US4361782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Jacketed discharge lamp having oxidizable fail-safe switch
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1980-06-26
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 2000-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A jacketed discharge lamp which would release ultraviolet radiation in the event of fracture of the outer envelope is provided with a disabling fuse link which oxidizes in the event of breakage. The link consists of an alkaline earth metal film, suitably a barium film which may be deposited on a ceramic substrate for connection into the circuit. The outer envelope is evacuated or may contain an inert gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert H. Reiling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A jacketed electric lamp comprising: a vitreous outer envelope having inleads sealed thereinto; an arc tube within said outer envelope, said arc tube being made of material which transmits ultraviolet radiation; said arc tube having electrodes sealed into its ends and containing an ionizable medium which produces radiation including ultraviolet which is normally intercepted at the outer envelope; and means connecting the electrodes of the arc tube to the inleads of the outer envelope, said means including an oxidizable fuse conductor formed by a thin film of an alkaline earth metal on a non-conductive substrate, said film operating as a low resistance conductive bridge in said connecting means, and a vacuum or an inert gas filling in said outer envelope whereby said fuse conductor will oxidize and open-circuit the arc tube only upon fracture of said outer envelope and entry of air into it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A jacketed electric lamp comprising: a vitreous outer envelope having inleads sealed thereinto; an arc tube within said outer envelope, said arc tube being made of material which transmits ultraviolet radiation; said arc tube having electrodes sealed into its ends and containing an ionizable medium which produces radiation including ultraviolet which is normally intercepted at the outer envelope; and means connecting the electrodes of the arc tube to the inleads of the outer envelope, said means including an oxidizable fuse conductor formed by a thin film of an alkaline earth metal on a non-conductive substrate, said film operating as a low resistance conductive bridge in said connecting means, and a vacuum or an inert gas filling in said outer envelope whereby said fuse conductor will oxidize and open-circuit the arc tube only upon fracture of said outer envelope and entry of air into it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein said thin metal film is barium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the thin metal film is formed on said non-conductive substrate in a manner to overlap contact strips affixed thereto and connected into the arc tube circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lamp as in claim 3 wherein the thin film results from flashing the metal in a vacuum in a manner to deposit on said substrate and bridge over said contact strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A lamp as in claim 1 wherein the substrate bearing the thin film is enclosed in a separate smaller envelope which is enclosed within the outer envelope of the lamp and then opened to an inert gas atmosphere contained in said outer envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US4090105A
Cited
US4233542A
Cited
US4195251A
Cited
US4205258A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-29 | 1986-05-31 | 1986-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-29 | 1990-05-31 | 1990-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-29 | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |