Dec. 5, F. MEYER ET AL 2,182,732 META, WAPOR LAMP

Transcription

1 Dec., F. MEYER ET AL META, WAPR LAMP Filed Dec. 19, 1927 aayaafwaa ass paa (AASS Zaaaaa ay Z77 vez Moz. AaaZA/A/A2a927 aw J. awwaa a24/27aaraya... 7A7A/AY

2 Patented Dec., UNITED STATES ur invention relate to the production of chemically active pectral ray and more epecial ly to mean whereby chemically active ray uch a ultra-violet ray can be produced and utilized in a particularly imple, efficient and economical 3.e. The favorable effect exerted by ultra-violet rays. Such a are contained in Sunlight in the treatment of certain dieae and alo their high bactericidal power are well known and it ha therefore been tried for year to provide imple and efficient mean for the artificial production of uch ray. The only practically ueful ource of ultra-violet ray which ha hitherto become known i the o-called quartz lamp, which com prie an electric arc formed in mercury vapor filling a vacuum tube whoe Wall preferably con it of quartz. Now thee quartz lamp, although being capable of producing all deirable quanti tie of ultra-violet light, involve the grave diad vantage of requiring direct current for their op eration, being operable with alternating current only by way of complicated connection and pe cially devied apparatu, o that they cannot be operated directly from the houe lighting Sytem. The ignition of quartz lamp require the pro viion of pecial igniting arrangement. It i further impoible to operate a quartz lamp in uch manner a to produce only Small quantitie of ultra-violet ray, a the lamp i liable to be extinguihed below a certain current; in other word, it i difficult to contruct a quartz lamp for low capacity. Another diadvantage i Sme time felt in connection with quartz lamp, in that apart from the ultra-violet light they alo emit coniderable quantitie of light ray of the viible range. The great intenity of ultra-violet ray emiion forbid the handling of thee lamp except by expert. n the other hand it i very deirable indeed to provide a ource of ultra violet ray which can be.handled and intalled anywhere without any danger and which can be operated direct with alternating current from the houe, lighting ytem without requiring any pecial igniting mean. We have found that a ource of chemically ac tive ray i preented in the combination of a ga filled tube, for intance an argon or neon filled tube, uch a i in general ue for the purpoe of advertiing, with an admixture of metal vapor, for intance mercury vapor, to the ga in the tube, the tube itelf being preferably made of a material highly perviou to ultra-violet ray, uch a quartz, or viol gla, r being provided with an opening cloed by uch material. PATENT FFICE META, WAPR, AMP Friedrich Meyer; Berlin-Halenee, and Han Joachim Spanner, Berlin, Germany, and Edmund Germer, Stockholm, Sweden, aign or, by mene aignment, to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1927, Serial No. 241,034 In Germany December 10, Claim. (C ) If a Voltage i connected With the electrode forming part of uch a tube, a glow current will pa between the electrode which will alo ionize the mercury molecule which will now emit great quantitie of ultra-violet ray. wing to the preence, in the tube, of a ga, for intance a rare gas, beide the metal Vapor, Such lamp can be operated with alternating current and can therefore be connected directly with any houe lighting ytem. We have further found that combined ga and metal vapor lamp for high-capacity can be ig nited eaily without requiring a high voltage, if the ordinary (cold) electrode are replaced by or combined with hot (incandecent or glow) Cathode. We may for intance ue tungten cathode, but We have found it particularly con venient to ue the kind of glow cathode known under the name of Wehnelt cathode, which do not require any heating current, it being poible to caue the cathode to be heated by the ion current itelf upon the glow dicharge having been tarted by mean of one of the well known auxiliary connection. Thi latter mode of opera tion i particularly recommendable if it i deired to operate with direct current. The glow cathode may be aociated with aux iliary electrode, each auxiliary electrode being connected across a Suitable reitance with the glow cathode facing it. For intance in the cae of ingle phae alternating current two glow elec trode and two auxiliary electrode will be pro vided. Upon the circuit being cloed, a glow cur rent will pa between the auxiliary electrode and the glow cathode, whereby thee latter will be heated and the lamp Will be Set operating. In asmuch, however, a now the inner reitance of the lamp i very low a compared with the reitance inerted between the electrode, the main current will flow merely between the glow cathode, and the auxiliary ignition electrode will be thrown out automatically. If current of higher voltage i ued, the current impule ari ing when the circuit i cloed Will a a rule Suf fice to et the glow cathode operating. Glow cathode compriing an activated metal, Such a combination of molybdenum or tungten with thorium will alo be found ueful in ome cases. bviouly a lamp a above decribed can alo be encloed in or formed of a material (quartz, uviol gla or the like), which, while being per viou to ultra-violet ray, i partly or altogether imperviou to ray of the viible range. The lamp may alo be combined with uitable filter of a i

3 well known kind to adapt it to all kind of ue. It can be intalled with particular advantage in lodging, meeting room, theatre and the like, to purify the air without emitting viible light. The erie reitance required in Such cae can. be accommodated in the lamp Socket. In all thee cae the quantity of ultra-violet ray emitted can be regulated with great nicety and low volt age can be applied without any danger of the lamp being extinguihed. If the envelope, tube or bulb forming part of the lamp i made of or formed with coating or jack et of partly or entirely fluorecent material, the lamp can alo be ued with advantage for adver tiing purpoe. In the drawing affixed to thi Specification and forming part thereof, ome form of tube or lamp embodying our invention are illutrated diagrammatically by Way of example. In the drawing Fig. 1 how a tubular lamp, filled with a rare ga or gae, to which i admixed a metal vapor uch a mercury vapor, 2,2 are glow cathode upplied with alternating current. Fig. 2 illutrate a imilar arrangement in which auxiliary electrode 3,3 are aociated with the glow cathode 2, the auxiliary electrode be ing arranged in cloe juxtapoition to the glow cathode, o a to heat them up when heated by the current. In the modification illutrated in Fig. 3, 4,4 are glow cathode of a different kind, and. are the auxiliary or ignition electrode aoci ated with them. A uitable reitance 6 i in Serted in the circuit including the auxiliary elec trode. The fuorecent material may be encloed in aid envelope. Variou change may be made in the detail dicloed in the foregoing pecification without departing from the invention or acrificing the advantage thereof. We claim: 1. A pectral ray lamp compriing an evacu ated envelope forming an encloed elongated di charge path, two fixed electrode therein, one of which i a Wehnelt type cathode, and a low pre ure gaeou atmophere compriing a rare ga adapted to upport a heavy current dicharge, and a ource of metallic vapor normally incapa ble of upporting a low voltage dicharge in the envelope, the aid dicharge through the rare ga being adapted to raie the vapor preure of the metallic vapor and the ionization of the ame ufficiently to caue the metallic vapor to carry and maintain the dicharge and become the main ource of the emitted pectral ray. 2. A pectral ray lamp compriing an evacu ated veel forming an encloed elongated di charge path containing a Source of metallic va por adapted when excited to emit ray within the deired range of the pectrum, two fixed electrode, ore of which i a Wehnelt type cath ode, and an inert ga adapted to upport a low voltage gaeou dicharge to increae and main tain the vapor preure and the denity of the metallic vapor in the dicharge path to caue the latter to upport and maintain the main di charge at the low voltage of the lamp and there by caue the vapor in aid elongated path to emit the deired pectral ray. 3. A pectral ray lamp compriing an evacu ated veel forming an encloed elongated di charge path containing a ource of mercury va por adapted when excited to emit ultra-violet ray within the deired range of the pectrum, two fixed electrode, one of which i a Wehnelt type cathode, and a rare ga adapted to tart, a low voltage gaeou dicharge and of Suffi cient intenity to increae and maintain the val por preure and denity of the mercury vapor in the dicharge path ufficient to caue the lat ter to upport the main dicharge at the tarting voltage of the lamp and thereby caue the aid vapor to emit the deired ultra-violet ray throughout the length of the elongated dicharge path 4. A metal vapor lamp of high capacity which can be tarted and operated directly from rdi nary alternating houe lighting voltage, com priing a veel perviou to the deired Spectral ray, two fixed main dicharge electrode Spaced apart and forming with the wall of aid veel an elongated dicharge path therein, at leat one of Said electrode being of the Wehnelt type, an inert ga atmophere, and a ource of metallic vapor; the latter electrode in cooperation with the ga atmophere being capable of tarting and maintaining a heavy current low voltage gaeou dicharge between aid electrode, thereby form ing an encloed luminou ga Column therebe tween, the aid ga dicharge being adapted to raie the preure of