US2739261A - Tubular gas discharge lamp - Google Patents

Tubular gas discharge lamp Download PDF

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Publication number
US2739261A
US2739261A US312382A US31238252A US2739261A US 2739261 A US2739261 A US 2739261A US 312382 A US312382 A US 312382A US 31238252 A US31238252 A US 31238252A US 2739261 A US2739261 A US 2739261A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
ring
electrode
ignition
lamp
ignition electrode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US312382A
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English (en)
Inventor
Elenbaas Willem
Kolkman Dirk
Hurx Adrianus Antonius
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hartford National Bank and Trust Co filed Critical Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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Publication of US2739261A publication Critical patent/US2739261A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/54—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting
    • H01J61/545—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting using an auxiliary electrode inside the vessel

Definitions

  • This invention relates to tubular gas discharge lamps, and more particularly to ring-shaped tubular discharge lamps of the type comprising a pair of activated main electrodes.
  • Lamps of the foregoing type are generally manufactured as straight tubes, the electrodes placed inside the tube in their proper position and interconnected in the correct arrangement, and the tubes are then given the shape of a ring, either closed or not closed, by bending around a cylindrical mandrel.
  • an internal ignition electrode which is in the form of one or two strip-like electrodes constituted by a mixture of graphite and glazing united to the inner surface of the tube, has discontinuities produced therein by the bending operation so that it no longer operates in a dependable manner.
  • the bending operation produces distortions in the tube ends which frequently results in breaking of the electrical connection between a main electrode and the ignition electrode.
  • the principal object of the invention is to provide a tubular gas discharge lamp that will operate properly when bent to form a circular lamp.
  • a ring-shaped gas discharge lamp is provided with an internal ignition electrode arranged on the inner facing surface of the lamp tube in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis or center line of the ring and spaced up to A; of the internal tube circumference from the smallest internal ring circumference.
  • the lamp is provided with only one ignition electrode, it is preferably arranged along the smallest internal ring circumference, substantially in the plane passing through the center line of the ring.
  • each of them are preferably disposed on opposite sides of the plane passing through the center line of the ring, preferably about of the internal tube circumference from the smallest internal ring circumference.
  • the ignition electrode is electrically connected to a main electrode by means of a resilient member preferably comprising a helical metal wire in which the axis of the helix is substantially at right angles to the plane passing through the center line of the ignition electrode.
  • Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an annularlainp according to the invention in a plane passing through the axis of revolution of the ring;
  • Pig. 2 is a sectional view of the lamp shown in Fig. l in the plane passing through the center line of the ring;
  • Pig. 3 is a plan view of an annular discharge lamp, according to the invention, one end of which is cut open;
  • Figs. 4 and 5 are side and front views, respectively, of resilient elements connecting the 'ignitionelectrode to the main electrode.
  • annular discharge vessel 1 of circular cross-section of a fluorescent lamp, a low-pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp is filled with a rare gas, for example, argon, at a pressure of about 3 mm. of mercury and coated on the inner surface with a layer 2 of luminescent substances which convert the radiation produced in the discharge into radiation of longer wave-length.
  • a rare gas for example, argon
  • the internal tube diameter is about 30 mm. and the diameter of the center line or longitudinal axis 12 of the ring is about 37 cms.
  • the ends of the discharge vessel 1, which are sealed in a vacuum-tight manner, are provided with activated wire main electrodes 3 and 4, the connections for the ends of which are led out through conventional pinch constructions 5 and 6.
  • At least one of the ends of each main electrode 3, 4 is connected to a contact (not shown) of a cuff-like lamp cap (not shown) which surrounds the lamp ends, respectively.
  • the contacts of the lamp cap are connected via the contacts of an associated lamp base (not shown) to the terminals 7 and 8 of a suitable supply source, for example, a direct current source of 220 volts.
  • a stabilizing resistor 9 Inserted between the main electrodes 3, 4 and the supply source 7, 8 is a stabilizing resistor 9, for example, an incandescent lamp.
  • the resistor 9 may be constituted by an inductor, a capacitor, combinations thereof or other impedances having a positive current voltage characteristic curve.
  • auxiliary ignition electrodes 10 and 11 Arranged on the inner surface of the discharge vessel 1 are two strip-like auxiliary ignition electrodes 10 and 11, each of which are constituted by a mixture of graphite and glazing and exhibit a resistance of about 20 ohms per cm. length.
  • the ignition electrodes 10, 11 are each spaced about 1A of the internal tube circumference from the smallest internal ring circumference.
  • the angle cc may be increased up to about 45 in accordance with the invention and the spacing then will be about of the internal tube circumference.
  • the ignition electrode 11 is connected to the main electrode 4 by means of a metal strip 15 and a short metal wire 16 and the other end lies adja'cent the other main electrode 3 (Fig. 2.).
  • the ignition electrode 10, which is not shown in Fig. 2, is similarly electrically connected to the main electrode 3 and insulated from the main electrode 4.
  • a discharge vessel 21 is bent into a substantially closed ring and comprises a low-pressure mercury vapour discharge tube, the inner surface of which is coated with a layer of fluorescent substances, the vessel 21 further containing a small supply of mercury and a rare gas filling.
  • the ends of the discharge vessel 21 are sealed in a vacuum-tight manner by conventional pinch constructions 22. Passing through these pinches 22 are lead-in wires 23 for activated wire main electrodes 24.
