Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp includes a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material. A pair of electrically spaced electrodes is disposed in a parallel relationship within the envelope. A pair of lead-in wires is coupled to each of the electrodes and extends through and is hermetically sealed in the envelope. A pair of wire probes is associated with each of the spaced electrodes. Each of the ends of the spaced electrodes has one of the wire probes extending beyond the electrode associated therewith and toward the other electrode. The present invention provides a negative glow discharge lamp that has improved lamp efficacy and enhanced lamp life.

Abstract: A metal halide arc discharge lamp is disclosed having a power input rating of not more than 35 watts. The lamp includes an envelope of light transmissive material, such as fused quartz, including a bulb portion, a pair of transitional neck portions extending from the bulb portion, and a pair of stem portions extending from the transitional neck portions respectively. The bulb portion of the envelope defines an arc chamber therein and has an external surface area of such value as to produce a wall loading not exceeding 35 watts/cm.sup.2. The arc chamber contains a fill of mercury, inert gas and metal halide. The mercury and the metal halide are adapted to substantially vaporize during operation of the lamp. A pair of electrodes extend into the arc chamber from the pair of neck portions respectively. Each electrode has an electrode tip spaced apart from one another by a distance A within the arc chamber. The neck portions of the envelope each have a wall surrounding a segment of one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure sodium discharge lamp which under nominal operating conditions radiates white light with a maximum color rendering index R.sub.a of more than 80. Since the wall load is above 80 W/cm.sup.2 under nominal operating conditions, a color temperature T.sub.c of at least 2800.degree. K. can be achieved with a luminous efficacy of more than 40 lm/W.

Abstract: A quick start initiator for a flourescent light comprises a sealed glass bulb, a long conductor rod centrally located within the bulb, a pair of short conductor rods positioned to either side of the long conductor and electrically connected with a conducting lead protruding from the base of the glass bulb, and a pair of thermally deforming arcuate strips each being electrically connected to one of the short conductor rods. Wherein one arcuate bimetallic strip attached to one short conductor bar is normally separated by a space from the central conductor bar when in the inactive state. The other arcuate bimetallic strip on the other short conductor bar normally contacts the central long conductor when inactive. A mixture of argon and neon gases fills the glass bulb. Each of the leads are electrically connected in series with one respective cathode of a flourescent tube as in a conventional flourescent tube initiator circuit.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a bimetallic element, and a counter electrode. The bimetallic element has a free end adapted to form first and second discharge gaps with the counter electrode. The first discharge gap has a spacing which varies during operation of the glow discharge starter. The spacing of the second discharge gap remains relatively constant. Problems associated with high ambient temperatures can be overcome by increasing the initial spacing of the first discharge gap without affecting the electrical breakdown voltage of the glow discharge starter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the free end of the bimetallic element has a first portion substantially parallel to the counter electrode and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the counter electrode. Preferably, the initial spacing of the first discharge gap measured at 25 degrees Celsius is within the range of from about 0.

Abstract: A glow discharge lamp includes a light-transmitting envelope containing a rare gas fill material. The envelope contains a spherical-shaped region having a predetermined internal radius R. A phosphor coating is disposed on the inner surface of the envelope. Anode and cathode electrodes are disposed within the envelope and spaced a predetermined distance d thereapart. The voltage drop of the cathode electrode is less than the excitation potential of the rare gas fill material. The anode electrode has a predetermined effective surface area S.sub.a such that the relationship Rd/S.sub.a is within the range of from about 5.0 to 11.0.

Abstract: A single side-sealed metal vapor discharge lamp is disclosed which includes a discharge tube having a sealed section at one end and a discharge region defining envelope at the other end, a pair of metal foils sealed at the sealed section and a pair of electrodes, the discharge region of the discharge tube containing a rare gas for starting and a filled gas containing mercury and light emitting metal. The electrodes are each comprised of a rod connected to the metal foil and a coil of at least one turn mounted on the forward end portion of a bent end portion of the rod, the coils being oppositely spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the discharge region. The coil is formed of a higher melting point material than a surface material of the forward end portion of the bent portion of the rod. With the length from the bent portion to the forward end of the rod indicated by L1, the length of the coil by L2 and the wire diameter of the coil by d, the following inequalities are satisfied: L1.ltoreq.3d and d/2.

Abstract: Arc discharged by a short arc discharge lamp can be made so small in diameter as to appear like a spot. Therefore, the illuminance efficiency of the short arc discharge lamp can be made high and its brightness can also be enhanced.

Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp of small size comprising a cylindrical discharge container enclosing at least rare gas, a hot cathode disposed in the discharge container and coated with a thermion radiation matter, and an anode disposed in a negative glow domain formed between the anode and the hot cathode in the discharge container. In the discharge lamp, the outer diameter D (mm) of the discharge container is selected to satisfy the relation3 W.sub.L <D<10 W.sub.Lwhere W.sub.L the electric power consumption (W) of the discharge lamp when the length L (mm) of the discharge container lies within the range of L=25 to 100 mm.

Abstract: A gas discharge switch that has at least two coaxial electrodes which are provided with coaxial holes and form in a central discharge region, a gas discharge path, and an insulating region at their edges. The spacing D in an axial direction of the electrodes is larger than the spacing d.sub.1 of the electrodes at the inner edge of a washer-like insulator in the insulating region. The electrodes are respectively connected to one of the flat sides of the insulator, and the spacing d.sub.1 is at least as large as the spacing d.sub.2 of the electrodes in a shielding region that is formed between the insulating region and the discharge region. A shield that shields the insulator from the discharge region is provided.

Abstract: To improve the heat distribution of the electrodes within a high-pressure discharge vessel, particularly a vehicle (1) of quartz glass having a fill of mercury, a noble gas, and an additive which includes a metal or metal halide, especially, for good color rendition, tin which attacks the electrodes, the electrodes (4, 5) are pinch-sealed through the quartz glass envelope and include a parallel shaft portion (15, 17, 21) to which pin elements (16, 18, 19) are attached, for example by welding, which have a cross-sectional area larger, preferably by a factor of between 1.5 to 3, than the cross-sectional area of the shaft portion, to obtain high heat capacity of the electrodes while minimizing heat transfer to the pinch or press seal of the electrodes through the quartz glass vessel (2) via the shaft portions.

Abstract: A xenon short arc discharge lamp has a lamp bulb (1) of quartz glass, into which two rod-shaped electrodes (4, 5) protrude, the spacing of which is shorter than the diameter of the shaft (8) of the cathode (5); the cathode (5) is provided with a conical, obtuse tip (9). By doping with a metal halide, such as thallium iodide, the spectral radiant intensity per unit area in the plasma zone immediately in front of the cathode (5) is increased substantially compared with an undoped xenon short arc discharge lamp, and as a result of a flow-controlled tungsten-halogen cycle process, a stabilized cathode spot operation is attained, and the inner wall of the lamp bulb (1) remains free of tungsten deposits.

Abstract: The high-pressure gas discharge lamp has an ovoidal discharge space with oppositely arranged rod electrodes having a electrode coils spaced from the tip ends of the electrode. The ratio between the electrode distance d and the largest diameter of the discharge space D lies between 0.75 and 1.25. The lamp has a comparatively high power of 1600-2000 W and a defined Br/I ratio of 1.5-4. When arranged transversely in a luminaire having a concave rotation-symmetrical reflector and a screen, the lamp produces an accurately defined light beam suitable for illumination of sports grounds.

Abstract: A ceramic metal halide high pressure discharge lamp has an arc gap separating the discharge electrodes which is not more than 10 mm and a wall loading which is at least 50 W cm.sup.-2. The relatively small arc gap enables a relatively low operating voltage (in the range from 80V to 130V, say) to be used.

Abstract: A pulsed metal halide arc discharge light source comprising a hermetically sealed light transmissive envelope with an anode and cathode protruding therein and an emissive material including at least one recrystallized metal halide salt covering the cathode. There is no mercury in the emissive material. During an application of a short-duration electrical pulse across the anode and cathode in a preferred embodiment of the invention, bright colored light is emitted from the lamp, the color of such emission being determined in large part by the choice of the metal halide salt or combination of metal halide salts employed in the emissive material and the duration of the electrical pulse, and the temperature of the emissive material remains less than one hundred degrees Centigrade. A lamp in accordance with the invention is particularly well suited for use as a signal lamp, such as a navigational beacon.

Abstract: A metal-halide arc tube and lamp having improved uniformity of azimuthal luminous intensity and being particularly suited for navigational signal applications. The arc tube when operationally positioned about a vertical axis has a body which is substantially egg-shaped with the lower half of the body being more oblate than the upper half. During operation, the surface of the upper half of the arc tube body remains entirely free of metal-halide condensate so that no emitted light is blocked by condensate in any direction and nearly uniform azimuthal intensity is achieved. A heat-reflecting coating about the lower electrode prevents the formation of a condensate puddle about the lower electrode and relocates the condensate during operation to an area of the lower half above the coating and below the center of the arc tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode including a bimetallic element having a curved portion and a free end, and a counter electrode located within the envelope. A getter holder is secured to the counter electrode and positioned adjacent the curved portion of the bimetallic element such that a first discharge gap is formed therebetween. A second discharge gap is formed between the free end of the bimetallic element and the counter electrode. The spacing of the first discharge gap is defined as being less than the spacing of the second discharge gap. A predetermined total amount of getter material is contained within the envelope including a portion thereof contained within the getter holder. Preferably, the portion of getter material contained within the getter holder is within the range of from about 25 percent to about 75 percent of the total amount of getter material.

Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle includes a metal halide lamp and a reflector having a focus and reflecting a light beam, emitted from the lamp, in a forward direction from the front of the vehicle. The lamp has a luminescent tube in which at least sodium is sealed, and positive and negative electrodes. The respective distal ends of the electrodes are located in the luminescent tube and spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. The lamp is positioned so that a straight line connecting the respective distal ends of the electrodes is horizontal and passes through the focus, and so as to meet the following requirement:0.ltoreq.L0/L1.ltoreq.0.4,where L0 is the distance between the focus and the distal end of the negative electrode, and L1 is the distance between the distal ends of the electrodes.

Abstract: A high-pressure sodium vapor discharge lamp having a ceramic discharge vessel, which has over a length L a substantially constant inner diameter and in which electrodes are arranged opposite to each other at a relative distance D. The lamp emits white light during operation and consumes a power of at most 50 watts. The lamp has a high efficiency and good color rendering due to the fact that D/L.ltoreq.0.5.

Abstract: To provide for a long electrode shaft, which insures rapid and reliable sting of the lamp, the electrodes are formed with a straight shaft portion extending from a pinch or press seal (8) and then twisted into a loop (20, 21) which terminates in discharge tips (18, 19), facing each other across the center line of the lamp. The loops, preferably, include a circular portion of about 270.degree., with a radius of greater than the radius of the diameter of the wires--typically of tungsten--and offset with respect to the electrode shaft so that, at cross-over points (24, 25) the looped portion (20, 21) of the respective electrode and the straight or shaft portion (22, 23) of the electrode do not touch each other; a very small spacing, for example 0.05 mm, with electrode wires of 0.2 mm diameter, is sufficient.

Abstract: An electronic light radiation tube wherein a cathode and an anode disposed as spaced from each other by a small spacing are housed in an envelope enclosing therein a luminous gas, and a magnetic field is applied to the envelope so as to cause magnetic lines of force of the magnetic field to pass through the envelope, while the magnetic lines of force which have passed through the cathode are prevented from passing through the anode, whereby electrons emitted from the cathode are caused to collide at a high efficiency with the luminous gas throughout the entire interior space of the envelope to excite the gas, and highly uniform light radiation can be realized over the entire envelope.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp provides exceptional color rendition because of a high calcium iodide partial pressure. A long-arc ellipsoidal arc tube provides a high "cold spot" temperature. The method of manufacture of the lamp includes heating the arc tube tubulation while burning the lamp after dosing, and then an evacuation step to eliminate moisture due to the hygroscopic calcium iodide.

Abstract: A glow discharge tube for exciting a sample in emission spectrochemical analysis or mass spectrometry, in which glow discharge is effected between the anode tube and the sample while gas is being passed, for exhaust, through the narrow gap formed between the sample surface and the end of the insulating tube fit on the anode tube so as to maintain a constant pressure in the anode tube. Since the insulating tube projects further than the anode tube toward the sample side, a shortcircuit is never formed between the anode and the cathode even if sample vapor adheres to the walls surrounding the exhaust passage. As a result, efficient analysis can be achieved with the glow discharge tube of the present invention.

Abstract: A short-arc lamp of the type having an internally integral reflector including electrodes mounted to extend along a central axis of symmetry of the lamp and having distal ends of similar shape which are spaced apart to define a short-arc gap such that the lamp can be directly driven by alternating current.

Abstract: An array of microelectronic tubes is shown which includes a plate-like substrate upon which an array of sharp needle-like cathode electrodes is located. Each tube in the array includes an anode electrode spaced from the cathode electrode. The tubes each contain gas at a pressure of between about 1/100 and 1 atmosphere, and the spacing between the tip of the cathode electrodes and anode electrodes is equal to or less than about 0.5 .mu.m. The tubes are operated at voltages such that the mean free path of electrons travelling in the gas between the cathode and anode electrodes is equal to or greater than the spacing between the tip of the cathode electrode and the associated anode electrode. Both diode and triode arrays are shown.

Abstract: A low wattage metal halide discharge lamp includes a sealed outer envelope with a pair of electrical conductors passing therethrough and containing an arc tube having a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the pair of electrical conductors with a chemical fill within the arc tube including iodides of sodium and scandium of a molar ratio in the range of about 20:1 to 28:1.

