Metal halide lamp fabrication

Abstract

The present invention concerns a process of treating an energizing electrode for use in a metal halide lamp. Lamp energizing electrodes are placed into a support container and the support container is then placed within an oven that bakes the electrodes at an elevated temperature. Hydrogen is caused to flow through the support container at a rate of from 5 to 60 liters per minute while the temperature is maintained within the oven between 2000 and 3200 degrees C. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the temperature is maintained within the oven at 2400 and 2600 degrees C., the dew point of the hydrogen is less than minus 40 degrees C. and the electrodes are baked for a period of 10 to 240 minutes. This process treats the electrodes in the support container and results in lamps having superior maintenance of lamp output as measured in lumens of output.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.