Compact fluorescent lamp having a helical lamp envelope and an efficient mounting arrangement therefor

Abstract

A compact fluorescent lamp is provided having a generally helically shaped lamp envelope wherein the two end segments of the lamp envelope extend radially inward from the pitch of the helix. The end segment extend into openings formed in a mounting cap member which is essentially dome-shaped at the center portion thereof. The mounting cap member can be constructed of two pieces each of which accepts one of the end segments of the lamp envelope. The mounting cap member is effective for reducing the amount of lamp envelope surface area that must be disposed within the housing of the lamp and is further beneficial in that light generated on the inside surface of the lamp can be reflected outward and more readily escape without losses due to multiple reflections or absorption. The multiple piece arrangement of the mounting cap member is further advantageous in terms of ease of assembly of the overall lamp and in terms of the thermal management properties whereby the heat generated at the end segments of the lamp envelope is substantially prevented from adversely affecting the operation of the lamp.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.