Method and apparatus for dispensing small quantities of mercury from evacuated and sealed glass capsules

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:865549

Grossman, Mark W ^[1]; George, William A ^[2]; Pai, Robert Y ^[3]

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1. Framingham, MA
2. Rockport, MA
3. Hamilton, MA

A technique for opening an evacuated and sealed glass capsule containing a material that is to be dispensed which has a relatively high vapor pressure such as mercury. The capsule is typically disposed in a discharge tube envelope. The technique involves the use of a first light source imaged along the capsule and a second light source imaged across the capsule substantially transversely to the imaging of the first light source. Means are provided for constraining a segment of the capsule along its length with the constraining means being positioned to correspond with the imaging of the second light source. These light sources are preferably incandescent projection lamps. The constraining means is preferably a multiple looped wire support.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• Assignee: GTE Products Corporation (Stamford, CT)
• Patent Number(s): US 4534742
• OSTI ID: 865549
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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