Abstract:
In a discharge tube of saturated metal vapor pressure type containing high-pressure gaseous or vaporized metals, the temperature of the coolest points existing at both ends of the discharge tube can be raised by forming a layer or layers of a metal or metals of high melting point, low vapor pressure and good thermal conductivity, such as niobium, on the outer wall at the ends of the discharge tube; thereby, providing better radiant emission, especially higher color temperature and an improved color rendering property compared with conventional high-pressure metal-vapor discharge tubes. The discharge tube of the abovementioned construction can be manufactured easily and has a longer life under burning conditions corresponding to those for conventional type high-pressure metal-vapor discharge tubes.
Abstract:
A high-pressure metal-vapor discharge tube having improved characteristics is disclosed. The tube has an alumina hollow discharge enclosure tube member, the ends of which are sealed by alumina end disks. The end disks have central apertures through which electrode lead in wires or rods extend into the discharge enclosure. The lead in wires or rods are made of a material which is resistant to the corrosive effects of metal halide. The hollow discharge enclosure tube member has walls which are thicker at the two ends than in the intermediate region of the tube member. Preferably, the ends are more than twice as thick as the central walls. This results in a stronger seal between the alumina end disks and the tube member, thus not only avoiding the risk of breakage when sealing the tube member and manufacturing defects such as a defective seal, but also ensuring longer life of the lamp.