glass capsules due to the high cost of materials and processes involved and the amount of labor required.

[0015] The present invention overcomes the difficulties mentioned above with respect to European type PAR and A-line lamps by providing a unique filament and non-interfering supports therefor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is directed to a low wattage (<150W) high voltage (120-250V) halogen coil filament particularly well suited for use in European type PAR and A-line lamps.

[0017] In particular the invention is directed to an improved halogen coil filament, the improvements including a compact high efficiency filament mounted axially in a single ended hard glass capsule with a unique system of supports sufficient to prevent significant coil sag over the useful life thereof.

[0018] The parameters of the filament of the present invention are new. A filament prepared in accordance with these parameters demonstrates improved compactness and structural rigidity which, together with the unique supplementary supports therefor, provides a suitable light-source for lamps operating under European electrical systems (220-250 volts and 50 Hertz).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an incandescent lamp, particularly of the tungsten halogen variety, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a filament wire which was wound to form a coiled filament.

Figure 3 illustrates a filament wire which was wound to form a coiled coil filament.

Figure 4 illustrates a filament wire wound around a primary mandrel to form a primary coil.

Figure 5 illustrates a primary coil which is wound around a secondary mandrel to form the coiled coil filament.

Figure 6 illustrates the various parameters related to determining the outer diameter of a coiled coil filament of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] This invention relates to a multiple coiled filament and system of supports. The filament consists of a single strand wire, coreless, coiled coil filament for an incandescent lamp. The supports allow a simple, inexpensive and efficient coil to be constructed.

[0021] Figure 1 represents an example of an incandescent lamp 10, in this embodiment being of the tungsten halogen variety, prepared in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

[0022] As illustrated, lamp 10 comprises a tubular envelope 12, prepared from a suitable light transmissive material, such as aluminosilicate glass. A pair of lead in wires 14 and 16, portions of which serve as mounting means, are press sealed in envelope 12 at press seal 18.

[0023] Lead in wires 14 and 16 can be formed from any suitable material, for example, molybdenum, which will form a relatively strain free hermetic seal with glass envelope 12. A refractory metal, such as tungsten, is used to form the coiled coil filament 20 in accordance with the teachings of this invention. Coiled coil filament 20 is provided with legs 21 at each end thereof during its formation.

[0024] In this embodiment, envelope 12 is filled with a fill gas, comprising an inert gas and a suitable halogen or halide. Preferred examples of fill gases useful herein include the inert gases; argon, krypton, xenon, and/or nitrogen; plus the halogen or halide.

[0025] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate enlarged views of the preferred tungsten filament of the present invention and its coiled and coiled coiled stages, respectively. Each stage has a pitch or percent pitch, which is equal to S, the center to center spacing of the turns, divided by d, the diameter of the wire or coil, multiplied by 100.

[0026] Specifically, Figure 2 illustrates the primary pitch of a filament 20A having a center to center spacing of S₁, wire diameter d₁, and outer diameter D₁. In the present invention, the primary pitch P₁ is equal to S₁/d₁ and the secondary pitch P₂ is equal to S₁/d₂. Note: d₂ = D₁ and have values that do not exceed about 1.70 (or about 170%).

[0027] In Figure 3, S₂ is the center to center spacing of the coiled coil filament, d₂ (d₂ = D₁) is the primary coil diameter, and BL is the body length of the coiled coil (or secondary) filament. In preferred embodiments, the secondary pitch of the filament is in the range of from about 1.40 to about 1.60.

[0028] The method of forming the coiled coil filament of the present invention is represented by Figures 4-6.

[0029] With reference to Figure 4, the present method comprises the steps of (1) providing a strand of fibrous filament wire 19 having a particular length L and a diameter d (for a particular wattage, voltage and efficiency) and (2) winding filament wire 19 around a primary mandrel 30 having a diameter of M₁ to produce a primary coil 20A.

[0030] With reference to Figure 5, the method of the present invention further includes the step (3) of winding the primary coil 20A around a secondary mandrel 40 having a secondary mandrel diameter of M₂ to produce a coiled coil filament configuration, where B ≧ A.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, the primary winding diameter D₁ and the secondary winding diameter D₂ of the filament are:
D₁ = d(A+2) and D₂ = D₁ (B+2) where d equals the filament wire diameter and 1.40 ≦ A ≦ 3.00 and 3.0 ≦ B ≦ 10.0
such that the filament exhibits an increase in compactness and retains or exhibits an increase in structural rigidity.

[0032] Surprisingly it has been discovered that B can range from about 3.0 to about 10.0 (when A satisfies the equation 1.40 ≦ A ≦ 3.0) and when the primary pitch is decreased so that the inner pitch (IP) satisfies the condition 1.08 ≦ IP ≦ 1.35, and where:

and where the winding is further improved by decreasing the primary pitch PP from about 55% to as low as about 125%, and by selecting the value of B such that IP is kept as close as possible to the center of the range given by the equation 1.08 ≦ IP ≦ 1.35.

[0033] The method of the present invention further includes the step (4) of removing substantially all of the core of the coiled coil filament 20 except for the core in legs 21. The core in legs 21 is preferably left intact in order to preserve the structural integrity of filament 20 when it is mounted within the envelope and crimped or attached by the legs to a mounting means.

[0034] Figure 6 illustrates the outer diameter D₂ of the filament winding illustrated in Figure 5, wherein the primary mandrel diameter M₁ is greater than the diameter of filament wire 19 and the secondary mandrel diameter M₂ is greater than the diameter of the primary filament coil 20A.

[0035] The most preferred coil configuration is centered in the bulb (CCB configuration) to equalize bulb wall temperature. At the higher wattages, this allows bulb wall loading to be minimized. At the lower wattages, this allows the minimum bulb wall temperature (required for operation of the tungsten halogen cycle) to be achieved without cold spots.

