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 lamp includes a linearly extending heat sink, blue-light-emitting LEDs mounted on the heat sink, and a light emitting cover mounted on the heat sink in line with the LEDs, a first portion of the cover opposite the LEDs including a phosphor that is excited by the LEDs to emit white light. The cover may be a tube with the LEDs outside the tube, a portion of the tube nearest the LEDs being transparent and receiving light from the LEDs. The tube may include reflectors that are attached to an exterior surface of the tube to hold the tube on the heat sink. Alternatively, the cover may enclose the LEDs on the heat sink, where a portion of the cover has an interior surface that reflects light from the LEDs to the first portion. The lamp may include electrical connections that allow for multiple lamps to be connected in series.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A biscuit joiner (10) having a housing (16) which includes a forward portion (26), a handle portion (28) and a rear portion (30). A battery pack (56) is removably secured to the rear portion. The forward portion houses an electric motor (32) and is attached to a shoe assembly (12) and a fence assembly (14). The handle portion includes a stick handle portion (40) and a loop portion (42). Each of the stick handle and loop portions are laterally offset from the forward portion, and therefore from the rotational axis of the motor and the coaxial center of the housing. The stick handle portion is graspable by a user and the lateral offset enables the fingers of the user to be placed in position to exert a force substantially along the longitudinal axis (36) of the motor while engaging an ON/OFF trigger (46) of the joiner. In this manner a more direct application of force can be made by the user to the housing when urging the housing linearly while making plunge cuts with the joiner.

Abstract: The effluent from mercury collected during the photochemical separation of the .sup.196 Hg isotope is often contaminated with particulate mercurous chloride, Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The use of mechanical filtering via thin glass tubes, ultrasonic rinsing with acetone (dimethyl ketone) and a specially designed cold trap have been found effective in removing the particulate (i.e., solid) Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 contaminant. The present invention is particularly directed to such filtering.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically recovering mercury from mercury compounds is provided. In one embodiment, Hg is recovered from Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 employing as the electrolyte solution a mixture of HCl and H.sub.2 O. In another embodiment, Hg is electrolytically recovered from HgO wherein the electrolyte solution is comprised of glacial acetic acid and H.sub.2 O. Also provided is an apparatus for producing isotopically enriched mercury compounds in a reactor and then transporting the dissolved compounds into an electrolytic cell where mercury ions are electrolytically reduced and elemental mercury recovered from the mercury compounds.

Abstract: The effluent from mercury collected during the photochemical separation of the .sup.196 Hg isotope is often contaminated with particulate mercurous chloride, Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The use of mechanical filtering via thin glass tubes, ultrasonic rinsing with acetone (dimethyl ketone) and a specially designed cold trap have been found effective in removing the particulate (i.e., solid) Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 contaminant. The present invention is particularly directed to such filtering.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically recovering mercury from mercury compounds is provided. In one embodiment, Hg is recovered from Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 employing as the electrolyte solution a mixture of HCl and H.sub.2 O. In another embodiment, Hg is electrolytically recovered from HgO wherein the electrolyte solution is comprised of glacial acetic acid and H.sub.2 O. Also provided is an apparatus for producing isotopically enriched mercury compounds in a reactor and then transporting the dissolved compounds into an electrolytic cell where mercury ions are electrolytically reduced and elemental mercury recovered from the mercury compounds.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp unit having a magnetic field generating means for improving the performance of the fluorescent lamp is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the fluorescent lamp comprises four longitudinally extending leg portions disposed in substantially quadrangular columnar array and joined by three generally U-shaped portions disposed in different planes. In another embodiment of the invention the magnetic field generating means comprises a plurality of permanent magnets secured together to form a single columnar structure disposed within a centrally located region defined by the shape of lamp envelope.

Abstract: A filter for enriching the .sup.196 Hg content of mercury, including a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill of mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. The reactor is arranged around said filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of quartz, and are transparent to ultraviolet light. The .sup.196 Hg concentration in the mercury fill is less than that which is present in naturally occurring mercury, that is less than about 0.146 atomic weight percent. Hydrogen is also included in the fill and serves as a quenching gas in the filter, the hydrogen also serving to prevent disposition of a dark coating on the interior of the filter.

Abstract: A filter for enriching the .sup.196 Hg content of mercury, including a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill of mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. The reactor is arranged around said filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of quartz, and are transparent to ultraviolet light. The .sup.196 Hg concentration in the mercury fill is less than that which is present in naturally occurring mercury, that is less than about 0.146 atomic weight percent. Hydrogen is also included in the fill and serves as a quenching gas in the filter, the hydrogen also serving to prevent disposition of a dark coating on the interior of the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for enriching the isotopic Hg content of mercury is provided. The apparatus includes a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill including mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. In a preferred embodiment, constant mercury pressure is maintained in the filter by means of a water-cooled tube that depends from it, the tube having a drop of mercury disposed in it. The reactor is arranged around the filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of a material which is transparent to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically recovering mercury from mercury compounds is provided. In one embodiment, Hg is recovered from Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 employing as the electrolyte solution a mixture of HCl and H.sub.2 O. In another embodiment, Hg is electrolytically recovered from HgO wherein the electrolyte solution is comprised of glacial acetic acid and H.sub.2 O. Also provided is an apparatus for producing isotopically enriched mercury compounds in a reactor and then transporting the dissolved compounds into an electrolytic cell where mercury ions are electrolytically reduced and elemental mercury recovered from the mercury compounds.

Abstract: The invention described herein discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the Hg vapor pressure within a lamp. This is done by establishing and controlling two temperature zones within the lamp. One zone is colder than the other zone. The first zone is called the cold spot. By controlling the temperature of the cold spot, the Hg vapor pressure within the lamp is controlled. Likewise, by controlling the Hg vapor pressure of the lamp, the intensity and linewidth of the radiation emitted from the lamp is controlled.

Abstract: A low-pressure arc discharge apparatus having a magnetic field generating means for increasing the output of a discharge lamp is disclosed. The magnetic field generating means, which in one embodiment includes a plurality of permanent magnets, is disposed along the lamp for applying a constant transverse magnetic field over at least a portion of the positive discharge column produced in the arc discharge lamp operating at an ambient temperature greater than about 25.degree. C.