US3626229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Jacketed alkali metal halide vapor lamp with getter
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-04-29
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1990-04-29
Abstract
Abstract In a jacketed alkali metal halide vapor lamp, loss of alkali metal takes place by the reaction of water vapor in the outer jacket with alkali metal ions which pass out of the inner arc tube through the silica wall to form gaseous metal hydroxide and protons (positively charged hydrogen ions). The protons pass into the arc tube through the silica wall and react with the metal halide to form metal ions and hydrogen which diffuses out. When the ration of H2/H2O in the jacket reaches a sufficiently high value, direct reaction of alkali metal ions with hydrogen can continue indefinitely the transfer of alkali metal from the arc tube to the jacket. It is prevented by a getter in the interenvelope space holding the hydrogen pressure down to about 10 7 atmospheres or lower, preferably about 10 9 atmospheres. A suitable getter is zirconium operating in the temperature range from 350 to 450* C. in sufficient quantity and with low enough initial hydrogen content that its hydrogen content during operation stays below a maximum of about 1,000 p.p.m. (atomic).
Inventors
- 👤 Henry S Spacil
- 👤 Wayne R Hellman
- 👤 Peter R Buccilli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/24; H01J61/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A jacketed high-intensity electric discharge device comprising: a quartz or quartzlike glass inner arc tube containing an ionizable filling including an alkali metal halide; a sealed vitreous outer jacket enclosing said inner arc tube; and gettering means within said outer jacket capable of holding the hydrogen pressure therein at least down to 10 7 atmospheres during the life of the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A jacketed high-intensity electric discharge device comprising: a quartz or quartzlike glass inner arc tube containing an ionizable filling including an alkali metal halide; a sealed vitreous outer jacket enclosing said inner arc tube; and gettering means within said outer jacket capable of holding the hydrogen pressure therein at least down to 10 7 atmospheres during the life of the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the gettering means is capable of holding the hydrogen pressure down to about 10 9 atmospheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the gettering means is zirconium, titanium or zirconium-titanium alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the gettering means is zirconium operating in the temperature range of about 350* to 450* C. and in a quantity large enough and with a low enough initial hydrogen content that its hydrogen content during operation stays below a maximum of about 1,000 parts per million (atomic).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein the gettering means is zirconium operating in the temperature range of about 350* to 450* C. and in a quantity large enough and with a low enough hydrogen content that it remains as an Alpha phase material during life without ever reaching the point of delta phase formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A jacketed high-intensity electric discharge lamp comprising: a quartz or quartzlike glass inner arc tube containing an inert gas, mercury and metal halides including sodium iodide; a sealed vitreous outer jacket and frame means supporting said arc tube therein; and gettering means within said outer jacket capable of holding the hydrogen pressure therein at least down to 10 7 atmospheres during the life of the lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A jacketed high-intensity electric discharge lamp comprising: a quartz or quartzlike glass inner arc tube containing an inert gas, mercury and metal halides including sodium iodide; a sealed vitreous outer jacket and frame means supporting said arc tube therein; and gettering means within said outer jacket capable of holding the hydrogen pressure therein at least down to 10 7 atmospheres during the life of the lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lamp as in claim 6 wherein the gettering means is capable of holding the hydrogen pressure down to about 10 9 atmospheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lamp as in claim 6 wherein the gettering means is zirconium, titanium or zirconium-titanium alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A lamp as in claim 6 wherein the gettering means is zirconium operating in the temperature range of about 350* to 450* C. and in a quantity large enough and with a low enough initial hydrogen content that its hydrogen content during operation stays below a maximum of about 1,000 parts per million (atomic).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the gettering means consists of pieces of zirconium metal attached to the ends of the arc tube whereby to be maintained in the temperature range of about 350* to 450* C. during operation of the lamp, said zirconium pieces being large enough and having initially a sufficiently low hydrogen content that the zirconium remains in Alpha phase during the life of the lamp without ever reaching the point of delta phase formation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2749462A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |