Generating Gas Or Vapor Within An Envelope, Or Coating By Vapor, Gas, Mist Or Smoke Within The Envelope Patents (Class 445/9)
  • Patent number: 9048083
    Abstract: In a known method for operating an amalgam lamp having a nominal power Poptimum, it is provided that a lamp voltage Uoptimum designed for a maximum UVC emission is applied between electrodes or a lamp current Ioptimum designed for a maximum UVC emission flows between electrodes. The discharge space is accessible for an amalgam deposit, which is heatable by a heating element in which a heating current Iheating is conducted through the heating element. Starting from this background, in order to provide an operating mode that ensures a stable operation in the region of the optimum power, it is proposed that a target value of the lamp current Itarget is set that is less than Ioptimum and that the heating current Iheating is turned on or increased when the lamp current falls below a lower limit I1 and is turned off or reduced when it exceeds an upper limit I2 for the lamp current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventor: Alex Voronov
  • Patent number: 8668841
    Abstract: A pellet having a microstructure including a bismuth phase, a zinc solid solution phase, and a Zn3Hg phase is disclosed. A method of making a pellet including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is also disclosed. Moreover, a fluorescent lamp with a fill material including bismuth, zinc, and mercury is disclosed. Further, a method of dosing a fluorescent lamp with mercury is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8579670
    Abstract: An energy saving gas discharge lamp, and method of making same, is provided. The gas discharge lamp includes a light-transmissive envelope, and an electrode within the light-transmissive envelope to provide a discharge. A light scattering reflective layer is disposed on an inner surface of the light-transmissive envelope. A phosphor layer is coated on the light scattering reflective layer. A discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is retained inside the light-transmissive envelope. The discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture includes more than 80% xenon, by volume, at a low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: John Peterson, Daniel Marian, Paul Salvi
  • Patent number: 8216017
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a planar light source, a first substrate is formed at first. First electrodes approximately parallel to each other are formed on the first substrate. Sets of first dielectric patterns are formed on the first substrate. Each set of the first dielectric patterns includes at least two first striped dielectric patterns, and each of the first striped dielectric patterns covers one of the first electrodes correspondingly. The edges of the top of each first striped dielectric pattern are raised in a peak shape. A phosphor layer is formed between the first striped dielectric patterns of each set of the first dielectric patterns. A second substrate is formed. The first and second substrates are bound; meanwhile, a discharge gas is injected into the discharge space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Heng Hsieh, Chu-Chi Ting, Shinn-Haw Huang, Chang-Jung Yang, Chia-Hua Ai
  • Publication number: 20110050085
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a tubular member or envelope having an arc generating and sustaining medium therein. An electrode is provided in each end of the tubular member and a phosphor coating is applied to the interior surface of the tubular member. A mercury dispenser is situated within the tubular member. The mercury dispenser includes a body composed of a material. The body is provided with a bore. A wire plated with a material capable of wetting mercury is provided in the bore. A quantity of mercury is deposited in the bore in contact with the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Johnston, Gregory Zaslavsky, William George
  • Patent number: 7625258
    Abstract: A lamp electrode adapted to deliver mercury during an assembly process has a supporting electrical lead attached to the proximal end of a metallic shell. The proximal and a distal ends of the metallic shell each lie along a central axis. A container with a vitreous plug in a sealed end contains a substance for delivering mercury upon heating of the container. The sidewall of the container is attached to the electrical lead. The longitudinal axis of the container is skewed relative to the electrical lead to orient the container in a direction to reduce discharge of mercury directly toward the metallic shell. The container is heated to open it and discharge a mercury dose from the sealed, end, which is prone to opening upon heating of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: E.G.L. Company Inc.
    Inventor: Ludwig P. Kiermaier
  • Patent number: 7594838
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of manufacturing gas-discharge electron lamps, and neon tubes in particular. According to the invention, it is proposed, prior to carrying out vacuum treatment of the internal space of an electron lamp (1), to mount at least one of said glass capsules (2) in exhaust tube (5), in close proximity to an exposed electrode in such manner that the opening provided in metal container (4) is facing the working area of the lamp (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventors: Oleksandr V. Vladimirov, Mykola I. Kalytynskyy
  • Patent number: 7592742
    Abstract: An auxiliary amalgam is contained in a light-emitting tube. The auxiliary amalgam has a base, a metal layer provided on the base, and a diffusion-inhibiting layer provided between the base and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Takahara, Masahiro Izumi, Nobuhiro Tamura, Mitsunori Nakamura, Toshiyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7537503
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus in which a spacer having a high-resistance film coating a surface of a base material is inserted between a rear plate having electron emitting elements and row-direction wires, and a faceplate having a metal back. The row-direction wires and the metal back are electrically connected via the high-resistance film. An electric field near an electron emitting element near the spacer is maintained to substantially constant irrespective of the positional relationship between the spacer and the electron emitting element near the spacer. When a sheet resistance value of the high-resistance film on a first facing surface of the spacer that faces a row-direction wire is represented by R1, and a sheet resistance value of the high-resistance film on a side surface adjacent to the electron emitting element is represented by R2, R2/R1 is 10 to 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taro Hiroike, Koji Yamazaki, Yoichi Ando
  • Publication number: 20090032767
    Abstract: Compositions for mercury dispensing in lamps are disclosed, comprising a first component comprising mercury and at least a metal selected between titanium and zirconium and a second component consisting of aluminum or either a compound or an alloy including at least 40% by weight of aluminum, wherein the weight ratio between the first and the second component is equal to or lower than 9:1; optionally, the compositions may also include a third component, selected among metals or oxides capable of reacting exothermically with aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SAES GETTERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Massaro, Stefano Paolo Giorgi, Magda Bovisio, Claudio Boffito, Alessio Corazza
  • Publication number: 20080197767
    Abstract: A lamp includes an envelope of a vitreous composition, having a pinched part at at least one end to form a seal isolating an interior of the envelope from the environment of the envelope, and an arrangement for conducting electrical current to the interior of the envelope, having a section embedded in one of the pinched parts of the envelope and a section external to the envelope. At least part of embedded section of the arrangement for conducting electrical current is at least partly surrounded by a composition including at least one of phosphorus in a non-volatile form and an acid thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Boehme, Thomas Frings, Wilhelmus Johannes Jacobus Welters, Marten Willem Schuiteman, Johannes Martinus Jansen
  • Patent number: 7396270
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp, in particular a mercury-free high-pressure discharge lamp for a vehicle headlight, has a lamp base (1) and an axially symmetrical discharge vessel (30), in whose discharge space (300) an ionizable filling, containing metal halides, and electrodes (31, 32) are arranged for producing a gas discharge. The discharge vessel (30) is provided with transparent, partial frosting (37), which is limited to a section of the inside or outside of the discharge vessel (30) extending over part of the discharge vessel circumference, this section having a well-defined position with respect to the lamp base (1). Moreover, a simple production method is proposed for partial frosting (37) which is preferably arranged on the inside of the discharge vessel (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Vladimir Högele, Thomas Reiners
  • Patent number: 7052649
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) for a volatilizable material has a first member (14) that is substantially cup-shaped with a given diameter (X) and with a given depth (Z) and having a first peripheral flange (16) having a first diameter (D). A second member (18) has a second peripheral flange (20) with a second diameter (D2) greater than the given diameter (X). The first peripheral flange (16) and the second peripheral flange (20) are in intimate contact thereby defining a volatilizable material chamber (22) between the bottom (24) of the second member (18) and the bottom (26) of the first cup-shaped member (14). A volatilizable material (12) such as liquid mercury is placed in the chamber; and a hermetic seal (28) is formed between the first and second flanges. When installed in a fluorescent lamp the volatilizable material is released by heating the dispenser with RF current. The material is released when the vapor pressure within the dispenser reaches about 20 atmospheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Grossman, William A. George, Alfred H. Bellows, Eric Keup
  • Patent number: 6913504