[0036] Centering the coil in the bulb is also important for filaments focussed in reflectors since this equalizes the light distribution about the central axis of the reflector.

[0037] An example of a filament improved by the present invention follows:

[0038] In the sample winding, where the mandrel ratios are low, the resulting body length is about 14 mm. Improved windings # 1, 2, and 3 represent length reductions of about 39%, 57% and 67% respectively, compared to the sample filament.

[0039] With respect to lamps designing reflector type lamps for operating at high voltages, especially for overseas operation at 225 and 245 volts, such lamps typically require starting off with extremely long filament wires.

[0040] In addition, filaments designed to operate at line voltage such as 120 or 130 volts also require starting with a long filament wire. The improved method for reducing focus loss and improving collection efficiency will provide for winding a filament wire into a compact coil which is especially useful for these applications and can lead to enhanced operation at high voltages since typical winding techniques has led to extremely long filaments requiring larger envelopes, more complex mounting arrangements and a greater dispersion of light.

[0041] Furthermore, the aforementioned filament design can also lead to operation without voltage reducing or recitfying means (e.g., a diode) which eliminates the modulation of the light and power fluctuations that result from the use of such rectifying means. Elimination of the rectifying means is particularly important in the 225 to 245 volt range since the small filament mass leads to greater thermal fluctuations and useful where small reflector lamp designs are sought due to the heat generated by the lamp capsule that the rectifier is exposed to.

[0042] The more compact coil that results herein also leads to a smaller capsule size which provides the following heretofore unavailable advantages:

1. Allows for the operation of lower wattage tungsten halogen capsules at higher voltages since the bulb wall loading is increased;

2. Allows for the use of high pressure tungsten halogen capsules, which in turn leads to lower capsule energy and thus improved containment during lamp arc-out during lamp failure; and

3. Allows for lower overall material costs for lamp parts such as glass, fill gas, and outer jacket.

[0043] The present invention has been described in detail, including the preferred embodiments thereof. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon consideration of the present disclosure, may make modifications and/or improvements on this invention and still be within the scope and spirit of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An incandescent filament comprising a coiled coil of refractory metal wire having a diameter d, wherein the primary winding diameter D₁ and the secondary winding diameter D₂ of said filament are defined by the equations:
D₁ = d(A+2) and D₂ = D₁(B+2)
where d equals the filament wire diameter and
1.40 ≦ A ≦ 3.00 and 3.0 ≦ B ≦ 10.0
such that the filament exhibits an increase in compactness and retains or exhibits an increase in structural rigidity.

2. The coiled coil incandescent filament of claim 1, wherein the inner pitch, IP, of said coiled coil filament is defined as follows:

3. The coiled coil incandescent filament of claim 2, wherein the inner pitch, IP, of said coiled coil filament satisfies the condition:
1.08 ≦ IP ≦ 1.35

4. The coiled coil incandescent filament of claim 1, wherein the primary pitch, PP, may range from about 155% to about 125%.

5. The coiled coil incandescent filament of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said coiled coil filament is less than or equal to about 4.5 mils.

6. The coiled coil incandescent filament of claim 1, wherein the refractory metal wire comprises tungsten.

7. An incandescent lamp comprising in combination:
a hermetically sealed, light transmissive envelope;
means for structurally and electrically mounting a filament within said envelope; and
a filament comprising a coiled coil of refractory metal wire electrically coupled to and supported by said means for mounting, said wire having a diameter d, wherein the primary winding diameter D₁ and the secondary winding diameter D₂ of said filament are defined by the equations:
D₁ = d(A+2) and D₂ = D₁ (B+2)
where d equals the filament wire diameter and
1.40 ≦ A ≦ 3.00 and 3.0 ≦ B ≦ 10.0
said filament exhibiting an increase in compactness and an increase in structural rigidity.

8. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the inner pitch, IP, of said coiled coil filament is defined as follows:

9. The lamp of claim 8, wherein the inner pitch, IP, of said coiled coil filament satisfies the condition:
1.08 ≦ IP ≦ 1.35

10. The lamp of claim 9, wherein the primary pitch, PP, may range from about 155% to about 125%.

11. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the diameter of said coiled coil filament is less than or equal to about 4.5 mils.

12. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the refractory metal wire comprises tungsten.

13. The lamp of claim 7, wherein said lamp is a tungsten halogen lamp having a halogen or a halide as a part of the fill gas.

14. The lamp of claim 13, wherein the filament coil configuration is centered in the bulb.

15. The lamp of claim 13, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of lead-in wires, press sealed in said envelope and extending therefrom.

16. The incandescent lamp of claim 7, which further comprises a reflector-type lamp.

17. The lamp according to claim 7, wherein said lamp further includes rectifying or other voltage reducing means electrically coupled to one of said lead-in wires, in series with said filament, and coupled to a voltage source thereby reducing the voltage across said filament.

18. The lamp according to claim 7, wherein said envelope includes an infrared reflective coating such that infrared light is reflected back to said filament.

19. A method of making a coiled coil incandescent filament which exhibits an increase in compactness and retains or exhibits an increase in structural rigidity, said method comprising the steps of:
winding a filament wire having a diameter d, around a primary mandrel having a diameter M₁ to produce a primary coil having a primary winding diameter D₁ and winding said primary coil around a secondary mandrel having a diameter M₂, to produce a coiled coil filament having a secondary winding diameter D₂ which satisfiy the equations:
D₁ = d(A+2) and D₂ = D₁ (B+2)
where d equals the filament wire diameter and
1.40 ≦ A ≦ 3.00 and 3.0 ≦ B ≦ 10.0.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of removing substantially all of the core of said coiled coil filament, except at the legs thereof.

Drawing