The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 02, 2001
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A fluorescent lamp ( ) includes a bulb ( ) provided with a pair of electrode coils ( ) at both ends thereof. Each of the electrode coils ( ) is mounted between two lead wires ( ) held by a bulb-end glass ( ). A means for preventing overheating ( ) of the bulb-end glass is mounted between the lead wires ( ) located between the electrode coil ( ) and the bulb-end glass ( ). The means for preventing overheating ( ) includes a glass member ( ) and a first and a second metallic pin ( ) for supporting the glass member ( ). One end of each of the metallic pins ( ) is connected to the lead wires ( ), respectively. Both metallic pins ( ) are provided not in contact with each other. Before the electrode coil ( ) in the last period of the life, in which an emissive coating has been dissipated, is disconnected, the glass member ( ) is heated by a conductive heat, a radiant heat, and intermittent pulse discharge. When the electrode coil ( ) is disconnected, the glass member ( ) is melted and ionically conducted. As a result, the bulb-end glass ( ) is not melted, so that the fluorescent lamp can be maintained safely.