Abstract: A flash assembly which uses an elongated arc discharge flash tube positioned within a reflector. A trigger bar member fits within a slot of the reflector and is located adjacent the tube. The reflector, trigger bar, and the contacts which electrically connect the electrodes projecting from the tube to a suitable power source are mounted within an insulative base. The invention is particularly suited for use within a camera assembly.

Abstract: An improved projection unit which comprises a glass reflector, incandescent lamp (e.g. tungsten halogen), and means for maintaining the lamp in established alignment within the reflector. The alignment means includes a retention member which clamps the sealed end portion of the lamp and is designed for rotative positioning within the reflector's neck portion. The retention member and lamp are removable and permit facile replacement thereof.

Abstract: A cathode support assembly includes an apertured ceramic member, an apertured spring washer, and a dual diameter eyelet having an outwardly crimped portion and a peened end portion exerting a force on the ceramic member and spring washer therebetween. In the fabrication process, the ceramic member and spring washer are telescoped over the eyelet and into contact with the crimped portion and the end of the eyelet is peened into contact therewith to exert a force thereon.

Abstract: A starter element for a high power gas transport laser having cathode and anode electrodes connected across a constant current DC power supply comprises a wire-like conductor connected in parallel with the cathode to the negative terminal of the power supply and extending between the cathode and anode parallel to the gas flow transversely of and spaced closely to the middle of the cathode. The free end of the starter element extends approximately 1 cm. beyond the downstream edge of the cathode and, when the output potential of the DC power supply is applied, causes a breakdown of the gas due to the high field strength at the starter end, producing an electrical discharge between that end and the central portion of the cathode. This induces the main electric discharge between the cathode and anode.

Abstract: There is provided a cathode ray tube-base combination wherein a resilient electrically insulating insert is incorporated to provide arc prevention between adjacent tube pins having a high electrical potential difference therebetween. The resilient insert has discretely contoured surfaces formed to provide arc inhibiting barriers when compressively mated with the respective tube closure and base member.

Abstract: A receiver incorporating a phase-locked loop to demodulate a signal comprising a plurality of distinct baseband components is disclosed. The loop filter circuit includes an adjustable resistive element for varying the loop damping factor, thereby providing optimum separation of the baseband components. In addition, the loop filter circuit provides a bandpass high-frequency noise output to a noise-activated muting circuit.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising two parallel columns of horizontally disposed lamps mounted in a planar array with flash indicators aligned behind each lamp. The lamps of one column are staggered with respect to the other, and the two columns are located on opposite sides of the vertical centerline of the unit. The lamps are connected to switching circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps in response to firing pulses applied to a connector at one end of the unit. The two columns of staggered lamps are positioned so that the lowest lamp is located on the side of the unit centerline opposite that on which the lens axis is located when the unit is connected to a camera, thereby farther removing the closest lamp from the lens axis to minimize the "red-eye" effect. The switching circuitry is connected to provide an order of flashing that proceeds alternately between the two columns from the lowest to the highest lamp of the array, thereby providing a more readily interpretable flash indicator pattern.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp-reflector module for use in a photoflash unit having a plurality of such lamp-reflector modules arranged in a compact array. Each reflector has a substantially parabolic surface with a centrally disposed elongated cylindrical recess having a longitudinally extending central slot. The associated tubular lamp is nested within the recessed portion of the reflector, whereby an oversized lamp is accommodated by the reflector with little or no loss of light output.

Abstract: A low-cost, portable copier for exposing a photosensitized sheet through a stencil placed thereon. The sheet and stencil, in the form of a "sandwich", are positioned on the copier's cover member which is then pivoted to a closed position against the copier's housing. A flash lamp article, including a tapered casing having a percussively-ignitable flash lamp therein, is inserted within the housing and activated by a resilient cantilever member located therein.

Abstract: A network for combining a switchable and variable tuning voltage with an AFC voltage so as to effect a change in the tuning control voltage at a tuner's tuning control terminal is disclosed. The network compensates for time delays associated with the AFC time-constant in a manner such that the tuning control voltage responds in proportion to and substantially instantaneously with changes in the tuning voltage. The compensation reduces the probability of AFC false-locking phenomena when, for example, switching from one channel of a television receiver to another.

