Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a conductive casing and an electrode plate assembly received therein, the plate assembly having exposable edge portions adjacent an interior surface of the casing, and insulation means comprising a nonconductive insulating casting self-adhered to the interior surface of the cell casing and disposed intermediate the interior surface and the exposable portions of the electrode plate assembly. The insulating casting is formed from a flowable material which is dispensed into the casing while flowable and which quickly hardens in place to become bonded to the casing.

Abstract: An improved sealing construction is provided for an all glass lamp unit utilizing lens and reflector members which enhances the mechanical strength and hermetic seal when these lamp components are fusion sealed together. Specifically, the sealing rim surfaces of said lamp components are each provided with cooperating and opposing rib elements to permit direct physical abutment therebetween and thereby avoid forming void spaces in the sealing rim region when the fusion seal is made.

Abstract: A direct-current power supply circuit for gas discharge lamps includes a rectifier-capacitor bridge having a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals. A series input inductor is connected to one of the input terminals of the rectifier-capacitor bridge, and a pair of feedback diodes is connected to the output terminals of the rectifier bridge to provide a feedback signal to the series input inductor to control ripple of d-c output from said bridge and power factor of the a-c input to said bridge.

Abstract: A three (3)-way lamp having a tungsten halogen-cycle inner envelope and an operating circuit for the inner envelope is disclosed. The operating circuit comprises a ballast element and two diodes lodged within the confines of the base of the lamp. The operating circuit allows the inner envelope to provide three different levels of illumination for the lamp while still maintaining the desired operation of the halogen additive within the inner envelope.

Abstract: A luminaire comprising separable means arrangement for hingedly mounting a refractor on the rim of the reflector of the luminaire is disclosed. The separable means is comprised of a hinge clip having two hooked extensions at one side which engage raised slotted sections located at each end of a split clampband. The hooked extensions of the hinge clip are removably retained in the raised slotted sections and cannot be easily backed out. The hinge clip is self retained to the clampband by means of an interaction between a resilient gasket and the clampband. The gasket is positioned inside of the clampband and exerts an outward force on the clampband and provides effective sealing between the clampband and the refractor and between the clampband and the reflector flange. The other side of the hinge clip has means for hingedly mounting the refractor to the reflector.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is provided which is operable in a first mode to deliver electrical energy to the load of an energy-using device and to a rechargeable battery for charging thereof. The circuit is operable in a second mode to deliver energy to the load of the energy-using device alternatively from either the rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a pair of discharge terminals spaced apart by a first preselected distance so as to engage the power terminals of either the rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a charging terminal spaced apart from one of the discharge terminals by a distance greater than said first distance so as to engage a terminal extension carried by one of the power terminal contacts of the rechargeable battery whereby only the rechargeable battery may be charged in the circuit.

Abstract: A skin tanning lamp construction of a fluorescent type utilizing a combination of two different phosphors to provide efficient artificial skin tanning along with improved color rendition. The particular phosphor combination can be utilized as a blended mixture having a sufficient level of a phosphor constituent to impart some visible radiation in the red color region to the composite lamp emission.

Abstract: A low pressure gas discharge lamp ballast circuit is provided for three series-connected low energy gas discharge lamps, in which a first starting capacitor provides a starting voltage to one of the lamps, and a second starting capacitor provides a starting voltage to a second one of the lamps in sequence, so that the ballast losses can be minimized by reducing the ratio of the voltage applied across the three lamp system to the total lamp voltage, while still maintaining the light output and not having to use expensive lamp bases and lampholders.

Abstract: An automated inspection system is described utilizing a plurality of laser beams which contact the bottom edge of the object being inspected to detect various flaws or defects which may exist in said bottom surface. Said laser beam patterns are further compared with the laser beam patterns obtained from another object of the same type and known to be without defects in order to determine both defect depth and type defect. Objects being inspected are moved passed a detection station utilizing a flat horizontal surface containing a pair of slots aligned generally perpendicular with respect to each other and with the laser beams projecting in opposite directions along the length of each slot and further aligned at a slight angle from said horizontal surface in order to contact the bottom edge of said moving object, and with photodetection means being positioned to intercept each of the projected laser beams after contact with the moving object.

Abstract: A conformable reflector is attached to the exterior surface of a fluorescent lamp tube in such fashion that it may be wrapped closely about the fluorescent lamp during shipping and handling, and upon installation of the fluorescent lamp-reflector system within a lighting fixture, the reflector may be extended to a position separated from the fluorescent lamp tube to form a reflecting surface which focuses the light emitted by the fluorescent lamp in a desired direction. The reflector may be permanently affixed to the fluorescent lamp tube, or may be fastened to the tube by adjustable collars which allow variation in the position of the reflector relative to the lighting fixture as desired by the user.

