Abstract: The present invention provides an FED with a getter material deposited and activated on the substrates of the faceplate and the baseplate of the FED. In one embodiment of the invention, a large FED includes a faceplate, a baseplate, and an unactivated non-evaporable getter material. The faceplate has a transparent substrate with an inner surface, and a cathodoluminescent material disposed on a portion of the inner surface. The baseplate has a base substrate with a first surface and an emitter array formed on the first surface. The baseplate and the faceplate are coupled together to form a sealed vacuum space in which the inner surface and the first surface are juxtaposed to one another in a spaced-apart relationship across a vacuum gap. The unactivated non-evaporating getter material is deposited directly on the inner surface and/or the first surface.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp and a method for making the same, in which one end of each electrode projects into a discharge chamber to form a light-emitting portion and the other end thereof is supported by a pinch-sealed portion. A coil is wound around at least the pinch-sealed portion of the electrode to absorb gaseous impurities caused by the heat generated during the operation of the metal halide lamp and to prevent cracking, at the pinch-sealed portion, of bulb. A coil, made of high melting point material and gaseous impurities absorption material, is wound around at least the pinch-sealed portion of the electrode and the combination is disposed into the bulb. The diameter of the coil, the internal diameter of a circle made by the coil, and the pitch of the coil are fixed within specific values in connection with the diameter of the electrode.

Abstract: A mercury dispensing support strip capable of dispensing mercury and sorbing reactive gases. In one embodiment, the support strip of the invention includes at least one track of mercury releasing material deposited on one face of the support strip. At least one track of getter material is also deposited on the same face of the support strip. The tracks of mercury releasing and getter materials are deposited on the support strip such that the mechanical strains exerted by the materials on points of the support strip that are substantially symmetric with respect to a central axis of said first surface of said mercury dispensing support strip are substantially equivalent.

Abstract: A vacuum tube including a getter apparatus is provided. The getter apparatus includes a sheet-like support with an applied getter layer which is used to maintain vacuum in the vacuum tube during operation. The support has the shape of a strip, and is positioned in a groove of a shield or a contact pin of the vacuum tube. The support is immobilized using impressions of the groove rim.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an electron source and an image-forming member disposed in an envelope. The image-forming member includes a fluorescent film and a metal back covering the fluorescent film. The metal back contains a gettering substance and the gettering substance is irradiated with electron beams emitted from the electron source.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having an attachment mounted therein for reduction of soluble mercury contained in the lamp, and to act as a fail-safe at the end of lamp life, comprises a collar of iron mesh providing an iron surface area sufficiently large to reduce a portion of the soluble mercury to elemental mercury when the lamp is pulverized to granules and subjected to a suitable aqueous acid solution, such that a remaining portion of soluble mercury leachable is less than 0.2 milligram per liter of the aqueous acid solution, whereby to provide a substantially non-soluble mercury leachable lamp. The attachment is adapted for disposition around an electrode mount in the lamp and is electrically isolated from lead-in contacts in the mount, such that upon exhaustion of a cathode coating in the lamp, an electrical arc stream impinges on the attachment, causing the mount within the attachment to crack, whereby to provide for safe termination of operation of the lamp.

Abstract: The cathode for a gas discharged lamp includes gettering materials which are placed within the interior of the cathode shell. Other components may also be placed inside the cathode for continuous activation. For example, in mercury vapor lamps, a mercury amalgam is placed within the cathode. In another embodiment, a mass of electron emission assisting compound is placed within the cathode to replenish the emission assisting compound which deteriorates from the cathode.

