Ceramic arc tube assembly and method of making a ceramic arc tube
AssigneeOsram Sylvania Inc.
InventorsJeffrey T. Neil, Matthew A. Stough
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ceramic arc tube assembly and a method for making a ceramic arc tube are described which simplify the manufacture of ceramic arc tubes by reducing the number of handling and heat treatments required to assemble arc tubes prior to the final sintering operation. In particular, the invention uses transient assembly buttons during intermediate assembly steps which are removed prior to the final sintering operation.
Claims33
A ceramic arc tube assembly comprising:
- a hollow body having at least one open end containing an end cap, the end cap having a capillary tube and a transient assembly button, the capillary tube extending outwardly from the hollow body and having a length inserted into the open end and forming a seal with the hollow body, the transient assembly button being fixed around the capillary tube and contacting an edge of the open end, the interaction between transient assembly button and the edge of the open end determining the length of the capillary tube inserted into the open end;
- and
- the transient assembly button being capable of removal from the capillary tube without causing damage to the arc tube assembly.
A ceramic arc tube assembly comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical body having at least one open end containing an end cap, the end cap having a capillary tube and a transient assembly button, the capillary tube extending outwardly from the hollow body and having a length inserted into the open end, the length inserted into the open end having a radially extending sealing member forming a seal with the hollow body, a transient assembly button being fixed around the capillary tube and contacting an edge of the open end, the interaction between transient assembly button and the edge of the open end determining the length of the capillary tube inserted into the open end;
- and
- the transient assembly button being capable of removal from the capillary tube without causing damage to the arc tube assembly.
A method of making a ceramic arc tube comprising the steps of:
- (a) fixing a transient assembly button around a capillary tube to form an end cap;
- (b) inserting the end cap into an open end of a hollow arc tube body until the transient assembly button contacts an edge of the open end;
- (c) heating the assembly to form a mechanical seal between the capillary tube and the open end of the hollow body;
- (d) removing the transient assembly button without damaging the assembly;
- and
- (e) sintering the assembly to form the ceramic arc tube.
A method of making a ceramic arc tube comprising the steps of:
- (a) fixing a transient assembly button and a sealing member around a capillary tube to form an end cap;
- (b) inserting the sealing member of end cap into an open end of a hollow arc tube body until the transient assembly button contacts an edge of the open end;
- (c) heating the assembly to form a mechanical seal between the sealing member and the open end of the hollow body;
- (d) removing the transient assembly button without damaging the assembly;
- and
- (e) sintering the assembly to form the ceramic arc tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.