Abstract: A plurality of flash lamps have percussive ignition tubes mounted in a base member. Striker springs for the lamps are cocked behind posts extending from the base member, and an opening through the base member beneath each striker spring permits a trigger finger to rise from a camera through an appropriate opening and release a striker spring which then impacts against the ignition tube of a lamp and causes the lamp to flash. The base member is provided with flat-top raised ribs extending partly along the sides of the openings and between the cocked positions of the striker springs and the associated lamp ignition tubes, for guiding the travel of the striker springs.

Abstract: Starting and operating circuit for gaseous discharge lamps has device for quickly re-starting extinguished lamps while still hot. Circuit comprises ballast reactor, pulse transformer having a magnetic core formed with an air gap, charging capacitor and voltage sensitive switch device connected to the pulse transformer to form a series discharge loop with a portion of the transformer, and a storage capacitor connected at the output of the ballast reactor having sufficiently high capacitance to provide, in combination with the pulse transformer, for hot re-start of the lamp.

Abstract: A discharge type electric lamp construction is described having electrode means which include a porous sintered body of refractory metal having an electron emissive material containing cesium ion dispersed in the pores of said porous sintered body as Cs.sub.2 MO.sub.4 wherein M is a refractory metal. Said electron emissive material is preferably employed in combination with another electron emissive material containing barium ions to provide a lower breakdown voltage as well as operating voltage characteristics for said discharge lamps. Representative electron emissive materials containing barium ions include barium aluminate and barium tungstate materials.

Abstract: A self-contained fluorescent lamp unit, such as the "Bright Stik" type, has a pair of plastic end caps positioned at the ends of the light bulb. A plastic resistor ballast housing strip extends along the bulb and into slots in the end caps. Tabs extend from the end caps and alongside the plastic housing strip. These tabs are ultrasonically welded to the housing strip, thus holding the unit together.

Abstract: An electrode for a miniature high pressure metal vapor lamp comprises a slender tungsten shank joined to a molybdenum inlead by a weld knot. The shank diameter is chosen above the size where melt-back starts at the intended lamp current and is provided wth a fine wire overwind fitting loosely thereon and retained in place by frictional engagement with the weld knot. The overwind reduces breakdown voltage and assures rapid glow-to-arc transition.

Abstract: A reflector unit is shaped from a plastic sheet to provide a plurality of individual reflectors having raised radiation barriers between adjacent reflectors. Ribs are provided in the radiation barriers to prevent stacked reflector units from sticking together during manufacture of flash arrays. Downwardly extending cups are formed in a central area of the reflector unit to aid in the handling of stacked reflector units.

Abstract: High frequency circuit for operating gaseous discharge lamps includes oppositely poled controlled semiconductor switches connected to a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and inductor connected to the lamp load and serving both as a high-frequency ballast for the lamp and to effect alternating turn-off of the semiconductor switches. Diodes are connected to the switches in a manner to provide energy pulses on the lamp load without return to the supply source. A control circuit is provided for alternately triggering the semiconductor switches into operation.

Abstract: Electrical connector device comprises a conductive terminal strip frictionally held in an insulating terminal block and a screw with captive washer adjustably secured to the terminal strip for holding a wire lead in contact with the terminal strip. The terminal strip is slidable into assembly with the terminal block, and stop means are provided on the screw or terminal strip to prevent removal of the strip from the terminal block.

Abstract: A system for handling hygroscopic metal halide pellets serving as fill material in high pressure metal halide lamps. The pellets are loaded into stoppered transport vials at their place of manufacture. At the place of utilization, the stoppered end of the vial is inserted into a self-sealing opening in a reservoir through which dry gas is flushed to remove any contaminants. The vial is then unstoppered without removing it from the opening and its contents spill out into the reservoir. A transfer device accommodating a set number of pellets is brought into conjunction with an outlet opening, the device is filled, and the pellets transported to their destination through a channel filled with dry gas.

Abstract: Means are provided to repair one or more flash lamps in a linear type photoflash lamp array which have become disconnected from the circuit board member. Specifically, the disconnected in-lead is secured to the sequential firing circuitry located on the circuit board member with an adhesive deposit of an organic polymer and a surface conductive path thereafter established on said adhesive deposit between the in-lead and the adjacent circuitry. The surface conductive path can also be an organic polymer containing an electrically conductive filler.

Abstract: A prefocused mount is disclosed which is hermetically sealed to a plastic reflector for a PAR lamp.

Abstract: A planar-type multiple photoflash array is disclosed and including a circuit board with circuitry thereon for sequentially firing a plurality of flash lamps which are positioned horizontally in the cavities of an integral reflector and barrier member supported on said circuit board. The present improvement comprises further including spacing means between the contact and surfaces of the circuit board and barrier member to reduce the amount of radiant energy being transmitted by the flash lamps to radiant energy actuated switches and the circuitry of the circuit board member.

Abstract: Color correction means for flash lamp are disclosed which utilizes a blue emitting organic phosphor medium to increase the total light output being emitted from the flash lamp and lower the Spectral Distribution Index (SDI) of the lamp-phosphor combination. The phosphor medium can be employed as a coating for the light-transmitting envelope of the flash lamp wherein the phosphor constituent is dissolved in a transparent film forming polymer. In certain preferred embodiments, further color correction of the flash lamp radiation can be effected with dyes incorporated into the protective cover means or containment lacquer now commonly employed.

Abstract: A hub for a circular fluorescent lamp unit, containing a ballast reactor and provided with a screw base. The hub housing comprises two housing members fitted together at their rims by means of a ridge on one member and a groove in the other member. An outwardly extending flange is provided on one of the housing members at the rim thereof, for seating a circular light assembly positioned around the hub.

Abstract: Latch device for hinged luminaire door comprises a pair of spaced spring steel members attached at their upper ends to the luminaire housing. At their lower ends the spring members are formed with ledges for releasably holding the luminaire door in closed position. A latch bar interconnecting the spaced spring members at their lower ends is movable to disengage the spring members from the door to allow it to swing open.

Abstract: An electrical accessory having a lead is connected to an electrical cord having a multi-strand conductor by placing the cord and the lead against a backing member. A tool member vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency is brought into engagement with the electrical cord. Insulative material surrounding the conductor is melted and displaced away from the tool member. The conductor is driven against the lead and the lead is driven into the surface of the backing member. Upon de-energization of the tool member, the displaced insulative material solidifies and secures the connection between the conductor and the lead.The tool member includes a tip from which a sharpened projecting portion extends. The projecting portion severs the conductor in those instances where the conductor is to be connected to spaced leads. Serrated driving surfaces are positioned on either side of the projecting member.

Abstract: The inlead for the electrode sealed into a quartz arc tube has a foil portion which is stiffened by reversely folded lateral edges. The folds overlap the tapering region of greater stiffness where the foil portion joins the end portions. In making a discharge lamp, the electrode-inlead assembly is self-centering as a result of making the overall width of the foil portion and its folded edges exceed slightly the internal diameter of the quartz tube or neck. The frictional engagement between the folded edges and the inside wall of the neck retains the assembly in place while the neck is heat-collapsed onto the foil to seal the electrode assembly in place.

Abstract: Copper staining of a borosilicate glass article is described which utilizes a single heating step to produce red coloration in the stained glass. The method utilizes a particular liquid slurry to coat the surface of the glass article being treated which generates copper halide vapors during a single heating step in a controlled atmosphere to produce the desired final red color. Atmosphere control is exercised with non-reducing atmosphere conditions being maintained until the alkali metal ions in the glass surface have been replaced with copper ions and which is followed by conversion to reducing atmosphere conditions to convert the substituted copper ions to the metallic state.

Abstract: A mercury doser for automatically and accurately dosing arc tubes at high production rates comprises a rotatable stainless steel metering plate sandwiched between tetrafluoroethylene discs. The plate contains a graduated series of metering cavities of which one is selected. Mercury is fed by gravity into the selected cavity at a loading position where any trapped air or gas escapes through a vent port. The port is so small that surface tension prevents entry of the mercury. The plate is then advanced to an unloading position where a puff of argon gas expels the mercury charge into a delivery channel.

Abstract: An improved mounting of the ceramic arc tube on a support rod attached to one lead-in within an outer vitreous envelope allows for thermal expansion. The inlead at one end of the arc tube is fastened to the support rod which serves also as conductor, while that at the other end extends through an insulating bushing supported from the rod and is connected by a curved flexible conductor to the other lead-in of the outer envelope. Differential thermal expansion is accommodated by sliding of the inlead through the bushing and flexing of the curved conductor.