Abstract: An integral and internal matrix getter structure for capturing residual gas in a vacuum sealed container is disclosed. The vacuum sealed container may be a flat panel display having a small vacuum gap between two closely spaced panels. The getter structure may be provided on the inside of the walls of the display. In particular, the getter structure may be provided between phosphor groups and/or between field emitter groups on the display panels. The getter structure may be sealed to avoid exposure of the getter material until after a vacuum condition is reached within the display. Activation of the getter structure may be provided by selectively heating the getter structure with a laser or with resistive heating elements underlying the getter structure. Methods of making the getter structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new method for forming an anode plate for a color flat panel Field Emission Displays (FEDs) having improved gettering, was accomplished. The method involves forming on a transparent insulating plate (glass) an array of pixels of three phosphors comprising the primary colors and having in or/and around the array of pixels gettering material to provide more efficient gettering of volatile material from the FED cavity. The electrons are injected into the pixels when the electron field emitters are electrically accessed via the address and image forming circuits. The injected electrons heat and activate the gettering material in and around the pixels and provide very effective gettering in the FED cavity.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube (CRT) has a getter attachment wand with a trough-shape along a substantial portion of its length, imparting an increased stiffness to the wand to maintain the wand in close proximity to the inside surface of the CRT envelope, thereby avoiding clipping of the electron beam on its way to the screen. An optimal curvature of the wand strikes a balance between the desired stiffness and the ease with which the wand can be resistance welded to the top cup of the electron gun assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum tube, particularly a cathode-ray visual-display tube. In order to absorb residual gases after having formed a vacuum in the tube a getter material (barium) is used, which is evaporated onto the internal walls of the tube from a getter support. According to the invention, instead of the getter support being welded to the electron gun it is independent of the gun and is fixed rigidly to the walls of the neck of the tube, in front of the electron gun. The distribution of the getter material in the tube is thus improved, especially for tubes focused by the neck, that is to say tubes for which the internal wall (covered with graphite) of the neck serves as a cylindrical electrode for focusing the electron beam, taken to the anode potential.

Abstract: A new method for forming an anode plate for a color flat panel Field Emission Displays (FEDs) having improved gettering, was accomplished. The method involves forming on a transparent insulating plate (glass) an array of pixels of three phosphors comprising the primary colors and having in or/and around the array of pixels gettering material to provide more efficient gettering of volatile material from the FED cavity. The electrons are injected into the pixels when the electron field emitters are electrically accessed via the address and image forming circuits. The injected electrons heat and activate the gettering material in and around the pixels and provide very effective gettering in the FED cavity.

Abstract: A getter device capable of being re-activated as required and arranged in a narrow space in an envelope. The getter is arranged in a layer-like manner in an envelope of an electronic element to provide, in the envelope, a film-like getter for keeping an interior of the envelope at a vacuum. Electrons emitted from an electron feed section are impinged on the getter to activate it. The getter activated adsorbs thereon gas in an envelope of an image display device.

Abstract: A color display tube comprising a color selection structure which is provided with a layer of getter material, the surface on which the layer of getter material being provided is rough. In this manner heat radiation is increased and doming of the color selection structure is reduced.

Abstract: An anode plate 40, suitable for use in a field emission display tetrode, includes a transparent planar substrate 42 having thereon a layer 46 of a transparent, electrically conductive material, which comprises the anode electrode of the display tetrode. Barrier structures 48 comprising an electrically insulating, preferably opaque material, are formed on anode electrode 46 as a series of parallel ridges. Atop each barrier structure 48 are a series of electrically conductive stripes 50, which function as deflection electrodes. Luminescent material 52 overlies anode electrode 46 in the channels between barrier structures 48. Conductive stripes 50 are formed into three series such that every third stripe 50 is electrically interconnected. Deflection voltage controller 70 permits selective deflection of electrons toward the proper luminescent material 52.

Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp includes an opposing pair of electrodes in spaced relationship in a tubular glass bulb of which the inner wall surface is coated with fluorescent material, and each of the electrodes is divided into four plate-like electrode members each having mercury and getter preliminarily coated thereon while maintaining a necessary area for each electrode without any contact with the inner wall surface of the tubular glass bulb. The opposite ends of the tubular glass bulb are airtightly sealed with beads through which electricity feeding wires extend for feeding electricity to the electrodes while holding the electrodes in the tubular glass bulb. Two of the four plate-like electrode members are located on one side of each electricity feeding wire, while another two of the same are located on the opposite side of the same. The respective plate-like electrode members are spot-welded to each electricity feeding wire.

Abstract: A vertical field emitter structure and field emission device such as a flat panel display utilizing such structure. Self-aligned gate and emitter fabrication is described, together with virtual column field emitter structures, comprising an emitter or gated emitter with conductive columns connecting the emitter to an underlying resistor or conductor structure formed by chemical or other modification of portions of an underlying layer. The display of the invention utilizes field emission structures with low turn-voltages and high accelerating voltages, thereby permitting high brightness, small pixel size, low manufacturing costs, uniform brightness, and high energy efficiency to be achieved.

Abstract: An anode plate 40 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 42 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 46 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 48.sub.R, 48.sub.G and 48.sub.B, and a gettering material 52 in the interstices of the stripes 46. The gettering material 52 is preferably selected from among zirconium-vanadium-iron and barium. The getter 52 may be thermally reactivated by passing a current through it at selected times, or by electron bombardment from microtips on the emitter substrate. The getter 52 may be formed on a substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 50 affixed to substrate 42 in the spaces formed between conductors 46, which acts as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device. Methods of fabricating the getter stripes 52 on the anode plate 40 are disclosed.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube (CRT) having a glass envelope with a neck portion, a funnel portion and a display screen, or front panel, an electron gun disposed in the CRT's neck portion has a plurality of aligned electrodes, including a charged shield cup. The shield cup includes a plurality of contact springs disposed about the outer periphery thereof and engaging a conductive layer on the inner surface of the CRT's neck portion for supporting the electron gun and charging the shield cup to an electron accelerating, or anode, voltage. Also disposed on the outer periphery of the shield cup and engaging the inner conductive layer is a getter support member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a magnetron for generating a microwave, in which an upper end shield and a lower end shield for supporting respectively top end and bottom end of a filament, which is a cathode portion, are included, the upper end shield being made in a flange shape having a flat portion of a diameter bigger than an outer diameter of the filament, and a getter for absorbing a generating gas within a vacuum bulb body is mounted on top surface of the upper end shield, and the getter includes a flat portion mounted to the flat portion of the upper end shield and an inclined portion extended downwardly from the end edge of the flat portion so that the electrons generated from the cathode collides and is absorbed.

Abstract: A capsule containing a precise amount of a substance such as mercury is mounted in an electrode mount assembly on a temperature sensitive member. At elevated temperatures the capsule is moved away from lamp components by the temperature sensitive member to preclude inadvertent release of the mercury into the sealed lamp. After the lamp has cooled, the temperature sensitive member urges the capsule into biased engagement with a cutting wire so that upon supply of current thereto the capsule is melted and opened to release the mercury.

Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp, comprising an inner discharge tube, an outer envelope, current leads, a lamp stem in the outer envelope for containing the current leads, a longitudinal axis, a getter holder having a surface with getter thereon for increasing the service life of the lamp, the surface of the getter holder being located adjacent to and facing the lamp stem at a maximum angle of 90.degree. with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A display tube has a getter structure which is clamped in an aperture of the magnetic shield. The getter structure and the screening cap may be of a simple construction and the getter structure can be replaced in a simple manner so that the display tube can be easily repaired. The getter structure is supported by the cone and the inner wall of the shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp (2) provided with a discharge vessel (3) with a ceramic wall (3a) and provided with a bimetal element (11) which rests against the discharge vessel wall in the cold state of the lamp, and which is removed from the discharge vessel wall during lamp operation. The discharge vessel is surrounded by an outer bulb (30) with intervening space (6), in which space a solid-state getter (15) is provided. According to the invention, the solid-state getter is provided on the bimetal element.

Abstract: An improved dimmable dual filament fluorescent lamp including a first filament and a second filament with automatic current switching between the first element and the second element when the first element opens due to a failure and further having a separating cold cathode getter plate disposed between the first filament and the second filament.

Abstract: A cold cathode mercury vapor discharge lamp includes a bulb, a support wire within the bulb, and a cathode electrode having a pair of V-shaped electrode portions mounted in spaced, end to end relationship along the support wire. The electrodes include exterior surfaces facing towards the bulb walls, and interior surfaces facing towards the support wire. Getters are mounted on the exterior surfaces, and mercury discharge units are mounted on the interior surfaces. The two electrode portions are non-overlapping along the support wire.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp that includes a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material and a pair of electrodes disposed in the envelope. Lead-in wires couple to the electrodes and extend to and are hermetically sealed in the envelope. The electrodes include an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. A getter material is disposed on an auxiliary electrode. The getter material is maintained at an elevated temperature by virtue of a continuous lamp discharge to thus maintain chemical pumping in the envelope for the absorption of residual envelope gases.

Abstract: A thin type image display device for displaying an image by emitting light from a fluorescer with irradiation of electron beams thereto. The device has a cathode panel between a front panel and a back panel in such a manner that a space is existent between the cathode panel and the back panel, wherein through holes for diffusion of getters are formed in the cathode panel to maintain the image quality at the center of a display screen, or the cathode panel is supported by getters to maintain a required pressure, hence attaining a higher image quality even on a large-sized display screen. A gate electrode may be composed of a getter material.

