Patent US3023679A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4199701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fill gas for miniature high pressure metal vapor arc lamp
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1978-08-10
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Granted: 1980-04-22
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Expires: 1998-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Miniature metal vapor arc lamps containing mercury and one or more metal halides are subject to severe blackening of the arc tube and poor lumen maintenance unless a high pressure of starting gas is used. A Penning mixture of neon admixed with 0.01 to 10% argon, krypton or xenon at a fill pressure from about 100 to 200 torr provides lower starting voltage together with better lumen maintenance than can be achieved with the conventional argon starting gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashok K. Bhattacharya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/12; H01J61/16; H01J61/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A metal vapor arc lamp comprising a miniature arc tube containing mercury and one or more metal halides plus a starting gas which must be at a relatively high fill pressure in order to avoid severe blackening of the arc tube and poor lumen maintenance, characterized by the presence therein of a Penning starting gas mixture of neon admixed with 0.01 to 10% argon, krypton or xenon at a fill pressure above 100 and up to 400 torr.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A metal vapor arc lamp comprising a miniature arc tube containing mercury and one or more metal halides plus a starting gas which must be at a relatively high fill pressure in order to avoid severe blackening of the arc tube and poor lumen maintenance, characterized by the presence therein of a Penning starting gas mixture of neon admixed with 0.01 to 10% argon, krypton or xenon at a fill pressure above 100 and up to 400 torr.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the metal halides comprise sodium iodide, scandium triiodide and thorium tetraiodide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the arc tube volume is less than 1 cc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the arc tube volume is less than 1 cc and wherein the fill pressure of the starting gas mixture is above 100 and up to 200 torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lamp as in claim 4 wherein the metal halides comprise sodium iodide, scandium triiodide and thorium tetraiodide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A lamp as in claim 1 including an outer envelope surrounding the arc tube and containing neon at an appreciable partial pressure in order to reduce loss of neon from the arc tube by diffusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lamp as in claim 6 wherein the outer envelope contains neon and 1 to 20% nitrogen at less than atmospheric pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |