With Amalgam Patents (Class 313/490)
  • Patent number: 11183380
    Abstract: A germicidal UV amalgam lamp with an elongated tubular lamp body and at least two filaments located on opposite ends of the lamp body. The lamp body is hermetically sealed with a pinch-sealed portion at both opposite ends, confining a gas volume in which a gas discharge can be produced along a discharge path between the filaments. Each filament has two electrical connectors, each including an internal portion connected to the filament and pinch-sealed into the lamp body. Each connector also includes an external portion located outside the lamp body for electrical connection of the lamp to a controlled power supply. The pinch-sealed portion bears a socket with an electrical temperature sensor and at least two electrical connections mounted to the socket. The at least two electrical connections of the temperature sensor are connected in parallel to the electrical connectors of the filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Uwe Kanigowski, Jan Boris Loesenbeck, Sven Kaemmerer
  • Patent number: 10593536
    Abstract: An ultraviolet mercury low-pressure amalgam lamp includes a tube having a first end and a second end, a first electrode placed in the first end of the tube, and a second electrode placed in the second end of the tube, whereby when the lamp is energized a discharge path is formed between the first and second electrodes. At least one amalgam deposit is adjacent to one of the first and second electrodes out of the discharge path between the first and second electrodes. The tube has at least one constriction, wherein the at least one amalgam deposit is placed behind the constriction with respect to the discharge path such that the at least one amalgam deposit is protected by the constriction from the heat emitted by the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: XYLEM IP MANAGEMENT S.À R.L.
    Inventors: Andre Wojciechowski, Michael Lang, Uwe Kanigowski
  • Patent number: 10529551
    Abstract: An RF fluorescent lamp, comprising a bulbous vitreous portion of the RF fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, a power coupler to induce an alternating electric field within the vitreous envelope, an electronic ballast, and a mercury amalgam accommodating structure mounted within the lamp envelope and adapted to absorb power from the electric field to rapidly heat and vaporize an amalgam of mercury to rapidly illuminate the lamp envelope during a turn-on phase of the RF fluorescent lamp, wherein the structure is comprised of a substrate material coated with a mixture of indium and gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Harris Miller, Tenzin Wangjor Nanchung, John R. Goscha, Felix I. Alexandrov
  • Patent number: 9875887
    Abstract: Electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamps have the promise of higher reliability and higher efficiency than traditional electroded high intensity discharge lamps. However, most electrodeless HIDs operate in the frequency range of around 400 MHz or higher resulting in expensive, inefficient RF drivers that reduce the overall efficacy of the lamp. Operating the lamp at lower frequencies results in substantial increase in the physical dimensions of the resonators used in traditional electrodeless HIDs. In this invention a novel wave-launcher technology is used allow the lamp housing's operating frequency to be independent of the physical dimensions of the lamp housing. This provides an avenue to increase the conversion efficiency of the RF driver and the efficacy of the lamp system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SPL INDUSTRIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Brockett, Gregg A. Hollingsworth, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 9659762
    Abstract: Energy-saving lamps contain a gas filling of mercury vapor and argon in a gas discharge bulb. Amalgam balls are used for filling the gas discharge bulb with mercury. Novel coated balls whose operating life in the case of automatic metered introduction is increased by coating of the balls with an alloy powder and conglutination of the amalgam balls during storage and processing is prevented are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Olivier Hutin, Hans Martin Ringelstein
  • Patent number: 9640380
    Abstract: Electrodeless high intensity discharge (HID) lamps have the promise of higher reliability and higher efficiency than traditional electroded high intensity discharge lamps. However, most electrodeless HIDs operate in the frequency range of around 400 MHz or higher resulting in expensive, inefficient RF drivers that reduce the overall efficacy of the lamp. Operating the lamp at lower frequencies results in substantial increase in the physical dimensions of the resonators used in traditional electrodeless HIDs. In this invention a novel wave-launcher technology is used allow the lamp housing's operating frequency to be independent of the physical dimensions of the lamp housing. This provides an avenue to increase the conversion efficiency of the RF driver and the efficacy of the lamp system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SPL INDUSTRIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Brockett, Gregg A. Hollingsworth, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 9412550
    Abstract: An electron beam device has a body provided with an exit window, said body is forming or is at least partly forming a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber comprising therein a cathode housing and at least one electron generating filament. At least one getter sheet is provided between the cathode housing and the filament. The invention is further comprising a getter sheet for use in an electron beam device and a method of manufacturing an electron beam device comprising at least one getter sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Werner Haag, Dominique Cloetta, Urs Hostettler, Benno Zigerlig, Toni Waber
  • Patent number: 9324555
    Abstract: Energy-saving lamps contain a gas filling of mercury vapor and argon in a gas discharge bulb. Amalgam spheres are used for filling the gas discharge bulb with mercury. A tin amalgam having a high proportion by weight of mercury in the range from 30 to 70% by weight is proposed. Owing to the high mercury content, the amalgam spheres have liquid amalgam phases on the surface. Coating of the spheres with a tin or tin alloy powder converts the liquid amalgam phases on the surface into a solid amalgam having a high tin content. This prevents conglutination of the amalgam spheres during storage and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Georg Ptaschek, Calogero Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 9030088
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an amalgam chamber that is in communication with the interior of the lamp through an exhaust tube. The amalgam chamber is constructed as a three-way junction with the exhaust tube and is formed at a supplementary angle of 180 degree or less with respect to the exhaust tube. The construction of the chamber utilizes the force of gravity to keep the amalgam away from the opening of the exhaust tube leading to the interior of the lamp. The amalgam chamber is capable of effectively retaining the amalgam within the chamber and preventing it from penetrating into the interior of the lamp regardless of mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 8901842
    Abstract: An induction RF fluorescent lamp includes a lamp envelope with a re-entrant cavity both covered on a partial vacuum side with phosphor and filled with a working gas mixture; a power coupler on the non-vacuum side of said re-entrant cavity comprising a ferromagnetic core overwound with at least one turn of an electrical conductor; an electronic ballast, wherein the ballast converts mains frequency voltage and current to a power coupler frequency voltage and current, the electronic ballast providing the voltage and current to the power coupler through at least two of a plurality of electrical terminals of the electronic ballast; a capacitor electrically connected between the ferromagnetic core and at least one of the plurality of electrical terminals of the electronic ballast, wherein the magnitude of the impedance of the capacitor is high at the mains frequency and the magnitude of the impedance of that same capacitor is low at the operating frequency of the RF fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8878436
    Abstract: A fluorescent lighting device includes an arc tube, an exhaust tube extending from the arc tube, and an amalgam. A resistive heater is located adjacent to at least one of the arc tube and the exhaust tube. A power supply circuit is operatively coupled with the resistive heater. When the fluorescent lighting device is switched from an OFF state to an ON state, the power supply circuit temporarily energizes the resistive heater, thereby heating the at least one of the arc tube and the exhaust tube while the resistive heater is energized, and automatically de-energizing the resistive heater after said heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Lucz, Gabor Szabo, Balazs Torok, Miklos Budai, Titusz Talalt, Jacint Gergely, Gabor Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8823253
    Abstract: Discharge lamps containing improved starting amalgam are described. A method to increase the mercury vapor pressure during discharge lamp start-up is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Coda, Alessio Corazza, Alessandro Gallitognotta
  • Patent number: 8648520
    Abstract: An inner coupling tubular type electrodeless lamp comprises a glass bulb, an amalgam, and a power coupler. The glass bulb includes an external portion and an inner portion. A gas discharging cavity that is annularly airtight is defined by an envelopment of the external portion and the inner portion. A coupling cavity is defined in the inner portion. The power coupler includes a radiating post, a ferrite core, and a winding sequentially situating from an interior to an exterior thereof. The power coupler is disposed in the coupling cavity. Two ends of the coupling cavity are intercommunicated with each other as well as the exterior. The external portion of the glass bulb adopts the elongated tube. Wherein, a length of the ferrite core of the power coupler is not smaller than a half length of the coupling cavity. A length of the winding is measured from one-fifth to four-fifth of the length of the coupling cavity to evenly distribute an electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fujian Juan Kuang Yaming Electric Limited
