Importance

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Abstract

Convection air-cooling of a compact electric discharge lamp unit that is adapted for use as a screw-in energy-conserving substitute for an incandescent-type lamp bulb is enhanced by partitioning the lamp housing into two separate compartments and providing vents and connecting air passageways that direct ambient air through the respective housing compartments along two different paths--thereby cooling the compartments independently of one another. A light source (such as a convoluted low-pressure discharge lamp) is located within one of the compartments and an electrical circuit for energizing the lamp is located in the other compartment. The 'segregated air-flow' mode of cooling prevents heat that is generated by the lamp from being introduced into the compartment that contains the electrical circuit and thus prevents the circuit components from becoming overheated and possibly damaged. This is an important advantage in the case of solid-state type electronic circuits that include components such as electrolytic capacitors and transistors or the like that are heat-sensitive and may fail if they become too hot. In a preferred embodiment the light source comprises a replaceable plug-in fluorescent lamp of triple-U-bent configuration that has a plastic base member with tongue-and-groove elements which permit the fluorescent lamp to be snap-locked into operative relationship with the partition and circuit components of the lamp housing.

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First Claim