JPS6013264B2 - fluorescent light - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a crab light lamp that can be used as a direct replacement for existing incandescent lamps.

More specifically, the invention relates to a crab light lamp in which ionization is induced by a transformer housed within the lamp envelope. Incandescent lamps are the main lighting equipment for domestic and residential use.

These lamps generally have an incandescent filament in a predetermined non-oxidizing atmosphere, which atmosphere is contained within a curved bead-shaped envelope, which is attached to an Edison-type cap, which is attached to a fixture or Screwed into a movable socket. Despite their widespread use, incandescent lamps are relatively inefficient, with a power consumption of 15 to 17 per watt of input power.
It only produces lumens and its useful life is relatively short and unpredictable.

Crab light lamps have a high efficiency of 80 lumens per watt, making them very attractive as an alternative to incandescent lamps.

However, conventional crab lights require long tubular jackets, which, along with the need for auxiliary ballasts, have somewhat limited their acceptance into the domestic lighting market. Developing a crab light that can be used directly in existing sockets and incandescent light fixtures would enhance the residential use of crab light lighting and concomitant energy savings. There has long been a need in the field of electric lighting for electrical discharge devices that produce visible light for general illumination without the use of electrodes as scaffolds for glow or arc discharges.

The idea of electrodeless discharge lamps has been around for a long time; these lamps avoid the use of electrodes by coupling electrical energy into a hermetically sealed envelope containing a gas by means of a ferromagnetic or air-core transformer. I have always taken ideas. Such devices have never been practical or commercially viable. The reason is that due to the use of iron core or air core transformers, a certain degree of reasonable light emission efficiency cannot be obtained, especially since there are iron core losses. Conventionally, it has been proposed to excite a trout electrode gas discharge by transmitting electrical energy into a discharge vessel using electromagnetic induction.

Experiments with this method have shown that up until now, this method has been extremely impractical. The use of air core transformers results in radiated power losses due to the inefficiency of the coupling scheme required to add some power input to the gas discharge. This is not desirable and the radiation itself is dangerous. For this reason, such devices have never been successfully operated with any degree of efficiency for any useful period of time. Another previously proposed alternative is to utilize an iron or ferromagnetic core.

However, such cores can only be used at very low frequencies to prevent heating by eddy currents in the core from causing core failure. When using alternating current, it is extremely difficult to operate iron core transformers for this type of energy transfer at frequencies higher than 5 or 10 kilohertz. Based on the experimental results and calculation results obtained in the inventor's laboratory, in an iron core transformer operating in 5-saracho z, the power loss in iron'D is within the range of about 80 to 90%. It turns out. Therefore, from a practical point of view, from the foregoing, it is clear that air and iron transformers do not work at the high radio frequency levels necessary for efficient operation of the gas-filled discharge lamp according to the invention. will be easily understood. US Patent No. 350
No. 0118 and No. 352112' describe a crab light lamp that utilizes magnetically induced radio frequency electric fields to ionize gaseous radioactive materials.

By eliminating the discharge electrode from within the shell of the crab light, its lifespan has been significantly extended, and the shape of the full-body light has been better suited to the needs of household lighting. US Patent No. 35
No. 00118 describes an improved electrodeless body light with a radio frequency power source.

Although very useful, this design has a large tubular discharge ring, several ferrite irons, and a remote power source, making it bulky and unsuitable for many industrial and residential applications. It was inappropriate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,120 further describes a 4-shaped crab light lamp.

However, the crab light maintained a high frequency magnetic field in the air surrounding the envelope, which made it an undesirable source of electromagnetic radiation and interference. Briefly, the present invention provides a crab light that can be incorporated into a spherical or ball-shaped structure typical of residential incandescent lamps. A toroidal magnetic core housed within the envelope of the honeylight lamp is excited with a radio frequency magnetic field. This magnetic field induces ionizing discharges within the gaseous medium within the envelope.
The radiation emitted by the gas excites conventional light emitters on the inner surface of the envelope and/or on the outer surface of the magnetic core, producing visible light. The essence can be coated with a glass-like layer to preserve the integrity of the vacuum and to facilitate coating of the phosphor. Conductive means are provided to carry away the heat generated within the core away from the jacket. While the novel features believed to be unique to the invention are set forth in the claims, the scope of the invention, as well as other objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the drawings.

