U.S. Philips Corporation

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Pieter C Ooms

Ronald Arjan Van Den Brakel

Willem Johannes Van Den Bogert

Johannes Theodorus Jacobus Van Haastrecht

Hindrik Hermannus Stel

Jeroen Jan Wits

Cornelis De Putter

Rene M A Driessens

A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided with a discharge vessel ( ). The discharge vessel comprises tubular end portions ( &prime;), which each have a longitudinal axis ( &prime;). The discharge vessel ( ) encloses a discharge space ( ) containing a filling of mercury and an inert gas in a gastight manner. Electrodes ( &prime;) are arranged in the discharge space ( ). An auxiliary amalgam is provided on a carrier ( &prime;) in the proximity of the electrodes ( &prime;). According to the invention, a part of the carrier ( &prime;) is arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis ( &prime;). Preferably, a stem ( &prime;) in the tubular end portion ( &prime;) carries, apart from the electrode ( &prime;), a support in the form of a wire ( &prime;) or an extended exhaust tube, which support carries the carrier ( &prime;). In an alternative embodiment, the carrier is clamped directly onto the stem. Preferably, the carrier ( &prime;) is electrically insulated with respect to the electrode. Preferably, a distance d between the carrier ( &prime;) and the electrode ( &prime;) lies in the range 1&lE;d&lE;3 mm. According to the invention, the discharge lamp has a relatively short run-up time.

Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp with improved auxiliary amalgam

A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp with a discharge vessel (,) having first and second end portions (,). The discharge vessel encloses a discharge space provided with a filling of mercury and an inert gas in a gastight manner. Each end portion (,) supports an electrode (,) which is arranged in the discharge space and secured to current supply conductors (,A,,B) which are passed through the end portion (,) so as to project outside the discharge vessel (,). A segment (,A) of at least one current supply conductor (,A), which extends between the end portion (,) and the electrode (,), is covered with an amalgam. The region (,A) is situated at a distance d,from the end portion (,). The amalgam can be relatively easily applied in the discharge lamp according to the invention.

Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp

A low-pressure mercury discharge lamp is provided with a tubular discharge vessel (10) with end portions (11, 11') having an ionizable filling comprising mercury and rare gas. An electrode (20, 20') is arranged in the discharge vessel at each end portion and is fastened to current supply conductors (30A, 30B; 30A', 30B') which are passed through the end portion to the outside of the discharge vessel. At least one current supply conductor is covered with an amalgam in a zone (35A, 35B) which is at a distance from the end portion (11) via a path along the current supply conductor (30A, 30B). The amalgam can be comparatively easily applied in the lamp.

Low-pressure mercury discharge lamp

A capped electric lamp according to the invention comprises a lamp vessel (10) which is closed in a gastight manner and encloses a light source. The lamp vessel (10) is surrounded by a glass outer envelope (20) which is fastened at an end portion (21) to a housing (40) by means of a coupling member (30), which housing in addition supports a lamp cap (50). The coupling member (30) is made of metal, and the end portion (21) of the outer envelope (20) is fused to the coupling member (30). In the lamp according to the invention, the coupling member (30) is of a simple construction while nevertheless a blown outer envelope (20) can be used.

Capped electric lamp

An electric lamp has a tubular discharge vessel or a lamp envelope with an optically active layer of a material at an inner surface. The optically active layer has window in which the layer is absent. The material of the optically active layer adjacent both to the window and to the wall of the discharge vessel has a form different from that of portions of the optically active layer not adjoining the window as a result of fusion. The lamp may be readily manufactured by a method according to the invention whereby the material situated within the window to be formed is removed by intensive electromagnetic radiation which is directed through the wall of the discharge vessel at the material to be removed.

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Terneuzen, Netherlands

Pieter C Ooms