Abstract:
The mercury-vapor pressure within a fluorescent lamp is controlled by a metal (indium or an alloy of indium and tin, for example) that wets glass, combines with the mercury within the lamp to form an amalgam and is divided into segments which are fused directly to one or both of the glass stems at spaced locations. The amalgamative-metal segments are of such shape and mass that they inherently remain in place on the stem when they are heat-softened and pressed onto the glass surface. Segments of larger size and mass are retained in place by an overlying porous layer of inert material that adheres to the glass. The amalgamative metal can also be combined with a fusible binder to form a composite which is divided into small pellets that are pressed onto the glass stem and held in place by the adhesive action of the binder when the latter is fused during the bulblehring operation required to fabricate the lamp.
Abstract:
The time required for an amalgam-regulated fluorescent lamp to stabilize and reach its rated light output under ''''cold-start'''' conditions is reduced by providing a small auxiliary body of amalgam on a selected portion of a metal conductor that is attached to one of the electrode structures within the lamp and is so arranged that it serves the dual function of a ''''failsafe'''' component. The auxiliary body of amalgam is so located with respect to the adjacent cathode that it is rapidly heated and releases mercury vapor as soon as the lamp is energized. The ''''fail-safe'''' conductor is preferably made of wire mesh or sheet metal and provides a conductive path from one of the leads to the stem which causes an arc to impinge upon and puncture the stem when the cathodes are devoid of emission material and the lamp has thus reached the end of its useful life.