The operating principle of electrodeless crab lights is described in US Pat. No. 3,500,118 and US Pat. No. 3,521,12. FIG. 1 is an external view of a lamp structure in which parallel or vertical transformer iron D, which will be explained later, can be used. In the light-transmitting envelope 11 coated with a luminescent material there is an ionizable gas as well as an excitation transformer (not shown). A fixed power supply and ballast circuit is housed within a base assembly 12 attached to the housing 11. A standard Edison type threaded spigot 13 incorporated into the cap assembly 12 is adapted to receive energy from a conventional incandescent lamp socket. The completed structure is similar to a conventional incandescent lamp, with a jacket diameter of, for example, 7.
6-inch (also known as A-24 size envelope) and fits into lighting fixtures designed for this type. The base assembly may be permanently connected to the housing 11 (FIG. 1) or it may be attached to the housing 11 so that individual parts of the halo can be replaced or repaired.
It may also be made into a separable form 12A (FIG. 1a). The preferred arrangement of the internal components of the fluorescent lamp is shown in the partially sectional front view of FIG. 2a.

A generally spherical or bead-shaped vacuum-pullable envelope 11 made of glass, for example, is formed by methods well known in the field of electric lighting. a portion of the mantle forms a base 11a;
Two metal support rods 15 pass through it, and the support rods are bonded to the glass in any manner to form a vacuum seal 16. A winding of conductive material 17 is interleaved between metal support rods 15 and interlinked with a closed loop transformer core 18. magnetic core 18
is thereby supported within the jacket 11. Winding 17 can be insulated, for example with glass fiber cloth. In this embodiment, the end 17a of the winding is oriented such that the axis of the magnetic core 18 is perpendicular to the support rod 15. The particular shape of the winding is determined by the operating point voltage of the fluorescent lamp. Typically, the winding can be chosen to provide one turn in the core for every 5 volts input to the winding. An ionizable gas 19 is contained in the space inside the envelope.

This gas may be chemically identical to that used in conventional Isoko lamps and may consist of a mixture of noble gases, such as krypton and/or argon, and mercury vapor and/or cadmium vapor. Settle. The inner surface of the glass jacket 11 and the outer surface of the transformer core 18 are coated with a suitable known ultraviolet to visible light phosphor 20, such as calcium haloapatite. Such light emitters generally have approximately 2
Absorbs the ultraviolet radiation of mercury vapor peaking at sphere 7A,
When stimulated by it, it emits radiation within the visible spectrum and can produce very efficient and pleasing light-world forces. In this embodiment of the invention, rather than relying on an ionized gas to generate substantial light emission, the ionized gas is used to generate radiation that causes light to be emitted from the crab photoluminescent material. It will be done. As is well known, such systems use gas not for the emission of the necessary light, but only for the emission of radiation that stimulates the light emitters, so that they can be relatively efficient in the use of electricity. I can do it. a radio frequency power source 21 mounted outside the envelope, preferably inside the cap assembly;
Current flows through the support rod 15 and the primary winding 17 of the transformer, thus energizing the magnetic core 18 with a magnetic field. This magnetic core induces a current flow within the gas 19, ionizing the gas and approximately 2
537A stimulates the emission of ultraviolet radiation. As is typical of conventional discharge lamps, the ionized gas becomes a negative impedance electrical load that can destroy unprotected low impedance power supplies. stable impedance 24
For example, connect it in series with the power supply 21 and the support rod 15 in the usual way to have a positive impedance that balances the negative impedance of the gas, thus adding a positive impedance load to the power supply and ensuring stable operation. do. Alternatively, it is also possible to incorporate current limiting means into the power supply 21 to provide an effective ballast effect. Of course, the choice of magnetic core material is an important factor in enabling this full-body lamp to operate.

Previous literature also describes similar fluorescent lamp configurations with air cores or iron cores, but because conventional iron cores have inherent losses during operation, it is difficult to construct a practical crab light lamp. It turned out that I couldn't do it. As described in the above-cited US patent, ferrite or similar materials should be chosen to provide high magnetic permeability and low internal heat losses at operating frequencies. As is well known, ferrite is a semilac-like material, but it is characterized by ferromagnetism, and usually has a spinel structure with a cubic crystal lattice, and its general formula is, for example, Me.Fe204.
where Me represents a metal atom. In this invention, the material and shape of the magnetic core used are such that the energy loss is 50% to ensure effective coupling of electromagnetic energy to the light source.
% or less.

