Mechanically plated pellets and method of manufacture

Abstract

Mechanical plating provides a new technique of manufacturing of certain materials containing multiple elements, including amalgams, and novel pellets containing multiple materials. Some embodiments provide new and versatile materials for dosing mercury, metals or other inorganic compounds into lamps. Some embodiments include materials comprising layers of metals or compounds built up on a substrate. One embodiment is a layer of zinc amalgam applied to a glass sphere. Also disclosed is an improved method of manufacture for such particles that will speed production, increase yields, lower costs and reduce exposure to mercury in the workplace.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 322,691, filed April 9, 2010, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] In various industries and technologies, there is a need to provide precise and small quantities of various materials. In the lighting industry, for example, a small amount of mercury has to be fed into the discharge vessel of a fluorescent lamp. Mercury can be introduced into the discharge lamp in the form of solid amalgam particles. Particles used to provide small amounts of material may be referred to as pellets. A known technique for making and using amalgam pellets to dose mercury into discharge lamps is described in Anderson, U.S. Patent 4,419,303, "Method for producing large diameter high purity sodium amalgam particles The melt-based (falling tower) technique in "Aligning Pa...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Melt-based methods are generally associated with relatively high cost, relative difficulty in fabrication, and relatively high risk of mercury exposure

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