Abstract: An improved lamphousing having a magnetically stabilized arc lamp. The arc lamp, such as a high-pressure short-arc xenon lamp, is mounted within the lamphousing such that the arc is positioned at the focal point of a reflector formed from a paramagnetic material. One or more permanent magnets are mounted on the exterior of the reflector to establish a magnetic flux within the reflector which stabilizes the plasma flame sufficiently to permit horizontal operation of the arc lamp at any current levels especially below the rated level for that arc lamp.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for measuring the effective operating resistance of an unknown resistance element to which repetitive high voltage pulses are normally applied during operation. As each high voltage pulse is applied to the element, the voltage across the element and the current through the element are simultaneously sampled during voltage peak or at any other desired point in each pulse. The voltage and current samples are digitized and used in digitally computing the effective operating resistance of the unknown element. The computed resistance is displayed on a digital indicator.

Abstract: An improved electrostatic spray gun for the deposition of powdered coating material on a workpiece is disclosed. The spray gun includes a housing having a barrel to which a nozzle is attached for directing the powdered material to the workpiece. A charging electrode, which is connected to a high voltage power supply, is mounted on a diffuser assembly which is clamped between the nozzle and the housing, on which the nozzle is threaded. A regulated gas flow supplied through the housing and the diffuser assembly provides a gas shield around the charging electrode to prevent a buildup of the coating material on the electrode. A novel pneumatic safety interlock continuously monitors the pressure of the gas supplied to the diffuser assembly. The interlock turns off the high voltage power supply and a pump for the coating material in response to a drop in such pressure resulting from a loose nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for electronically modifying spark advance and dwell in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. Conventional cam driven breaker points on the engine are initially set for the desired maximum spark advance. The signal from the breaker points is electronically delayed to reduce the spark advance by a predetermined constant value independent of the engine speed. Dwell is also electronically controlled to a predetermined constant value independent of the engine speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the temperature of the insulator tip of a spark plug being operated in an internal combustion engine. A thermocouple is embedded in the surface of the insulator tip adjacent the spark gap for sensing temperature. The output of the thermocouple is connected through an electro-optical ignition voltage isolation circuit to circuitry which maintains a substantially constant temperature signal during the time interval that ignition voltage is applied to fire the spark plug. The temperature signal may drive a temperature indicating display or devices such as chart or tape recorders to produce records which may be used in analyzing either operation of the spark plug or combustion.

Abstract: A heating plant monitor system for visually signalling the presence and location of a malfunction or abnormal condition is disclosed. The system is particularly adapted for use with residential or mobile home heating systems and includes a visual display panel with indicator lights with each indicator light corresponding to a particular system condition or component to be monitored. The arrangement of the light sequence on the panel corresponds to the order in which each component should be checked by a serviceman so that the condition of the entire panel, when one or more malfunctions occurs, will indicate which component should first be checked for malfunction and which other components need not be inspected. Other household components, spaces or services can also be monitored for the presence of an operating abnormality or for water, smoke, etc., by adding monitors and indicator lights to the basic heating plant system.