Abstract A method of assembling and processing a lamp, particularly the compact arc discharge type of lamp which operates at high temperature and employs regenerative cycling to prevent evaporation of electrode material onto the bulb wall. A quartz envelope is provided, having first and second elongated tubular stems extending from a bulb portion. A pair of elongated electrode assemblies are positioned in the stems, with the ends thereof extending into the bulb portion. An inert gas is flowed into the first stem and hence through the envelope, while the second stem is being heated. The second stem is pinch-sealed to its electrode near the outer end thereof, and then a vacuum is applied at the first stem so as to draw the heated inner portion of the second stem tightly against its electrode. Metal iodide or other desired material is dispensed into the envelope through the first stem, and argon or other desired fill gas is let into the envelope through the first stem, at a pressure less than atmospheric. The second stem then is heated and pinch-sealed to its electrode near the outer end thereof, whereupon the less than atmospheric pressure in the envelope draws the heated inner portion of the first stem tightly against its electrode.
A method of assembling and processing an arc discharge lamp, comprising the steps of providing a lamp envelope having first and second elongated tubular stems extending outwardly from a bulb portion, positioning first and second elongated electrodeand-lead assemblies respectively into said first and second stems with the ends of said electrodes extending into said bulb portion in mutually spaced apart relationship, flowing an inert gas into said first stem and hence through the envelope and out said second stem and simultaneously heating substantially the entire length of said second stem, sealing a portion of said second stem to the lead of said second electrode-and-lead assembly at a region spaced from said bulb portion, applying a vacuum through said first stem while said second stem is hot thereby drawing said second stem inwardly against said second electrode in the region between said seal and said bulb portion, introducing fill material and gas into the envelope through said first stem at a pressure less than atmospheric, heating the first stem over substantially the entire length thereof, and sealing a portion of the first stem to the lead of said first electrode-and-lead assembly at a region spaced from said bulb portion, whereupon said less-than-atmospheric pressure in the envelope causes the first stem to be drawn inwardly against said first electrode in the region between said first stem seal and said bulb portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of assembling and processing an arc discharge lamp, comprising the steps of providing a lamp envelope having first and second elongated tubular stems extending outwardly from a bulb portion, positioning first and second elongated electrodeand-lead assemblies respectively into said first and second stems with the ends of said electrodes extending into said bulb portion in mutually spaced apart relationship, flowing an inert gas into said first stem and hence through the envelope and out said second stem and simultaneously heating substantially the entire length of said second stem, sealing a portion of said second stem to the lead of said second electrode-and-lead assembly at a region spaced from said bulb portion, applying a vacuum through said first stem while said second stem is hot thereby drawing said second stem inwardly against said second electrode in the region between said seal and said bulb portion, introducing fill material and gas into the envelope through said first stem at a pressure less than atmospheric, heating the first stem over substantially the entire length thereof, and sealing a portion of the first stem to the lead of said first electrode-and-lead assembly at a region spaced from said bulb portion, whereupon said less-than-atmospheric pressure in the envelope causes the first stem to be drawn inwardly against said first electrode in the region between said first stem seal and said bulb portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said lamp is intended for direct current operation whereby the anode electrode is longer than the cathode electrode, comprising the additional steps of using the electrode-and-lead assembly of the relatively shorter cathode electrode as said first electrode-and-lead assembly, and using the electrode-and-lead assembly of the relatively longeR anode electrode as said second electrode-and-lead assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said electrode-and-lead assemblies includes a thin metallic foil section interconnected between ends of the electrode and the lead, and wherein each of said steps of sealing a stem to a lead comprises the step of pinch-sealing a portion of the stem to the metallic foil of the electrode-and-lead assembly that is positioned in the stem.