Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a modular lighting system/luminaire having an integrated heat sink assembly. In some cases, the system/luminaire may comprise a plurality of individual modular light sources which have been operatively coupled with one another. In some instances, a modular light source may include one or more light engines (e.g., light emitting diodes or LEDs) which have been operatively coupled with an individual heat sink module. When assembled, the plurality of heat sink modules may define, in the aggregate, a plurality of heat conduits which dissipate thermal energy from the light engines by convective heat transfer. Also, in some cases, the heat sink modules may be electrically isolated from one another, allowing for the heat sink assembly itself, in part or in whole, to function as part of the desired circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a system for attaching devices to flexible substrates. A device may be coupled to a flexible substrate in a manner that prevents adhesive from contacting conductive ink while the adhesive is harmful. If conductive epoxy is used to anchor conductive pads in the device to the flexible substrate, conductive epoxy may be applied beyond the edge of the device over which conductive ink may be applied to make electrical connections. Holes may also be formed in the flexible substrate allowing conductive epoxy to be exposed on a surface of the flexible substrate opposite to the device location, the conductive ink connections being made on the opposite surface. The conductive ink may also be applied directly to the conductive pads when extended beyond the device's edge. The flexible substrate may be pre-printed with circuit paths, the conductive ink coupling the device to the circuit paths.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a modular lighting system/luminaire having an integrated heat sink assembly. In some cases, the system/luminaire may comprise a plurality of individual modular light sources which have been operatively coupled with one another. In some instances, a modular light source may include one or more light engines (e.g., light emitting diodes or LEDs) which have been operatively coupled with an individual heat sink module. When assembled, the plurality of heat sink modules may define, in the aggregate, a plurality of heat conduits which dissipate thermal energy from the light engines by convective heat transfer. Also, in some cases, the heat sink modules may be electrically isolated from one another, allowing for the heat sink assembly itself, in part or in whole, to function as part of the desired circuit.

Abstract: A method of applying a phosphor coating is described. The method comprises forming a suspension of a phosphor and a polymer binder dissolved in a solvent, the phosphor comprising at least one of a nitridosilicate or an oxonitridosilicate phosphor, the polymer binder being capable of decomposing thermally; applying the suspension to a substrate to form a coating; drying the coating; and baking the coating in an inert atmosphere to thermally decompose the polymer binder to form the phosphor coating, preferably at a temperature less than about 400° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a base with one or more LED chips, an internal cover over the LED chips, where the cover is a translucent ceramic whose thermal conductivity is greater than glass, where the cover has an interior surface separated from the LED chips by a gap, and where an exterior surface of the cover is coated with a phosphor. The ceramic cover preferably has a bulk thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/(m·K), such as polycrystalline alumina. The LED chips preferably are blue LEDs and the phosphor is selected so that the lamp emits white light. In the method of making the lamp, the phosphor may be applied to the exterior surface of the cover as a preformed sheet or in a coating.

Abstract: An inductively coupled fluorescent discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope having a re-entrant cavity that has an outer surface inside the envelope, and an excitation coil inside the re-entrant cavity, and a spring clip that is attached to the outer surface of the re-entrant cavity by spring action of the spring clip on the outer surface, where the spring clip includes an amalgam. The spring clip may include a layer of the amalgam plated on a surface of the clip, or an amalgam-bearing flag attached to the clip.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a base with one or more LED chips, an internal cover over the LED chips, where the cover is a translucent ceramic whose thermal conductivity is greater than glass, where the cover has an interior surface separated from the LED chips by a gap, and where an exterior surface of the cover is coated with a phosphor. The ceramic cover preferably has a bulk thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/(m·K), such as polycrystalline alumina. The LED chips preferably are blue LEDs and the phosphor is selected so that the lamp emits white light. In the method of making the lamp, the phosphor may be applied to the exterior surface of the cover as a preformed sheet or in a coating.

Abstract: An inductively coupled fluorescent discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope having a re-entrant cavity that has an outer surface inside the envelope, and an excitation coil inside the re-entrant cavity, and a spring clip that is attached to the outer surface of the re-entrant cavity by spring action of the spring clip on the outer surface, where the spring clip includes an amalgam. The spring clip may include a layer of the amalgam plated on a surface of the clip, or an amalgam-bearing flag attached to the clip.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp (10) includes a tubular member or envelope (12) having an arc generating and sustaining medium (15) therein. As known, the tubular envelope (12) is constructed of a suitable glass, for example lime glass. An electrode (14) is provided in each end of the tubular member (12) and a phosphor coating (16) is applied to the interior surface (18) of the tubular member (12). A mercury dispenser (20) is situated within the tubular member (12). The mercury dispenser (20) includes a body (21) composed of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and ceramic materials. The body (21) is provided with a bore (22). A first material (24) capable of wetting mercury coats the bore. In a preferred embodiment the first material (24) is silver having a thickness between 0.1? and 8?. A quantity of mercury (26) is deposited in the bore (22) in contact with the first material (24).

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp (10) includes a tubular member or envelope (12) having an arc generating and sustaining medium (15) therein. As known, the tubular envelope (12) is constructed of a suitable glass, for example lime glass. An electrode (14) is provided in each end of the tubular member (12) and a phosphor coating (16) is applied to the interior surface (18) of the tubular member (12). A mercury dispenser (20) is situated within the tubular member (12). The mercury dispenser (20) includes a body (21) composed of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and ceramic materials. The body (21) is provided with a bore (22). A first material (24) capable of wetting mercury coats the bore. In a preferred embodiment the first material (24) is silver having a thickness between 0.1? and 8?. A quantity of mercury (26) is deposited in the bore (22) in contact with the first material (24).

Abstract: A method of applying a phosphor coating is described. The method comprises forming a suspension of a phosphor and a polymer binder dissolved in a solvent, the phosphor comprising at least one of a nitridosilicate or an oxonitridosilicate phosphor, the polymer binder being capable of decomposing thermally; applying the suspension to a substrate to form a coating; drying the coating; and baking the coating in an inert atmosphere to thermally decompose the polymer binder to form the phosphor coating, preferably at a temperature less than about 400° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: A phosphor blend for use with an indium halide discharge lamp and a lamp made therewith is described. The phosphor blend comprising at least two phosphors selected from Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2:Eu, SrSi2N2O2:Eu and Ca2Si5N8:Eu: The blend may also include a blue-emitting phosphor such as BaMgAl10O17:Eu.

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.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes an exhaust tubulation closed at a free end thereof, a glass ball disposed in the tubulation, and a mercury amalgam body disposed in the tubulation between the glass ball and the tubulation closed end. The tubulation is provided with a pinched portion comprising a plurality of inwardly extending dimples separated from each other and adapted to engage the glass ball to retain the glass ball on a central axis of the tubulation. The glass ball rests on the dimples concentrically and gaps between the dimples allow gas to pass therethrough between the glass ball and an inside surface of the tubulation.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending from an envelope portion of the lamp toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end adjacent the lamp base portion, and a glass body disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation, the glass body being disposed between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury amalgam body is disposed between the glass body and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury wetting metallic layer is disposed on a selected one of (i) an inside surface of the tubulation between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation, and (ii) a surface of the glass body whereby to a wet at least one of (i) the interior surface of the glass tubulation and (ii) the surface of the glass body, to prevent the amalgam, when liquidized, from flowing past the tubulation pinched portion and into the lamp envelope.

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.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending from an envelope portion of the lamp toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end adjacent the lamp base portion, and a glass body disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation, the glass body being disposed between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury amalgam body is disposed between the glass body and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury wetting metallic layer is disposed on a selected one of (i) an inside surface of the tubulation between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation, and (ii) a surface of the glass body whereby to a wet at least one of (i) the interior surface of the glass tubulation and (ii) the surface of the glass body, to prevent the amalgam, when liquidized, from flowing past the tubulation pinched portion and into the lamp envelope.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending from an envelope portion of the lamp toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end adjacent the lamp base portion, and a glass body disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation, the glass body being disposed between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury amalgam body is disposed between the glass body and the closed end of the tubulation. A mercury wetting metallic layer is disposed on a selected one of (i) an inside surface of the tubulation between the pinched portion and the closed end of the tubulation, and (ii) a surface of the glass body whereby to a wet at least one of (i) the interior surface of the glass tubulation and (ii) the surface of the glass body, to prevent the amalgam, when liquidized, from flowing past the tubulation pinched portion and into the lamp envelope.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end adjacent the lamp base portion, and a metal cup disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation. The cup defines an annular outer wall having a free edge extending toward the tubulation closed end, a tubular central core portion extending toward the tubulation closed end, and an annular trough formed by the core portion and the outer wall. A mercury amalgam ball is disposed between the metal cup and the tubulation closed end, a diameter of the ball exceeding an inner diameter of the core portion, and a coating of a metal wetting agent is disposed on interior surfaces of the trough.

Abstract: An amalgam assembly for a fluorescent lamp includes a glass exhaust tubulation extending toward a base portion of the lamp, the tubulation being closed at an end thereof adjacent the lamp base portion, and a retaining structure disposed in the tubulation and retained by a pinched portion of the tubulation. A mercury amalgam body is disposed in the tubulation between the retaining structure and the tubulation closed end. The amalgam body includes lithium for wetting internal surfaces of the glass tubulation to cause the amalgam to adhere to the tubulation internal surfaces when the amalgam body is liquidized, and to thereby prevent the amalgam from flowing past the retaining structure and into the lamp envelope.