Method of forming a metal halide discharge tube and apparatus therefore

摘要

A method of forming a metal halide discharge tube comprises: arranging a tubular body ( 110 ) in an essentially vertical orientation; disposing a loose-fit T-plug ( 100 ) having a cylindrical portion ( 106 ) and an annular flange ( 104 ) in an upper open end of the tubular body ( 110 ) so that the cylindrical portion ( 106 ) of the T-plug ( 100 ) is disposed within the open end of the tubular body ( 110 ) in a contact-free, spaced relationship with an inner wall of the tubular body and with the annular flange ( 104 ) seating against an annular top end edge surface ( 108 ) of the tubular body ( 100 ); and firing the tubular body and the loose-fit T-plug to shrink fit the tubular body and the loose-fit T-plug to interfuse the loose-fit T-plug with the upper end of the tubular body in a manner which results in a unitary/monolithic body.