Light source for use in leak detection in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that utilize environmentally-safe materials

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the field of leak and crack detection and related non-destructive testing, different dyes are utilized which fluoresce at different wavelengths.
Fluorescence is usually defined as the reemission of light at wavelengths greater than the wavelength of light emitted from the light source with which examination takes place.
The key to the lighting system of the present invention lies in the utilization of tungsten halogen lamps with an integral reflector, which provides an effective lighting system, with the characteristics being determined by the reflector design and the included lamp, as well as alignment of the lamp with the reflector.
The usual single-ended tungsten halogen lamp as described herein is mounted in the axis of the reflector with the base pointing out from the reflector apex towards the rear.
The reflectors provided are often focusing reflectors which concentrate the light generated by the built-in lamp to a more or less small or defined spot at a distance from the reflector and its axis.
Reflector geometry utilized for these purposes is usually ellipsoid wherein the lamp filament lies in the first focal point of the ellipsoid and hence focuses in the second.
However, if the shape of the reflector is paraboloid, this can create a collimating reflector which would generate parallel beams of light.
Many of the reflectors utilized in the halogen lamps described utilize faceted or structured surfaces rather than smooth surfaces to modify light distribution.
This arrangement improves the evenness of the light and can increase the beam angle, or smooth or break up the light-dark edges.
Facets on the surfaces of the reflectors range from fine, scarcely visible grains to clearly visible faceting, with the effect being correspondingly less or more pronounced.
With the combination of the correct paraboloid or ellipsoid shape, such lamps are able to finely control focus.
Smooth aluminum reflectors have been utilized but do not permit the geometric balances and dimensional stability that are provided by the glass reflectors found in newer halogen lamps