Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a sealed lamp envelope enclosing a filament, a lamp base affixed to the lamp envelope and including a connector, and an automatic light control circuit located in the lamp base and electrically connected between the connector and the filament. The light control circuit includes a photosensor for controlling the power delivered to the filament in response to a sensed ambient light level. Preferably, the lamp base includes a cup-shaped portion affixed to the connector, and the light control circuit is mounted in the cup-shaped portion on a circuit board. The photosensor is mounted in a hole in a sidewall of the cup-shaped portion. The lamp assembly can be installed and operated in a conventional lamp socket.

Abstract: A motion detecting light controller system which includes a light bulb socket adapter having a control circuit for the light which is controlled. The control circuit utilizes a first LED and a second LED, the first and second LEDs electrically isolated from the 120 v AC line which powers the remaining part of the circuit. Combinations of Led's and photo cells activate and deactivate a power switching triac. The control circuit includes a latching function which is obtained and maintained by optical means.

Abstract: This illumination lamp (5) includes a discharge tube (6, 7), a standardized base (10) and an intermediate element (9) arranged between the tube and the base. The lamp is characterized in that an electronic circuit (32) transforming the low frequency of the distribution network into a high frequency for energizing the tube is entirely electronic circuit is made up of a printed circuit in the form of a disc (30) bearing vertically arranged circuit components. The lamp, which is of greatly reduced dimensions is intended to replace an incandescent lamp.

Abstract: An electronic touch control light socket used to convert a lamp to touch-sensitive use which includes a circuit housing and a light bulb insertion socket mounted thereto which together are adapted for installation within a standard light socket shell of a lamp in place of a standard light socket. A touch sensing circuit in the circuit housing has a self-compensating subcircuit to eliminate the effects of slower changing ambient capacitance of the lamp in order to detect touching of the lamp by monitoring rapid changes in lamp capacitance. A spring contact connected to the circuit is attached to the circuit housing and projects along a side thereof for placement between the circuit housing exterior and the interior surface of the light socket shell and in electrical contact with a conductive portion of the light socket shell when the circuit housing and insertion socket are installed within the light socket shell.

Abstract: A "U" shaped fluorescent lamp includes a housing extending the legs of the lamp, the housing containing means to reduce current flow in the lamp, thereby saving energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting diode lamp having a printed circuit board which is arranged inside a glass bulb having a base at an end thereof, via a stem and stays. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are mounted on the printed circuit board, a current being supplied to the light-emitting diodes through a series resistor. The series resistor has an annular shape and is fitted around the stem, so that a conventional lower-voltage LED lamp can be upgraded to a 100-V LED lamp.

Abstract: A conventional pilot lamp which is used in a power plant, substation, or other types of plants, each has its own large and heavy weight transformer below the lamp case. In order to obtain a pilot lamp having the same capacity as the conventional pilot lamp even if the transformer is taken away from the lamp case, the pilot lamp of this invention comprises a lamp, a lamp holder, a heat radiating plate fixed within the lamp holder, an extremely small-sized IC type AC-DC constant voltage regulator connected to the input terminal fixed to the lamp holder, and an output terminal connected to the lamp. Thus, the arrangement contemplated produces a pilot lamp having the same capacity as a conventional pilot lamp, without the large and heavy weight of the transformer unit below the lamp case.

Abstract: To improve the stability of operation of a compact, single-ended fluoresc lamp under "base down" operation, and provide for a predetermined temperature "cold spot" defining the vapor pressure within the fluorescent lamp, and particularly for a lamp having four parallel tubular portions which are interconnected to form a continuous discharge vessel, one of the tubular portions which does not carry an electrode has a small tube or stub element (16) connected into a pinch seal terminating the particular tubular element, the stub element extending below the pinch seal and into the base of the lamp. The lamp is formed with two vertically arranged openings to provide for passage of cooling air, by thermal convection, from a lower opening (17), past the cooling tube or stub (16) and to an upper outlet vent opening (19).

Abstract: A lamp control circuit particularly suited for scale illumination in cathode-ray tube display devices provides stabilized lamp control impervious to temperature fluctuations for either constant or pulsed operating modes.

Abstract: A lighting system having a high pressure gas discharge light source and an incandescent light source within a common sealed and evacuated bulb. A ballast unit fitted externally to the neck of the bulb includes in series with the incandescent light source an interrupter element and control circuitry therefor, and a choke coil in series with the gas discharge light source.The control circuitry represents an equivalence logic with two variables, wherein the output terminal of an equivalence circuit is connected to the control input of the interrupter element while its input terminal is connected to a voltage divider system connected across the gas discharge light source. The output terminal is energized only if either both or neither of the input terminals of the equivalence circuit are energized. The interrupter element is closed when the output terminal of the equivalence circuit is energized.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp device including an outer tube containing a fluorescent lamp therein, a connection tube connected to one end of the outer tube, a cap containing a glow starter and a condenser connected to the other end of the outer tube, and a base member connected to the connection tube. The base member contains a ballast member including a thermistor and a thermal adjustment member having a plurality of radiation fins, which are connected electrically and thermally through a conductive plate.

Abstract: A holder for circular fluorescent lamps has a central body with a pair of arms terminating in lamp holding means. The lamp holding means include lamp receiving openings which are arrayed orthogonal to one another.

Abstract: A screw-in fluorescent light unit having two light levels, for use in a 3-way socket. A reactor ballasts the lamp for high light output, and a positive temperature coefficient resistor (thermistor) is added to ballast the lamp for low light output and to facilitate lamp starting at the low light output. The light-level sequence is off-high-low-high-off.

Abstract: The convoluted fluorescent lamp component of a compact lamp unit is mechanically and electrically coupled to a base module by a plate-like mounting member which is secured to the module in suspended fashion and has socket means which permit the lamp component and associated energizing-circuit components to be plugged into and removed from the module. The mounting member is structured and oriented to also provide a peripheral air passageway which, in conjunction with vent openings in the module and in a protective cover which is secured to the module, allows air to flow freely through the operating unit and convection-cool the fluorescent lamp. The lamp unit can accordingly be operated at high power loadings without overheating and can also be easily relamped and provided with new circuit components (such as a ballast and/or a starter) to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder fitting has a fluorescent lamp having first and second ends respectively provided with starting filaments. The lamp is supported by a housing which also encloses a solid-state fluorescent ballast and which also incorporates a male screw base electrical connector for supporting the housing in a portable lamp or lighting fixture. The male screw base is provided with three electrical input connections so configured to be electrically connected and selectively switched when installed in a three-way lampholder of the portable lamp or lighting fixture. The lampholder fitting is provided with a center-tapped step-down transformer which has three terminals attached to the three respective connections of the three-way male screw base. The step-down transformer has a single low-voltage secondary winding which connects to the input terminals of a full-wave bridge rectifier which has its rectified output connected to a high frequency oscillator.

Abstract: A screw-in fluorescent light unit having high and low light levels, for use in a 3-way socket. A reactor ballasts the lamp for high light output, and a variable dimming circuit is added to ballast the lamp for variable low light output.

Abstract: A screw-in fluorescent light unit having two light levels, for use in a 3-way socket. A reactor ballasts the lamp for high light output, and a resistor is added to ballast the lamp for low light output. A bilateral switch device is connected across the resistor to facilitate lamp starting at the low light output.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp of high brightness and compact size is provided by forming the envelope from vitreous tubing that is bent upon itself in such a manner that the envelope has either five or seven U-shaped sections which are disposed in tridimensional array and define a single convoluted discharge channel. The U-shaped sections are so oriented that the tubular legs of the U's are positioned in side-by-side columnar relationship with each other and the sealed ends of the tubing are located adjacent one another. The lamp thus has an arc length that is more than six or eight times as long as the overall height dimension of the convoluted envelope and generates light in a very efficient manner.

