Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation of an organic or inorganic metal completing agent in the lamp structure or in the test solution.

Abstract: In order to heat a field emission type cold cathode 10 of a cathode ray tube, which generates electron beams, to a temperature high enough to obtain a desired electron emission characteristics of the field emission type cold cathode even when an inner temperature distribution of an evacuating furnace 20, which includes furnace temperature setting heaters 21 and a vacuum pump 23, is not uniform, the field emission type cold cathode 10 of an electron gun 3 of the cathode ray tube, which is provided within a neck portion 2a of a bulb 2 of the cathode ray tube, is locally heated by a neck heater 22 detachably mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 2a while the bulb 2 is being evacuated.

Abstract: The glove box has a rotatably supported bottom member (2, 11, 51) which is quipped with a number of product holders (14) positioned concentrically with the rotational axis of the bottom member. The product holders receive subassemblies or precursor products to be processed, partly within and partly without the glove box. Typical precursor products are discharge vessels for discharge lamps, of small size, for example having discharge vessel volumes in the tenths and hundredths of a cubic centimeter, which are to be flushed with a flushing gas, and then filled with an ionizable fill. Rotation of the bottom member delivers the products in the product holders to work-stations at which flushing, filling and other operations are carried out inside the glove box. Simultaneously, other operations such as pinching and sealing portions of the discharge vessels can be carried out outside of the glove box by suitable outwardly located operating stations (18).

Abstract: An arrangement for vacuum-tight sealing of electron tubes is provided with a vacuum pipe system which is connected to the electron tube by a tubularly-shaped connecting element. The connecting element is sealed in a vacuum-tight manner by a special thermal seal-off or melt-down unit after the electron tube has been evacuated. The thermal seal-off or melt-down unit is provided with a heating coil which is embraced by a component. The component is provided with an arresting element so that the component can be easily removed from the thermal seal-off or melt-down unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for processing gas discharge tubing. The apparatus includes a manifold pumping station, a fill and evacuation station and a data acquisition station. The data acquisition station enables the processor of the tubing to input, record and archive manufacturing data such as the identity of the electrode manufacturer, the tube length and diameter, the date of processing the serial number of the tube, the fill gas, the temperature of the glass during processing, the vacuum pressure inside the tube, the current used to bombard the tube, and other variables.

Abstract: An evacuation apparatus is capable of evacuating an envelope to a high vacuum without evacuating a whole room or chamber to a high vacuum. An evacuation pipe is connected at a distal end thereof to an evacuation head and a vacuum pump is actuated to evacuate an evacuation chamber to a high vacuum, to thereby evacuate an envelope to a high vacuum. Then, a motor is driven to rotate ball screws, to thereby upwardly move the envelope mounted on the evacuation head. The evacuation pipe is fused at an intermediate portion thereof by a gas burner, to thereby be sealed. Then, the evacuation pipe is cut to disconnect the envelope from the evacuation head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the manufacturing of metal salt gas discharge lamps involves a purging assembly which will allow the purging step to be conducted outside a dry box, while completely shielding the fiber material from possible exposure to the atmosphere, so as to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce operation cost. The purging assembly comprises a manifold, which is removably connected to a vacuum pump and an inert gas supply, respectively. The manifold is provided with a plurality of branch tubes connected thereto. Each of the branch tubes is adapted to be connected to a lamp envelope via a ball valve, which provides a straight passage way therethrough when opened. During the purging operations, the ball valves respectively connecting the lamp envelopes and the branch tubes are open to thereby allow moisture and other undesirable components to be purged from the lamp envelope.

Abstract: A low temperature apparatus and process exists for cleaning photo-cathodes used A lo VW pV:image intensifier tubes. The process comprises the steps of applying atomic or molecular particles of a plasma to a photo-cathode for the purpose of removing contaminants, such as oxides, from the photo-cathode surface; and applying heat or ultra-violet radiation to the photo-cathode to remove remaining impurities. The apparatus comprises means for subjecting a photo-cathode to the atomic and molecular particle products of a plasma, and preferably, means for applying heat or ultra-violet radiation to the photo-cathode at a low temperature to remove any remaining impurities from the photo-cathode.

Abstract: A cleaning system and technique for CRT electron guns is provided in which CO.sub.2 snow is utilized to clean contaminants from the electron gun. The CO.sub.2 snow and CO.sub.2 gas are directed onto the electron gun through small orifices in nozzles arranged at angular positions relative to one another and relative to the electron gun. This enables complete cleaning of the electron gun upon the rotation and movement of the electron gun relative to the two nozzles.

Abstract: A getter fixing device for a cathode ray tube includes one or more folded strips. These strips are welded to a getter cover or united in one body with the getter cover or a support member. The device also includes two inclined wing portions that direct diffusion of the getter material. Such a getter device allows attachment of various getter forms, and parts needed for this device may be standardized.