Abstract: A low wattage single-ended metal halide arc discharge lamp has an isothermal arc chamber with an outer diameter (t) substantially equal to the product of a first constant and the lamp wattage plus a second constant; a fill gas and a pair of electrical conductors sealed into and passing through one end of the arc chamber to provide a pair of electrodes therein having a spacing therebetween of a distance to provide a substantially uniform current for lamps in the range of about 35 to 150 watts.

Abstract: A low wattage single-ended metal halide arc discharge lamp has an isothermal arc chamber with an outer diameter (t) substantially equal to the product of a first constant and the lamp wattage plus a second constant; a fill gas and a pair of electrical conductors sealed into and passing through one end of the arc chamber to provide a pair of electrodes therein having a spacing therebetween of about a distance to provide a substantially uniform current for lamps in the range of about 35 to 150 watts.

Abstract: A bi-polar discharger for a coaxial conducting cable is formed by threading rod elements into the ends of a central passage through an internal electrode so as to be electrically conductive therewith. A casing around the internal electrode comprises a cylindrical outer electrode closed at each end by a bead of glass or ceramic which is fitted within an outer metal ring and the casing is sealed with a controlled atmosphere of an inert gas at low pressure by sealing of the outer rings to the cylindrical external electrode and sealing of the rod elements within the beads.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp according to the invention has an at least approximately rectilinear and contracted arc and a high efficiency even in a horizontal operating position. Consequently, the lamp is suitable for use, when arranged in a reflector, as a vehicle headlight lamp. The lamp comprises an ionizable filling of rare gas, mercury, and metal iodide, the quantity of mercury being dependent upon the inner diameter D of the lamp envelope (1), the distance d between the tips of the electrodes (2), and the distance l over which the electrodes project into the lamp envelope. The values of D, d, l and the wall thickness t of the lamp envelope lie within indicated limits. The lamp, which may be provided with a screen, may have a lamp cap or may be incorporated into a reflector with a front pane.

Abstract: An extra-high pressure mercury discharge lamp comprising an end-sealed glass tube shaped to provide a long arc type tube, mercury contained in the both ends respectively of the glass tube, a pair of electrodes provided in the both ends respectively of the glass tube, each of the electrodes including one end portion extending toward the exterior from the associated end of the glass tube, an intermediate portion immersed in the mercury, and the other end portion extending toward the interior beyond the surface of the mercury facing toward the middle of the glass tube, and a power source connected between the externally extending portions of the electrode pair to supply power thereacross, the other or internally extending portions of the electrode pair having a length so selected that the mercury discharge lamp emits light of a sharp emission profile suitable for the exposure of a very fine pattern.

Abstract: A surge arrester, includes a gas-filled housing, copper electrodes disposed opposite each other in the housing, the electrodes each including a relatively thin-walled truncated conical part having a flange integral therewith and a solid cylindrical part, the cylindrical parts each having a respective end surface facing each other, the end surfaces being mutually spaced apart by a given distance and each having a trough-shaped axially-symmetrical depression formed therein, a highly active electrode activating compound filling each of the depressions, a tubular ceramic insulator at least partly surrounding the electrodes defining respective annular gaps between the insulator and each of the cylindrical parts having widths being substantially between 0.2 mm and 0.

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: A high pressure sodium discharge lamp employs a starting aid allowing the use of increased xenon pressure for higher efficacy. The starting aid is positioned far enough from the ends of the electrodes so that end blackening does not attenuate the starting pulse and render the lamps impossible to start after they have been aged over 100 hours.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge tube disposed in an outer jacket; said discharge tube having electrodes and containing a filling comprising a starting rare gas composed primarily of xenon at a pressure from 40 to 200 Torr; means for starting said discharge tube comprising a glow starter comprising a pair of contacts spaced apart not more than 2.5 mm from each other, and containing a gas composed primarily of argon at a pressure of at least 7 Torr; the pressure in said glow starter (P.sub.g) being related to the pressure in the discharge tube (P.sub.i), according to the expression ##EQU1## and a starting electric conductor adapted to contact the discharge tube on starting thereof and to separate from the discharge tube after starting.

Abstract: A high intensity metal halide discharge lamp has a fill comprising mercury, sodium iodide and scandium triiodide plus an inert starting gas. Cadmium or zinc may be added in a molar ratio relative to ScI.sub.3 within the range of 0.04 to 1.0 to achieve a lowering in color temperature of several hundred degrees Kelvin at the cost of a minor decrease in lumens which is offset by an improvement in maintenance.

Abstract: A discharge device for use with pulsed, CO.sub.2 laser power conditioner tems, is disclosed. The device is comprised of Elkonite or molybdenum electrodes in a controlled nitrogen-xenon-oxygen environment, and having long life potential of close to twenty million discharges possible.