    Inventors: Wenjun Chen, Heping Chen, Hequan Zhang, Jingping Wu
  • Patent number: 8648530
    Abstract: A fluorescent lighting device includes a ballast and a tube. An amalgam is located within the tube. A resistive heater is operatively coupled with the ballast, to receive electrical power from the ballast while the fluorescent lighting device is in an OFF state. The resistive heater is mounted near the amalgam to transfer heat to the amalgam while the fluorescent lighting device is in the OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Schmidt, Peter Lucz, Jacint Gergely, Zsolt Bagoly, Tamas Daranyi
  • Patent number: 8633642
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lamp part fixing device and method for lamp components made of shape memory alloy. The device includes a main body that carries, for example, a main or auxiliary amalgam, getter, etc. located at a desired position within a discharge tube of a fluorescent lamp. For example, the amalgam can be advantageously located at preselected axial locations and/or within a diffusion path. The main body is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration allows the mount to move within the discharge tube when the shape memory alloy is below an alloy transition temperature. The second configuration of the main body allows for controlled placement and immobilization of the device within the discharge tube when the shape memory alloy is raised above the alloy transition temperature. The device is shaped in a generally planar or non-planar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Ivan Poczik, Peter Mora, Peter Lucz, Balazs Torok
  • Publication number: 20140009059
    Abstract: Energy-saving lamps contain a gas filling of mercury vapour and argon in a gas discharge bulb. Amalgam spheres are used for filling the gas discharge bulb with mercury. A tin amalgam having a high proportion by weight of mercury in the range from 30 to 70% by weight is proposed. Owing to the high mercury content, the amalgam spheres have liquid amalgam phases on the surface. Coating of the spheres with a tin or tin alloy powder converts the liquid amalgam phases on the surface into a solid amalgam having a high tin content. This prevents conglutination of the amalgam spheres during storage and processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Georg Ptaschek, Calogero Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 8598773
    Abstract: A hot cathode fluorescent lamp (10) of small diameter is described comprising a shield (17) around the cathode (15) to avoid the formation of blackenings on the phosphors due to evaporated material and a mercury filiform mercury dispenser (20) fixed by a metallic part (18) to the front part of the shield, in such a geometry that said dispenser is turned towards the opposite end of the lamp and its axis is essentially parallel to the axis of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Corazza, Vincenzo Massaro, Mauro Riva
  • Publication number: 20130293102
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an amalgam chamber that is in communication with the interior of the lamp through an exhaust tube. The amalgam chamber is constructed as a three-way junction with the exhaust tube and is formed at a supplementary angle of 180 degree or less with respect to the exhaust tube. The construction of the chamber utilizes the force of gravity to keep the amalgam away from the opening of the exhaust tube leading to the interior of the lamp. The amalgam chamber is capable of effectively retaining the amalgam within the chamber and preventing it from penetrating into the interior of the lamp regardless of mounting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 8497622
    Abstract: Energy-saving lamps contain a gas filling of mercury vapor and argon in a gas discharge bulb. Amalgam spheres are used for filling the gas discharge bulb with mercury. A tin amalgam having a high proportion by weight of mercury in the range from 30 to 70% by weight is proposed. Owing to the high mercury content, the amalgam spheres have liquid amalgam phases on the surface. Coating of the spheres with a tin or tin alloy powder converts the liquid amalgam phases on the surface into a solid amalgam having a high tin content. This prevents conglutination of the amalgam spheres during storage and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Ptaschek, Calogero Di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20130181600
    Abstract: An inner coupling electrodeless lamp comprises a glass bulb and a power coupler. A cold end of the glass bulb is provided with an amalgam. The glass bulb includes an external portion and an inner portion. A gas discharging cavity that is annularly airtight is defined by the envelopment of the external portion and the inner portion. The gas discharging cavity is full of inert gas. A coupling cavity is defined in the inner portion. The power coupler includes a radiating post, a ferrite core, and a winding sequentially situating from an interior to an exterior thereof. The power coupler is disposed in the coupling cavity. At least one diffuse reflection layer that is made of a material falling in a 250˜2000 nm spectrum scope and containing a high diffuse reflection rate larger than 30% is disposed between an inner wall of the inner portion and an external surface of the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Wenjun Chen, Heping Chen, Hequan Zhang, Liwu Luo
  • Patent number: 8471455
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube and an auxiliary amalgam assembly held in the discharge tube by a holder. The holder has first and second regions with attaching portions adapted to receive an associated attachment member. The holder has a first dimension prior to disposition in the discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Mora, Laszlo Bankuti, Peter Lucz
  • Publication number: 20130119855
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lamp part fixing device and method for lamp components made of shape memory alloy. The device includes a main body that carries, for example, a main or auxiliary amalgam, getter, etc. located at a desired position within a discharge tube of a fluorescent lamp. For example, the amalgam can be advantageously located at preselected axial locations and/or within a diffusion path. The main body is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration allows the mount to move within the discharge tube when the shape memory alloy is below an alloy transition temperature. The second configuration of the main body allows for controlled placement and immobilization of the device within the discharge tube when the shape memory alloy is raised above the alloy transition temperature. The device is shaped in a generally planar or non-planar configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Ivan Poczik, Peter Mora, Peter Lucz, Balazs Torok
  • Publication number: 20130113362
    Abstract: A low-pressure discharge lamp includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a light-transmissive envelope, a fill-gas composition capable of sustaining a discharge sealed inside the light-transmissive envelope, and a phosphor composition at least partially disposed on an interior surface of said light-transmissive envelope forming at least one phosphor layer. The phosphor composition includes at least one phosphor, and at least one amalgam-forming material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20130113361
    Abstract: A low-pressure discharge lamp includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a light-transmissive envelope, a fill-gas composition capable of sustaining a discharge sealed inside the light-transmissive envelope, and a phosphor composition at least partially disposed on an interior surface of said light-transmissive envelope forming at least one phosphor layer. The phosphor composition includes at least one phosphor, and at least one amalgam-forming material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ottokar GYULASI, Peter LUCZ, Peter Ivan POCZIK, Balazs Torok
  • Patent number: 8378564
    Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube such as a spiral discharge tube having a wall forming a discharge chamber between cathodes at first and second ends thereof. At least one auxiliary amalgam assembly is disposed in the discharge chamber at an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends. The auxiliary amalgam assembly is secured at a location spaced from the inner wall of the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Lucz, Sandor Lukacs, Laszlo Bankuti, Peter Mora
  • Patent number: 8378571
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Johnston, Gregory Zaslavsky, William George
  • Patent number: 8299697
    Abstract: A high performance fluorescent lamp includes an air-vacuum glass envelope having sealed ends, and a light cavity filled with inert gas and coated with a phosphor layer at an inner wall of said light cavity; two electrodes sealed at each of the sealed ends of the glass envelope; and a narrowing channel integrally formed at one of the sealed ends of the glass envelope at a location communicating with the light cavity of the glass envelope. Therefore, the amalgam is contained within the narrowing channel at a position forming a preset distance between one of the electrodes sealed at the corresponding sealed end and the amalgam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Qin Kong
  • Patent number: 8253331
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube having an inner wall forming a discharge chamber. One or more coiled electrodes are disposed within the discharge tube. A mercury containing composition is disposed on at least one coiled electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zoltan Somogyvari, Laszlo Balazs