Abstract: A plurality of successive evacuating carts for carrying respective cathode-ray tube bulbs thereon are circulatingly fed along a looped feed path into and out of an evacuating furnace. While in the evacuating furnace, the cathode-ray tube bulb carried on each of the evacuating carts is evacuated, and the evacuating pipe thereof is sealed. An evacuating pipe detecting device is disposed at a position along the feed path for detecting whether the evacuating pipe of the cathode-ray tube bulb carried on each of the evacuating units is damaged or not. If the evacuating pipe of any cathode-ray tube bulb is detected as being damaged and remains on the evacuating cart, the evacuating cart is discharged out of the feed path, and a replacement evacuating cart is charged into the feed path.

Abstract: A low pressure discharge lamp having a tubular discharge vessel (1). At each of its end portions (2, 3) the vessel (1) is fused to a respective metal tube (5) having an uncovered outer surface outside the vessel. A sealed glass tube (6) is fused to the metal tubes (5). Ignition aids (18, 28, 40) may also be present. The simple construction of the lamp permits manufacture and high lamp quality, even at long lengths and/or small diameters of the discharge vessel. The lamp may have an ionizable filling of rare gas or may also contain mercury. A fluorescent powder may also be present in the discharge vessel. The lamp (72) and a luminaire (70, 71) mounting the lamp may be used for display or signalling purposes.

Abstract: A automated miniature fluorescent lamp processing station is disclosed which is used to fabricate miniature fluorescent lamps. The system includes: flow-through gas processing to enhance buffer gas purity, monitoring of the temperature of every lamp in a batch during processing to permit accurate determination of required bus buffer gas fill pressures, real-time determination of target filled pressure at the lamp temperature processing by use of a gas law algorithm and use of microprocessor interfaced sensors and transducers to effect the high level of automation typically required to fabricate avionics grade lamps.

Abstract: A lamp air exhausting apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a compression head, a holding assembly, and a securing member. The holding assembly comprises a holder, a flexible tube, a push rod, an eccentric cam and a spring. According to the present invention, a separate exhausting tube is not required, and an electrode can be accurately placed at the center of the lamp.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp (e.g., a fluorescent lamp) having an envelope containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for chemically combining a substantial portion of the soluble mercury as a sparingly soluble salt when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. In one embodiment, the chemical agent is potassium periodate which is sealed within a enclosure which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure may be disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure one or more of the the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp having an envelope of light-transmitting vitreous material containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for electrochemically reducing a substantial portion of the soluble mercury to elemental mercury when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. Preferably, the chemical agent is an element (i.e., copper or iron) which has an electrode potential for oxidation reactions higher than mercury. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical agent is sealed within an enclosure (e.g., glass) which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure is disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base member. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: A CRT exhaust oven for heat-treating CRTs includes an oven housing, a baffle structure accommodated in the oven housing for circulation of atmosphere within the oven housing, and a plurality of exhaust carts capable of travelling below the oven housing. Each of the exhaust carts is provided with two exhaust heads having different heights aligned in the direction of travel of the exhaust carts so that there is no clearance, as viewed from above, between two adjoining CRTs mounted on respective exhaust heads of each exhaust cart. Each of the exhaust carts travels intermittently below the oven housing. The baffle structure has a large number of upper and lower holes formed on respective sides thereof in the direction of travel of the exhaust carts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vaporized metal discharge lamp wherein a metal halide is attached to the tip of a metal rod, such as through vapor deposition or sputtering. The rod is then inserted into a light emission envelope of the lamp, and the metal halide attached to the metal rod tip is transferred to the inside of the envelope through high frequency induction heating.

Abstract: A rack for supporting a cathode-ray tube during sealing of the screen portion of the tube to the bulb cone portion of the tube is disclosed. The rack includes tubing mounted to the rack through which gas can be blown into the tube. An exit end section of the tubing is of flexible design and includes a helical spring and a plurality of resilient leaf spring tongues for aligning the tubing in the neck of the cathode-ray tube.

Abstract: An exhaust head unit for compact fluorescent lamps comprises an exhaust head block, a double rubber seal arranged in the block and serving for the reception of exhaust tubes, a vacuum valve, a gas valve, and a diaphragm for regulating the gas flow, as well as a vacuum duct and a gas duct. The vacuum valve, the gas valve and the adjoining vacuum and gas ducts are all arranged within a single exhaust head block, the diaphragm of the gas flow simultaneously constituting the seat of the gas valve.

