Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage controller that converts a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage. The voltage controller is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller has a feed-back circuit that adjusts the RMS load voltage to a desired voltage based on a comparison to a preset reference. The voltage converter also includes a switching transistor that pulse width modulates lamp current and that is responsive to the feed-back circuit. The feed-back circuit may be included in a microcontroller that has a time-based signal source that triggers the transistor, a comparator that compares the load voltage to a reference, and a program that adjusts the time-based signal source based on the comparison so as to provide the desired RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A method of converting a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage in a lamp includes the steps of pulse width modulating a load voltage with a pulse width modulation circuit, triggering conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit independently of a line voltage magnitude with a time-based signal source that defines a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit, and adjusting the RMS load voltage to the desired RMS load voltage by adjusting the triggering of conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit based on a comparison of the RMS load voltage to a reference.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage conversion circuit entirely within a lamp base. The voltage conversion circuit includes a pulse width modulator for modulating a lamp load voltage and provides a load voltage to a light emitting element. A feed-back circuit adjusts the pulse width modulator in response to the load voltage to cause an RMS load voltage to reach a predetermined level.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes a hysteresis control network. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element. The triac phase-controlled dimming circuit may be built for a specific line voltage.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes plural resistors connected to each other in parallel, each of the resistors being series-connected to a respective fuse, each of which has a different breaking current corresponding to voltage present at the line. A resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit is fixed by breaking at least one fuse in response to the first voltage. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes a voltage controlled resistor (VCR) that varies a resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit as the first voltage varies so as to maintain the second voltage substantially constant. The VCR may be a junction field effect transistor VCR. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes a voltage controlled resistor that varies a resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit as the first voltage varies so as to maintain the second voltage substantially constant. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element.

Abstract: A lamp (10) includes an envelope (12) having a body (14) with a light source capsule (16) contained therein and ending in a hollow base (18) that terminates in a conical end (20). A circuit board (22) is positioned within the hollow base (18) and includes a triangular portion (24) that is closely fitted within the conical end (20). A temperature sensitive, voltage reducing component (28a) is positioned near the apex (30) of the triangular portion (24).

Abstract: An electric lamp may be formed from a lamp capsule including an electric light source enclosed in an envelope. A skirt mechanically couples to the base, and extends from the base to a lip edge offset axially from the threaded exterior wall. The lamp includes a reflector having an interior side with a reflective portion, an exterior side, the reflector being formed with an interior wall defining a through passage extending between the interior side and the exterior side. The lamp capsule is extended through the through passage to locate the light source opposite the reflective portion. The skirt defines an isolated cavity retaining the seal end of the lamp capsule, and may further include an insulation plate intermediate the lamp and any circuitry.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp may be formed from a shell having an exterior side and an interior side defining a cavity, and with an internal wall defining a through passage extending from the exterior side to the interior side. A light source is located in the cavity facing the interior side, and coupled to electric lamp leads extending through the passage. A heat radiator assembly is adjacent the exterior side, and includes heat-dissipating surfaces exposed to air. An integral power supply is enclosed in the heat radiator assembly and electrically connected to the light source through the electric lamp leads. A threaded base having exterior electrical contact points is electrically connected through base leads to the integral power supply. The shell, radiator assembly and base are mechanically coupled as a unit. A lens may cover the shell to enclose the cavity and light source.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen or HID parabolic reflector lamp construction and assembly method is described that improves lamp performance by increasing the area of the parabolic reflective surface while reducing manufacturing cost by simplifying assembly. The reflector has a small opening just large enough to accommodate the light source capsule and a reverse draft angle in the neck. The capsule is attached directly or indirectly to a standard medium screw threaded base minimizing the number of separate lamp components and assembly operations.

Abstract: A method of converting a line voltage to an RMS load voltage in a lamp includes performing phase-control clipping of a load voltage with a phase-control clipping circuit. Conduction in the phase-control clipping circuit is triggered independently of a line voltage magnitude during time periods spanning polarity changes of the load voltage that are separated by intervals when conduction is not triggered using a time-based pulse source so as to define a conduction angle of the phase-control clipping circuit.

Abstract: A lamp contains a lamp voltage conversion circuit which includes a forward/reverse hybrid phase-control clipping circuit that clips a load voltage and provides an RMS load voltage to the lamp. The phase-control clipping circuit has a time-based pulse source that triggers conduction of the phase-control clipping circuit independently of line voltage magnitude during time periods spanning polarity changes of the load voltage that are separated by intervals when conduction is not triggered.

Abstract: A phase-control power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a fixed phase forward/reverse hybrid phase-control clipping circuit that performs phase-control clipping of a load voltage to provide an RMS load voltage. A conduction angle of the phase-control clipping circuit is defined by a time-based pulse source that triggers conduction in the phase-control clipping circuit independently of line voltage magnitude during time periods that span polarity changes of the load voltage and that are separated by intervals when conduction is not triggered. The phase-control clipping circuit includes a transistor switch whose gate receives positive polarity signals from the time-based pulse source to trigger conduction of the phase-control clipping circuit. The power controller may be in a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage at a lamp terminal to the RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp.

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a conduction angle of a phase-control clipping circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the conduction angle of the phase-control clipping circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a conduction angle or duty cycle is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases a rate and/or duration of the signals from the time-based signal source in successive cycles of the load voltage to provide the soft start. The power controller may be in a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage at a lamp terminal to the RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp.

Abstract: A lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit which converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage by clipping or modulating a load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit includes a time-based signal source that triggers conduction in the voltage conversion circuit independently of line voltage magnitude. A transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source triggers the voltage conversion circuit. A microcontroller increases one of a rate and a duration of the signals from the time-based signal source sent to the gate of the transistor switch when starting the lamp.

Abstract: A phase-control power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a phase-control circuit connected to the line and load terminals and having an RC network that clips the load voltage. A load sensing circuit is connected across the load terminals that senses the load voltage and provides a DC signal that is related to an RMS load voltage. A comparison circuit is connected to the phase-control circuit and the load sensing circuit and compares the DC signal to a reference and adjusts a resistance of the RC network in response to the comparison of the DC signal to the reference to control the RMS load voltage.