Similarly, lower core losses reduce core heating, minimize fault handling, and maximize efficiency. At the operating temperature of the crab light lamp, it is preferable to limit the magnetic core loss to less than 25% of the total input power. High magnetic permeability core materials are required to minimize electromagnetic radiation and to adequately couple radio frequency energy to the gas.

A magnetic core with a relative permeability of at least 2000 is preferred.
Suitable ferrites are available that have these characteristics over the frequency range from 2 arcs to IMHz.

Although operation at high frequencies is desirable from the perspective of minimizing core losses, the cost of currently available semiconductors for use in the 21-frequency power source 21 makes it difficult to operate a practical and economical crab light lamp. The highest possible frequency is limited to about 50KHz. There are other materials available, including Indiana General in New Jersey. The 810-type ferrite manufactured by Co., Ltd. has a loss of 120 at a peak flux density of 1000 Gauss, operating at 50 KHz.
It has been found that the W-3 (at operating temperature) is less than 3, and it is suitable for use in the full-length lamp of the present invention. The magnetic core can also be made of other materials with a lower magnetic permeability than this, for example a composite of ferrite powder in a polyimide resin with a magnetic permeability as low as 40.

Naturally, in such fluorescent lamps, the ampere-turns of the excitation winding must be increased accordingly.
In a typical 40 watt crab light lamp, for example, the transformer core 18 has a thickness of 1.3 arcs, an inner diameter of 3 skins, and an outer diameter of 5 arcs. The magnetic flux density within Shishin is about 1000 Gauss. Although it is possible to use a bare ferrite core within the vacuum envelope, it has been found desirable to coat the core 18 with an impermeable glass-like layer 25 before coating the emitter 20. Ta. This glassy layer minimizes outgassing of the ferritic ceramic and allows conventional lehr methods to be used in applying the phosphor coating 20. If desired, the magnetic core may be split into two or more parts to allow the crab light to be assembled economically.
In operation, ionized gas forms a plasma that interlinks with the transformer's magnetic core. The shape of this plasma is
Adjustment can be made by varying the total gas pressure within the crab light from about 0.2 to about 3.0 torr. It has been found that gas pressures of about 1 torr provide a gas plasma that uniformly illuminates fluorescent lamps. Unless otherwise specified, all gas pressures are at room temperature. Typical plasma 22 shapes are shown in Figures 2b and 2c, and their cross-sections are shown in Figures 2d and 2e.

(In these figures, all parts of the Crablight lamp other than the transformer core 18 have been omitted for clarity.) Although the ferrite material described above improves efficiency, the 40 Watt Crablight In a light lamp, the transformer core must dissipate more than 10 watts of heat.

Heat dissipation is an important issue since the crab light lamp operates essentially in a vacuum. For example, the Curie point of ferrite materials suitable for use in this invention may be lower than 15 mm, and it is known that the efficiency of the emitter decreases at temperatures above 120 mm. Therefore, from this temperature point of view, it is necessary to design a crab light lamp that operates at a temperature lower than this temperature. Figures 3a and 3
Figure b shows a magnetic core heat dissipation structure suitable for use in the crab light embodiment of Figure 2.

A metal strip 29 is connected to the outer periphery of the support shaft 18 and welded to the support twill 15. A glass-like layer 25 is applied over the magnetic core 18 and the metal strip 29 to provide thermal contact and to provide a substrate for the two light emitters to adhere to. The support shank 15 conducts heat through its base 11a. Primary side 1 of transformer
The electrical connection to 7 can be made via two electrical connection rods 15a or as shown in FIG. An embodiment of a rear light which provides good heat dissipation and uniform illumination of the light emitters is shown in FIG. 4 and will now be described.

In this crab lamp, the glass jacket 11 with the base 11a is constructed in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 2a. Two support rods 15 with vacuum seals 16 and an electrical contact rod 15a pass through this base. One side of the annular magnetic core 18 is coupled to a metal heat dissipation ring 23, which is welded to and supported by the support rod 15. A primary winding 15b is wound around the primary winding 7 and connected between the electric contact rod 15a and one of the support rods 15.

As in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Connected to 1. This power source energizes the magnetic core 18. Therefore, the heat generated inside the vacuum chamber is efficiently transferred to the ring 23 and from there through the support threads 15 to the outside from the vacuum jacket 11. Figure 5 shows the details of the structure of the magnetic circle used in this groove lamp.

