Abstract: A low wattage tungsten-halogen lamp with an improved filament construction comprising a pair of selectively activated filaments, each having a plurality of coil turns, being intercoupled by a relatively short intermediate member. Preferably, both of the filaments and the intermediate member are formed from a single wire. The spacing between turns of each filament is greater about the central portion of the filament than at the opposed end portions thereof, thereby enhancing visible radiation. Xenon gas, at a pressure of fifteen atmospheres, is preferably used as the inert gas fill for the lamp due to its low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A lighting system for a motor vehicle including a plurality of replaceable, sealed lighting modules and means for mounting the modules in the vehicle in a pair of spaced-apart linear, horizontally disposed arrays. Each array possesses a maximum height of only about two inches and a width greater than the array height. All of the modules are similar and each includes a reflector with a lighting capsule mounted therein. The front of the module is enclosed by means of a optically clear cover exclusive of lens elements. A lens means is separately mounted in front of each array of lighting modules for controlling the light emitted therefrom to in turn provide both high and low beam patterns for the vehicle. Each of the arrays comprises four similar modules, resulting in a system containing a total of eight such components.

Abstract: A single-ended metal halide discharge lamp includes a plurality of fill gases selected to provide essentially white light at a plurality of distances from a pair of spaced electrodes and to combine the radiation from the multiple distances to provide white light with minimal color separation from the discharge lamp. Also, a method for providing spectral uniformity from a discharge lamp is provided wherein the emitted color and distance from a longitudinal axis provided by a plurality of fill gases is observed, fill gases are selected to provide white light emission at a plurality of distances from the longitudinal axis and the selected fill gases are combined to provide white light with minimal color separation from the discharge lamp.

Abstract: A lens member for use in a motor vehicle and adapted for being mounted in a recess within a front, contoured surface of the motor vehicle. The system especially designed for using the invention includes a plurality of separate lighting modules, each in turn including a light source and reflector means. The lens member comprises a hollow, enclosed, single piece lens element having a front, clear surface positioned to coincide with the vehicle's front, contoured surface so as to enhance aerodynamic performance of the lighting system (as well as the vehicle), a rear lensing portion positioned substantially at a predetermined angle (i.e., 0 to 30 degrees) relative to the front, planar surface of the modules located adjacent thereto, and side and bottom walls for enclosing the lens member to provide a sealed, dirt-free component.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method of fabricating an arc tube, particularly a miniaturized arc tube having precise geometry and requiring exact electrode alignment. The improved method divides the press sealing operation into two distinct steps. In the first or preforming step, the ends of the arc tube are heated and preformed such that the ends have a substantially elliptical cross section; in the second or pressing step, the preformed ends are heated and pressed together to form completed press seals. During each step, the viscosity of the pliable glass remains low so that internal shearing forces are substantially reduced from those experienced in the prior art methods. As a result of the low viscosity during the pressing step, electrode misalignment, tearing of molybdenum foils, and deformation of the midsection of the arc tube are virtually eliminated. An electrode and a starting probe may be inserted with ease into a preformed end because of its flattened cross section.

Abstract: A single-ended metal halide discharge lamp includes a plurality of fill gases selected to provide essentially white light at a plurality of distances from a pair of spaced electrodes and to combine the radiation from the multiple distances to provide white light with minimal color separation from the discharge lamp. Also, a method for providing spectral uniformity from a discharge lamp is provided wherein the emitted color and distance from a longitudinal axis provided by a plurality of fill gases is observed, fill gases are selected to provide white light emission at a plurality of distances from the longitudinal axis and the selected fill gases are combined to provide white light with minimal color separation from the discharge lamp.

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 method of making a photoflash article including a substrate member, a plurality (e.g., ten) of electrically-activated photoflash lamps, and a light-transmitting polymer covering which encapsulates each of the photoflash lamps and is also secured to the substrate member to define a unitary component. The substrate is produced by injection molding with each of the lamps subsequently positioned therein. This assembled component is then either placed within an injection mold apparatus and a predetermined quantity of thermoplastic or thermosetting resin injected therein to define the polymer member, or the polymer is added in liquid form to completely fill each of the substrate member's individual lamp-receiving compartments. The finished article is especially suited for forming part of a completed photoflash device further including circuitry and other items, such as described in the present art.

Abstract: A photoflash unit employing an optical system or apparatus with improved center beam candle power seconds and zonal lumen seconds from the flash lamp therein, said unit also employing a minimized utilization ratio of lamp-to-package cross-sectional area. Each individual lamp capsule comprises a reflective element, a refractive element (lens), and at least one photoflash lamp (light source). The lens provides for lamp shred magnification so as to fill the cell (capsule) width to thus provide maximum transfer of light to the subject on axis. One embodiment has the light source fused (glued) to the reflector and lens while a second embodiment has an air interface between the source and the optical elements. In both embodiments, the lens is aspheric and substantially covers both the reflector and source.

Abstract: A miniature, low-wattage, discharge lamp operable on direct current employs substantially parallel electrodes sealed in a single press seal. The electrodes are configured to provide an arc which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lamp with the cathode being substantially longer than the anode. Heat generated at the anode is dissipated through the seal to the cathode allowing the cathode to operate hot enough to be stable. The chemical fill for the lamp employs a mol ratio of thorium to cesium to permit good light output and good color rendition.

Abstract: An electrically-activated, miniature photoflash unit which includes a plurality (e.g., ten) of subminiature high voltage flash lamps arranged in a planar array. A singular mounting tab protrudes from the unit's housing and serves to connect the entire array when the tab is electrically connected to a power source (e.g., piezoelectric crystal) typically associated with many of today's cameras. Each of the lamps is inverted with respect to the tab and also serve to provide a low resistance circuit path therethrough subsequent to activation thereof.

Abstract: A D.C. operable, miniature, low-wattage, single ended, arc discharge lamp. The cathode electrode includes electrical field modifying means to insure that the arc strikes between the electrode tips. During high pressure (.about.10 atm) operation electrode heating of the anode is dominated by electron bombardment, which creates substantially higher heat at the anode tip than at the cathode tip (the cathode being heated by ion bombardment and cooled by thermionic electron emission). Heat conducted down the anode electrode is dissipated in the single press and contributes to the heat conduction in the closely adjacent cathode electrode thereby reducing the net heat loss therein and helping to maintain the desired cathode temperature.

Abstract: A projection lamp comprises a single-ended metal halide arc discharge lamp disposed within a curved reflector and an interference filter disposed in front of the reflector, the filter being highly transmissive of visible light and reflective of radiation for which the metal halide, in molten salt form, is highly absorptive.

Abstract: A subminiature photoflash lamp which includes a pair of pyrotechnic charges centrally disposed in a parallel, spaced relationship within the lamp's plastic, light-transmitting envelope. Each charge is supported on a respective one of the ends of the lamp's ignition wires and is of a disklike, planar configuration. The parallel spacing of the planar charges provides maximum light output from the lamp by permitting "cross-talking" between both charges during simultaneous ignition thereof. The ignition can be accomplished by the application of a firing pulse such as might be provided by a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A subminiature photoflash lamp which includes a pyrotechnic charge centrally disposed within the lamp's plastic, light-transmitting envelope. The charge is supported on the ends of the lamp's ignition means and is of a disklike, planar configuration to provide maximum light output. Ignition of the lamp can be achieved by application of a firing pulse from a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A single ended, low-wattage, high pressure, metal vapor discharge lamp includes first and second main electrodes and an auxiliary electrode resistively coupled to one of the main electrodes. The lamp provides a glow region remote from the main arc region and keeps wall blackening confined to areas remote from the main arc region. The lamp starts easier and minimizes detrimental glow time.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp which includes a plastic envelope having a flash-producing composition therein. The composition, in loose powder form, is held in position within the envelope prior to ignition by a removable retention means (e.g., cup-shaped paper wad or mica disk). The wad or disk is removed (e.g., ruptured) during the early stages of the flash cycle. A method of making the lamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single ended, short arc, low wattage, high pressure, metal vapor discharge lamp is electrode stabilized and employs arc constrictors selected from the group of lanthanides, actinides and thorium to provide a brightness of 175,000 cd/in.sup.2 when operated at 75 watts.