Abstract: A serpentine tube used in the manufacture of a fluorescent lamp is coated with a reflective or phosphor material. A magnetic material and coating material slurry is placed within one end of a serpentine glass tube. A magnet is placed adjacent the magnetic material and coating material slurry and is moved in a path conforming to the shape of the serpentine tube. The magnet causes the magnetic material and coating material slurry to travel along therewith, coating a portion of the interior surface of the serpentine tube with a reflective, phosphor, or other material. In another embodiment of the invention, abrasive magnetic material is placed within the serpentine lamp for removing a previously coated material resulting in an aperture being formed. The present invention is particularly suited to the manufacture of serpentine fluorescent lamps that are used to illuminate flat panel displays.

Abstract: A serpentine tube used in the manufacture of a fluorescent lamp is coated with a reflective or phosphor material. A magnetic material and coating material slurry is placed within one end of a serpentine glass tube. A magnet is placed adjacent the magnetic material and coating material slurry and is moved in a path conforming to the shape of the serpentine tube. The magnet causes the magnetic material and coating material slurry to travel along therewith, coating a portion of the interior surface of the serpentine tube with a reflective, phosphor, or other material. In another embodiment of the invention, abrasive magnetic material is placed within the serpentine lamp for removing a previously coated material resulting in an aperture being formed. The present invention is particularly suited to the manufacture of serpentine fluorescent lamps that are used to illuminate flat panel displays.

Abstract: A bent fluorescent lamp for backlighting a display providing uniform illumination. A fluorescent lamp is made from a tubular glass envelope having right angles formed therein with shaped corners. The right angles provide improved illumination of a plane surface for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The right angles and shaped corners eliminate dark regions in the illuminated surface. A right-angled bend is also formed at the ends of the fluorescent lamp. An electrode is positioned sufficiently far from a central portion of the lamp so that any dark spaces in the gas discharge of the fluorescent lamp, such as the Faraday dark space associated with a cathode of a lamp are not formed within the central portion.

Abstract: A bent fluorescent lamp for backlighting a display providing uniform illumination. A fluorescent lamp is made from a tubular glass envelope having right angles formed therein. The right angles provide improved illumination of a plane surface for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The right angles eliminate dark regions in the illuminated surface. A right-angled bend is also formed at the ends of the fluorescent lamp. An electrode is positioned sufficiently far from a central portion of the lamp so that any dark spaces in the gas discharge of the fluorescent lamp, such as the Faraday dark space associated with a cathode of a lamp are not formed within the central portion. As a result, the central portion of the fluorescent lamp has a uniform brightness or intensity providing improved illumination for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The resulting more uniform illumination with less dark regions results in a more legible display and more accurate information being displayed.

Abstract: A bent fluorescent lamp for backlighting a display providing uniform illumination. A fluorescent lamp is made from a tubular glass envelope having right angles. The right angles provide improved illumination of a plane surface for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The right angles eliminate dark regions in the illuminated surface. An electrode is positioned sufficiently far from a central portion of the lamp so that any dark spaces in the gas discharge of the fluorescent lamp, such as the Faraday dark space associated with a cathode of a lamp are not formed within the central portion. The central portion of the fluorescent lamp has a uniform brightness or intensity for backlighting a liquid crystal display. A method of forming a right-angled bend in a glass tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robust coiled filament electrode for a fluorescent lamp used in high vibration environments. A cylindrical mandrel is placed within coils in each end of a coiled filament electrode. The mandrel and the coiled filament electrode are held by a mounting post. The mounting post is bent over and crimped, holding the mandrel and coiled filament electrode. The mandrel extends inward between the two mounting posts, providing support for the coiled filament electrodes. The coiled filament electrode may be made by method or process of chemically dissolving selected portions of a mandrel. Lamp life is extended, as well as the variance between lamp life is substantially reduced. The present invention is particularly applicable to applications in avionics.