Abstract: A class of non-stoichiometric class of cerium and terbium co-activated magnesium aluminate phosphors is disclosed which are particularly useful in low pressure type fluorescent lamps. Said phosphor materials can be further combined with other phosphors to produce white color illumination in said type lamps. A general method for preparation of said phosphor materials is disclosed wherein the emission characteristics can be regulated to advantage.

Abstract: Incandescent lamps having an outer envelope with their outer surface sandblasted except at the neck section and the inner surface electrostatically coated are disclosed. The combination of the sandblasting and electrostatic coating provides the incandescent lamp with a diffused light output. The absence of sandblasting at the neck section reduces the breakage of the outer envelope at the region of joinder of the outer envelope to the base of the incandescent lamp.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor lamp comprising an alumina arc tube within an outer glass envelope is provided with a capacitive starting aid in the interenvelope space. The aid comprises a stiff wire which is pressed lengthwise against the side of the arc tube by a bimetal arm swinging in a plane normal to the lamp axis. Preferably the wire has a camber concave towards the arc tube which is flattened out at room temperature. In the event of a reclosure, the camber shortens the hot restart time.

Abstract: Increased optical transmission is provided for a body of optically transparent polycrystalline alumina by coating at least one major surface of said alumina body with a solid glaze coating and subsequently melting said coating at elevated temperatures to dissolve the surface alumina grains in physical content therewith to provide a smoother surface when the coating residue has been removed. More particularly, a solid glaze coating is first deposited on said major surface of the alumina body and the coated alumina body thereafter heated to sufficiently elevated temperatures for the glaze liquification whereupon surface alumina grains in physical contact therewith are dissolved in a manner which reduces the high spots on the individual surface alumina grains without materially introducing low spots at the grain boundaries and wherein the individual alumina surface grains have been preferentially etched in certain of the crystalline axis directions.

Abstract: A class of non-stoichiometric class of cerium and terbium co-activated magnesium aluminate phosphors is disclosed which are particularly useful in low pressure type fluorescent lamps. Said phosphor materials can be further combined with other phosphors to produce white color illumination in said type lamps. A general method for preparation of said phosphor materials is disclosed wherein the emission characteristics can be regulated to advantage.

Abstract: Zero crossing synchronous AC switching circuits are provided which employ piezoelectric ceramic bender-type switching devices for use in supplying loads of a resistive, inductive or capacitive nature. The circuits include zero crossing sensing sub-circuits for sensing the passage through zero value of a supply source of alternating current voltage and/or current and for deriving zero crossing timing signals representative of the occurrance of the zero crossings. The zero crossing timing signals are employed to control operation of a bender energizing potential control sub-circuit for selectively controlling application or removal of a bender energizing potential across the piezoelectric bender member of the bender-type switching devices.

Abstract: A power supply for providing multiple operating potentials to a load switching controller is capable of providing constant voltage d.c. outputs from any of a plurality of a.c. voltage sources including the full range of power supply voltages and frequencies commonly used in various geographic locations throughout the world. The power switching element on-time is controlled by sensing the output voltage levels and providing feedback control of the switching element. A status circuit provides an indication of either an overvoltage of an undervoltage condition.

Abstract: A ballast circuit arrangement for providing a predetermined desired A.C. voltage to enhance the operation of the gas discharge tube serving as the main light source in a lighting unit of the type which also comprises an incandescent filament serving as a resistive element and a supplementary light source is disclosed. The circuit arrangement operates directly from an applied 220 volt, 50 Hz or 120 volt, 60 Hz alternating current (A.C.) voltage source. The circuit arrangement comprises a capacitor connected serially with both the incandescent filament and the gas discharge tube. If desired, the incandescent filament may be replaced with a resistive element. The value of the capacitor is selected so as to reduce the applied 220 volt, 50 Hz or 120 volt, 60 Hz A.C. source to a desired range for operating the circuit in a manner to develop a desired reduced voltage for operation of the gas discharge tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp utilizing a dual phosphor layer coating is disclosed producing efficient white color illumination at a lower cost than conventional phosphor coatings of the same type. The base layer in the phosphor coating comprises a conventional calcium haloapatite phosphor whereas the top phosphor layer comprises a tri-phosphor blend including a lanthanum cerium orthophosphate phosphor activated with terbium ion as the green color component along with a modified europium-activated yttrium oxide phosphor as the red color component.

Abstract: A pin grid array package is disclosed for an integrated circuit chip having a preformed main body member of a first synthetic organic polymer with a central cavity in which the integrated circuit chip is mounted, a metallized layer of a second synthetic organic polymer being bonded to said preformed main body member for electrical interconnection to the chip, and with terminal pins protruding from said preformed main body member as a means to further electrically interconnect the chip to exterior electrical terminals. A method to form said main body member is also disclosed using a thermoplastic polymer wherein the terminal pins along with a recessed base element provided in said body member for improved thermal conductivity are included when said main body member is first molded. A further method whereby the integrated circuit chip is assembled in said plastic carrier package is also disclosed.