Abstract: An arc discharge metal halide lamp for use in selected lighting fixtures comprising a discharge chamber having light permeable walls of a selected shape including therein a pair of end region wall portions through each of which a corresponding one of a pair of electrodes are supported separated from one another by a separation length. The ratio of the separation length to the effective operation inner diameter of the chamber is greater than two. The lengths of the wall sides between the end wall portions is greater than the effective operation inner diameter. The end wall portions have inner surfaces of constant or smaller varying radii of curvature and they are separated from the interior ends of the electrodes by more than one millimeter. The discharge chamber can be constructed of polycrystalline alumina and contain metal halides.

Abstract: An arc discharge metal halide lamp for use in selected lighting fixtures having a discharge chamber with light permeable ceramic walls about a discharge region. A pair of electrodes are supported in the discharge region spaced apart from one another. Ionizable materials are provided in the discharge region comprising mercury, a noble gas, and at least two metal halides including a magnesium halide and a sodium halide, a rare earth clement, and thallium iodide in a molar quantity which is between 0.7 and 5% of that total molar quantity of all halides present in the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An arc discharge metal halide lamp for use in selected lighting fixtures having a discharge chamber with light permeable ceramic walls about a discharge region. A pair of electrodes are supported in the discharge region spaced apart from one another. Ionizable materials are provided in the discharge region comprising mercury, a noble gas, and at least two metal halides including a magnesium halide and a sodium halide, a rare earth element, and thallium iodide in a molar quantity which is between 0.7 and 5% of that total molar quantity of all halides present in the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A [thallium free] high pressure ceramic metal halide lamp having superior dimming characteristics with a fill composition including MgI2 and/or MgBr2.

Abstract: A discharge chamber for an arc discharge metal halide lamp having light permeable walls bounding a discharge region in which ionizable materials are provided with at least one electrode accommodation opening therein extending along a selected path between that discharge region and a region outside those walls. An electrode arrangement extends through the electrode accommodation opening having therein a thin electrical conductor positioned at least in part therein with a major surface that has surface curvature in at least some of those portions thereof positioned in said electrode accommodation opening to be in one of many alternative configurations. A sealing frit of mixed metal oxides is positioned about at least a portion of the thin electrical conductor within the electrode accommodation opening both at the major surface thereof and on an opposite side thereof.

Abstract: An arc discharge metal halide lamp for use in selected lighting fixtures having a discharge chamber with light permeable ceramic walls of a selected shape about a discharge region of a selected volume. A pair of electrodes are supported in the discharge region separated from one another by a separation length. The separation length is in a ratio to the effective inner diameter that is greater than four. Ionizable materials are provided in the discharge region comprising a quantity of mercury in a ratio to the discharge region volume that is less than 4 mg/cm3, a noble gas, praseodymium halide, and sodium halide.

Abstract: A method and system of modifying one feature of a high-pressure lamp without significantly affecting the other features, the features including the luminosity, the color rendering index, the color temperature, or the deviation from the black body locus (DUV). An arc discharge is initiated within the arc tube with a ballast imposing an alternating current waveform on the electrodes. In this way, the electrodes change from positive to negative in each cycle of operation. The waveform of each cycle is modified through the ballast to energize one electrode as positive or negative for a longer time than the other electrode, thereby altering the temperature distribution within the arc tube by changing the cold spot and hot spot temperatures in a lamp which has modifiable emission features.

Abstract: This invention relates to dimmable metal halide lamps using ceramic arc tubes for the application of energy saving, mood control, and constant light output over the life of the lamp. Under dimmed conditions, as low as 50% of rated wattage, the color temperature (CCT) can remain substantially the same and be perceived by the viewer as a constant color light source. Furthermore, the invention improves the color rendering index (CRI) and the efficacy of the lamp under dimmed operation. Such improvements are provided by placing a metal shield on an end of the arc tube, whereby the emissivity of the shield is lower than the emissivity of the ceramic in the arc tube, whereby cold spot temperature in the lamp is increased, even under dimmed conditions.

Abstract: Variable backspace in electrode assemblies for high pressure sodium lamps is achieved by employing a hollow electrode base which has one end formed to frictionally engage an electrode, which electrode includes a solid core having a coil about one end thereof. The solid core is inserted into the electrode base a given distance and is maintained in this position by friction until welding is accomplished. The electrode base is provided with a positioning ring which is formed at the time the base is first formed. The electrode assemblies can be utilized with lamps having different arc lengths while using arc tubes having the same size.

Abstract: A starting aid for high pressure sodium vapor lamps eliminates the need to mechanically connect an ignition wire to the lamp frame. The starting aid employs an ignition wire which is slidably clipped directly to the arc tube at one end and which is connected to a bi-metallic switch at the other end. The bi-metallic switch is mechanically and electrically connected to one power lead of the arc tube.

Abstract: Variable backspace in electrode assemblies for high pressure sodium lamps is achieved by employing a hollow electrode base which has one end formed to frictionally engage an electrode, which electrode includes a solid core having a coil about one end thereof. The solid core is inserted into the electrode base a given distance and is maintained in this position by friction until welding is accomplished. The electrode base is provided with a positioning ring which is formed at the time the base is first formed. The electrode assemblies can be utilized with lamps having different arc lengths while using arc tubes having the same size.

Abstract: A lamp base locking clip comprises a first end having a given thickness; an intermediate portion having a thickness at least approximately 3 times said given thickness and a second end having said given thickness. The intermediate portion is defined by opposed, space apart, first and second surfaces, said first end being contiguous with said first surface and said second end being contiguous with said second surface. In a preferred embodiment the clip is formed from a single piece of ribbon material and said intermediate portion is formed by folding said ribbon to have two reentrant portions. The preferred embodiment is especially suited for automation.

Abstract: A lamp base locking clip comprises a first end having a given thickness; an intermediate portion having a thickness at least approximately 3 times said given thickness and a second end having said given thickness. The intermediate portion is defined by opposed, space apart, first and second surfaces, said first end being contiguous with said first surface and said second end being contiguous with said second surface. In a preferred embodiment the clip is formed from a single piece of ribbon material and said intermediate portion is formed by folding said ribbon to have two reentrant portions. The preferred embodiment is especially suited for automation.

Abstract: A base for a position-dependent lamp comprises an inner shell, an outer shell, an aperture in said outer shell, and a hollow pin projecting from said aperture, said pin having a substantially tubular body with a pair of oppositely disposed wings extending from an end thereof, said wings having a length about two and one half to three times the height of said body and being sandwiched between said inner shell and said outer shell. The extended wings add stability to the pin and eliminate the use of lead-based solder in the lamp manufacture.

Abstract: A lamp base locking clip including a plate having a lip extending outwardly on one end, and a flat portion on the opposite end, is captured in a keyway formed in the glass neck of a lamp body. One of the lamp lead-in wires is welded to the flat portion of the clip and a rim on a lamp base shell is welded to the outwardly extending lip, thus forming a lamp-base assembly with good torque resistance and no lead-based solder.

Abstract: A starting aid for high pressure sodium vapor lamps eliminates the need to mechanically connect an ignition wire to the lamp frame. The starting aid employs an ignition wire which is slidably clipped directly to the arc tube at one end and which is connected to a bi-metallic switch at the other end. The bi-metallic switch is mechanically and electrically connected to one power lead of the arc tube.