Amalgam containing compact fluorescent lamp with improved warm-up

摘要

A compact fluorescent lamp having improved warm-up characteristics is provided. The lamp includes a sealed glass envelope formed from U-shaped tubes each having a pair of substantially parallel leg sections closed at one end and a transversely extending bridging section joining the other end of the leg sections. Adjacent leg sections of adjacent tubes are joined by connecting conduits which complete a convoluted and elongate discharge path between a pair of electrodes. A main amalgam located within in a sealed stem at a closed end of an interior leg section for controlling mercury vapor pressure during a discharge period except for a starting period thereof. Auxiliary amalgams are attached to electrode support structures extending from the closed ends of the exterior leg sections for emitting mercury vapor during the starting period. Furthermore, an additional auxiliary amalgam is attached to a support structure extending from a sealed stem at a closed end of an interior leg section and in the discharge path at a substantially equal distance from each of the electrodes for emitting mercury vapor during the starting period.