AU2001249162A1 - Combination uv inspection light and flashlight - Google Patents
Combination uv inspection light and flashlightInfo
- Publication number
- AU2001249162A1 AU2001249162A1 AU2001249162A AU4916201A AU2001249162A1 AU 2001249162 A1 AU2001249162 A1 AU 2001249162A1 AU 2001249162 A AU2001249162 A AU 2001249162A AU 4916201 A AU4916201 A AU 4916201A AU 2001249162 A1 AU2001249162 A1 AU 2001249162A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- light
- lamp
- housing
- cold mirror
- dichroic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
- F21L14/00—Electric lighting devices without a self-contained power source, e.g. for mains connection
- F21L14/02—Electric lighting devices without a self-contained power source, e.g. for mains connection capable of hand-held use, e.g. inspection lamps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
- F21S41/37—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V7/00—Reflectors for light sources
- F21V7/22—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
- F21V7/24—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors characterised by the material
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V7/00—Reflectors for light sources
- F21V7/22—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
- F21V7/28—Reflectors for light sources characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors characterised by coatings
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
- G01M3/20—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
- G01M3/20—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
- G01M3/22—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
- G01M3/226—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators
- G01M3/228—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators for containers, e.g. radiators for radiators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/38—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using light
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optical Filters (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
- Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Description
COMBINATION UV INSPECTION LIGHT AND FLASHLIGHT
Cross Reference to Related Applications
This patent application claims benefit of U.S. provisional Serial No.
60/188,958, filed March 13, 2000.
Background of the Invention
This invention concerns ultraviolet (UN or black) lights of a type used by
technicians in carrying out leak detection inspections by illuminating potential leak sites to
detect the presence fluorescent tracer dyes. This is commonly done in servicing air
conditioning refrigeration systems, automobile air conditioning systems components,
hydraulic machinery, etc.
The dyes are typically mixed with a compatible oil and injected into the
system. If leaks are present, a trace of the dye and oil mixture flow onto external surfaces.
This leakage fluoresces when illuminated with UN and sometimes blue light, emitting visible
light which can be seen by the technician.
Such UN lights particularly adapted for leak detection service applications
have been developed in recent years, utilizing selective reflection filters, sometimes referred
to as "dichroic" filters which transmit ultraviolet wavelengths and reflect back visible light to
maximize the user's ability to see any fluorescence that occurs. Such lights require high
wattage lamps as a UN source as compared with most other application of UN lights, which
therefore emit considerable heat energy. The use of reflecting or "dichroic" filters is a
significant improvement over absorbent filters used in the past selectively which absorbed
visible light from the high intensity light emitted by the lamps, since the filters themselves
overheated if the light was used for long periods and sometimes cracked during such use.
For this reason, the dichroic filters have been designed to transmit infrared
radiation as well as UN to prevent overheating of the dichroic filter and other components.
This is described in copending U.S. application 08/964,839, filed on November 5, 1997 and
U.S. patent 5,905,268. In those lights, visible light is reflected back into the housing such
that some heating of the interior of the light occurs.
In another types of testing, dyed smoke is used to initially locate leak,
requiring a flashlight to detect the smoke. Also, it is often useful to have a flashlight
available in darkened locations in buildings where equipment is being serviced. The
previously UN lights have not been able to be used as an ordinary flashlight.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a UN light
which while utilizing a high intensity lamp as a powerful source of UN light does not result
in overheating of the light nor specifically the optical components eliminating visible light,
and which emits a very high proportion of the UN light generated by the lamp.
It is another object to provide such a UN light which is also conveniently
useable as a flashlight.
Summary of the Invention
The above objects as well as others which will become apparent upon a
reading of the following specification and claims are achieved by using a reflector rather than
a dichroic filter to selectively act to produce a beam of UN light while also directing the
visible and IR radiation out from the light.
The reflector selectively reflects only emitted UN light by the lamp, while
transmitting visible and IR radiation. Such dichroic reflector is commonly known in the art
as a "cold mirror". The cold mirror reflector is angled with respect to the high wattage lamp
so that the UN light beam is directed out of a light housing through a first window formed on
one side of the light.
On the other hand, visible and infrared light is transmitted through the cold
mirror reflector and out from a second window in the front end of the light housing.
A detachable cap may be secured over the second housing wind to optionally
block the visible-infrared light beam from exiting the light housing.
Heating of the cold mirror reflector is minimized as none of the wavelengths
are absorbed by that optical element, nor is retained elsewhere within the light housing when
the cap is removed.
At the same time, the light is capable of a dual use, i.e., as a pure UN light
source and also as a flashlight increasing its utility to the user, particularly where tracer
smoke testing is to be practiced.
The light according to the invention is also compact and may be manufactured
at low cost.
Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective exterior view of an embodiment of a light according
to the invention.
Figure 2 is a partially sectional view taken through the light shown in Figure
1.
Figure 3 is a top view of the partial section of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partially sectional view taken through the center of the light
showing the reflector mounting.
