Fluorescent lamp having three electrodes for starting at low temperatures

Abstract

A fluorescent lamp having an improved starting performance, especially at low temperatures. A gas under a low pressure is sealed in a glass tube having a pair of electrodes mounted thereon, and a fluorescent material is coated on the inner surface of the glass tube, the fluorescent material being activated to emit light by a discharge between the pair of electrodes. A third electrode is provided between the pair of electrodes, the third electrode being connected to one of the pair of electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluorescent lamp comprising: a glass tube, a gas under a low pressure sealed in said glass tube; first and second electrodes mounted at respective opposite ends of said glass tube; a fluorescent material provided on an inner surface of said glass tube, said fluorescent material being caused to emit light by a discharge between said first and second electrodes; and a third electrode provided between said first and second electrodes, said third electrode being connected to said first electrode, wherein said third electrode comprises a layer of aluminum bonded to an outer surface of said glass tube in a region excluding a light-applying aperture of said tube, and a layer of copper bonded to an outer surface of said layer of aluminum. 
     
     
       2. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein a width of said layer of copper is less than a width of said layer of aluminum. 
     
     
       3. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 2, wherein said width of said layer of copper is approximately one-fourth that of said layer of aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer covering said third electrode. 
     
     
       5. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein said third electrode comprises a single layer of a highly conductive material. 
     
     
       6. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 5, wherein said highly conductive material comprises gold leaf. 
     
     
       7. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein said third electrode comprises a layer of aluminum vapor-deposited on an inner surface of said glass tube. 
     
     
       8. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 4, wherein said glass tube comprises a plurality of laminated layers of glass, and wherein said third electrode is formed between said laminated layers, one of said layers constituting said insulating layer. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  A fluorescent lamp, comprising: a glass tube having an axis, inner and outer surfaces, and first and second ends;   a gas under a low pressure in said glass tube;   a fluorescent material provided on said inner surface of said glass tube;   at least two electrodes being mounted to said glass tube;   at least one of said at least two electrodes extending axially along the axis of said glass tube and being mounted on the outer surface of said glass tube, said fluorescent material being caused to emit light by a discharge between said at least two electrodes;   a first wire connected to said axially extending electrode at said first end of said glass tube; and   a second wire connected to another of said at least two electrodes at said first end of said glass tube;   wherein power is supplied to said fluorescent lamp only through said first and second wires at said first end of said glass tube. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  The fluorescent lamp according to claim 9, wherein said at least one electrode which extends axially along the axis of said glass tube is at least partially covered by a coating. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 10, wherein said coating is made of an 
     
     
        electrically insulating material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  The fluorescent lamp according to claim 9, further comprising a third electrode mounted at said second end of said glass tube. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The fluorescent lamp according to claim 12, further comprising a third wire being connected between said third electrode and said axially extending electrode along the axis of said glass tube. .Iaddend.