Abstract: An electron beam system comprises a vacuum enclosure, a source of electrons within the enclosure, and a passive pump located within or in communication with the enclosure for pumping gases from the enclosure. A supplemental active pump is coupled to the vacuum enclosure and functions simultaneously with the passive pump for pumping from the enclosure gases not removed, or not removed efficiently, therefrom by the passive pump.

Abstract: An oxygen detector for use in a double envelope lamp is described. The detector may be formed by nitriding a metal surface to produce a metal piece with a first visual color or state. The surface thickness is sufficient to exclude oxygen during normal assemble, but thin enough to change colors during lamp operation if oxygen is present.

Abstract: Disclosed is a getter assembly for a gas discharge device in which the getter assembly consists of a snap-ring wherein the snap-ring includes a depression or trough for holding the getter material. The getter assembly is intended to be placed in an opening in a gas discharge device providing the function of a getter.

Abstract: A lamp including an evacuated outer jacket, a light source capsule mounted within an evacuated outer jacket, and getter assembly disposed within the outer jacket is disclosed. the getter assembly includes a getter and protection device for protecting lamp parts, e.g., the inner surface of the outer jacket, during flashing of the getter. In a most preferred embodiment, the protection device is formed by a small glass envelope, preferably similar to a photoflash bulb envelope, having a small opening. A getter, such as a getter ring, typically used in the lighting art, is mouted within the bulb envelope. When the getter is activated, the metal vapor of the activated getter is caught inside this bulb envelope and condenses on the inside glass surface of the latter. the impurities within the outer jacket of the lamp diffuse through the opening in the bulb envelope of the protection device of the preferred embodiment and are absorbed by the getter.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp that includes a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material and a pair of electrodes disposed in the envelope. Lead-in wires couple to the electrodes and extend to and are hermetically sealed in the envelope. The electrodes include an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. A getter material is disposed on the anode electrode. The getter material is maintained at an elevated temperature by virtue of a continuous lamp discharge to thus maintain chemical pumping in the envelope for the absorption of residual envelope gases.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope of vitreous material, a seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of electrical conductors extend through the seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. The bimetallic element is deformable by heat into engagement with the other of the electrodes. Gettering means contained within the envelope reduces dark effect by improving dark starting and reduces aging time of the glow discharge starter. Preferably, the gettering means is a metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth and lead.

Abstract: There is provided a metallic tape supporting a mercury vapor releasing material, preferably Ti.sub.3 Hg, admixed with a non-evaporable getter metal, preferably an alloy of 84% Zr--15% Al, contained within a continuous series of depressions within the tape. The depressions form a successive series of pairs of depressions preferably each having an oval shape. Each pair of oval shaped depressions is separated by a distance greater than the distance separating the individual oval shapes. The tape can then be cut between each pair of depressions to form a small strip containing two depressions. Such a small strip can then be folded through an angle of approximately 180.degree. about an axis, in the plane of the tape midway between the depressions, perpendicular to the tape length. This folded strip can then be welded to a support and used as a cold cathode electrode in a miniature fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube with an electrophoretic getter device incorporated therein is described. The electrophoretic deposition, in the form of a porous coating, of at least one getter material and simultaneously an antisintering agent on any form of getter support is also described. The getter material may be a powder of a metal, of a metal alloy or of a hydride thereof, or a mixture of these components.

Abstract: A method of prolonging the life of thin film dichroic coated lamp components and of employing inexpensive components has been discovered. This method is the use of a hydrogen getter located in the outer jacket of the lamp, adjacent to the dichroic coating. The getter is preferably located and aligned so as to reach an optimum operating temperature.

Abstract: An unsaturated vapor type high pressure sodium lamp includes an arc tube having a tubular ceramic envelope containing a dosing of sodium, mercury and a rare gas with an electrode sealed into each end of the envelope and an oxygen-absorbing getter telescoped over or affixed to the electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a bimetallic element having a curved portion and a free end, and a counter electrode located within the envelope. A getter holder is secured to the counter electrode and positioned adjacent the curved portion of the bimetallic element such that a first discharge gap is formed therebetween. A second discharge gap is formed between the free end of the bimetallic element and the counter electrode. The spacing of the first discharge gap is defined as being less than the spacing of the second discharge gap. A predetermined total amount of getter material is contained within the envelope including a portion thereof contained within the getter holder. Preferably, the portion of getter material contained within the getter holder is within the range of from about 25 percent to about 75 percent of the total amount of getter material.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope of vitreous material, a seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of electrical conductors extend through the seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. A coating comprising lanthanum, nickel and boron is disposed on a surface within the envelope. Preferably, the coating comprises from about 2 percent to about 4 percent boron. The coating is effective in improving the aging efficiency and the temperature stability of the glow discharge starter.