Abstract: A light-responsive light-emitting diode display comprises a light-emitting diode circuit including a series connection of light-emitting diodes and a light-responsive current-controlling circuit connected in series to said light-emitting diode circuit for supplying a current thereto in correspondence with the ambient brightness. A unipolar photo-transistor can provide a current above a predetermined minimum value and increasing with the intensity of incident lights and can absorb excess voltages when applied. Light-responsive current-control reduces the useless power dissipation, and all solid-state display provides a very long service life.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having a triple-U-bent tubular envelope is combined with circuit means, a translucent protective cover and a threaded base member to provide an efficient screw-in type lamp unit of high brightness and long life that is compact enough to be used as a direct replacement for incandescent type lamps in fixtures designed for residential and commercial lighting. Various structural arrangements for including the ballast and starter components of the energizing circuit as integral parts of the compact lamp unit, despite the stringent space limitations, and also venting the cover and base structures to provide convection cooling of the compacted electrical components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight starting and operating ballasting means for starting and operating a fluorescent lamp means from a household source of AC energy. The ballasting means has elements which perform with the lamp means in a starting mode and an operating mode. In the operating mode with a low-pressure mercury discharge existing between the lamp electrodes, the lamp means is ballasted solely by a series-connected resistor means and capacitor means.

Abstract: A dimming circuit for operating a fluorescent lamp in an incandescent-to-fluorescent adapter at two selectable current levels. The circuit includes a choke which is series connected between the center contact of a three-contact incandescent base and one of the lamp filament coils, and a capacitor connected between the ring contact and center contact of the base. A bleeder resistor of the PTC type is connected across the capacitor. For use with an incandescent lamp fixture having a four-position, three-way switch, the circuit further includes a current limiting discharge resistor connected in series with the capacitor.

Abstract: Composite base member for operatively retaining a compact, single-ended fluorescent lamp which has an elongated but retroflexed or curved envelope. The base member has a hollow body with a mounting means which divides the hollow body into two sections. A ballast inductor is mounted on one side of the mounting means and a ballast capacitor is mounted on the other side of the mounting means so that the two components are separated, with the ambient atmosphere facilitating ballast component cooling. The mounting means also has the lamp mounted thereon. The composite base member is compact and relatively light and the ballast components operate in series circuit as a lead-type ballast, with the efficiency of operation being good.

Abstract: A spark plug incorporating a winding type inductor has a low noise level from a low frequency range to a high frequency range. The spark plug comprises a ceramic insulator having a bore, a metal fitting surrounding the insulator, a center electrode, a terminal electrode and a noise-attenuation element arranged in the bore of the ceramic insulator and sealed to the center and terminal electrodes through glass, said noise-attenuation element consisting of an inductance component alone or a combination of an inductance component and a resistance component, and said inductance component being arranged extending to both sides of a sealed level for the noise-attenuation element formed by an end of the metal fitting which is connected to the insulator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip containing one or more light-emitting diodes is mounted within a light-diffusing encasement having a standard incandescent light bulb lamp base. The integrated circuit chip also contains a rectifier and voltage regulator circuit. The resulting solid state lamp may then be used to replace any standard incandescent light bulb, as it can be inserted in any existing standard A.C. or D.C. lamp sockets. The encasement may be a standard hollow light bulb, or, for maximum light diffusion, a solid transparent or translucent plastic in which the chip is embedded.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder fitting has a preheat type circular fluorescent lamp with its ends in proximity and having a first end provided with a starting filament with a first and second filament terminal wire, and a second end provided with a second starting filament with a first and second filament terminal wire. A male screw base electrical connector extends axially along the lamp circle centerline from a housing which supports the lamp in a plane normal to the axis of the screw base. The screw base is provided with three electrical input connections which are adapted to be used in a three-way lampholder of a portable lamp or light fixture. A lamp starter is connected between the first lamp filament and the second lamp filament.

Abstract: A single-ended fluorescent lamp having a partitioned envelope is coupled to a threaded screw-in type base and a module that contains a miniaturized electronic circuit which permits the lamp to be started and operated on direct current from an AC power source. The resulting compact fluorescent lamp unit can thus be used as a direct replacement for incandescent lamps in fixtures that are designed for residential and commercial lighting. Cataphoretic pumping and accumulation of the mercury vapor in the vicinity of the cathode during DC operation and short-circuiting of the partition by the arc discharge are both prevented by a diaphragm assembly at the electrode-end of the envelope which includes a porous gasket of fibrous material that is permeable to mercury vapor but constitutes an impenetrable barrier to the arc.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an extension base at one end thereof which contains an impedance to reduce current flow through the lamp. The length of the lamp plus extension base equals the length of a standard fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A high intensity light source having high repetition rate and narrow pulse-width. The light source comprises a metal casing having coaxially mounted arcing electrodes therein which utilize the capacitance of the coaxial system to charge up to the arcing potential. One electrode is electrically connected to the end wall of the casing to provide a reflected wavefront from the end wall after an arc has been struck, such wavefront serving to extinguish the arc and thus provide a sharp pulse. The lamp may be used for such areas as photochemical and photobiological research, in place of much costlier nanosecond lasers.

Abstract: A spark plug is disclosed which is used for an internal combustion engine such as an automobile. The spark plug has a carbonaceous resistance sandwiched between its spark rod electrode and its terminal rod in the central through hole of an elongated hollow cylindrical ceramic insulator. The spark electrode is made of a heat and spark resisting semiconductive resistance material, is sealed integrally with the carbonaceous resistance in the central through hole of the insulator, and produces a spark discharge between a grounded electrode spaced therefrom by a predetermined gap. The spark plug of the above-mentioned construction enables the intensity of a noise wave produced upon the spark discharge to be suppressed to the lowest possible level.

Abstract: An improved control circuit for an electric discharge lamp includes a temperature-dependent capacitor connected in series or in parallel with the discharge lamp. The capacitor preferably has a negative temperature characteristic and is responsive to the heat generated in the discharge lamp. During the start-up period, the lamp temperature is low and the capacitance is relatively high, whereas in the operating condition of the lamp its temperature increases and the capacitance of the capacitor drops to a relatively low value. In the series arrangement, the starting current of the lamp is thereby increased over the operating current to promote better ignition of the lamp. Similarly, in the parallel arrangement the high capacitance capacitor facilitates lamp ignition, whereas during normal lamp operation the low capacitance shunt branch effectively appears as an open circuit exerting minimal influence on the lamp operation.

Abstract: A metal vapor discharge lamp includes a discharge tube with main electrodes at each end. A starting electrode extends around at least an axial portion of the tube intermediate the main electrodes, one main electrode is connected to the starting electrode by a first resistance and the other main electrode is connected to the other electrode by a second resistance. At least one of the resistances has a temperature dependent characteristic which is substantially more positive than the other resistance.

Abstract: There is provided in combination with a rapid-start series-sequence type ballast for two low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, apparatus for reducing the power consumption of both lamps. The apparatus utilizes switch means in conjunction with a capacitor to limit the current supply to the lamps after the lamps are energized. The switch means has two members in series circuit arrangement with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps. Each member is connected on opposite sides of the electrode. The capacitor is connected in parallel circuit arrangement with one of the members. Initially upon energization the switch means has a low impedance state to permit current flow and then switches to a high impedance state. The switch means permits preheating of the electrode and thereafter upon response to current flow switches and causes the lamp current to pass through the capacitor and thereby decrease by a predetermined amount the current through the normally operating lamps.

Abstract: A discharge device for igniting a fuel-air mixture whereby fuel droplets in the mixture are electrically charged and, under the influence of an electric field, caused to congregate at a region thereby concentrating the mixture at said region, means being provided to create an arc at said region. A device of more general use is also disclosed.