Electrode feedthrough connection strap for arc discharge lamp

Abstract

An electrode feedthrough assembly for a ceramic arc tube of the type used in high pressure sodium arc lamps. The electrode feedthrough assembly is particularly useful in an external reservoir arc tube wherein an interior region of a feedthrough tube is utilized as a reservoir for the lamp fill material. The electrode feedthrough assembly includes a feedthrough tube, an electrode assembly attached to the feedthrough tube and a connection wire. The feedthrough tube has a closed end external to the arc tube. The feedthrough tube and the closed end thereof are formed in a single process, preferably by deep drawing, without welding, crimping or fusing. Passages to the interior of the feedthrough tube are provided by crimping the electrode support rod to the feedthrough tube with a six jaw crimping arrangement wherein two of the crimping jaws are shorter than the other four. The connection wire is attached to the feedthrough tube and includes a portion on the axis of the tube. The connection wire assists in retaining the electrode feedthrough assembly in the arc tube during sealing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.