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: 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: The voltage drop in induction ionized lamps is reduced by utilization of annular magnetic cores of inwardly convex cross section. Core power dissipation may be minimized by use of cores having a circular cross section. Lamp voltage drop may further be reduced by eccentrically positioning the core within a substantially globular lamp enevelope.

Abstract: An improved spark plug for use in an internal combustion engine having a capacitive discharge ignition system. The spark plug includes a conventional metal shell supporting an insulator having a center electrode bore extending therethrough. A center electrode mounted in the insulator bore includes an electrode tip which defines a spark gap with a ground electrode. An auxiliary spark gap is formed within the insulator bore immediately above the tip. A low resistance inductive suppressor is mounted above the auxiliary spark gap and has an end attached to a terminal for connection to the capacitive discharge ignition system.

Abstract: An induction-ionized, electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a phosphor coated, globular envelope. An ionizable gas is contained in the envelope to produce radiation which excites the phosphor to produce light. A closed loop, magnetic core lying partially within and partially without the envelope couples radio frequency energy into the gas to produce ionization. The core may be bonded to a metal strap or enclosed in a metal container to improve heat transfer from the surrounding air. Primary windings and heat radiators are attached to the core outside the lamp envelope thereby eliminating the feed-through structures of other lamp embodiments.A radio frequency power supply and lamp base plug are attached to the envelope providing a lamp which is physically and electrically compatible with existing incandescent-type lamp equipment.