A metal ring 23 is bonded to one side of the magnet 018. Ring 23 is made of copper, aluminum, beryllium, or
It may be any other material with a relatively high thermal conductivity. Support transverses 15 are bushed into ring 23 to provide a heat transfer path from the magnetic core to the exterior of the vacuum envelope (not shown). A vitreous layer 25 is applied over the CI 8 and metal ring 23 to provide good thermal matching, minimize outgassing, and provide a substrate for the emitter 20. Eighty embodiments of the invention provide an instant start crab light. As is well known, relatively low voltages are sufficient to sustain gaseous arcing during operation once the arc has struck, but higher voltages are generally required for initial breakdown. This is true even when a highly ionizable inert gas such as argon is present to cause an initial breakdown that facilitates the ionization of mercury, the discharging metal vapor commonly used in gas vapor discharge lamps. . In many cases, this high starting voltage is obtained by a mechanical starting device with capacitive or inductive elements. By abruptly disconnecting the activator, a high voltage surge is induced at the device's electrodes to cause initial ionization. Another arrangement uses a ballast transformer to generate the required voltage. In this invention, an auxiliary secondary winding is provided on the magnetic core with the number of turns to operate as a step-up type secondary winding, and this is used to extract a very high voltage.
By applying this to the light receiving lamp to induce a high voltage for starting, it was found that it was possible to rapidly cause the initial dielectric breakdown necessary to operate the honey light lamp of this invention. , this problem can be solved quickly, inexpensively, and easily. FIG. 4 illustrates one method of initiating ionization of gas 19.

A high voltage secondary winding 27 is added to the wire D18 and covered with a glass-like layer. When first energized, the magnetic field within the coil induces a high voltage across the windings 27a, forming a glow discharge therebetween and causing an initial ionization of the gas 19. The plasma 28 in the fluorescent lamp is in the form of a hollow toroid surrounding the light structure of the honey light lamp. The saturation magnetic flux density within the 18 must be high enough to generate a starting voltage.

In the crab light lamp in this example, the saturation magnetic flux densities are 5 sides and 1 side, respectively.
At least 1500 Gauss and 750 Gauss for 0 Saramachi z operation
Must be Gaussian. FIG. 6 schematically depicts an electrical circuit useful in operating a honeylight lamp. A radio frequency power supply 21 receives line voltage and line frequency power from an Edison type screw spigot 34 and generates approximately 50 kHz of 5 female Hz for exciting the transformer mains 18 via the primary winding 17.
Generates volts as output. Both ends 27a of the winding are engaged by a high voltage secondary winding 27 to produce a glow discharge within the discharge lamp. Plasma 2 thus formed inside the discharge lamp
2 is a one-turn secondary winding, and power is extracted through the magnetic core 18 of the transformer. A stabilizing impedance 24 connected in series with the radio frequency power supply 21 and the primary winding 17 limits the plasma current and ensures stability of operation. The radio frequency power source may be of any known type. For example, the inverter circuit described in US Pat. No. 3,521,121 is suitable for use in crab lights operating within that power range. From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides a receiver lamp that is physically and electrically compatible with existing residential incandescent lamps.

The crab light can be used in existing incandescent light sockets and produces up to three times the light output of existing comparable devices. There are no electrodes within the crab light envelope, which eliminates one of the main causes of failure of traditional crab lights. The high frequency magnetic fields associated with ionizing the gas are localized in a closed magnetic path, thus reducing electromagnetic interference to a minimum of 4.
A full body light constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is very useful in that it eliminates the electrodes that are the source of many of the limitations of today's crab lights.

Therefore, for example, phosphorus depletion of the electrodes will not cause failure of the luminescent lamp of the present invention. Similarly, darkening of the inner surface of the wall of the full-length lamp due to sputtering of the electrode material is also completely eliminated. This invention can take the following embodiments in relation to the description of claim 1. [i}
The permeability of the magnetic core is at least 40 and the power loss is 50% at the operating temperature of the crab light lamp.

[Example] In the above item [A], the power loss of the crab light lamp shall be 25% or less at its operating temperature.

Shiichi Preconception.

In paragraph 1, Shigeru D is made of ferrite. Q: The means for energizing magnetism has a plurality of substantially parallel metal support rods passing through the base of the outer sheath, and a plurality of turns interlinking with the magnetic core, and is connected to the magnetic core and is connected to the magnetic core. a first winding for supplying radio frequency energy; and means for supplying radio frequency energy.