  • an auxiliary ignition electrode 25 Arranged on the inner tube wall is an auxiliary ignition electrode 25, about 3 mm. in width, constituted by a mixture of graphite and glazing having a resistance of about ohms per cm. length. This ignition electrode is connected to the right-hand electrode 24 and extends along the tube wall as far as the proximity of the lefthand main electrode.
  • the connection between the ignition electrode 25 and one of the lead-in wires for the right-hand main electrode 24 is constituted by a ferro-chromium strip 26 and a helically wound tungsten wire 27.
  • the strip 26 is secured to the ignition electrode 25 by heating.
  • the tungsten wire or spring 27 is sealed at one end to the strip 26 and at the other end to one of the lead-in wires 23.
  • the axis of the helix is arranged at right angles to the plane defined by the center line of the ignition electrode 25.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, side and front views showing the right-hand main electrode 24, its lead-in wires 23, the strip 26 and the spring 27 in the condition prior to inserting this electrode system in the end of the discharge vessel 21.
  • the spring 27 it will be necessary for the spring 27 to exert some pressure against the ignition electrode 25 during positioning in the discharge vessel if the strip 26 is to occupy the position shown in Fig. 3, and this assists in interconnection of the electrode 25 and the strip 26.
  • the spring 27 will resiliently absorb the resulting variation in distance between the point of connection of the ignition electrode 25 to the strip 26 on the one hand, and the point of connection of the spring 27 to the leadin wire 23 on the other, so that it is assured that the connection between the main and ignition electrodes remains intact even though production techniques are employed.
  • therhelical tungsten wire 27 has a wire diameter of about 250 microns, a screw diameter of about 4 mm. and about three turns. its material conserves its resilience at any temperature occurring during the manufacture of the tube.
  • At least one of the lead-in wires 23 for each electrode 24 is connected, by way of a lamp contact (not shown), an associated contact (similarly not shown) of a lamp base and a suitable series impedance 28, for example, an incandescent lamp, to a terminal 29 and 30, respectively, of a suitable supply source, for example, a 220 volts 50 c./s. light mains.
  • the internal tube diameter of the lamp is about 30 mm. and the largest ring diameter about cm.
  • the left-hand pinch 22 is shown in Fig. 3 turned through It is obvious that not only pinch constructions but also other electrode supports may be used.
  • a ring-shaped lighttransmissive envelope containing a low pressure ionizable gaseous medium, a pair of activated main electrodes within said envelope and at least one internal elongated strip-like ignition electrode having a central axis, said ring-shaped tubular envelope having a longitudinal axis through the center thereof and a minimum ring circumference and a given tube circumference, said ignition electrode being mounted on the inner surface of the envelope substantially in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis and spaced from said minimum ring circumference a distance of not more than one-eighth said given tube circumference, and means within said envelope electrically connecting said ignition electrode to one of said main electrodes.
  • a ring-shaped lighttransmissive envelope containing a low pressure ionizable gaseous medium, a pair of activated main electrodes within saidenvelope and at least one internal elongated strip-like ignition electrode having a central axis, said ring-shaped tubular envelope having a longitudinal axis through the center thereof and a minimum ring circumference and a given tube circumference, said ignition electrode being mounted on the inner surface of the envelope substantially in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis and spaced from said minimum ring circumference a distance of not more than one-fifteenth said given tube circumference, and means within said envelope electrically connecting said ignition electrode to one of said main electrodes.
  • a ring-shaped lighttransmissive envelope containing a low pressure ionizable gaseous medium, a pair of activated main electrodes within said envelope and two internal elongated strip-like ignition electrodes each having a central axis, said ringsh'aped tubular envelope having a longitudinal axis through the center thereof and a minimum ring circumference and a given tube circumference, said ignition electrodes being mounted on the inner surface of the envelope substantially in a plane parallel to and on opposite sides of a plane passing through the longitudinal axis and spaced from said minimum ring circumference a distance of not more than one-fifteenth said given tube circumference, and means within said envelope electrically connecting each of said ignition electrodes to one of said main electrodes.
  • a ring-shaped lighttransmissive envelope containing a low pressure ionizable gaseous medium, a pair of activated main electrodes within said envelope and at least one internal elongated strip-like ignition electrode having a central axis, said ring-shaped tubular envelope having a longitudinal axis through the center thereof and a minimum ring circumference and a given tube circumference, said ignition electrode being mounted on the inner surface of the envelope substantially in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis and said minimum ring circumference, and means within the envelope electrically connecting said ignition electrode to one of said main electrodes.
  • a ring-shaped lighttransmissive envelope containing a low pressure ionizable gaseous medium, a pair of activated main electrodes within said envelope and at least one internal elongated strip-like ignition electrode having a central axis, said ring-shaped tubular envelope having a longitudinal axis through the center thereof, said ignition electrode being mounted on the inner surface of the envelope substan- 2,739,261 5 6 tially in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the References Cited inthe file of this patent longitudinal axis and defining an angle a between the UNITED STATES PATENTS latter plane and a straight line passing through said longitudinal axis and said central axis in the range between 2,228,327 Spanner 1941 0 and 45, and means Within the envelope electrically 5 connecting said ignition electrode to one of said main electrodes.

