Abstract: Apparatus for starting and operating a high intensity discharge lamp includes a pair of terminals connectible to an AC service voltage source and coupled by a ballast to an HID lamp with a series connected gated switch and a non-linear dielectric element shunting the HID lamp, a series connected resistor and capacitor shunting the HID lamp and a bidirectional switch coupling the junction of the resistor and capacitor to the gate electrode of the gated switch whereby a delayed pulse of increased magnitude is applied to an HID lamp.

Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp having a glass envelope with a phosphor coated inner surface, a low pressure gas fill and an electrode at each end includes at least one electrode disconnected switch having a bimetal switch normally closed at room temperature and open at a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature with the bimetal switch connected to the electrode and to an electrical lead extending from the lamp to an energization source.

Abstract: A process for fabricating metal halide discharge lamps wherein a tungsten rod has a pair of spaced starting coils attached thereto and is connected to an electrical conductor. A pair of notches are ground in the tungsten rod adjacent and intermediate the attached coils and the tungsten rod is sealed into a quartz envelope. A laser beam is focused onto the notches of the tungsten rod through the quartz envelope to sever the tungsten rod and provide an arc gap of a given uniform length.

Abstract: A surge voltage arrester assembly includes a threaded tubular housing member coupled to circuit ground and including therein an axially aligned compression spring, metallic cage with extending resilient fingers, a solder pellet, a gas-filled tube having a primary arc gap and insulator means with secondary arc gap holes separating a pair of electrically conductive members contacting the gas-filled tube and metallic cage respectively.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for a lower pressure lamp wherein a voltage divider network coupled by a capacitor and directly coupled to an AC source is shunted by a series connected transistor switch and capacitor filter, and the switch is coupled by a diode to a lamp while a ballast resistor couples the filter capacitor to the lamp. A starter network device includes a glo-bottle starter which couples a transistor switch to the lamp with a resistor coupled to the glo-bottle starter and the transistor switch.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array and fabrication process is provided wherein electrically conductive leads of a plurality of flashlamps are embedded in and wrapped about the ends of a plastic reflector unit which is, in turn, affixed to a circuit board to provide contact between the bent leads and a printed circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a fluorescent lamp having a longitudinal axis and a filament winding at each end includes a pair of terminals formed for connection to a potential source with means for connecting one of the terminals to a filament winding, an incandescent lamp coupling the other terminal to the filament winding at the other end of the fluorescent lamp, a starting aid extending along the longitudinal axis of the fluorescent lamp and an impedance coupling the starting aid to the junction of the incandescent lamp and a filament winding of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array and fabrication process is provided wherein electrically conductive leads of a plurality of flashlamps are embedded in and wrapped about the ends of a plastic reflector unit which is, in turn, affixed to a circuit board to provide contact between the bent leads and a printed circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sensing a mercury dispensing target within an arc-discharge lamp and connecting a DC voltage source thereto to effect current flow and heating of the mercury dispensing target in an amount sufficient to effect dispersion of the mercury within the lamp.

Abstract: Apparatus for starting and operating a discharge lamp includes a starter device having a normally-closed (N/C) switch including a pair of contacts each connected to a bimetal with the bimetals having opposite flexure deviations. Circuitry is provided for coupling one bimetal to a ballast and also to a discharge lamp whereby short-circuit current flows through both bimetals to open the switch and initiate conductivity of a discharge lamp and through one bimetal to maintain the switch operational and continue lamp conductivity.

Abstract: A starter circuit for fluorescent discharge lamps having a high reignition voltage with respect to a peak open circuit voltage wherein a timing and triggering circuit is utilized to delay the application of a the lamp voltage to a starter until the relatively high reignition voltage has passed and a normal lamp operating condition is in effect.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp operable from an AC potential source includes an arc discharge tube having a pair of oppositely disposed main electrodes therein and an associated external starting electrode, all disposed within a sealed envelope having an affixed base with a circuit means including a negative potential blocking device coupling the starting electrode to the AC potential source.

Abstract: A moisture barrier for radiation-responsive switches which includes an admixture of particles and forms a part of a multilamp photoflash array comprises a thin, radiation-transparent and/or translucent coating which is absorbed into the switches and envelopes the individual particles of the admixture.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes the steps of forming a printed circuit board having electrical contact pads thereon and a plurality of shaped holes having a wire-receiving portion and a tapered portion extending therefrom, selecting a photoflash lamp having conductive leads, threading the conductive leads through the wire-receiving portion and urging the conducting leads into the tapered portion of the shaped holes and affixing the conductive leads to the electrical contact pads.

Abstract: Apparatus for starting and operating a discharge lamp includes a starting device having bimetals and a rigid conductive member forming a switch, a ballast coupling the switch to an AC source and a discharge lamp and a spark gap each shunting the starting device with the starting device bimetals and rigid conductive device hermetically sealed in a vacuum.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array has a circuit board with a printed circuit thereon and a plurality of flashlamps connected to the printed circuit with a normally open (N/O) switch of electrically insulating material overlaying a portion of the printed circuit and a normally closed (N/C) switch of solid electrically conductive material overlaying the normally open (N/O) switch and portion of the printed circuit to provide a crossover switch. A process for fabricating a crossover switch includes affixing the printed circuit to the circuit board, depositing a normally open (N/O) switch over a portion thereof and attaching a normally closed (N/C) switch of solid electrically conductive material over the printed circuit portion and normally open (N/O) switch to provide a crossover switch.

Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash includes a reflector member disposed within a plastic cover and having a plurality of cavities each containing a flashlamp and a pair of spaced leg members formed for engagement within a camera. A planar support platform is affixed to the reflector member and has a printed circuit on a surface adjacent the reflector member and a tab portion wider than the spaced leg members whereby insertion of the tab portion into a receiving socket is controlled by the width of the tab portion.

Abstract: In a subminiature multilamp photoflash array having a plastic reflector member formed to provide a plurality of cavities each having a flashlamp therein and a flexible back portion, the electrical leads of the flashlamp pass through the reflector member and are positioned intermediate the flexible portion thereof and a printed circuit on a circuit board affixed to the reflector member.

Abstract: An energy saving fluorescent lamp includes an elongated envelope having an interior coating with phosphor and an ionizable fill material, hermetically sealed end walls, an operating electrode affixed inwardly of each end wall and a starting electrode spaced at a lesser distance from each end wall with an electron shielding means adjacent a portion of the starting electrode and intermediate thereto and the operating electrode whereby a reduction in long wattage use is effected.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen incandescent lamp has a hermetically sealed light-transmitting envelope with a fill of inert gas and halogen, a tungsten filament and a preferential tungsten deposition site of palladium material within the envelope.