Abstract: A lamp comprises a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode or a laser diode which emits blue light, and a phosphor composition which absorbs the blue light having a first spectrum from the light emitting element and emits light having a second spectrum. The phosphor composition comprises at least one of Ba2MgSi2O7:Eu2+; Ba2SiO4:Eu2+; and (Sr,Ca,Ba)(Al,Ga)2S4:Eu2+. The invention also relates to a light emitting element which emits blue light, and a phosphor composition which absorbs the blue light from the light emitting element having a first spectrum and emits light having a second spectrum, wherein the spectral luminous efficacy of light emitted by the lamp is at least 550 lumens per watt. The high spectral luminous efficacy of the output spectrum efficiently converts the power input to the lamp into lumens to provide a high brightness. For example the device luminous efficacy of the lamp can be 35-45 lumens output per watt of input electric power or more.

Abstract: A current limiting device comprises at least two electrodes; an electrically conducting composite material between the electrodes; interfaces between the electrodes and electrically conducting composite material; an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance at the interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and at least a partial physical separation at the interfaces; and a structure for exerting compressive pressure on the electrically conducting composite material, wherein the electrically conducting composite material comprises at least one polymer matrix and at least one conductive filler.

Abstract: A current limiting device comprises at least two electrodes; an electrically conducting composite material between the electrodes; interfaces between the electrodes and electrically conducting composite material; an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance at the interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and at least a partial physical separation at the interfaces; and a structure for exerting compressive pressure on the electrically conducting composite material, wherein the electrically conducting composite material comprises at least one polymer matrix and at least one conductive filler.

Abstract: A current limiter device comprises at least two electrodes; an interlocked-array electrically conductive composite material disposed between the electrodes; interfaces disposed between the electrodes; an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance at the interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and physical separation at the interfaces; and means for exerting compressive pressure on the electrically conducting composite material. The interlocked-array electrically conductive composite material comprises an interlocked-array of spaced apart discrete regions of at least one insulating flexible material and at least one electrically conductive composite material. A method for forming the interlocked-array electrically conductive composite material structure is also set forth by the invention.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode containing a first electrode, a second electrode, at least one organic light emitting layer, and an output coupler which reduces a Fresnel loss is provided. The index of refraction of the output coupler is matched to that of the adjacent layer of the device. The output coupler may be a dimpled transparent material or a composite layer containing light scattering particles to also reduce a critical angle loss.

Abstract: An exemplary lighting apparatus comprises a light source such as an LED, a transmissive body optically coupled to the light source, and at least one region of luminescent material formed on a portion of the transmissive body, the at least one region of luminescent material forming an ornamental design on the transmissive body, wherein the at least one region of luminescent material absorbs light having a first spectrum transmitted through the transmissive body and emits light having a second spectrum outside of the transmissive body. The lighting apparatus can be used in a decorative manner, such as for holiday lighting or as a display. The lighting apparatus can be used to display a variety of patterns and shapes and can operate safely at low power over a long lifetime.

Abstract: A manually powered apparatus includes a mechanical energy input device that releases mechanical energy. The mechanical energy input device has first and second mechanical energy delivery cycles. A generator is mechanically coupled to the mechanical energy input device. The generator converts released mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy includes first current levels and second current levels that decrease over time. The generator supplies the first current levels in response to the first mechanical energy delivery cycle. The second current levels are supplied in response to the second mechanical energy delivery cycle. A load is connected to the generator. The load requires a predetermined current for operation. The first current level is greater than the predetermined current, and the second current level is less than the predetermined current. An electrical energy storage device is connected between the generator and the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light source comprising a phosphor composition and a light emitting device such as an LED or a laser diode. The phosphor composition absorbs radiation having a first spectrum and emits radiation having a second spectrum and comprises at least one of: YBO3:Ce3+,Tb3+; BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+,Mn2+; (Sr,Ca,Ba)(Al,Ga)2S4:Eu2+; and Y3Al5O12—Ce3+; and at least one of: Y2O2S:Eu3+,Bi3+; YVO4:Eu3+,Bi3+; SrS:Eu2+; SrY2S4:Eu2+; CaLa2S4:Ce3+; and (Ca,Sr)S:Eu2+. The phosphor composition and the light source together can produce white light with pleasing characteristics, such as a color temperature of 3000-6500° K, a color rendering index of about 83-87, and a device luminous efficacy of about 10-20 lumens per watt.

Abstract: An ignition system for a gas appliance comprises an ignition controller that receives a current from a power source. The ignition controller is also coupled to an ignitor and to a current actuated valve that releases a flow of gas when the current is greater than a first predetermined current value and less than a second predetermined current value. Ignition safety for the gas appliance is provided by establishing a fixed range of current through the ignitor before the gas valve is opened.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises the steps of: forming a polycrystalline substrate in a desired shape; converting the polycrystalline substrate into a single crystal substrate using a solid state crystal conversion process; and forming an electronic element on the substrate. Typically, alumina is formed in the shape of a wafer, sintered to form a densified polycrystalline alumina wafer, and heated to a temperature between the melting point of alumina and one-half the melting point of alumina to convert the densified polycrystalline alumina wafer into a sapphire wafer. A light-emitting diode or other electronic device, such as a laser diode, a high frequency microwave device, or an optoelectronic detector, can be formed on the wafer by depositing layers of semiconductor material on the wafer. The solid state crystal conversion process provides several advantages in forming electronic devices.

Abstract: An ignition system for a gas appliance comprises an ignitor for igniting gas, a gas valve which controls the flow of gas to the ignitor, and a delay switch which delays the opening of the gas valve. The delay switch comprises a piston and a cylinder which define a chamber. The piston moves between a first position and a second position in the cylinder. The piston is coupled to the gas valve such that when the piston reaches the second position, the gas valve is opened. The chamber includes a large aperture and a small aperture which influence the rate at which the piston moves. The large aperture includes a sealing member which seals the large aperture when the piston moves from the first position to the second position to resist the motion of the piston. The large aperture is opened when the piston moves in the other direction. The delay switch is connected to the ignitor such that when the ignitor is turned on, the piston moves against air resistance and delays the opening of the gas valve.

Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a incandescent lamp capable of generating light. The incandescent lamp comprises a incandescent lamp tube and at least one filament. The assembly also comprises a shroud separate from the incandescent lamp and mounted in communication with the lamp tube on an exterior of the incandescent lamp tube. The shroud also comprises a coating disposed on the reflecting section of the shroud for reflecting energy having predetermined wavelengths emitted by the incandescent lamp. The shroud comprises a reflecting section disposed about the incandescent lamp tube, where the geometry of the shroud generally conforms to the geometry of the at least one filament of the lamp, to reflect energy having predetermined wavelengths back substantially toward the incandescent lamp and focusing the reflected energy generally at the at least one filament of the incandescent lamp so as to increase the output from the assembly.

Abstract: A current limiting device utilizes an electrically conductive composite material and an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance structure. The current limiting device has a conducting filler and at least two electrodes, where at least one of the electrodes comprises a grooved electrode structure. The grooved electrode structure maintains contact between the electrodes and the composite material, even with consumption of the composite material and production of residue during a high current condition.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing conditions on an object. The sensor comprises a first at least partially reflective surface layer disposed adjacent the object in close conforming relationship with a surface of the object, an intermediate layer, and a second at least partially reflective surface layer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the first at least partially reflective surface layer and the second at least partially reflective surface layer. The intermediate layer can be formed as a solid element, a combination of solid areas and spaces, and as an aerogel.

Abstract: A solid state method of converting a polycrystalline ceramic body to a single crystal body includes the steps of doping the polycrystalline ceramic material with a conversion-enhancing dopant and then heating the polycrystalline body at a selected temperature for a selected time sufficient to convert the polycrystalline body to a single crystal. The selected temperature is less than the melting temperature of the polycrystalline material and greater than about one-half the melting temperature of the material. In the conversion of polycrystalline alumina to single crystal alumina (sapphire), examples of conversion-enhancing dopants include cations having a +3 valence, such as chromium, gallium, and titanium.