Method and apparatus for mounting a light sleeve
AssigneeOrion Energy Systems, Inc.
InventorsNeal R. Verfuerth, Anthony J. Bartol
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment relates to a method of sealing a gap formed between each end cap of a fluorescent bulb and a protective sleeve, where the fluorescent bulb is disposed within the protective sleeve to form a bulb and sleeve assembly with the gap defined between an external surface of the end caps and an internal surface of the protective sleeve. The method comprises rotating the bulb and sleeve assembly and injecting a sealant in the gap associated with each end cap as the bulb and sleeve assembly rotate to provide a continuous bead of sealant between the end caps and the protective sleeve.
Claims18
An apparatus for sealing a gap formed between each end cap of a fluorescent bulb and an overlying protective sleeve, comprising:
- a first roller and a second roller disposed substantially parallel to one another;
- a conveyor operable to transport the bulb and sleeve assembly to the rollers and to transport the bulb and sleeve assembly from the rollers;
- a drive device operable to rotate at least one of the rollers or the bulb and sleeve assembly at a predetermined rotational speed;
- and
- a nozzle axially translatable between a retracted position to permit placement and removal of the bulb and sleeve assembly and an extended position within the gap to permit injection of a sealant through a flow path in the nozzle and into the gap as the bulb and sleeve assembly rotates on the rollers.
An apparatus for sealing a gap formed between each end cap of a fluorescent bulb and a protective sleeve, comprising:
- a sealing station operable to receive a bulb and sleeve assembly with the gap defined between an external surface of the end caps and an internal surface of the protective sleeve;
- a first nozzle and a second nozzle, each nozzle axially translatable between a retracted position substantially free of engagement with the bulb and sleeve assembly and an extended position within the gap to permit injection of a sealant through a flow path in the nozzles and into the gap at each end cap;
- and
- a drive device operable to move the nozzles in a substantially circular path defined by the gap to form a bead of the sealant having continuous contact with the end cap and the sleeve at each end of the fluorescent bulb.
An apparatus for sealing a gap formed between each end cap of a fluorescent bulb and an overlying protective sleeve, comprising:
- a sealing station operable to receive a bulb and sleeve assembly with the gap defined between an external surface of the end caps and an internal surface of the protective sleeve;
- a drive device operable to rotate the bulb and sleeve assembly at a predetermined rotational speed;
- and
- a nozzle axially translatable between a retracted position to permit placement and removal of the bulb and sleeve assembly and an extended position at least partially within the gap to permit injection of a sealant into the gap as the bulb and sleeve assembly rotates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.