    Abstract: Method for introducing a limited amount of mercury into a fluorescent lamp during manufacture thereof includes the steps of forming the lamp with an exhaust tubulation therein open at an end thereof, exhausting the interior of the lamp through the exhaust tubulation, placing a body of metal material not reactive with mercury in the exhaust tubulation open end, the body having a coating of metal which amalgams with mercury, over a selected surface area of the body, and having mercury on the coated area of the body, such that a limited amount of the mercury is retained by the metal coating, and sealing the open end of the exhaust tubulation, whereby the amount of mercury retained on the body and introduced into the lamp is limited by the surface area of the metal coating on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Zaslavsky, Richard Speer, Philip E. Moskowitz, Joseph V. Lima, Louise D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 6910932
    Abstract: A solid mercury-releasing material and a method of dispensing precise amounts of mercury into the light emitting chamber of a discharge lamp without introducing the other dispenser components into the chamber are disclosed. The solid material includes an amalgam of one or more metals and mercury in the form of particles of high purity, uniform size and uniform composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Brumleve, Duane A. Stafford, Steven C. Hansen, Katsumi Fukutome
  • Patent number: 6905385
    Abstract: Method for introducing a limited amount of mercury into a fluorescent lamp during manufacture thereof includes the steps of forming the lamp with an exhaust tubulation therein open at an end thereof and provided with a ball retention structure, exhausting the interior of the lamp through the tubulation open end, placing a rigid ball of inert material in the tubulation between the ball retention structure and the tubulation open end, the ball having a coating of a selected one of silver, gold, and indium, of a selected mass over a selected surface area of the ball, and mercury on the coated area, and sealing the open end of the tubulation, whereby the amount of mercury retained on the ball and thereby introduced into the lamp is limited by the selected mass of the coating on the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Speer, Louise D. Cleary, Joseph V. Lima
  • Patent number: 6815002
    Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid crystal from N liquid crystal dispensing devices onto M panel locations (M>N) such that the amount of liquid crystal dispensed from each of the N liquid crystal dispensing devices is substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyug-Jin Kweon, Hae-Joon Son
  • Patent number: 6814641
    Abstract: A discharge lamp manufacturing method that provides control of the introduction of a predetermined amount of halogen, unaccompanied by carbon or hydrogen, into a discharge vessel of the lamp so that a discharge lamp having an adequate operating pressure and that can maintain enhanced lighting conditions over a long period can be achieved. In particular, a halogen-introduction carrier is used in the manufacture of the discharge lamp for introducing a predetermined amount of metal halide. The discharge lamp manufacturing method includes a device for introducing halogen into the discharge vessel and includes heating a halogen-introduction carrier composed of a porous body containing metal halides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukiharu Tagawa
  • Patent number: 6739928
    Abstract: A mercury-containing material, a method for producing the same and a fluorescent lamp using the same that can enclose a minimal amount of mercury in a glass bulb precisely, prevent flaws in a fluorescent coating while suppressing a noise during a lamp transportation, and prevent deterioration in appearance are provided. A surface of liquid mercury is coated with a continuous film made of metal oxide or metal complex oxide by dipping the mercury in a metal alkoxide solution and then heating the mercury on which the metal alkoxide solution adheres. Accordingly, the minimal amount of the mercury can be enclosed in the fluorescent lamp precisely, thus achieving friendliness to the environment. It also is possible to prevent flaws in the fluorescent coating while suppressing a noise during the lamp transportation and further to prevent deterioration in appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouji Honda
  • Patent number: 6719600
    Abstract: A mercury capsule for use in a fluorescent lamp comprises a shell defining a chamber and a bore extending through the shell. A body of mercury is disposed in the chamber. A plug is disposed in the bore to seal the bore. The plug exhibits a melting point reached in manufacture of the fluorescent lamp, to melt from the bore to open an exit passageway for the mercury. A method for making the capsule is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Grossman, William A. George, William J. Roche
  • Publication number: 20040053554
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp post-production heating structure allows for even dispersion of mercury and other lamp compounds throughout the entire length of assembled fluorescent lamps by allowing uniform and thorough heating of each lamp's sealed chamber containing these materials to a temperature high enough to vaporize the mercury therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Yohel Yamamuro, Thomas Louchard, Thomas J. Roetker
  • Patent number: 6679745
    Abstract: An improved method is described for the manufacture of mercury dispenser devices to be used in fluorescent lamps, of the type wherein the dispenser material (2) is contained inside a metal tube (1), these dispensers providing a more uniform distribution of mercury, with lower fluctuations from one device to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Santella, Ausonio Tuissi
  • Patent number: 6656006
    Abstract: A method and lamp produced by using this method for evenly disbursing mercury and other lamp compounds throughout the entire length of assembled fluorescent lamps by uniformly and thoroughly heating each lamp's sealed chamber containing these materials to a temperature high enough to vaporize the mercury therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.
    Inventors: Yohei Yamamuro, Thomas Louchard, Thomas J. Roetker
  • Patent number: 6616494
    Abstract: Supplying pellets without the risk of enlarging the apparatus size or moisture absorption of the pellets by disposing a rotation drum provided with a pellet storage room in a sealed case with an inert gas supply. The apparatus according to the present invention has a main body case with a rotation drum storage part formed therein, a lid mounted on the front surface opening part of the main body case, a rotation drum disposed rotatably in the rotation drum storage part, and a pellet supply nozzle elongating from the main body. Through holes having a size capable of inserting a pellet are provided on the circumferential wall of the rotation drum with an equal interval in the circumferential direction as well as the side wall of the main body case to be contacted slidably with the circumferential wall of the rotation drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Nagata, Kunio Fukai, Masakazu Nagasawa, Takeshi Fukuyo
  • Publication number: 20030143913
    Abstract: A method and lamp produced by using this method for evenly disbursing mercury and other lamp compounds throughout the entire length of assembled fluorescent lamps by uniformly and thoroughly heating each lamp's sealed chamber containing these materials to a temperature high enough to vaporize the mercury therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Yohei Yamamuro, Thomas Louchard, Thomas J. Roetker
  • Patent number: 6547616
    Abstract: An image display panel is prepared which has in an in-plane thereof an image display area for displaying an image and a framing area surrounding the image display area. Light shielding ink is supplied from an ink supply source to at least a partial surface area of the framing area of the image display panel. In this case, the ink supply source is made not in contact with the image display panel. Even if the frame structure of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display is made narrow, the image quality in a peripheral area of the image display area becomes hard to be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Display Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Furukawa, Taiji Yuhara, Toshiro Katsube, Satoru Imai, Tsukasa Adachi
  • Publication number: 20020042239
    Abstract: An improved method is described for the manufacture of mercury dispenser devices to be used in fluorescent lamps, of the type wherein the dispenser material (2) is contained inside a metal tube (1), these dispensers providing a more uniform distribution of mercury, with lower fluctuations from one device to the other. This is obtained by a method according to which a tubular metal container (1′) having a larger diameter than the final one (1), after the filling thereof with said dispenser material (2) is passed between at least two pairs of rollers (3, 3′, 4, 4′) whose axes of rotation are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the advancing direction (X-X′) of the tubular container (1), until a reduction of the cross-section of the latter to the desired value is obtained, and is finally cut to the right size into the single dispenser elements .
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: SAES GETTERS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Santella, Ausonio Tuissi
  • Publication number: 20010055930
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of making halogen lamps and halogen lamp bulbs, as well as other analogous lamps and objects. The present invention also relates to apparatus used in a method of making halogen lamps and halogen lamp bulbs, as well as other analogous lamps and objects. The method minimizes contamination in the body of the glass and minimizes reaction of lamp halogen with the interior of a halogen lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Franz Ott, Otmar Becker, Karin Naumann
  • Patent number: 6304029
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp starting from a discharge vessel (10) wherein a closed holder (22) is placed which is provided with a quantity of one or more substances to be introduced in the discharge vessel (10). Subsequently, a desired gas atmosphere is brought about in the discharge vessel (10) and the discharge vessel is closed. Finally, the holder (22) is opened. According to the invention, the holder (22) is made from a leadoxide containing glass, which leadoxide is partly reduced and in which the amount of reduction is a measure of the mercury content of the holder (22). Due to the reduction process holders (22) with different mercury contents have a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Gerardus Cornelis De Bot, Johannes A. G. Van Dongen, Frans J. Traksel
  • Patent number: 6194827
    Abstract: A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp includes a bulb and a mercury-releasing metal substrate, in particular, an alloy of zinc and mercury in which the mercury-releasing metal substrate has an inside part crystallized in a plate form or in a granular form and a surface on which a mercury-rich layer is formed. The mercury-releasing metal substrate, in particular, the alloy of zinc and mercury, can be adhered firmly to the inside face of the bulb. Moreover, the low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp can be made by putting a mercury-releasing metal substrate into a bulb; forming a mercury-rich layer on the surface of the mercury-releasing metal substrate while crystallizing the inside of the mercury-releasing metal substrate in a plate form or in a granular form by heating the bulb from the outside; and softening the mercury-releasing metal substrate to adhere it to the inside face of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Atagi
  • Patent number: 6099375
    Abstract: A mercury dispensing support strip capable of dispensing mercury and sorbing reactive gases. In one embodiment, the support strip of the invention includes at least one track of mercury releasing material deposited on one face of the support strip. At least one track of getter material is also deposited on the same face of the support strip. The tracks of mercury releasing and getter materials are deposited on the support strip such that the mechanical strains exerted by the materials on points of the support strip that are substantially symmetric with respect to a central axis of said first surface of said mercury dispensing support strip are substantially equivalent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Saes Getters, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo della Porta
  • Patent number: 6091196
    Abstract: In a process for the fabrication of an organic EL display device having, on the surface of a substrate 1, a terminal electrode 3, a first electrode 2, an insulating layer 4 covering a portion of the first electrode 2, an organic functional layer 5 including a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode 6 including an interconnect layer 62, after forming the first electrode 2, the terminal electrode 3, and the insulating layer 4, a mask 8 for restricting the layer-forming region is placed on the substrate 1, then the organic functional layer 5 is formed, following which the interconnect layer 62 is formed by a process having a better step coverage than the process used to form the organic functional layer 5 such as to bring the interconnect layer 62 into contact with at least part of the terminal electrode 3. When the organic functional layer 5 and the second electrode 6 are formed in succession, the second electrode 6 and the terminal electrode 3 can be reliably connected without changing the mask 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsufumi Codama
  • Patent number: 6048241
    Abstract: A capsule (20) having a glass wall (21) and containing mercury is positioned in a radiation-transmitting discharge vessel, after which the discharge vessel is provided with a rare gas and closed, means for maintaining an electric discharge are arranged in or adjacent the discharge vessel. The capsule is opened by fusion after the discharge vessel has been closed by heating the capsule by irradiation (42) with a parallel beam of radiation through the wall of the discharge vessel. The wall of the capsule has for this radiation an absorption coefficient which amounts at least ten times that of the wall portion of the discharge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Frans J. Traksel, Antonius J. Spaapen
  • Patent number: 5882237
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Sarver, Duane A. Stafford, Steven C. Hansen, Timothy R. Brumleve
  • Patent number: 5879216
    Abstract: By applying radiation beam energy to a contact portion between an end portion 7 of a glass tube 1 and a zinc-mercury alloy drop 6 and the vicinity thereof by means of an optical fiber 5, the alloy drop 6 is directly heated so as to be caused to partly melt at a bottom portion thereof and fixed firmly to an inner wall surface of the end portion 7 of the glass tube without causing variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuto Yoshii, Ikuhiro Okuno, Shozo Miyamoto, Masayuki Tanaka, Masahiro Yoshimoto, Masao Kubo, Tooru Watanabe, Tsuyosi Yokogawa
  • Patent number: 5876205
    Abstract: A mercury-dispensing device is disclosed that includes a mercury dispenser comprising an intermetallic compound including mercury and a second metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, and mixtures thereof; and a promoter that comprises copper, tin and at least a third metal selected among the rare earth elements. A getter material selected among titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures thereof, and alloys of these metals with nickel, iron or aluminum can be included in the device. The mercury dispenser, promoter and optional getter material are provided preferably in the form of powders compressed as a pellet, or contained in a ring-shaped metallic support or rolled on the surfaces of a metallic strip. Also disclosed is a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes by making use of the above-mentioned mercury-dispensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Stefano Paolo Giorgi
  • Patent number: 5830026
    Abstract: A mercury-dispensing device is disclosed that includes a mercury dispenser having the formula Ti.sub.x Zr.sub.y Hg.sub.z in which x and y are between 0 and 13, inclusive, the quantity x+y is between 3 and 13, inclusive, and z is 1 or 2; and a promoter that comprises copper, silicon and possibly a third metal selected among the transition elements. A getter material selected among titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures thereof, and alloys of these metals with nickel, iron or aluminum can be included in the device. The mercury dispenser, promoter and optional getter material are provided preferably in the form of powders compressed as a pellet, or contained in a ring-shaped metallic support or rolled on the surfaces of a metallic strip. Also disclosed is a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes by making use of the above-mentioned mercury-dispensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5757129
    Abstract: A low-pressure mercury-vapor discharge lamp, which is equipped with Hg or amalgam, has a pumping tube opening (4) with constricted cross-section or lumen. A solid body in the pumping tube (3) prevents the mercury from emerging into the discharge space. At the same time, the particular shape of the constriction and of the solid body, respectively, makes it possible for Hg vapor to diffuse through-passages between the pumping tube and the solid body into discharge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Hubert Schafnitzel, Friedrich Lauter, John W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5736809
    Abstract: In a spark plug having a noble metal layer disposed on a firing end of an electrode, the noble metal layer being laser welded to the firing end of the electrode, and subsequently heat treated to increase a crystallized granulation particle size of the noble metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Matsutani, Kozo Amano
  • Patent number: 5709578
    Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube is provided having, as an anode standing for one of discharge electrodes, a mercury discharge structure comprising a metal sintered body formed by sintering powder of a high melting point metal such as titanium, with mercury combined with the metal sintered body. The mercury discharge structure is so formed as to contain a large amount of mercury and is therefore permitted to have a compact shape in order to obtain a requisite amount of mercury. The cold cathode fluorescent discharge tube permits a sufficient amount of mercury to be sealingly incorporated in the interior of the tube without decreasing the ratio of the effective luminescent length to the total length, having suitability to diameter reduction, and can be produced at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: West Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hatsutori, Masaharu Nishida
  • Patent number: 5520560
    Abstract: A mercury-dispensing combination suitable to release an amount of mercury higher than 60% during the activation step, even after partial oxidation, includes a mercury-dispensing intermetallic compound A with Hg and a second metal selected among Ti, Zr and mixtures thereof, as well as a promoting alloy or intermetallic compound B including Cu and a second metal selected among Sn, In or Ag or combinations thereof. There is also disclosed a mercury-dispensing device containing a combination of materials A and B, in addition to a process for introducing mercury into electron tubes consisting in the introduction of one of said devices inside the open tube and then heating thereof at a temperature between 550.degree. and 900.degree. C. after the tube sealing in order to get Hg free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Schiabel, Claudio Boffito
  • Patent number: 5374871
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wayne D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5278473
    Abstract: A method of dispensing mercury into an arc discharge lamp containing a mercury capsule adjacent one of the coil electrodes is disclosed. The method includes the step of preparing a solution of a low ionization energy material and coating at least a portion of the mercury capsule. Thereafter, the mercury dispensing capsule is bombarded with a directed stream of electrons produced by the other coil electrode of sufficient energy to rupture the capsule causing the mercury to be released. The coating focuses the directed stream of electrons directly on the capsule, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to rupture the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph P. Parks, Jr., Kendrick D. Rattray, Dennis D. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 5186668
    Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp having improved efficacy enabled by reducing the anode work function by the introduction of a metal-based gas into the lamp envelope for absorption on the anode. The metal-based gas is preferably cesium but may also, for example, be sodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Michael, Radomir Lagushenko, Jakob Maya, Oscar Biblarz
  • Patent number: 5187804
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of eliminating the cold spot zones presently used on Hg.sup.196 isotope separation lamps and filters by the use of a mercury amalgams, preferably mercury - indium amalgams. The use of an amalgam affords optimization of the mercury density in the lamp and filter of a mercury enrichment reactor, particularly multilamp enrichment reactors. Moreover, the use of an amalgam in such lamps and/or filters affords the ability to control the spectral line width of radiation emitted from lamps, a requirement for mercury enrichment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5120251
    Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp having improved efficacy enabled by reducing the anode work function by the introduction of a metal-based gas into the lamp envelope for absorption on the anode. The metal-based gas is preferably cesium but may also, for example, be sodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Michael, Radomir Lagushenko, Jakob Maya
  • Patent number: 4993981
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vaporized metal discharge lamp wherein a metal halide is attached to the tip of a metal rod, such as through vapor deposition or sputtering. The rod is then inserted into a light emission envelope of the lamp, and the metal halide attached to the metal rod tip is transferred to the inside of the envelope through high frequency induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ose, Shinya Omori, Akihiko Tsurumaru
  • Patent number: 4927398
    Abstract: This invention relates to incandescent lamps and more particularly to the gettering of such lamps. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an incandescent lamp comprising an envelope, a tungsten filament mounted within the envelope, a fill gas, and a getter comprising silane and phosphorus. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of gettering an incandescent lamp. The method comprises providing a getter comprising phosphorus and silane in an unsealed lamp envelope; sealing the lamp envelope; and activating the phosphorus source and silane located within the sealed envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4923424
    Abstract: This invention relates to incandescent lamps and more particularly to the gettering of such lamps. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an incandescent lamp comprising an envelope, a tungsten filament mounted within the envelope, a fill gas, and a getter comprising phosphorus and a borane compound and/or partially halogenated derivatives thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of gettering an incandescent lamp. The method comprises providing the above-described getter in an unsealed lamp envelope; sealing the lamp envelope; and activating the getter located within the sealed envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4907998
    Abstract: Mercury is dosed into a fluorescent or similar lamp from a container shaped mostly as an elongated flat plate, inserted lengthwise into the exhaust tube and held in place by a rib in the tube engaging depressions in the center of the plate. To permit easy insertion, the end of the plate opposite the mercury container has a relatively large through hole, leaving a thin resilient wall on each side of the hole so that insertion force is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Kuijer, Jacobus P. K. M. Van As, Frans J. Traksel