Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving a gas discharge lamp in at least two operation modes, including the step of applying an alternating voltage to the gas discharge lamp, the alternating voltage having a first polarity during a first time interval and a second polarity opposite to the first polarity during a second time interval. The first time interval and the second time interval are repeated alternately. During a second operation mode, the electrical power being provided to the gas discharge lamp is smaller compared to a first operation mode, and the duration of the first time interval is at least a multiple of the duration of the second time interval.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of driving a gas-discharge lamp (1), wherein the lamp (1) is driven at any one time using one of a plurality of operating modules (M1, M2, M3, M4) and wherein a first operating mode (M1) and a second operating mode (M2) are applied successively during a lamp operating cycle, and the lamp (1) is driven according to the first operating mode (M1) for a first fraction (f1) of the cycle time (T) of the operating cycle and the lamp (1) is driven according to the second operating mode (M2) for a second fraction (f2) of the cycle time (T) of the operating cycle, and whereby the size of the first fraction (f1) and the size of the second fraction (f2) are calculated using a mixing ratio (r), which mixing ratio (r) is determined on the basis of a relationship between a cycle operating voltage value (U1, U2) and a target voltage (UT).

Abstract: The discharge spacings in discharge lamps for dielectrically impeded discharges are shortened below 3 mm, as a result of which dead times of pulsed active-power injecting can be increased so strongly, for example beyond 50 ms, that the dimming properties of the discharge lamp are greatly improved.

Abstract: Two high-pressure discharge lampbanks and transformers thereof are connected via a cross connection manner. The two lamp banks include the same number of high-pressure discharge lamps, and the transformers are in a number corresponding to that of lamps in each lamp bank. All the transformers have two outputs, namely, first and second outputs, at a secondary side thereof. First outputs of all the transformers are separately connected to the lamps in a first one of the two high-pressure discharge lamp banks while second outputs of all the transformers are separately connected to the lamps in a second one of the two high-pressure discharge lamp banks. Thereby, lamps in the same lamp bank are maintained at a voltage having the same phase and have a small potential difference among them to avoid interference noises.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a layered semiconductor photovoltaic voltage source, and an electrical conductor structure having two electrically conductive contacts to the voltage source structure. A capacitor is in electrical communication with one of the electrically conductive contacts. The capacitor includes a capacitive paint layer structure comprising capacitive pigment particles dispersed in a capacitive layer binder. A first side of the capacitive paint layer structure is deposited in facing contact to the second electrically conductive contact. A capacitor electrically conductive contact is in electrical communication with a second side of the capacitive paint layer structure remote from the first side.

Abstract: A dimmable electrical discharge lamp providing radiation and having a CRI of over 90 and a color temperature of between about 3000-4000° K even when dimmed by up to 40% of its rated power. The lamp contains a fill of a mixture of cesium, mercury and a rare gas. The fill is enclosed in a hermetically sealed polycrystalline alumina arc tube having an electrode at each end and the arc tube is enclosed in an outer jacket. The lamp is provided with a circuit for providing current to the arc tube. A low frequency wave simmer current is provided and one or more current pulses are superimposed on the simmer current. The gradient of the leading edge of the pulse is short whereby to generate a high electrical field and cause a high degree of ionization of the cesium.

Abstract: A modified valley fill circuit, including a main ballasting inductor for supplying an electrolytic capacitor, has an additional charging winding on the main ballasting inductor for charging the electrolytic capacitor to a predetermined voltage which maximizes the power factor of the input current by optimizing the conduction angle of the input current. In a discharge lamp ballast, the modified valley fill circuit reduces the lamp current crest factor by controlling the frequency with a lamp current control loop.

Abstract: A circuit for producing four indications on a bicolor light emitting diode (LED) includes a ring oscillator, with two inputs controlling inverters of opposite phase. By enabling or disabling these inverters, either, both, or neither dies of the LED are energized, causing it to emit light of either of its two primary colors, a secondary color formed by the combination of its two primaries, or no light, respectively. Nonlinear resistances are used to equalize the brightness of the two primaries and set the hue of the secondary.

Abstract: A pulsed illuminator projector for reducing the reverberation levels of rected ligh by illuminating a lamp that is pulsed on and off at a specified rate and for a specified time duration. The critical factor is controlling the amount of time the light is on versus amount of time it is off, and the frequency at which the lamp is pulsed on. The pulsed illumination projector device reduces the amount of backscatter from particulate matter such as water, zooplankton, dust, fog and the like which causes a significant amount of light to reflect back toward the source thereby reducing visibility. Backscatter is reduced through the reduction of direct incident light. As the backscatter is reduced, the distance which objects can be detected is increased. Illumination is controlled directly by pulse length and repetition rate. The device is completely portable and can be hand held item as well as mounted on a vehicle and operable in gaseous or liquid atmospheres.