FLUORESCENT LAMP HAVING A TUBULAR ENVELOPE OF COMPACT TRIDIMENSIONAL CONFIGURATION, AND METHOD OF MAKING SUCH ENVELOPE

摘要

48,105 An efficient fluorescent lamp of high brightness and compact size is provided by forming the envelope from vitreous tubing that is bent into three U-shaped sections which are disposed in mutually perpendicular planes and define a single convoluted discharge channel. The Ushaped sections are so oriented that the legs of the U's are disposed in quadrangular columnar array with the ends of the tubing located adjacent one another and opposite one of the U-bends. Conventional electrode-stem assemblies are sealed into the ends of the bent tubing and the sealed legs are coupled to each other and the proximate U-bend by brace means which rigidifies the multi-section envelope. An efficient method of manufacturing the envelope employing a pair of arcuate molding components and two bending operations that form the three U-bends with only a single tube-heating operation is also disclosed.