{Mura In item 0 above, the means for supplying radio frequency energy is a power source that converts input energy to radio frequency output energy.

N. In the above, a power source is mounted inside a cylindrical member having a first end and an opposite end, the first end is attached to the outside of the base of the envelope, and a light bulb socket is provided. It is designed to be inserted into the
a light bulb socket mounted on the opposite end of the cylindrical member, the power source being connected to the light bulb socket to receive the input energy therefrom, and the power source being further connected to the rod to receive radio frequency energy. transmitting the output energy of

g) In the above item, the cylindrical member is removably attached to the base of the outer cover.

In the preceding paragraph, the power source supplies radio frequency energy to the winding at a voltage equal to the number of turns forming the first winding multiplied by approximately 5 volts.

Skin In the above item, the radio frequency energy is about 2.
Having a frequency between z and IMHz.

(J) In the above item [R], the radio frequency energy has a frequency of approximately 50 KHz. (l) In the above item (x), the saturation magnetic flux density of the magnetic core is at least 1500 Gauss at the operating temperature of the crab light lamp.

Rule In Item 8 above, the magnetic core must be coated with a glass-like material that does not allow gas to pass through, and be adapted to receive the light emitting body. (iv) In the above item, the magnetic core is coupled to a metal heat transfer member.

(I) In the above item (W), the metal heat transfer member shall be selected from the group of metals consisting of copper, beryllium, and aluminum.

(E) In the above item (W), the magnetic core is annular and the heat transfer member is a metal strip connected to the outer periphery and one or more metal support rods.

(Event) In paragraph (W) above, the core is annular and the heat transfer member is a flat ring connected to the flat surface of the magnetic core and one or more metal support rods. .

(b) In item 0 above, - at least one pair of metal starting electrodes encapsulated in glass is provided within the envelope, and means for forming a glow discharge between the starting electrodes is provided.

(g) In the above item (h), the means for forming the glow discharge is a winding coated with glass on the magnetic core, and both ends of the winding constitute starting electrodes.

(h) The gaseous medium is a mixture of a rare gas and a gas selected from the group consisting of mercury vapor, cadmium vapor and mixtures thereof. (n) In the above item (d), the gas must be a rare gas or a gas selected from the group consisting of krypton, argon, and mixtures thereof.

(n) In item (d) above, the pressure of the gaseous soot is approximately 0.
2 to about 3.0 torr.

(l) In the above item (c), the pressure of the gaseous soot is approximately 1 torr.

(M) In the above item (D), the magnetic core is annular, and the axis of the magnetic core is approximately parallel to the metal support rod.

{U} In the above item 〇, the magnetic core is annular and the axis of the magnetic core is approximately perpendicular to the metal support rod.

This invention may take the following embodiments in relation to the description of claim 2.

(ii) The spirit is composed of ferrite.

(g) The flat metal ring and magnetic core are coated with a glass-like material. (w) In the above item (/), the vitreous material must be impermeable to gas. (H) Wrap the second winding so that both ends of the second winding support a glow discharge, thereby ionizing the medium.

(c) In the above item (h), the second winding is covered with glass.

(m) In the above paragraph (/), the means for inducing a radio frequency voltage is a radio frequency power source located outside the outer jacket;
The radio frequency power supply is adapted to supply a radio frequency voltage between the one metal support rod and the one connecting member.

(k) In the above item (m), a substantially cylindrical cap element is provided that surrounds the radio frequency power source and has a first end and a raised end, and the first end of the cylindrical cap element is flat. The end of the cylindrical base element is mounted on a circular base and is adapted to receive electrical energy from a power line power source and to transmit the electrical energy to a radio frequency power source.

(f) In item (g) above, the other end of the cap element is adapted to be inserted into a tortoise bulb socket type power line power source, and "receives electrical energy from the power source."

(g) In the above item (g), the gaseous soot is composed of a mixture of a rare gas and a gas selected from the group consisting of mercury vapor, cadmium vapor, and mixtures thereof.

Mountain: In the above item (e), the rare gas is composed of a gas selected from the group consisting of krypton, argon, and mixtures thereof.

(Te) In the above item (vii), the gaseous medium has a pressure of about 1 Torr.

In the above item (g), the radio frequency power source must have a frequency of approximately 5 s.

(S) In the above paragraph, the Shishin must have a saturation magnetic flux density of at least 1500 Gauss at the operating temperature of the honey light lamp.

