US2459633A

US2459633A - Fluorescent lamp

Info

Publication number: US2459633A
Application number: US760782A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence E Farris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-07-14
Filing date: 1947-07-14
Publication date: 1949-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1966-01-18

Description

Jan. 18, 1949.

C. E. FA RRIS FLuo'hEscEuT LAMP I Filed Jul 14, 1947 V-MMMS Patented Jan. 18, 1949 2,459,633 FLUORESCENT LAMP Clarence E. Farris, Fort Monroe, Va. Application July 14, 1947, Serial No. 760,782

This invention relates to fluorescent light bulbs. An object of this'invention is to provide an improved light bulb embodying an inner closed tube or body and an outer envelope disposed in closely spaced relation with respect to the inner tube, thereby forming a very restricted space within which a gaseous element is positioned and within which space the electrodes are also positioned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent light bulb which is so constructed and arranged as to produce a greater intensity of light due to the greater activity of the ions and the absence of wasted gas radiations.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent light bulb wherein there will be a more intimate contact between the ultra-violet radiations and the fluorescent materials which will utilize the maximum direct action of such materials rather than casual surface contact.

With the above and other objects in View, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a fluorescent tube constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrodes within the tube.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l designates generally an outer envelope or casing of transparent material such as glass or the like, which includes an elongated cylindrical body ll having end walls I! and I3.

3 Claims; (Cl. 176-122) 20 and 2| within which a pair of

spiral electrodes

22 and 23 are adapted to seat. The

electrodes

22 and 23 are extended over the end wall l8 or the inner tube I and are then extended The end wall 12 is formed with a tubular nipple [4 through which the electrodes to be hereinafter described are adapted to'be extended. An inner closed tube generally designated as I5 is disposed within the envelope l0 and includes a cylindrical body l6 formed with closed opposite ends l1 and I8,

The inner tube l5 forms a restricted cylindrical space or chamber [9 within the envelope l0, which chamber is adapted to be evacuated and then filled with a gaseous material or vapor, the gas being either neon, argon, or helium, and the vapor being a mercury vapor. If desired, there may be a mixture of the gas and mercury vapor.

The cylindrical body l6 of the inner closed tube i5 is formed with a pair of spiral grooves through the nipple M for connection with a source of electric current supply. Each electrode is preferably coated as indicated at 24 with a coating of thorium oxide and the body it of the inner tube I5 is then coated with a coating 25 which also engages at least partly about the coating 24 of the electrodes.

The coating or covering 25 is formed of. porous fluorescent material in the form of magnesium tungstate or other suitable fluorescent material. While the inner tube or body i5 is shown as being hollow and closed at each end, it will bev understood that this body may be formed as a solid, the purpose of the body being primarily to form a restricted chamber of substantially cylindrical configuration which is adapted to be initially evacuated in any conventional manner and then filled with the desired gaseous material.

It will be understood that the fluorescent tube herein disclosed may have connected'with at least one electrode, a conventional resistor and a condenser may be connected with or interposed in' the other electrode exteriorly of the tube. With a fluorescent tube as herein before described, by confining the space within which the electrodes are positioned and in which the gas or vapor is positioned, the reaction between the electrodes and the fluorescent material and gas or vapor will be more active and will thereby produce a greater intensity of light than is the case Where the electrodes are disposed at the opposite ends of the gasified tube as in conventional gaseous or fluorescent tubes. f

Furthermore, the provision of the inner body which produces the confined or restricted gas space .will eliminate wasted gas radiations and produce a maximum direct action in contrast to the casual surface contact embodied in conventional fluorescent tubes.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the J appended claims.

assess:

coating about said closed tube and said elcctrodes.

' 2. A gaseous discharge tube comprising an outer evacuated envelope, a closed tube within said envelope and spaced therefrom forming a a restricted cylindrical space. said closed tube having a pair of spiral grooves in the outer surface thereof, a pair of spiral electrodes seated 10 Number insaidsptraigrooveaandamlorescentcoating' about said closed tube and said electrodes.

, CLARINCI I. FARMS.

summons mm The following reierences are or record in the iile oi this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Name A Date 2,135,6;90 Addink et a1. Nov. 8, ms.

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 503,255 Great Britain Apr. 4, 1039