Precision base mercury vapor lamp

Abstract

A mercury vapor lamp having a light transmissive envelope defining an arcuate capillary plasma cavity. A mounting base secured to one end of the envelope has a configuration which is geometrically unique with respect to the position and spatial orientation of the plasma cavity. A mounting block and clamping arrangement have a configuration complementary to that of the lamp base so as to receive and releasably secure the lamp base and, therefore, the plasma cavity in a fixed predetermined position and orientation relative to its operating environment. The lamp is energized by means of an electrical potentional applied to electrodes in the plasma cavity or by reactance coupling an r-f power source to the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gaseous discharge lamp comprising: a. a radiation-transmitting tubular envelope defining a plasma cavity of arcuate configuration and capillary cross-section containing an ionizable substance;   b. a rigid mounting base fixedly secured to one end of said envelope having a configuration which is geometrically unique with respect to a predetermined position and spatial orientation of said envelope.Iadd., said base having a coaxial bore and said one end of said envelope terminating in a cylindrical stub of significantly smaller axial and radial dimensions than said bore, said stub being disposed and mounted in said bore in a position such as to establish a predetermined spatial relation and orientation between the envelope and the base, .Iaddend.whereby installation of the lamp in its operating environment automatically and reproducibly places the envelope and, concomitantly, the plasma cavity of the lamp in a predetermined position and spatial orientation relative to said environment; and   c. means for coupling the lamp to a power source for applying an operating potential to said plasma cavity.   
     
     
       2. A gaseous discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the external surface of said mounting base is non-circular in cross-section. 
     
     
       3. A gaseous discharge lamp according to claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.wherein the external surface of said mounting base takes the form of a hexagonal prism. 
     
     
       4. A gaseous discharge lamp according to claim 3 wherein .[.said base contains a co-axial bore and said one end of the envelope terminates in a cylindrical stub of significantly smaller axial and radial dimensions than said bore,.]. said stub .[.being.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.disposed and secured in said bore in a position such as to establish a predetermined spatial relation and orientation between the envelope and the prism faces of said base. 
     
     
       5. A gaseous discharge lamp according to claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.3 .Iaddend.wherein said mounting base is electically conductive and said coupling means include: a. an electrode adjacent each end of said cavity, the electrode proximate the mounting base being electrically connected thereto; and   b. a highly flexible connection lead on the envelope electrically connected to the electrode remote from the mounting base.   
     
     
       6. In combination, a gaseous discharge lamp according to claim 5 and a mounting fixture therefor comprising: a. a mounting block having locating faces complementary to and in mating relationship with selected ones of said planar faces of the mounting base;   b. a locating stop abutting the end of said mounting base remote from the envelope; and   c. a removable clamping assembly maintaining the planar faces of the mounting base pressed firmly against the locating faces of the mounting fixture.   
     
     
       7. In combination, a gaseous discharge lamp according to claim 1 and a mounting fixture .[.therefore.]. .Iadd.therefor .Iaddend.comprising: a. a mounting block having a configuration complementary to and adapted to receive said mounting base in a fixed position defined by its co-action with the configuration of said mounting base; and   b. means releasably retaining said mounting base in said mounting block.