Mercury dispenser for fluorescent lamps and method of dispensing
US7052649B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J9/395
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dispenser (10) for a volatilizable material has a first member (14) that is substantially cup-shaped with a given diameter (X) and with a given depth (Z) and having a first peripheral flange (16) having a first diameter (D). A second member (18) has a second peripheral flange (20) with a second diameter (D2) greater than the given diameter (X). The first peripheral flange (16) and the second peripheral flange (20) are in intimate contact thereby defining a volatilizable material chamber (22) between the bottom (24) of the second member (18) and the bottom (26) of the first cup-shaped member (14). A volatilizable material (12) such as liquid mercury is placed in the chamber; and a hermetic seal (28) is formed between the first and second flanges. When installed in a fluorescent lamp the volatilizable material is released by heating the dispenser with RF current. The material is released when the vapor pressure within the dispenser reaches about 20 atmospheres. For mercury, this pressure is achieved when the dispenser reaches about 600° C.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.