Abstract:
Microminiature incandescent lamp having a tubular envelope with a glass central section and metal end sections heat-sealed to the central section. The envelope contains a filament coil secured to the end sections by mechanical cold-weld pinch-offs that seal the previously evacuated envelope. Envelopes are formed seriatim by feeding the components to an assembly station where the end sections are partially inserted into the central section. The resulting assesmblies are conveyed to a sealing station where heat is directed only to the metal end regions of the envelope, so that only the end regions of the glass section are deformed in sealing. Filaments are formed and inserted into the envelopes by pulling a length of filament wire through a tubular guide, inserting an envelope over the guide, winding a filament coil from the end of the filament wire projecting from the guide, and then pulling the envelope over the finished filament. The outer diameter of the filament coil is initially greater than the inner diameter of the end sections ofthe envelope, so that the coil is stretched in length and reduced in diameter when it is drawn into the envelope.
Abstract:
Axial-geometry incandescent lamps with accurately aligned, selfcentering helical filaments are disclosed, the filaments having heavy end sections which are mechanically deformed to grip a helical center section. Tubular lamp envelopes have a glass center section and metal end sections heat-sealed thereto. Envelopes are produced in quantity by a machine having magazines loaded with envelope components, the components being automatically assembled and united by heat sealing. Envelopes of larger size may employ glass-beaded metal end sections formed before the end sections are assembled with the center section. Rotation of the envelope components during heat sealing ensures seal uniformity and concentricity.