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  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
US312382A 1951-10-13 1952-09-30 Tubular gas discharge lamp Expired - Lifetime US2739261A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL305877X 1951-10-13
NL231051X 1951-10-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2739261A true US2739261A (en) 1956-03-20

Family

ID=26643536

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US312382A Expired - Lifetime US2739261A (en) 1951-10-13 1952-09-30 Tubular gas discharge lamp

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US2739261A (it)
BE (1) BE514768A (it)
CH (1) CH305877A (it)
DE (1) DE1702093U (it)
FR (1) FR1064298A (it)
GB (1) GB722165A (it)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3080232A (en) * 1957-11-29 1963-03-05 Sanders Associates Inc Method for photographically producing electrical conductor patterns inside a hollow object
US3274420A (en) * 1961-09-27 1966-09-20 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Annular fluorescent lamps
US3634716A (en) * 1968-04-30 1972-01-11 Ricoh Kk Rectangularly shaped gas-filled lamp for photocopying machines
US4575656A (en) * 1980-12-08 1986-03-11 Gte Products Corporation Starting aid for non-linear discharge lamps and method of making same

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9601418D0 (en) * 1996-01-24 1996-03-27 England Paul Lighting device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2228327A (en) * 1929-05-04 1941-01-14 Hans J Spanner Discharge device
US2262177A (en) * 1929-12-07 1941-11-11 Gen Electric Lighting and radiating tube
US2491854A (en) * 1946-04-06 1949-12-20 Gen Electric Starting strip for electric discharge devices

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2228327A (en) * 1929-05-04 1941-01-14 Hans J Spanner Discharge device
US2262177A (en) * 1929-12-07 1941-11-11 Gen Electric Lighting and radiating tube
US2491854A (en) * 1946-04-06 1949-12-20 Gen Electric Starting strip for electric discharge devices

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3080232A (en) * 1957-11-29 1963-03-05 Sanders Associates Inc Method for photographically producing electrical conductor patterns inside a hollow object
US3274420A (en) * 1961-09-27 1966-09-20 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Annular fluorescent lamps
US3634716A (en) * 1968-04-30 1972-01-11 Ricoh Kk Rectangularly shaped gas-filled lamp for photocopying machines
US4575656A (en) * 1980-12-08 1986-03-11 Gte Products Corporation Starting aid for non-linear discharge lamps and method of making same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1702093U (de) 1955-07-07
BE514768A (it)
GB722165A (en) 1955-01-19
FR1064298A (fr) 1954-05-12
CH305877A (de) 1955-03-15

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