  • Patent number: 8198815
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Speer, Jeffery Serre
  • Publication number: 20120091880
    Abstract: A high performance fluorescent lamp includes an air-tight glass envelop having sealed ends and a light cavity filled with inert gas and coated with a phosphor powder at an inner wall of the glass envelop. Two filaments are sealed at the sealed ends of the glass envelop respectively. A channel is formed at one of the sealed ends of the glass envelop at a location communicating with the light cavity of the glass envelop. An amalgam is retained within the channel at a position forming a preset distance between the respective filament and the amalgam. Therefore, the fluorescent lamp can be operated under different ambient temperature or different wattage of the fluorescent lamp with the similar type of amalgam by controlling a distance between the amalgam and the respective filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Qin Kong
  • Patent number: 8129893
    Abstract: A quick start energy-saving fluorescent lamp comprising a bulb holder assembly, a light tube, a glass shade, a protruding cold end, a thermal insulation glue, and an amalgam vapor source. The protruding cold end is disposed at the front end of the light tube and contacts with the glass shade. The thermal insulation glue is disposed outside and around the cold end. The amalgam vapor source is disposed inside the cold end. The lamp can work at high temperature with low temperature amalgam vapor source and maintain high luminous efficiency, and the lamp can reach the rated brightness quickly. A method for producing the lamp is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Zhejiang Yankon Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Li
  • Publication number: 20110304258
    Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube such as a spiral discharge tube having a wall forming a discharge chamber between cathodes at first and second ends thereof. At least one auxiliary amalgam assembly is disposed in the discharge chamber at an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends. The auxiliary amalgam assembly is secured at a location spaced from the inner wall of the discharge chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Lucz, Sandor Lukacs, Laszlo Bankuti, Peter Mora
  • Publication number: 20110298356
    Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube having cathodes disposed adjacent opposite ends. A fill gas which includes mercury is disposed within the discharge tube. The lamp further includes an amalgam located in the discharge tube and dispersed in the arc to be heated thereby for emitting mercury vapor during at least a starting period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Lucz, Jozsef Fulop, Attila Kulcsar, Qi Long
  • Patent number: 8018130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp system comprising a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having a discharge vessel (6) enclosing a discharge space (8), with two electrodes (10, 30) positioned in the discharge vessel and an amalgam (18) arranged at a first end section (28) outside the discharge path between the first electrode and the second electrode. A ballast generates an electrical discharge current independently of an electrical heating current. A heating element (22) is positioned in the first end section for heating the amalgam using the electrical heating current. The temperature of the amalgam can be kept within its optimal temperature range for a relatively broad range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Cornelis Van Den Broek, John Elen, Frank Kloek, Koen Lenaerts, Heleen Esch, Jaak Geboers
  • Patent number: 7990041
    Abstract: An amalgam capsule (16) for a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) has a closed end and an opposing end with an opening (21) to allow passage of mercury vapor between the amalgam plug (18) and the discharge space (3) of the lamp (1). A glass rod (19) placed in the capsule (16) restrains movement of the amalgam plug (18), and projections (20) in the inner wall of the capsule (16) restrain movement of the glass rod (19). The presence of the amalgam capsule (16) in the discharge space (3) enables highly-loaded, substantially temperature-independent operation of linear fluorescent lamps such as T8 lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Brett Carter, Ronald Huijben
  • Publication number: 20110181176
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube and an auxiliary amalgam assembly held in the discharge tube by a holder. The holder has first and second regions with attaching portions adapted to receive an associated attachment member. The holder has a first dimension prior to disposition in the discharge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Mora, Laszlo Bankuti, Peter Lucz
  • Patent number: 7982383