Said metallic vapor and it denity throughout the elongated dicharge path ufficiently to caue the vapor to upport Said low voltage dicharge throughout a range of inteni tie a the deired main Source of Spectral radia tion.. A metal vapor lamp of high capacity which can be tarted and operated directly from rdi nary alternating houe lighting voltage, com priing a veel perviou to the deired pectral ray, two fixed main dicharge electrode Spaced apart and forming with the wall of Said veel an elongated dicharge path therein, at leat one of aid electrode being a Wehnelt type cathode, an auxiliary electrode adjacent aid cathode, an inert ga atmophere, and a Source of metallic vapor the preure of which increae with rie in temperature; aid cathode in cooperation with the ga atmophere and Said auxiliary electrode being capable of tarting and maintaining a heavy current, low voltage ga dicharge between aid electrode thereby forming an encloed lumi nou ga column between the main electrode adapted to raie the preure of aid metallic va por and it denity throughout the main di charge path Sufficiently to caue it to Support aid low voltage dicharge a the deired main ource of pectral radiation. 6. A metal-vapor lamp compriing a veel the wall of aid veel, a Wehnelt type cathode and of aid path, and a filling of inert ga and metal vapor; the normal electron emiion of aid cath charge in aid path, the Said gaeou dicharge being adapted to raie the metal-vapor denity throughout the path Sufficiently to make the metal vapor the main ource of emitted ray. 7. A metal-vapor lamp compriing a veel adapted to provide an elongated dicharge path defined by the wall of Said veel, aid wall be ing tranparent to the deired ray, electrode dipoed at oppoite end of Said path one at leat being a Wehnelt type cathode adapted to operate with ubtantially no cathode fall, and a filling of inert ga and metal vapor in aid ve el; the normal electron emiion of aid cathode

4 l 2 3 and the preture of inert ga being adapted to tart and upport a low voltage gaeou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapted to form a luminou column having ufi cient current denity to raie the metal-vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the metal vapor the main ource of emitted ray. 8. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon vapor, the latter contituting, in peration, the which i a Wehnelt type cathode, paced apart in aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge column defined by the veel wall, aid rare ga being adapted to tart and upport a denity to raie the denity of the metallic vapor throughout the aid column and to uch an extent that the metallic vapor become the main Source of the ray emitted by aid lamp. 9. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon which i a Wehnelt type cathode, Spaced apart in aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge column defined by the veel wall. 10. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a ve el adapted to provide a dicharge path defined by the wall of aid veel, a Wehnelt type cath ode and a cooperating electrode dipoed at oppoite end of aid path, and a filling of in ert ga and mercury vapor; the normal electron emiion of aid cathode and the preure of inert ga being adapted to tart and upport a low voltage gaeou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapted to raie the mercury vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mercury vapor the main ource of emitted ray. 1. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a veel the Wall of Said veel, a Wehnelt type cathode and a cooperating electrode dipoed at oppoite end of aid path, a filling of inert ga and mer cury vapor, the normal electron emiion of aid adapted to tart and Support a low voltage ga eou dicharge in Said path, the aid gaeou vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mercury vapor the main ource of emitted ray and a luminecent material di poed in the path of aid ray. 12. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a veel the wall of aid veel, a Wehnelt type cathode and a cooperating electrode dipoed at oppoite end of aid path, a filling of inert ga and mera cury vapor, the normal electron emiion of aid eou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mercury vapor the main ource of emitted ray and a coating of luminecent ma terial on aid veel. 13. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a veel the wall of aid veel, a Wehnelt type cathode and a cooperating electrode dipoed at oppo ite end of aid path, a filling of inert ga and 2,182,782 3 mercury vapor, the normal electron emiion of Said eou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mercury vapor the main ource of emit ted ray and luminecent material encloed in Said veel. 14. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge column defined by the veel wall. 1. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon which i an activated thermionic cathode, paced apart in aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge column defined by the veel Wall. 16. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon Said veel to form therebetween a luminou di charge column defined by the veel wall and mean for cauing an auxiliary tarting di charge in the vicinity of aid cathode. 17. A metal vapor lamp compriing an elon aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge column defined by the veel wall, mean for cauing an auxiliary tarting di charge in the vicinity of aid cathode and lumi necent material dipoed in the path of aid pectral ray emiion. 18. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a veel of aid path, and a filling of inert ga and mer cury vapor; the normal electron emiion of aid eou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou di charge being adapted to raie the mercury vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mercury vapor the main ource of emitted rays. 19. A mercury vapor lamp compriing a veel of aid path, a filling of inert ga and mercury vapor, the normal electron emiion of aid cath charge in Said path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapted to raie the mercury vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the mer cury vapor the main ource of emitted ray and luminecent material encloed in aid veel.. A metal-vapor lamp compriing a veel

5 10-9,189, of aid path, a fling of inert ga and metal vapor, the normal electron emiion of aid cathode and the preure of inert ga being adapted to tart and upport a low voltage gaeou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapt ed to raie the metal-vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the metal vapor the main ource of emitted ray and a luminecent material dipoed in the path of aid ray A metal-vapor lamp compriing a Weel of aid path, and a filling of inert ga and metal vapor; the normal electron emiion of aid cath charge in aid path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapted to raie the metal-vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the metal vapor the main ource of erinitted ray. 22. A metal-vapor lamp compriing a veel adapted to provide an elongated dicharge path defined by the wall of aid veel, aid wall being tranparent to the deired ray, electrode di poed at oppoite end of aid path one at leat being, an activated cathode adapted to operate with ubtantially no cathode fall, and a filling of inert ga and metal vapor in aid veel; the nornia electron emiion of aid cathode and che preure of inert ga being adapted to tart and upport a low voltage gaeou dicharge in aid path, the aid gaeou dicharge being adapt ed to form a luminou column having ufficient current denity to raie the metal-vapor denity throughout the path ufficiently to make the. metal vapor the main ource of emitted ray. 23. A mietal vapor lamp compriing an elon gated veel, a falling of rare ga and metallic charge curlinn defined by the Yeel wall, aid rare ga belig adapted to tart and upport a denity to raie the denity of the retallic vapor throughout the aid column and to uch an ex tent that the metallic vapor become the main ource of the ray emitted by aid lamp. 24. A mercury vapor lamp contfading an elon gated veel, a fitting of rare ga and mercury charge column defined by the veel wall, aid rare ga being adapted to tart and upport a denity to raie the denity of the mercury vapor throughout the aid column and to uch an extent that the mercury vapor become the main ource of the ray emitted by aid lamp. 2. A mercury vapor lamp compriing an elon gated veel, a filling of rare ga and mercury which i a Wehnelt type cathode, paced apart in aid veel to form therebetween a huminou di charge column defined by the veel wall. ' 26. A mercury vapor lamp compriing an elongated veel, a fling of rare ga and mer cury vapor, the latter contituting, in operation, i the charge column defined by tile veel wal. 2. A mercury vapor lamp compriing an elon- gated veel, a filling of rare ga and mercury... main ource of pectral ray emiion, two fixed main dicharge electrode, at leat one of which i i a Wehnelt type cathode, paced apart in aid veel to form therebetween a luminou dicharge. column defined by the veteel wall and fluorecent material dipoed in the path of aid pectral ray en'ion. 28. A mercury vapor lamp compriing an elon- A0 gated veel, a falling of rare ga and mercury main ource of pectral ray emiion, two fixed andcharge electode, at leat one of which i an activated chthode, paced apart in aid veel to form therebetween aluminou dicharge column defined by the weel-wall and fluorecent material dipoed in the path of aid pectral ray emiion. BANSACBM SPANNR. EDMUND CERMER. 0.