Abstract: In a getter arrangement for providing a getter spot on the walll of an evacuated space, for example an electron tube, the power transfer can be of too short or too long a duration (for example because of positional inaccuracies of the holder containing the getter material or inaccuracies in the shape or composition of the wall). In the first case the intended quality of the getter process is not obtained, in the second case the electron tube may get damaged. A control unit measures the duration of the time interval which starts at the beginning of the power transfer and ends at the instant the getter spot is created. This instant is determined by a detector which detects the getter spot. After this instant the control unit continues the power transfer during a further time interval whose length depends on the first time interval. Consequently, the duration of the transfer depends on the behaviour of the gettering process, which improves the quality of the gettering process and prevents damage to the tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a miniature tipless halogen lamp having a diameter of 1.0 to 4.0 mm, in which an assembly of a pair of lead wires, a bead welded to the lead wires and a filament connected to the lead wires by pressing flat and crimping the inner ends of the lead wires, the assembly is put in a lamp bulb in place to form an unfinished assembly of the components of the miniature tipless halogen lamp, a plurality of such unfinished assemblies are placed in an apparatus including an integral and airtight combination of a holagen gas introducing sealed box and a heat-sealing box, the lamp bulbs of the unfinished assemblies are sealed by being heated with a heat-sealing carbon plate at a position corresponding to the bead, and then unnecessary portions of the lamp bulbs are cut off to complete the miniature tipless halogen lamps.

Abstract: An electron tube evacuating system includes a manifold section having an evacuation chamber. A tube mounting section has a plurality of evacuation apertures in communication with the evacuation chamber. A plurality of tube mounting members individually hermetically mount tubes to be evacuated onto the mounting section. Each mounting member has an aperture in communication with the evacuation chamber.

Abstract: An imaging device such as a silicon intensifier tube (SIT) has an envelope closed at one end by an input faceplate and at the other end by a camera section which includes a silicon target. A novel appendage processing assembly is in communication with the envelope for forming a photoemissive cathode on an interior surface of the input faceplate. The novel appendage processing assembly includes a conductive tubular sidearm which is attached to the envelope. A chamber is attached at one end of the sidearm. The chamber is closed at the other end by a stem portion having a plurality of conductive stem leads extending therethrough. A contact spring and a connecting rod are provided within the chamber to electrically connect the sidearm to one of the stem leads. At least one alkali metal vapor source and preferably three alkali vapor sources are disposed within the chamber and connected between two of the stem leads to permit electrical resistance heating of the vapor sources.

Abstract: The invention resides in apparatus for producing consecutive connections between the interiors (10) of glass lamp bulbs (12) and sources (14) of pressurized gas and/or vacuum (16, 17). The sequence of connecting is governed by the requirements of lamp bulb manufacturing. The pressure sources and/or vacuum sources are connected with channels (50, 52) in a stationary lower slide (38) of a slide system containing an upper slide (36) rotatable in engagement with the lower slide. Disposed in the upper slide are passageways (30, 32, 42, 43) to which the interiors of glass lamp bulbs are connected. Dependent on the position of rotation, the orifices of passageways (30, 32, 42, 43, 50, 52) in the upper and lower slides are aligned at least one of the two slides is provided with a face (60) engaging the other slide. The face is formed from a disc of a ceramic material which is highly resistant to wear and has a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: To eliminate the necessity for supervising the composition of a fill being ntroduced to a halogen incandescent lamp bulb, so that the proportion of halogen containing additive and inert gas will be at a predetermined ratio, by spectroscropic and other similar means, the halogen containing additive (8) is placed, in solid or liquid phase, in a mixing vessel at a temperature (T.sub.1) which is in excess of a temperature (T.sub.2) which is necessary to result in the vapor pressure to enrich the inert gas at the predetermined quantity. The inert gas is conducted into the vessel and thereby excessively enriched. The excessively enriched inert gas is passed through a condenser, the temperature of which is accurately controlled to the temperature (T.sub.2) to thereby condense out the excess halogen additive, so that the mixture then will have the desired relationship of halogen containing additive and inert gas; this mixture is then being filled into the lamp.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sensing a mercury dispensing target within an arc-discharge lamp and connecting a DC voltage source thereto to effect current flow and heating of the mercury dispensing target in an amount sufficient to effect dispersion of the mercury within the lamp.

Abstract: Gas-filled discharge tube for use as transient protection, with at least two electrodes separated by a discharge gap and an insulating body which is joined to the electrodes and, jointly with them, forms a discharge chamber. The sealing of the tube occurs at atmospheric pressure and a suitable temperature, in a mixture of a light and a heavy gas suitable for the purpose, after which the tube is enveloped in a suitable heavy gas at atmospheric pressure, while the temperature is adjusted in such a manner that the light gas enclosed in the tube, through diffusion and a partial pressure difference, exits through the insulating body, whereas the heavy gases can only to an insignificant degree diffuse through the insulating body. The gas diffusion brings about a reduction in the total gas pressure inside the tube and the process is interrupted when the desired pressure drop is obtained.