Abstract: A hydrogen getter for use within the arc tube assembly of a gas discharge lamp e.g. a high pressure sodium discharge lamp, comprises a layer (11) of a getter material (eg Ti) sandwiched by diffusion bonding between layers (12, 13) of a hydrogen permeable material (eg Nb) there being an exposed region of getter material. Hydrogen getters in the form of disc-like washers are formed from the sandwiched layers by a stamping process.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor discharge device including a polycrystalline alumina arc tube which contains a fill including sodium and mercury is disclosed. An electrode is disposed at each end of the arc tube, and an emissive material including an oxygen getter, such as, zirconium and/or niobium, and thorium dioxide is coated on at least one of the electrodes. The improved emissive material coating reduces the rate of sodium loss from the arc tube and inhibits loss of luminosity due to discoloration of the arc tube.

Abstract: An arc tube (13) for a high pressure sodium discharge lamp (10) contains a quantity of a getter materal which comprises an alloy of titanium and niobium metal. The alloy is in the form of a coiled wire (31) which is wound on a tungsten electrode shank (29). The wire may have a sheath of niobium metal.

Abstract: Electron tube having an evacuated envelope equipped with an electron emitting cathode, wherein a layer of activated silicon oxide is formed inside the envelope. The activated silicon oxide layer improves the emission life.

Abstract: In a flat cathode ray display tube having an electron gun adjacent a rear wall of the tube's envelope which produces an electron beam travelling across the rear wall before being turned in the opposite direction and then deflected onto a screen carried by faceplate opposite the rear wall, getter means is situated in one or more recesses, each defined at least in part by an elongate rib formed in the rear wall, e.g. by pressing, with the recess wall shielding the getter means directly from the gun to prevent contamination. The rib serves also to strengthen the rear wall. A line scanning deflector is similarly shielded.

Abstract: In the present invention, a getter assembly is formed by a housing containing a cavity in which the passageway into the cavity is covered by an end cover which is permeable to selected gases. Internal to the cavity formed by the housing is an activated getter material for eliminating selected gas contaminants within the cavity.

Abstract: A cathode structure for a magnetron representative of a self-oscillation type microwave electron tube comprises a pair of opposite end shields for supporting both ends of a filament helically wound in an axial direction, and a getter fixed on at least an upper end shield positioned on the side of a terminal from which a microwave oscillation output is produced. The upper end shield is concaved with respect to a lower end shield, and the getter provided on the upper end shield is also concaved so as to be closely fitted over substantially the entirety of an outer surface of the upper end shield. Preferably, the getter provided on the upper end shield has an upright annular wall of a central burring hole. Thus, the improved cathode structure is immune to deformation and suitable for cleaning and welding, thereby ensuring improved lifetime stability and high fabrication efficiency.

Abstract: A television camera tube including a getter (23,24) is assembled so as to be thermally independent of an electron gun (4) and may be provided with any desired electric potential. The getter (23,24) is positioned in a tubular envelope portion (1) of the tube by means of a supporting member (12,21,25) which rests on a supporting edge (11) in the envelope (1). The supporting edge is formed by a stepped reduction of the internal transverse dimension of the envelope portion (1). The supporting member (12) comprises an inner ring (16) which is connected to an outer ring (15) in a limited number of places (19). In the circumferential direction the inner ring (16) and the outer ring (15) include an interruption (17) to counteract excessive heating of the rings during inductive heating of the getter (23,24). Metal strips (21) which support the getter (23,24) are connected to the inner ring (16). The supporting structure is well suited for use in comparatively small cathode ray tubes.

Abstract: An improved getter assembly for use in cathode ray tubes, and particularly in cathode ray tubes that require a clear area or window, the getter assembly including a container with getter diffusion directing tabs extending from the sidewall of the container in a direction away from the window area.

Abstract: A small-size discharge lamp includes a glass tube having first and second ends, with an outer diameter thereof being smaller than 5 millimeters and a length thereof being shorter than 300 millimeters. At opposite ends of the glass tube, an elongated filament and an elongated getter are provided adjacent each other and parallel to the axial direction of the glass tube.