    Abstract: Mercury dispensers (10; 20) having a highly reduced particle loss and containing a mixture of powders of a mercury releasing compound and of a plastic metal or alloy and optionally of a getter material are described. A mercury dispensing device (10:20) has a filiform cross-section, obtained by cutting a manufactured product having the same cross-section but a higher length, and comprises a metal container (11;21) and a mixture (12;22) of powders, comprised of at least one material suitable for releasing mercury by heating and a metal or a metal alloy, said mixture being arranged inside the container. Said metal or metal alloy has a Vickers hardness lower than 130 HV, its weight percentage is lower than the 10% of the total weight of the powders mixture and the size of the powders of said metal or alloy are not bigger than the size of the other powders of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Corazza, Vincenzo Massaro, Diego Di Giampietro, Gianni Santella
  • Patent number: 7977858
    Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided with a discharge vessel which encloses a discharge space including a filling of mercury and a rare gas in a gastight manner. The discharge vessel further includes an amalgam which communicates with the discharge space. The lamp has a discharge device for maintaining an electric discharge in the discharge vessel. The amalgam includes a bismuth-tin-indium compound having a bismuth (Bi) content in the range between 30?Bi?70 wt. %, a tin (Sn) content in the range between 25?Sn?67 wt. %, and an indium (In) content in the range between 3?In ?5 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Wim Hellebrekers, Lambert Christiaan Ida Kaldenhoven
  • Publication number: 20110101850
    Abstract: A quick start energy-saving fluorescent lamp comprising a bulb holder assembly, a light tube, a glass shade, a protruding cold end, a thermal insulation glue, and an amalgam vapor source. The protruding cold end is disposed at the front end of the light tube and contacts with the glass shade. The thermal insulation glue is disposed outside and around the cold end. The amalgam vapor source is disposed inside the cold end. The lamp can work at high temperature with low temperature amalgam vapor source and maintain high luminous efficiency, and the lamp can reach the rated brightness quickly. A method for producing the lamp is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG YANKON GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang LI
  • Publication number: 20110074278
    Abstract: A hot cathode fluorescent lamp (10) of small diameter is described comprising a shield (17) around the cathode (15) to avoid the formation of blackenings on the phosphors due to evaporated material and a mercury filiform mercury dispenser (20) fixed by a metallic part (18) to the front part of the shield, in such a geometry that said dispenser is turned towards the opposite end of the lamp and its axis is essentially parallel to the axis of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Alessio Corazza, Vincenzo Massaro, Mauro Riva
  • Publication number: 20110074277
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Speer, Jeffery Serre
  • Publication number: 20100264811
    Abstract: There is provided a cap and socket arrangement for compact fluorescent lamps. The lamp comprises a discharge tube arrangement made of glass and having sealed ends being positioned at one end of the lamp. A continuous arc path is formed inside the discharge tube between two electrodes disposed at one end of the lamp. At least one of the sealed ends is also provided with an amalgam fill. The sealed ends of the discharge tube arrangement are received in the cap, and the cap comprises contact members and a protruding fitting member for being received in the socket. The socket has a hollow member for receiving the fitting member of the cap, and contact elements for receiving the contact members of the cap. The fitting member and the socket are provided with matching positioning elements for determining the position of the cap with respect to the socket and thereby determining the spatial position of the electrode with respect to the amalgam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Istvan Wursching, Jozsef Fulop, Ferenc Papp, Karoly Talosi
  • Patent number: 7816849
    Abstract: A germicidal lamp having amalgam for controlling mercury vapor pressure contained in a location facilitating efficient high output operation. A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp has an amalgam container containing an amalgam positioned behind an electrode out of the arc path or space. The amalgam position is retained during high wall loading of the lamp preventing the amalgam from moving out of position. A heating and cooling element is placed generally at the amalgam position controlling the temperature of the amalgam. Efficient operation with high current loads and resulting high wall loading and temperatures is possible. The temperature control of the amalgam may also be used to dim or modify the illumination output of the lamp. The germicidal lamp is particularly suited to being positioned vertically in a waste water treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Light Sources, Inc.
