Patents by Inventor William W. Akins

William W. Akins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fluorescent lamp extension tube amalgam holder
    Patent number: 6310437
    Abstract: A glass extension (24) with a cavity (32) for an amalgam (22) is added to an exhaust tube (12) or a flare (14) of a fluorescent lamp. The mouth (36) of the cavity (32) is provided with a bimetal valve having a cover portion (40) to close the cavity (32) when the lamp is cold and to open the cavity when the lamp is hot. The amalgam (22) is a metallic amalgam of, for example, mercury or other know suitable materials for establishing a metallic vapor equilibrium during operation of a discharge lamp. The amalgam holder helps to maintain optimum mercury vapor equilibrium at start-up, and to reduce the effects of mercury vapor starvation resulting from off-times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew P. Blau, William W. Akins, Joseph C. Borowiec, Sandor Lukacs