This invention can take the following embodiments in relation to the description of claim 3. (g) The magnetic zero shall have a magnetic permeability of at least 40 and a power loss of 50% at the operating temperature of the shark lamp.

(v) The means for energizing the magnetic core is composed of a winding interlinked with the magnetic core and means for generating a radio frequency current in the winding.

This invention may further take the following embodiments.

(me) In order to maintain an electrical discharge in a gaseous soot contained within a jacket that can be drawn to a vacuum, a closed-loop core is housed within the jacket and a winding linked to the core is connected. and means for energizing the magnetic core with a radio frequency magnetic field and establishing a radio frequency current in the winding.

(iii) In the above item (iv), the magnetic core shall have a magnetic permeability of at least 40 and a power loss of 50% or less at the operating temperature of the crab light lamp.

(iii) Regarding the above (mi), the power loss shall be 25% or less.

(e) In the above item (c), the heart is made of ferrite.

(H) In the above (E), the ferrite is at least 2
Must have a magnetic permeability of 000.

(M) In the above item (B), the magnetic core shall have a saturation magnetic flux density of at least 1500 Gauss at the operating temperature of the device.

(C) In the above (Me), the means for generating electric current is composed of a plurality of electrically insulated metal elements passing through the outer jacket, and one of the windings is connected to one element. and the other end of the winding is connected to another element, and a radio frequency voltage source external to the jacket is connected between said one as well as another metal element.

(S) In the above item (Me), the magnetic core is covered with a material that is impermeable to gas.

(n) In the above item (d), the gaseous medium has a pressure of about 0.2 to about 3.0 torr.

Additional Relationships The present invention is disclosed in Samurai Sho 511004692 Patent No. 1231.
No. 570 relates to the improvement of the crab light lamp invented by Kosho Hakama No. 591 Banpi, and satisfies the requirements for an additional patent as stipulated in Article 31, Item 1 of the Patent Law.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 1A are diagrams of a complete crab lamp device, Figure 2a is a front view of an embodiment of a full-length lamp in which the transformer's marquee line is perpendicular to the conductor of the base, and Figure 2b The figure is a partial front view of the plasma in the crab light lamp in Figure 2a. Figure 2c is a side view of the plasma in Figure 2b. Figures 2d and 2e are the partial front view of the plasma in the crab light lamp.
3a and 3b are sectional views of the transformer assembly with circumferential heat transfer strips; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a transformer core with axial heat transfer rings; FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of a rear light with parallel lines; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an operating circuit. Explanation of main symbols, 11... Outer cover, 18...
Magnetic core, 19...Ionizable gas, 20...
Luminous body. Statue of the end of the evening & ◇Going out of the way c Tsuwata 〆 Shio a little cough a lot も After the evening chick After the J mist moxibustion J Gota J Seta〆Kura Yu

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A translucent jacket having a substantially spherical upper shell that can be drawn into a vacuum, a loop-shaped magnetic core housed within the jacket, and a magnetic core that is attached to the core by a radio frequency magnetic field. means for energizing the casing, and a first
a gaseous medium adapted to emit radiation of a wavelength of
a luminescent emitter on at least an inner surface of the envelope and adapted to emit visible light when excited by radiation at the first wavelength. 2. A translucent outer shell having a substantially spherical upper shell portion and a flat circular base and capable of being evacuated; an annular magnetic core substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base; a flat metal ring bonded to the surface of the core closest to the base; and a flat metal ring passing through the base and having an end bonded to the metal ring. at least one metal support rod passing through the base; at least one metal connection member on the magnetic core, one end connected to the one metal support rod and the other end connected to the one metal support rod; a first winding connected to a metal connecting member; a gaseous medium adapted to emit radiation of a first wavelength; inducing a radio frequency voltage between the luminescent emitter, said one support rod and said one connecting member such that a radio frequency magnetic field is induced in the magnetic core and in the gaseous medium; means for causing said electric field to be induced. 3. a closed-loop magnetic core, which is linked to the magnetic core, maintains a discharge due to an electric field induced therein by the magnetic core, and is adapted to emit radiation at a first wavelength while maintaining the discharge; a substantially spherical light-transmitting jacket containing the volume of gaseous medium and capable of being evacuated; and on an inner surface of the jacket, a luminescent emitter adapted to emit visible light when excited by radiation at the first wavelength; and a magnetic core energized with a radio frequency magnetic field to create an electric field within the volume of gaseous medium. and means for inducing a fluorescent lamp.