    Inventor: Arpad Pirovic
  • Patent number: 7812533
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Johnston, William A. George, Richard S. Speer, Gregory Zaslavsky
  • Patent number: 7683542
    Abstract: An arrangement of a low-pressure mercury amalgam lamp includes an amalgam deposit and a cladding tube surrounding a lamp, wherein the lamp has a mechanical contact to the cladding tube in a region of the amalgam deposit. A ring-shaped band contacting and surrounding the lamp in the region of the amalgam deposit represents the mechanical contact to the cladding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Alexei Voronov, Erich Arnold, Erik Roth
  • Publication number: 20100019651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel (10; 210; 310) which encloses a discharge space (11; 211; 311) comprising a filling of mercury and a rare gas in a gastight manner. The discharge vessel (10; 210; 310) further comprises an amalgam (63; 263; 363) which communicates with the discharge space (11; 211; 311). The lamp has discharge means (41a, 41b; 234; 341a, 341b) for maintaining an electric discharge in the discharge vessel (10; 210). The amalgam (63; 263; 363) comprises a bismuth-tin-indium compound having a bismuth (Bi) content in the range between 30<Bi<70 wt. %, a tin (Sn) content in the range between 25<Sn<67 wt. %, and an indium (In) content in the range between 3<In<5 wt. %. The lamp according to the invention can be dimmed in a more controller manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Wim Hellebrekers, Lambert Christiaan Ida Kaldenhoven
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090230838
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp can be configured to prevent a decrease in luminescent efficiency when located in a high temperature room. The fluorescent lamp can include a couple of stems each including an emitter electrode located opposite to each other at each end of a tube, a filler gas located in the tube, a damping material and a coolest portion connected to the tube via the stem and the damping material. The coolest portion can be configured with a first material that has a higher thermal conductivity than the conductivity of both the tube and the stems. The damping material can be configured with both the first material and a second material that has a lower conductivity than the conductivity of the first material. A content ratio of first material vs. second material can change along a length of the damping material. Thus, the coolest portion can maintain a favorable temperature and the fluorescent lamp can maintain a favorable luminescent efficiency even when in a sealed casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: YOSHIFUMI TAKAO, Naoyuki Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20090230837
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a light-transmissive glass envelope having an inner surface, means for providing an electric discharge to the interior of the glass envelope, a phosphor layer within the interior of the glass envelope and a discharge-sustaining fill gas and a mercury dose sealed inside the light-transmissive glass envelope. The light-transmissive glass envelope can comprise a light-transmissive mixed alkali glass envelope and the phosphor layer can comprise a phosphor layer of approximately three mg/cm2. A barrier layer of approximately 0.3 mg/cm2 or less of alumina can be applied to the inner surface of the light-transmissive glass envelope. The mercury dose can be present in an amount to provide a saturated mercury vapor pressure within the light-transmissive glass envelope throughout substantially the entire life of the lamp. The lamp can have an end-of-life mercury consumption value of approximately 0.63 mg or less, including 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Istvan Deme, Laszlo Balazs, Katalin Toth, Jon B. Jansma
  • Publication number: 20090218927
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp is configured so that a glass bulb has a phosphor film formed on its internal face, and a rare gas and an amalgam pellet are enclosed therein. The amalgam pellet contains zinc, tin, and mercury as principal components, one amalgam pellet is enclosed in the glass bulb, and the amalgam pellet has a weight of not more than 20 mg. The fluorescent lamp satisfies the relationship expressed as: 45×(1?A)?x?55×(1?A), 75A?y?85A, 45?30A?z?55?30A, and x+y+z?100, where x represents a content of zinc contained in the amalgam pellet in percent by weight, y represents a content of tin therein in percent by weight, and z represents a content of mercury therein in percent by weight. This configuration allows the fluorescent lamp to be characterized in that an amount of released mercury that is necessary for the first lighting of the fluorescent lamp is secured, and that the phosphor film is less prone to being peeled due to the amalgam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi YAGI, Yoshio MANABE, Tsuyoshi TERADA