Fluorescent lamp extension tube amalgam holder
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAndrew P. Blau, William W. Akins, Joseph C. Borowiec, Sandor Lukacs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A glass extension (24) with a cavity (32) for an amalgam (22) is added to an exhaust tube (12) or a flare (14) of a fluorescent lamp. The mouth (36) of the cavity (32) is provided with a bimetal valve having a cover portion (40) to close the cavity (32) when the lamp is cold and to open the cavity when the lamp is hot. The amalgam (22) is a metallic amalgam of, for example, mercury or other know suitable materials for establishing a metallic vapor equilibrium during operation of a discharge lamp. The amalgam holder helps to maintain optimum mercury vapor equilibrium at start-up, and to reduce the effects of mercury vapor starvation resulting from off-times.
Claims6
An amalgam holder for a discharge lamp having an exhaust tube and a flare pinched about said tube, said holder comprising:
- an extension of said tube or flare having a cavity for an amalgam, said cavity having a mouth;
- and
- a cover for said mouth, said cover being thermally actuated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.