Abstract: A driving circuit for driving an electroluminescent lamp is disclosed. The driving circuit includes an alternating current (AC) voltage generator for providing at an output an AC output voltage waveform for driving an electroluminescent lamp and a controller for controlling the phase and polarity of the AC output voltage waveform. The controller is operable to reverse the phase and polarity of the AC output voltage. In one embodiment, the AC voltage generator includes a transformer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp having a transparent or translucent glass bulb of a tubular cross section containing an inert gas such as Neon, Argon, Krypton or Xenon. An element to produce an electric discharge within the bulb will energize a coating of a fluorescent material deposited on the interior surface of the glass bulb to emit visible light. At least one region uncoated by the fluorescent material is provided at the interior surface of the glass bulb in manner which creates the appearance of a repeating pattern such that visible light is emitted by the fluorescent material and no visible light is emitted by the at least one region uncoated. The region uncoated define a spiraled pattern to the glass bulb such that when the glass bulb is rotated about the axis of the spiraled pattern a generally upwardly or downwardly motion is perceived by a person looking at the lamp.

Abstract: A mercury gas discharge device comprises an envelope with inert gas and mercury vapour contained within it. The mercury gas discharge device further comprises a pair of electrodes. One or more sintered metal portions are also located inside the envelope. The sintered metal portions have high gettering characteristics with respect to waste gases, but low gettering characteristics with respect to the mercury vapour.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) comprises an inner fluorescent tube and an outer glass tube which is sheathed on the outside of said inner tube, characterized in that said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube is separately disposed, and there is a space therebetween. Said CCFL further comprises electrodes sealed at the ends of said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube. The CCFL of the present invention has a double-tube construction, as a result, the inner fluorescent tube is not so much affected by a change in the environmental temperature. Further, the inner fluorescent tube and the outer glass tube are separately disposed so that the end of the inner fluorescent tube and the end of the outer glass tube are not integrally joined, so that a rate of the breakage caused by the temperature difference between two ends is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp having a transparent or translucent glass bulb of a tubular cross section containing an inert gas such as Neon, Argon, Krypton or Xenon. A means to produce an electric discharge within said bulb will energise a coating of a fluorescent material deposited on the interior surface of the glass bulb to emit visible light. At least one region uncoated by said fluorescent material is provided at said interior surface of the glass bulb in manner which creates the appearance of a repeating pattern such that visible light is emitted by said fluorescent material and no visible light is emitted by said at least one region uncoated. The regions uncoated define a spiraled pattern to the glass bulb such that when the glass bulb is rotated about the axis of the spiraled pattern a generally upwardly or downwardly motion is perceived by a person looking at the lamp.

Abstract: A mercury gas discharge device comprises an envelope with inert gas and mercury vapour contained within it. The mercury gas discharge device further comprises a pair of electrodes. One or more sintered metal portions are also located inside the envelope. The sintered metal portions have high gettering characteristics with respect to waste gases, but low gettering characteristics with respect to the mercury vapour.

Abstract: A flash discharge lamp includes a pair of electrodes i.e. an anode and a cathode, oppositely disposed in at both ends of the glass bulb. An electro-conductive member is provided on the outer surface of the glass tube. A triggering electrode is mounted on the cathode and electrically connected to the electro-conductive member. Xenon gas is sealed in the glass tube. The flash discharge lamp further includes at least one High Temperature Resistant electrode mounted on the cathode and at least one Getter electrode mounted on the cathode and/or the anode. Not only can the above design increase the discharge output power and the discharge frequency, but it also extends the life expectancy of the flash discharge lamp.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) comprises an inner fluorescent tube and an outer glass tube which is sheathed on the outside of said inner tube, characterized in that said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube is separately disposed, and there is a space therebetween. Said CCFL further comprises electrodes sealed at the ends of said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube. The CCFL of the present invention has a double-tube construction, as a result, the inner fluorescent tube is not so much affected by a change in the environmental temperature. Further, the inner fluorescent tube and the outer glass tube are separately disposed so that the end of the inner fluorescent tube and the end of the outer glass tube are not integrally joined, so that a rate of the breakage caused by the temperature difference between two ends is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: A flash discharge lamp comprising: a pair of electrodes i.e. an anode and a cathode, oppositely disposed in at both ends of the glass bulb, a electro-conductive member is provided on the outer surface of the glass tube, a triggering electrode mounted on said cathode and electrically connected to said electro-conductive member, and xenon gas sealed in said glass tube, said flash discharge lamp further includes at least one High Temperature Resistant electrode mounted on said cathode and at least one Getter electrode mounted on said cathode and/or said anode. Not only can the above design increase discharge output power and the discharge frequency, but also extend the life expectancy of the flash discharge lamp. The flash discharge lamp according to this invention goes further in the scope of application.