Fluorescent lamp with a protective assembly

摘要

A fluorescent lamp has a protective assembly that includes a protective tube preformed from a semi-rigid non-frangible polymeric transparent or translucent material that is stabilized against ultraviolet radiation. The protective tube has a body portion received over the glass tube with a clearance sufficient to enable the glass tube to be slid into the protective tube and a closure portion at each end that is mechanically and thermally deformed permanently to engage an adhesive layer on the terminal cap of the lamp and form a bond therewith such as to provide a mechanical connection that resists separation of the terminal cap from the protective tube and a moisture barrier and hermetic seal between the lamp and the protective tube.