Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp unit for use with a three-way incandescent-type lamp fixture. The compact fluorescent lamp unit includes a compact fluorescent discharge device of predetermined configuration, a ballast inductor and two capacitors, and housing and support means for supporting the discharge device and housing the ballast inductor. When the switch of the incandescent-type lamp fixture is switched the compact fluorescent discharge device is switched, successively, from a deenergized state; to a low-light output state; to a medium-light output state; and, finally, to a high-light output state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expressing as a number the relative brightness of artificial illumination as it is perceived by the average observer. There is extracted (i.e., detected) from the illumination to be measured, a blue-appearing narrow band, a green-appearing narrow band, a yellow-appearing narrow band and a red-orange-appearing narrow band. From these extracted bands are generated six different signals: a signal expressed as (aB) where (a) is about 0.23 and (B) is the watts of energy in the blue band, a signal expressed as (bG) where (b) is about 0.97 and (G) is the watts of energy in the green band, a signal expressed as (cR) where (c) is about 0.33 and (R) is the watts of energy in the red-orange band, a signal expressed as (dY) where (d) is about 0.19 and (Y) is the watts of energy in the yellow band, a signal expressed as (eG) where (e) is about 0.25 and (G) is the watts of energy in the green band, and a signal expressed as (fR) where (f) is about 0.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp conversion unit for use in combination with the residential incandescent-type lamp fixture. The fixture is of the type intended for operation with a lamp shade of predetermined dimensions. The fluorescent lamp conversion unit includes lamp and lamp shade supporting means including a rigid hollow elongated member for supporting a fluorescent lamp of the compact type having an elongated envelope which has a double-U-bend to present a compact design thereby enabling the lamp to be enclosed by the lamp shade.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having a triple-U-bent tubular envelope is combined with circuit means, a translucent protective cover and a threaded base member to provide an efficient screw-in type lamp unit of high brightness and long life that is compact enough to be used as a direct replacement for incandescent type lamps in fixtures designed for residential and commercial lighting. Various structural arrangements for including the ballast and starter components of the energizing circuit as integral parts of the compact lamp unit, despite the stringent space limitations, and also venting the cover and base structures to provide convection cooling of the compacted electrical components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight starting and operating ballasting means for starting and operating a fluorescent lamp means from a household source of AC energy. The ballasting means has elements which perform with the lamp means in a starting mode and an operating mode. In the operating mode with a low-pressure mercury discharge existing between the lamp electrodes, the lamp means is ballasted solely by a series-connected resistor means and capacitor means.

Abstract: Composite base member for operatively retaining a compact, single-ended fluorescent lamp which has an elongated but retroflexed or curved envelope. The base member has a hollow body with a mounting means which divides the hollow body into two sections. A ballast inductor is mounted on one side of the mounting means and a ballast capacitor is mounted on the other side of the mounting means so that the two components are separated, with the ambient atmosphere facilitating ballast component cooling. The mounting means also has the lamp mounted thereon. The composite base member is compact and relatively light and the ballast components operate in series circuit as a lead-type ballast, with the efficiency of operation being good.

Abstract: Add-on device for connection in series with one lamp of a two-lamp rapid-start fluorescent light system to reduce by a predetermined amount the nominal power consumption and light output of the system. The device has normally closed relay contacts which are in circuit with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps and a power-reducing capacitor is in shunt with one of the relay contacts. Upon turning on the system, a solid-state time-delay and relay-coil-energizing circuit is actuated which opens the relay contacts only after the lamps have been started and are operating with nominal power consumption. This places the shunt capacitor in series with the operating lamps and reduces the nominal power consumption by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A single-ended fluorescent lamp having a partitioned envelope is coupled to a threaded screw-in type base and a module that contains a miniaturized electronic circuit which permits the lamp to be started and operated on direct current from an AC power source. The resulting compact fluorescent lamp unit can thus be used as a direct replacement for incandescent lamps in fixtures that are designed for residential and commercial lighting. Cataphoretic pumping and accumulation of the mercury vapor in the vicinity of the cathode during DC operation and short-circuiting of the partition by the arc discharge are both prevented by a diaphragm assembly at the electrode-end of the envelope which includes a porous gasket of fibrous material that is permeable to mercury vapor but constitutes an impenetrable barrier to the arc.

Abstract: There is provided in combination with a rapid-start series-sequence type ballast for two low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, apparatus for reducing the power consumption of both lamps. The apparatus utilizes switch means in conjunction with a capacitor to limit the current supply to the lamps after the lamps are energized. The switch means has two members in series circuit arrangement with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps. Each member is connected on opposite sides of the electrode. The capacitor is connected in parallel circuit arrangement with one of the members. Initially upon energization the switch means has a low impedance state to permit current flow and then switches to a high impedance state. The switch means permits preheating of the electrode and thereafter upon response to current flow switches and causes the lamp current to pass through the capacitor and thereby decrease by a predetermined amount the current through the normally operating lamps.

Abstract: There is provided in combination with a rapid-start series-sequence type ballast for two low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, apparatus for reducing the power consumption of both lamps. The apparatus utilizes switch means in conjunction with a capacitor to limit the current supply to the lamps after the lamps are energized. The switch means has two members in series circuit arrangement with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps. Each member is connected on opposite sides of the electrode. The capacitor is connected in parallel circuit arrangement with one of the members. Initially upon energization the switch means has a low impedance state to permit current flow and then switches to a high impedance state. The switch means permits preheating of the electrode and thereafter upon response to current flow switches and causes the lamp current to pass through the capacitor and thereby decrease by a predetermined amount the current through the normally operating lamps.