초록 ▼

For illuminating an area of a structure which is prone to explosion due to dust or vapors in the atmosphere, a system includes fluorescent type lighting devices which are energized by radio frequency energy without any physical connection to the lighting devices. The lighting devices include sealed

For illuminating an area of a structure which is prone to explosion due to dust or vapors in the atmosphere, a system includes fluorescent type lighting devices which are energized by radio frequency energy without any physical connection to the lighting devices. The lighting devices include sealed envelopes having fluorescent material on the inner wall surfaces, and containing a gas which responds to external radio frequency electromagnetic radiation to excite the fluorescent material and produce visible light. The lighting devices are mounted within the structure by insulating brackets and may be mounted within impact resistant protective enclosures. The lighting devices are energized by radiating devices of electromagnetic energy which are mounted adjacent to the several lighting devices within the explosion prone area, and which are supplied with radio frequency electromagnetic energy through appropriate means from a generating source remote from or outside of the explosion prone area. The radiating devices may be metal rod antennas supplied with energy through a coaxial cable conduit. To utilize higher frequency energy, the radiating devices may be resonant horns or radiating disks connected to waveguide conduit which transmits the energy into the explosion prone area. The transmission conduit and radiating devices may be suitably insulated with rugged unbreakable solid plastic, virtually eliminating the possibility of flame, spark or heat to trigger an explosion.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for providing illumination within an area having an atmosphere which is explosion prone when exposed to spark, flame or intense heat, including the steps fabricating lighting devices which include a sealed envelope having fluorescent material on the inner wall surfaces thereof responsive to

A method for providing illumination within an area having an atmosphere which is explosion prone when exposed to spark, flame or intense heat, including the steps fabricating lighting devices which include a sealed envelope having fluorescent material on the inner wall surfaces thereof responsive to radiation, the envelope containing a gas responsive to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation to activate the fluorescent material to provide visible light; placing at least one of said lighting devices in said explosion prone area; generating radio frequency electromagnetic energy at a location outside of said explosion prone area; transmitting said radio frequency electromagnetic energy into and within said explosion prone area through transmission conduit means; connecting at least one electromagnetic energy radiating device to said conduit means within said explosion prone area; enclosing said radiating device with a radiation passive, electrically insulating material; placing one of said radiating devices adjacent to but spaced from each of said lighting devices; and irradiating each of said lighting devices by means of an adjacent radiating device to energize said lighting devices. A lighting system for illuminating an area having an atmosphere which is explosion prone when exposed to spark, flame or intense heat, said system comprising at least one lighting device disposed in said explosion prone area, each comprising a sealed envelope having a radiation responsive fluorescent material on its interior wall surface, and containing a gas responsive to radio frequency electromagentic radiation to activate said fluorescent material; generating means for generating radio frequency electromagnetic energy, disposed outside said explosion prone area; transmission means for transmitting radio frequency electromagentic energy from said generating means into and within said explosion prone area; at least one electromagnetic energy radiating device connected to said transmission means within said explosion prone area; said radiating device and the connection between said radiating device and said transmission means being encased in radiation passive, electrically insulating material; one of said radiating devices being disposed within said explosion prone area adjacent to but spaced from each one of said lighting devices.