Figure 5 is an enlarged partially sectional view of the head portion of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be
employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with
the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be
limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many
forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figure 1, the UN light 10
according to the present invention includes a housing 11 comprised of an elongated handle 12
and head portion 14 both made of a suitable molded plastic.
A UN light beam window 16 faces to one side of the light 10, while a visible-
infrared window facing the end of light 10 is shown covered with a plastic cap 18.
Figure 2 shows the inner details of the UN light 10. A 12 volt 100 watt lamp
20 which is a powerful source of UN and visible radiation of a much greater power than the
type used with a standard flashlight. The lamp 20 may be of the Xenon type of high color
temperature (3500K) which produces substantial long wave ultraviolet emissions. The
envelop is made of quartz which is itself highly transmittive to long wavelength ultraviolet,
i.e., 340-380 nm. Such a lamp is available from Osram Sylvania under part number FCR
64625 HLX.
The lamp 20 is located at the approximate focal point of a parabolic reflector
22, electro formed of nickel on an accurately shaped stainless steel mandrel. A focal length of
0.187 inches allows the lamp 20 to be approximately located at the focal point to maximize
beam concentration.
As described in copending U.S. application 09/491,413, filed on January 26,
2000 and U.S. application 08/964,839, filed on November 5, 1997, the parabolic reflector 22
is preferably coated to eliminate destructive interference which would reduce the intensity of
the reflected UN light
The surface of the parabolic reflector 22 has a plurality of coatings applied
thereto, one of aluminum and one of silicon dioxide. The interface of silicon dioxide and air,
and silicon dioxide and aluminum produces a double refraction in an opposite sense, which
offset each other to eliminate the potential destructive interference which otherwise could
occur.
The first coating is of aluminum, while the second coating is of silicon
dioxide. The thickness of the silicon dioxide should be uniform and accurately held to
achieve this effect, the thicknesses determined by the "quarter wave stack" principle.
The refractive index of each interface, i.e., the silicon dioxide and air, silicon
dioxide and aluminum determines the effective phase shift of the reflected light. A thickness
of aluminum of .057 microns and of silicon dioxide of .066 microns has been successfully
used for this purpose. The silicon dioxide-air interface causes an approximate 13 degree
forward phase shift, the silicon dioxide-aluminum interface a 13 degree lagging phase shift,
thereby offsetting each other.
Silicon dioxide coatings have heretofore been employed simply to protect the
substrate from scratches and oxidation but have not been sufficiently uniform nor of the
proper thickness to achieve enhanced reflection of ultraviolet wavelengths.
A coated parabolic reflector suitable for this use is available from American
Galvano, 312 N. Cota St., Unit I, Corona, California 91720.
The lamp 20 can be powered from a 12 volt power source such as a vehicle
cigarette lighter socket by use of a plug connector 24 connected by cables 26, a strain fitting
28 at the entrance to the handle 12. An on-off switch 30 connects one lead to the lamp 20, a
connector 32 connecting the other lead. Batteries or an AC power source can also be used.
A lamp base 34 is provided with electrical terminals in conventional fashion.
A selective dichroic reflector 36 is mounted within the head portion 14
opposite the reflector 30 and lamp 20, inclined at 45° such as to redirect UN light emitted
from the lamp 20 and parabolic reflector 22 out through the window 16 in one side of the
housing 11. The selective reflector 36 acts as a beam splitter, transmitting visible and
infrared light while reflecting UN light such as to direct a pure UN beam out through the lens
window 16. The window 16 may be covered with a window lens constructed of borosilicate
glass which is believed to block shorter wavelengths of UN. light which might be hazardous
to the eyes, i.e., around 320 nm and lower.
The cold mirror reflector 36 preferably is of dichroic design utilizing a series
of coatings of a predetermined thickness to create selective reflection. This invention
contemplates a design of such coatings to produce selective reflection of UN light rather than
transmission of UN light as described in U.S. patent 5,905,268, so that a UN light beam is
directed out through the side facing window 16.
At the same time, the coatings are designed so that visible light is transmitted
through the reflector 36 rather than reflected, so that a beam of visible light is directed out
through the window 38 covered by cap 18. Window 38 is also preferably covered with a
clear lens covering constructed of borosilicate glass to block any deep UN light.
As disclosed in U.S. Serial No. 09/491,413, filed on January 26, 2000,
dichroic optical elements from ZC & R Coatings for Optics, Inc. of Torrance, California are
preferred as having coatings of tantalum pentoxide which do not absorb UN.
A suitable cold mirror having a part number CM-UN-350 is commercially
available from ZC & R.
That particular cold mirror has a high percentage of reflectance and low
percentage of transmittance of wavelength in the range of 350 nm to 450 and a high
percentage of transmittance of wavelength from 600 nm to 1200 nm and higher. Deep UN,
i.e., below 340 nm is largely transmitted.
Thus, both visible and infrared are caused to be transmitted out of the light 10
to minimize heating and to create a visible beam for use in other tests and as a flashlight.
