Abstract:
A fluorescent lamp apparatus according to the present invention comprises a base member, a fluorescent lamp, and lighting means. The base member is a hollow member having a threaded base which can be screwed into the same type of socket as is used in ordinary incandescent lamps. It has a partition wall, and is divided thereby into a circuit chamber and an air chamber. The circuit chamber is located close to the base, and the air chamber communicates with the atmosphere. The lamp is attached to the base member, and comprises a tubular envelope, a pair of electrodes, and a mercury-vapor pressure adjusting means. The envelope is bent in shape, thus forming a discharge passage of a predetermined configuration, is sealed in an airtight fashion, and has both ends located close to the base member. The electrodes are contained within the end portions of the envelope. The mercury-vapor pressure control means incorporates a quantity of amalgam which is held within the air chamber of the base member, and is designed to supply mercury vapor into the envelope. The lighting means is located with the circuit chamber of the base member and is electrically connected to the electrodes of the fluorescent lamp, for lighting the lamp.
Abstract:
A mercury capsule for dispensing mercury into an arc discharge lamp comprises a tubular metal member having a main body portion, a sealed end portion immediately adjacent the main body portion and means for sealing the end portion. The sealing means includes a substantially undulating configuration containing a predetermined number of undulations to enable rupture of the mercury capsule at an elevated temperature in accordance with the number of undulations. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mercury capsule is formed from a metal cup having a larger diameter skirted portion and a smaller diameter portion.
Abstract:
An amalgam of mercury is placed at the anode end of a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp for D.C. operation to counteract mercury vapor depletion at the anode end of the lamp. The amalgam attracts mercury vapor to the anode end of the lamp when the lamp is turned off to maintain uniform mercury vapor distribution in the lamp.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an amalgam for sealing in a fluorescent lamp consisting of tin, lead, bismuth, indium and mercury is disclosed. In this method, the amalgam is first melted and then discharged through a nozzle to be contacted with a coolant. A fluorescent lamp containing the amalgam manufactured by the above method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A mercury dispenser for electric discharge lamps consists of welding a small metallic member (16) in the form of a "patch", to a portion of the surface of the cathode disintegration shield (10) and trapping a predetermined volume of mercury under the "patch". A dimple (17) may be formed in the shield (10) or in the member (16). The shield (10) may be formed from a continuous strip which is dimpled at a predetermined pitch, the dimples filled with mercury and the "patches" (16) welded over the dimples. The strip can then be cut into discrete "patched" sections to be bent into shields and assembled with the cathode structure. The mercury is liberated from under the "patch" by heating and vaporization, the vapor pressure forcing the "patch" open.
Abstract:
An arc-extinguishing ampul and a low-pressure arc discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, having such ampul on each electrode structure, the ampul comprising a thin-walled glass body enclosing an arc-extinguishing gas, at least one electrically conductive support wire, and a heat-conductive coating covering the outer surface of the ampul and portions of the support wire. Upon depletion of the electron-emissive coating on one electrode filament at the end of the useful life of the lamp, the arc discharge is attracted to the ampul by the support wire. The heat of the arc softens and melts the ampul to the point where the arc-extinguishing gas within the ampul escapes and renders the lamp inoperable without loss of the lamp's hermetic seal.
Abstract:
A mercury holder for electric discharge lamps, such as tubular fluorescent lamps, is mounted within the lamp envelope so as to serve as a target for bombardment by electrons and ions. The source of the bombardment may be the electrons emitted by one of the cathodes which impinge on the holder and which generate ions by collision with the gas fill in the lamp envelope. Alternatively, the source of the bombardment may be an arc discharge induced by a radio-frequency source across a gap between the holder and a lead-in conductor.
Abstract:
Fast "warm-up" of an amalgam-regulated fluorescent lamp under "cold" starting conditions and safe failure of the lamp at the end of its useful life are achieved by coating selected portions of both stems with a material that contains indium or an indium alloy and initially is semiconductive. The coating is applied to portions of the stems adjacent the electrodes and covers a segment of one or both of the lead wires at the point where they emerge from the stem presses. The coating is thus rapidly heated and releases mercury vapor as soon as the lamp is energized. When the electrodes are devoid of emission material and the lamp has reached the end of its useful life, sputtered material from the metal parts of the mount renders the coating electrically conductive and causes the arc to impinge upon and finally puncture the stem. The coating accordingly serves both as an auxiliary-amalgam source and a "fail-safe" component. Coatings of materials that are electrically conductive as soon as applied and contain an amalgamative metal can also be used, providing they do not contact both leads.
Abstract:
An electric discharge lamp with an ion reservoir to which a DC voltage of reversible polarity is applied so that the gas pressure within the lamp can be easily increased or decreased. By using several ionizable materials in the lamp, the color of the emitted light can be changed by adding or removing one of said materials.
Abstract:
A xenon flash tube having a glass envelope with anode and cathode electrodes sealed in respective ends thereof. A barium dispenser is attached to each electrode, and a flashed barium deposit is located on the inside surface of each end of the envelope so as not to mask the arc discharge. The total quantity of barium in the envelope is selected to controllably reduce the radio frequency noise emitted from the flash tube during operation.