Control mechanism for regulating the temperature and output of a fluorescent lamp

摘要

Disclosed is a control mechanism for regulating the temperature of a fluorescent lamp tube located within a housing. The control mechanism includes a cold spot mechanism defining the cold spot of the lamp tube, a heating mechanism, a power supply and a temperature sensor. The heating mechanism is connected to the power supply and is contiguous with a portion of the cold spot mechanism located outside of the housing. The temperature sensor is also coupled to the power supply and monitors the temperature of the cold spot mechanism. Based upon the temperature of the cold spot mechanism, the temperature sensor operates the power supply, so as to deliver power to the heating mechanism to warm the cold spot mechanism and maintain a cold spot temperature that allows the lamp tube to generate maximum visible light output.