Abstract: An arc discharge lamp including a two-piece base member having a main housing and a cap disposed at opposite ends of the lamp envelope. The main housing of the base member includes elongated slots to enable the housing to expand outwardly in response to positioning of the press seal. At least one internally-protruding segment formed in the housing is positioned within a detent formed in the press seal region of the lamp. Following positioning of the press seal, the cap is secured to the main housing. The base member is thus secured to the ends of the lamp envelope without the need for basing cements or the like.

Abstract: An arc discharge lamp including an electrically insulative base member securely positioned at opposite ends of the lamp without the need for basing cements or the like. The base member includes at least one internally-protruding segment for positioning within a detent formed in the press seal region of the lamp. The base member functions to securedly retain the external portions of the lamp's electrical leads in a predetermined alignment.

Abstract: A reflector lamp includes a temperature resistant, plastic, tubular neck extender. The neck extender is disposed between a reflector and a base and is attached to the reflector and the base. The extender can be attached to the reflector by clamping eyelets or, alternatively, by an adhesive. The resulting lamp can be used in recessed lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a filamented capsule from a tubular blank, and a mold used in such fabrication, is provided wherein a first filament is sealed in a first press seal in one end of the blank, and a preform designed to facilitate insertion and positioning of a second filament is formed in an opposite end of the blank, in a single pressing and blowing step.

Abstract: An arc discharge lamp having an end-of-life structure and including a light-transmissive envelope having a tubular-shaped main body and a press seal disposed at each end of the main body. An electrode filament having a pair of ends is located in each end of the envelope. Each electrode filament end is in a contiguous relationship with an inside surface of the lamp envelope. When one of the electrode filaments is depleted of electron-emissive material, increased heating of the electrode filament caused by an increase in cathode fall voltage, produces a localized hot spot on the internal surface of the envelope. This localized heating causes a puncture in the lamp envelope and evacuation of the lamp. The introduction of external atmosphere into the lamp extinguishes the arc discharge and renders the lamp inoperable.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an arc discharge capsule from a tubular blank, and a mold used in such fabrication, is provided wherein a first electode is sealed in a first press seal in one end of the blank, and a preform designed to facilitate insertion and positioning of a second electrode is formed in an opposite end of the blank, in a single pressing and blowing step.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an aperture in a coating on an inside surface of a lamp envelope such as a miniature fluorescent lamp envelope. The apparatus includes a magnetic scraping tool disposed adjacent to the inside surface of the lamp envelope and a magnet disposed adjacent to the outside surface of the lamp envelope so as to influence the scraping tool. The magnet acts on the magnetic scraping tool to maintain a scraping portion of the scraping tool in contact with the inside surface of the lamp envelope. As the magnet is moved along the outside of the lamp envelope, the scraping tool is pulled through the inside of the lamp envelope with sufficient clamping force to scrape a desired width of coating from the inside surface of the lamp envelope. In one embodiment, a guide is provided to guide the scraping tool through the lamp envelope. In a preferred embodiment, the scraping tool and the magnet are coupled to the guide. The guide moves the magnet and the scraping tool along the lamp envelope.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp unit comprises a double U-shaped discharge tube having a base shell secured to one end thereof. A housing containing the necessary starting and operating circuitry includes a first portion having a standardized base and a second portion surrounding the base shell of the discharge tube. The internal surface of the second housing portion includes a plurality of flexible fingers for securing the base shell to the second portion of the housing. in a preferred embodiment, each flexible finger includes a latch for engaging the base shell. Preferably, the the internal surface of second housing portion further inlcudes a plurality of support ribs for preventing or limiting lateral movement of the base shell within the housing.

Abstract: By controlling the temperature of a glass reservoir tube attached to a closed vapor cell, the vapor pressure inside the cell can be accurately controlled. The apparatus for controlling the reservoir temperature includes an electric heater, a temperature sensor, heat straps to distribute and remove heat from the reservoir, and a clamp to hold the apparatus in close thermal contact with the exterior of the reservoir. An external control circuit energizes the reservoir heater as required. In the preferred embodiment the vapor cell functions as an optical filter when filled with a heated metallic vapor such as cesium. The reservoir tube functions as the cold spot of the cell and contains a small pool of the metal in liquid form.This invention was made with Government support under N66001-86-R-0050 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

Abstract: An electric lamp is provided having an outer envelope or jacket with a lamp base attached thereto, the lamp base having an aperture extending therethrough. A sealed inner capsule is supported within the outer envelope and electrically connected to the lamp base and to an electrically conductive elongated member one end of which engages an inner wall of the outer envelope and an opposite end of which extends through the aperture in the lamp base. A spring is provided which urges the one end of the elongated member against the inner wall and which will urge the opposite end of the elongated member out of the aperture if the envelope is broken thereby disconnecting voltage to a lead of the inner capsule.

Abstract: A plug-in lamp assembly for use as a picture element in an information display screen includes a plurality of low-pressure arc discharge lamps for selectively generating multiple colors, a lamp plug for interconnection and mounting of the discharge lamps, and a lamp socket for plug-in attachment of the lamp plug. Each discharge lamp has electrical leads extending from a first end thereof and a light output region at a second end thereof. The lamp plug comprises a base having spaced-apart electrical connector pins and a cap attached to the base. The first ends of the discharge lamps extend through openings in the top wall of the cap into the lamp plug, and selected electrical leads are coupled to the electrical connector pins. The lamp plug and the lamp socket include openings for directing cooling air over the first ends of the discharge lamps.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp unit including an adapter which contains a ballast, a fluorescent lamp electrically coupled to the adapter, a compressible gasket member and a jacket. The jacket is adapted to be easily removed from the unit upon failure of the fluorescent lamp. An inwardly protruding ledge which extends radially around the interior of the jacket provides a bearing surface for contacting the gasket member. Preferable, the lower portion of the jacket member is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed grooves for engaging a pair of lugs formed in the housing of the adapter. Preferably, each of the grooves has an offset portion and a stop for locking the lugs in place and thereby preventing rotation of the jacket member with respect to the adapter until the gasket member is compressed.

Abstract: An electric lamp including a reflector, at least one conductive ferrule located within a surface of the reflector and a lead-in conductor electrically connected to the ferrule and extending within the reflector. The lamp includes a base having an insulative (e.g., ceramic) cap located substantially about the ferrule, barrier means (e.g., ceramic fiber) located within the cap to define an open chamber substantially about the ferrule, an electrical conductor (e.g., wire) extending within the cap and electrically connected (e.g., silver soldered) to the ferrule, and sealing means (e.g., high temperature cement) located within the cap to provide a seal therefore. The barrier means serves to separate the sealing means from the open chamber about the ferrule such that the heat generated by the ferrule can be vented through spaced apertures located within the cap's side wall. A method of assembling a base on an electric lamp is also provided.