US3906271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceramic cup electrode for a gas discharge device
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1974-08-13
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Cup electrodes for cold cathode type discharge lamps comprising a ceramic cup containing an electron emissive material provide long operating lifetimes to lamps using these electrodes. Electrical contact is provided through a hole in the bottom of the ceramic cup and the electron emissive material is fused between the inner walls of the ceramic cup and a portion of the lead wire extending through the aforementioned hole. The ceramic cup provides a sputter-proof container for the emissive material contained within and thereby greatly diminishes end discoloration when used in cold cathode type fluorescent discharge lamps.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Harry W Aptt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/02; H01J17/04; H01J17/06; H01J17/066; H01J2893/00; H01J2893/0064; H01J2893/0065; H01J2893/0066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A CUP ELECTRODE FOR COLD CATHODE GAS DISCHARGE DEVICES COMPRISING: A CUP-SHAPED CERAMIC CONTAINER HAVING A FORWARD OPEN END FOR FACILITATING THE EMISSION OF ELECTRONS THEREFROM AND OPPOSING CLOSED END, SAID CERAMIC CONSISTING OF ALUMINUM OXIDE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE AND SILICON OXIDE, A QUANTITY OF THERMIONIC EMISSIVE MATERIAL FORMED FROM THE EXOTHERMAL REACTION BETWEEN AREFRACTORY METAL POWDER AND AT LEAST ONE ALKALINE EARTH PEROXIDE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER, A PASSAGE THROUGH THE CLOSED END FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE EMISSIVE COATING CONTAINED WITHIN THE ELECTRODE, AND A METAL LEAD WIRE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PASSAGE FFOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH SAID ELECTRON EMISSIVE COATING.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A CUP ELECTRODE FOR COLD CATHODE GAS DISCHARGE DEVICES COMPRISING: A CUP-SHAPED CERAMIC CONTAINER HAVING A FORWARD OPEN END FOR FACILITATING THE EMISSION OF ELECTRONS THEREFROM AND OPPOSING CLOSED END, SAID CERAMIC CONSISTING OF ALUMINUM OXIDE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE AND SILICON OXIDE, A QUANTITY OF THERMIONIC EMISSIVE MATERIAL FORMED FROM THE EXOTHERMAL REACTION BETWEEN AREFRACTORY METAL POWDER AND AT LEAST ONE ALKALINE EARTH PEROXIDE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER, A PASSAGE THROUGH THE CLOSED END FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE EMISSIVE COATING CONTAINED WITHIN THE ELECTRODE, AND A METAL LEAD WIRE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PASSAGE FFOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH SAID ELECTRON EMISSIVE COATING.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cup electrode of claim 1 wherein said aluminum oxide content is greater than either the silicon oxide or the magnesium oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lamp comprising: a light transmissive envelope; a quantity of ionizable gas within said envelope; at least one ceramic cup electrode sealed within said envelope, said ceramic cup consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and silicon oxide and containing a quantity of electron emissive material formed from the exothermal reaction between a refractory metal powder and at least one alkaline earth peroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lamp comprising: a light transmissive envelope; a quantity of ionizable gas within said envelope; at least one ceramic cup electrode sealed within said envelope, said ceramic cup consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and silicon oxide and containing a quantity of electron emissive material formed from the exothermal reaction between a refractory metal powder and at least one alkaline earth peroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A fluorescent lamp of the type having a light transmissive tubular elongated envelope, a coating of fluorescent material on the inner surface of said envelope, and a quantity of mercury and inert gas within said envelope comprising: a pair of ceramic cup electrodes consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and silicon oxide, one at either end of said envelope, said electrodes contaIning a quantity of electron emissive material formed from the exothermal reaction between a refractory metal powder and at least one alkaline earth peroxide therein and an electrical lead wire extending therethrough each of said ceramic cup electrodes and said envelope for providing electrical contact between said electron emissive material and associated lamp electrical circuitry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
A fluorescent lamp of the type having a light transmissive tubular elongated envelope, a coating of fluorescent material on the inner surface of said envelope, and a quantity of mercury and inert gas within said envelope comprising: a pair of ceramic cup electrodes consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and silicon oxide, one at either end of said envelope, said electrodes contaIning a quantity of electron emissive material formed from the exothermal reaction between a refractory metal powder and at least one alkaline earth peroxide therein and an electrical lead wire extending therethrough each of said ceramic cup electrodes and said envelope for providing electrical contact between said electron emissive material and associated lamp electrical circuitry.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |