Electrodeless high intensity discharge lamps.

摘要

An electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamp system includes a ballast housing constructed from a thermally conductive material for containing a ballast of a type having at least one RF power switching device. The RF switching device is thermally coupled to the ballast housing to provide heat sinking therefor. The excitation coil of the HID lamp is also thermally coupled to said ballast housing via thermally-conductive coil mounting studs, but is electrically insulated therefrom. An opening in the ballast housing enables the electrical connection of the coil to the output circuit of the ballast. The RF power switching device and the excitation coil are arranged so as to be spaced apart sufficiently in order to maintain the ballast housing temperature substantially uniform during operation of said lamp, thereby maximizing lamp efficiency and increasing the useful life of the lamp and ballast. <IMAGE>