Patent ID: 7358676

Claim:
A fluorescent light source comprising: a tube surrounding an at least partially spherical interior region, the tube having a plurality of tubular portions, each one of the tubular portions disposed adjacent to at least one other tubular portion, and each one of the tubular portions configured to be in fluid communication with the at least one other tubular portion; a support member having: (a) a first side facing part of the interior region; and (b) a second side positioned opposite the first side, each one of the plurality of tubular portions configured to extend vertically from the support member beyond the first side and to curve radially outward to define at least a portion of the at least partially spherical interior region, each one of the tubular portions having an end located a substantially identical distance from the support member and separated a distance from the other ends of the tubular portions; a housing coupled to the support member, the housing extending beyond the second side, the housing defining a space; and a ballast supported by the support member, the ballast having a plurality of portions including: (a) a circuit board, a portion of the circuit board being positioned within the space; (b) at least one circuit part coupled to the circuit board, the circuit part positioned within the space; and (c) an inductor, at least part of the inductor being positioned within the interior region, the inductor extending less than fifty percent of the distance beyond the support member.