General Electric Company

Wayne D Johnson

Andrew P Blau

An apparatus and method for improving the performance of a lamp includes an envelope ( ) enclosing an amalgam or dose ( ) of mercury housed in a container ( ). The container maintains mercury vapor equilibrium during lamp operation and prevents mercury diffusion during lamp off periods. The container has an opening ( ) therein selectively adjustable between an open position and a closed position. A bimetal member ( ) is associated with the opening of the container and provides the actuating means by which the container opens and closes. A stopping member ( ), such as a valve or ball bearing, is attached to the bimetal member and extends into the container. When the lamp is in operation, the bimetal member is heated causing it to deflect. The deflection moves the stopping member from the container opening and enables the amalgam to maintain mercury vapor pressure equilibrium. When the lamp is turned off, the bimetal material contracts, closing the container and preventing diffusion of mercury into the amalgam. As a result, sufficient mercury vapor remains in the lamp envelope to provide peak lumen output upon lamp ignition.

Fluorescent lamp having uniquely configured container containing amalgam for regulating mercury vapor equilibrium

An electric arc discharge lamp includes an elongated hollow tubular transparent envelope having a pair of opposite ends, a pair of electrode mounts respectively disposed in the ends of the tubular envelope, and a dosing capsule defining a hermetically sealed annular cavity containing a predetermined quantity of a dosing liquid therein. The dosing capsule has an inner edge defining an opening through the capsule for receiving a portion of one the electrode mounts therethrough such that the capsule is supported by the one electrode mount with the sealed annular cavity substantially surrounding the one electrode mount. The electrode mount includes a glass stem having inner and outer axially-displaced opposite ends, a pair of lead-in conductors extending through the glass stem and from the opposite ends of the glass stem, and an electrode supported between a pair of inner ends of the lead-in conductors adjacent to and spaced from the inner end of the glass stem. The capsule is supported about the glass stem of the electrode mount spaced from the inner and outer opposite ends thereof. The capsule is rupturable by directing heat energy through the envelope and into contact with a portion of the capsule so as to raise the temperature and cause a rupture of the capsule portion, resulting in release of the dosing liquid from the annular cavity of the capsule into the lamp envelope.

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Chardon, OH, United States of America

Wayne D Johnson