The coatings of the cold mirror reflector 36 can also be applied by ZC & R to
minimize blue visible light at wavelengths over 400 nm where the tracer dyes do not
fluorescence in response to such blue light in order to eliminate the need for "blue blocker"
eyeglasses which are necessary when the UV light beam also contains blue light.
Elimination of blue light in the UN beam is advantageous for some leak
testing applications as described in the above referenced copending application.
The cold mirror reflector 36 can comprise a rectangular piece of coated
borosilicate glass as seen in Figures 3 and 4. A molded-in groove 40 holds the reflector 36 in
position in the head 14 at a 45° angle.
The cap 18 also of a molded plastic such as silicone can be opaque to block
the visible light, or the cap 18 can be removed to use the light 10 as a flashlight. If the visible
light does not interfere with observation of the fluorescence, since being directed at 90° to the
UN beam, the cap can be removed, tab 42 assisting in its removal, to maximize cooling of the
housing interior.
Alternatively, forward facing louvers 44 can shield vent openings 46 to
improve cooling with the cap 18 in place.
Claims (8)
1. A combination flashlight and light for use in inspection of leak sites and the like, comprising:
a housing;
a lamp mounted in said housing emitting intense UN, visible and infrared
radiation when said lamp is energized;
a power source for energizing said lamp;
a switch controlling connection of said power source to said lamp to control
energization of said lamp;
a dichroic cold mirror reflector mounted to said housing facing said lamp but
inclined thereto, said dichroic cold mirror reflector coated so as to reflect UN light from said
lamp laterally while transmitting visible and infrared light;
said housing having a first window located to receive said UN beam reflected
laterally from said dichroic cold mirror reflector to be allowed to exit out of said housing, and
a second window located aligned with said lamp and dichroic reflector to allow said visible
and infrared light to exit therethrough and out of said housing.
2. The UN light according to claim 1 further including a detachable cap
on said second window.
3. The UN light according to claim 2 further including vent holes in said
housing behind said dichroic cold mirror reflector.
4. The UN light according to claim 3 further including louvers facing said
second window.
5. The UN light according to claim 1 further including a parabolic
reflector having said lamp approximately located at the focal point thereof and concentrating
light emitted from said lamp and directing the same at said dichroic cold mirror reflector.
6. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said first and second
windows have a window lens mounted therein constructed of borosilicate glass to block UV
below about 320 nm.
7. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said dichroic cold mirror
reflector reflects a high percentage of light in the range of 350 to 450 nm and transmits light
in a range longer than 450 nm.
8. The UV light according to claim 1 wherein said dichroic cold mirror
reflector reflects a high percentage of in the range of 320 to 380 nm and transmits high
percentage of light in a range over 400 nm.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US18895800P | 2000-03-13 | 2000-03-13 | |
US60188958 | 2000-03-13 | ||
PCT/US2001/007867 WO2001069126A1 (en) | 2000-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Combination uv inspection light and flashlight |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2001249162A1 true AU2001249162A1 (en) | 2001-09-24 |
Family
ID=22695276
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2001249162A Abandoned AU2001249162A1 (en) | 2000-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Combination uv inspection light and flashlight |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1264135B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003535315A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001249162A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60128549T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001069126A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102004031503A1 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2006-02-09 | Inficon Gmbh | sniffer probe |
DE102012020743A1 (en) * | 2012-10-23 | 2014-04-24 | Oerlikon Trading Ag, Trübbach | UV irradiation device for clocked operation |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH656656A5 (en) * | 1980-05-30 | 1986-07-15 | Gao Ges Automation Org | SECURITY PAPER WITH AUTHENTICITY CHARACTERISTICS IN THE FORM OF LUMINESCENT AND ABSORBENT SUBSTANCES. |
US5126923A (en) * | 1990-07-27 | 1992-06-30 | Illumitech, Inc. | Omnidirectional light |
US5673989A (en) * | 1994-02-23 | 1997-10-07 | Gohl; Gerald Lee | Wireless, remote-controlled portable searchlight |
US6177678B1 (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 2001-01-23 | Brasscorp Ltd. | Method and apparatus for leak detection and non-destructive testing |
US5816692A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1998-10-06 | Spectronics Corporation | Compact high-intensity UVA inspection lamp |
US5959306A (en) * | 1996-02-08 | 1999-09-28 | Bright Solutions, Inc. | Portable light source and system for use in leak detection |
-
2001
- 2001-03-13 EP EP01922347A patent/EP1264135B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-13 WO PCT/US2001/007867 patent/WO2001069126A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-03-13 AU AU2001249162A patent/AU2001249162A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-13 DE DE60128549T patent/DE60128549T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-03-13 JP JP2001567974A patent/JP2003535315A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2003535315A (en) | 2003-11-25 |
WO2001069126A9 (en) | 2003-10-23 |
EP1264135A4 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
EP1264135A1 (en) | 2002-12-11 |
DE60128549D1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
DE60128549T2 (en) | 2008-01-24 |
WO2001069126A1 (en) | 2001-09-20 |
EP1264135B1 (en) | 2007-05-23 |
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