Mercury dispenser for arc discharge lamps

摘要

A mercury capsule for dispensing mercury into an arc discharge lamp comprises an annealed metal member having a predetermined wall thickness and including a generally tubular main body portion containing a predetermined amount of mercury and a sealed end portion adjacent the main body portion. Means for sealing the end portion includes a flattened, generally planar configuration having at least one sealing constriction formed in the end portion. The sealing constriction has a defined cross-sectional thickness relative to the wall thickness and enables containment of the mercury within the capsule below a predetermined elevated temperature. Preferably, the predetermined cross-sectional thickness of the constriction is less than or equal to about two-thirds of the wall thickness of the metal member.