Abstract: This invention relates to a CeYMg Aluminate fluorescent lamp phosphor which emits ultraviolet radiation in a preferred region of the electromagnetic spectrum proven useful for the treatment of psoriasis. The phosphor in fluorescent lamps shows improved performance for this application over other phosphors known to the art.

Abstract: A removable pin-aligning insert is formed for positioning within a substantially tubular, pin isolating means of a cathode ray tube base. This insert assures positive alignment of the respective isolated tube connector pin within the tubular, pin isolating means from the time the base is applied to the tube until subsequent utilization.

Abstract: Heat activated means are provided for applying areas of external pressure to the periphery of the panel portion of a cathode ray tube envelope during heat processing. The pressure is directly related to the heat cycle to which the tube envelope is subjected, and induces a state of compression in particularly the panel portion thereby minimizing the occurrence of implosions.

Abstract: A compact photoflash unit comprising a plurality of flashlamps having lead-in wires connected to a circuit board containing thereon radiation-sensitive switching circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. Electrically conductive reflector panels are positioned between the lamps and the circuit board, and a sheet of electrically insulating material is interposed between the reflectors and the circuit board to prevent shorting of the circuitry on the circuit board by the conductive reflector. The insulating sheet, which may be of transparent plastic, is provided with T-shaped tabs which interlock with slots in the circuit board to secure the aligned position of the insulating sheet thereon. In assembling the photoflash unit, the insulating sheet is placed on the circuit board prior to mounting the lamps, and the T-shaped tabs of the sheet are inserted in the circuit board slots to secure the aligned location of holes in the insulating sheet with lamp-mounting eyelets in the circuit board.

Abstract: A flashlamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps disposed on an elongated support member. Firing of the flashlamps is accomplished using a spring-loaded ratchet, a movable carriage, and a striking mechanism, e.g. helical torsion spring, positioned on the movable carriage and in engagement with the ratchet. The spring engages and fires each of the lamps in response to the movement of the ratchet and carriage within the support member. A selective firing mechanism for the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and measuring the values of radio frequency (RF) signals comprises two intermediate frequency (IF) channels having mixers fed by local oscillators (LO) with output frequencies having a predetermined frequency difference. The LO frequencies are selected to produce IFs from overlapping or coincident RF bands which are higher and lower, respectively, than the LO frequencies. The outputs of the mixers are measured in identical frequency discriminators, respectively, and the outputs of the discriminators are compared by logic circuits which determine the presence of signals in either or both of the channels and the value of the corresponding RF signal. This receiver eliminates the need for an RF preselector for the superheterodyne process and thereby broadens the RF bandwidth receiving capability of the system.

Abstract: An improved flashlamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps disposed on an elongated support member. Firing of the flashlamps is accomplished using a spring-loaded ratchet, a movable carriage, and a striking mechanism, e.g. helical torsion spring, positioned on the movable carriage and in engagement with the ratchet. The spring engages and fires each of the lamps in response to the movement of the ratchet and carriage within the support member. The improvement comprises a movable retention means for fixedly retaining the assembly's carriage prior to the selective firing of the flashlamps. An improved selective firing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement in a television receiver circuit for producing rapid discharge of the capacitors of the primary d.c. power supply upon turn-off of the receiver. The disclosed improvement eliminates the need for conventionally used bleeder resistors by the addition of a direct coupling means to existing horizontal sweep circuitry to derive a current which switches the horizontal driver transistor to continuous conduction upon turn-off of the receiver, thereby rapidly discharging the capacitors of the main power supply.

Abstract: A digital gain control system is disclosed. A clock oscillator drives a counter which in turn provides an output to a D/A converter. The analog output of the converter is used to develop a signal for controlling the gain of a gain-controlled amplifier. In order to compensate for the nonlinear gain versus control current characteristic of the amplifier, additional circuitry is employed so that the initial increment in control current, that is, the increment that occurs as the counter goes from the 0000 to the 0001 state, is significantly greater than the remaining increments. In conjunction with volume control circuitry for audio amplifiers, this circuitry assures a muted condition in the 0000 state, and an audio output corresponding to at least the minimum discernible level in the 0001 state.