Patent ID: 6100635
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A planar fluorescent lamp, comprising:an insulative lamp body including a base having an upper surface and a lower surface and a pair of sidewalls connected to the base and first and second endwalls connected to the base;a lamp cover having a lower surface, the cover being attached to the lamp body and overlaying the lamp body to define a chamber;a gas within the chamber, the gas being responsive to emit ultraviolet energy in response to an electrical stimulation;first and second electrodes positioned to provide the electrical discharge through the gas; andfirst and second channel walls within the chamber, the first and second channel walls projecting from the base toward the cover, the first channel wall extending from the first endwall toward the second endwall and the second channel wall extending from the second endwall toward the first endwall, the base, endwalls and channel walls defining a serpentine channel within the chamber, the first channel wall being adjacent to and separated from the second channel wall by a maximum separation distance d.sub.c and the lower surface of the cover being separated from the upper surface of the base by a maximum distance d.sub.d, wherein the ratio of d.sub.c :d.sub.d exceeds 0.5:1.