Lamp with an oxygen detector
AssigneeGTE Products Corporation
InventorsJeffrey P. Buschmann, Arnold E. Westlund, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oxygen detector for use in a double envelope lamp is described. The detector may be formed by nitriding a metal surface to produce a metal piece with a first visual color or state. The surface thickness is sufficient to exclude oxygen during normal assemble, but thin enough to change colors during lamp operation if oxygen is present.
Claims12
An oxygen detector enclosed in a portion of an electric lamp containing a means of producing light from electricity, the detector comprising a zirconium base, a nitride surface with a first visual state displaceable by oxygen to produce a second visual state to thereby indicate the presence of oxygen.
A lamp with an oxygen detector comprising:
- a) an outer envelope having a wall with an interior surface defining an enclosed volume not containing oxygen, and a seal,
- b) an inner lamp capsule, positioned in the enclosed volume, having a means for producing light from electricity,
- c) a first lead extending from the inner lamp capsule through the enclosed volume and through the outer envelope seal for electrical connection,
- d) a second lead extending from the inner lamp capsule through the enclosed volume and through the outer envelope seal for electrical connection, and
- e) an oxygen detector positioned in the enclosed volume having a zirconium base, a nitride surface with a first visual state displaceable by oxygen at the temperature of lamp operation to produce a second visual state to thereby indicate the presence of oxygen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.