Abstract: A configurable light timer adapted to receive data to control the operation of the configurable light timer is disclosed. The configurable light timer comprises a control circuit; an input portion coupled to receive a portable memory device by way of a connector on the configurable light timer, wherein the portable memory device stores data to be used by the configurable light timer and is adapted to be removed after the data is downloaded; and a memory coupled to receive the data stored on the portable memory device; wherein control circuit accesses the data from the memory after the data is downloaded and the portable memory device is removed. A method of receiving data to control the operation of the configurable light timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A user interface for implementing a configurable light timer controlling a light is disclosed. The user interface comprises an input portion for receiving timing characterization data, the input portion adapted to receive a portable memory device storing the timing characterization data; an actuator portion enabling a user to enter a current time on the timer; and a display responsive to the actuator portion to indicate the current time. A method of implementing a configurable light timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit controller for use in a light emitting diode (LED) driver includes a comparator, an input signal absence timer and a regulator circuit. The comparator receives a first voltage representative of an ac input signal and compares the first voltage with a reference voltage. The input signal absence timer determines whether the first voltage is less than the reference voltage for a threshold duration and in response thereto generates a detect signal indicating that a portion of an ac half cycle is absent from the ac input signal. The regulator circuit controls switching of a switch to regulate a transfer of energy from the ac input signal to an LED load. The regulator circuit is disabled from switching the switch in response to the detect signal indicating the absence of the portion of the ac half cycle from the ac input signal.

Abstract: A user interface of a configurable light timer is described. The user interface comprises an input portion for receiving timing characterization data, the input portion adapted to receive a portable memory device storing the timing characterization data; a control circuit coupled to detect the portable memory device inserted into the configurable light timer; and an internal memory; wherein the timing characterization data is automatically downloaded to the internal memory after the portable memory device is detected in the configurable light timer. A method of implementing a configurable light timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic spiral pulse generator is provided. The method may include providing a film composite comprising at least one ceramic green film and at least one metal layer; winding the film composite to form a spirally wound winding; laminating the winding; and sintering the laminated winding so as to create a spiral pulse generator.

Abstract: A circuit for enabling the use of timing characterization data in a configurable light timer is described. The circuit comprises a connector adapted to receive a portable memory device having timing characterization data; a control circuit coupled to receive the timing characterization data; and a switch coupled between a reference voltage and an output terminal of the configurable light timer, wherein the switch is controlled by the control circuit to disconnect the reference voltage from the output terminal according to the timing characterization data. A method of enabling the use of timing characterization data in a configurable light timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A controller for use in a light emitting diode (LED) driver is disclosed. An example controller includes an input circuit coupled to receive an ac input signal from an ac source. A dimmer disabler circuit is included and is coupled to be responsive to the input circuit to detect an absence of a portion of an ac half cycle the ac input signal for one or more consecutive ac half cycles from the ac input signal. A regulator circuit is included and is coupled to control a switching of a switch to regulate a transfer of energy from the ac input signal to a LED load to be coupled to an output of the LED driver. The dimmer disabler circuit is coupled to disable the regulator circuit from switching the switch in response to the detection of the absence of the portion of the ac half cycle from the ac input signal for the one or more consecutive ac half cycles from the ac input signal.

Abstract: A field emission device having a simple structure and capable of readily changing emission colors of light by adjusting emission intensity of red, green and blue light is provided. In the field emission device, current that flows into each cathode electrode block is adjusted according to a very low control pulse signal of 0 to 5 V with a predetermined voltage applied to an anode electrode and a gate electrode over time, so that emission intensities of red, green and blue are individually adjusted. Therefore, the current that flows into each cathode electrode block is adjusted in a simple manner using a control pulse signal of a low level without a separate pulse driving high-voltage power supply, so that emission intensities of red, green and blue can be arbitrarily adjusted and emission colors of the field emission device can be readily changed.

Abstract: A controllable light bulb comprises an electrical connector, a receiver module, an electronic switch, a translucent casing, and a light producing element. The electrical connector receives a power signal. The receiver module is powered by the power signal received via the electrical connector and determines control parameters based upon on/off modulation of the power signal. The receiver module generates a control signal based upon the control parameters while the power signal is on. The electronic switch outputs an output power signal and reduces the output power signal based on the control signal. The translucent casing encloses the light producing element. The light producing element receives the output power signal.

Abstract: A lighting device including a test device for testing the proper operation of a primary and a secondary power supply alternatively providing electrical power to the light. The test device is attached to a bracket using a single fastener such as a nut and the bracket is attached to a receptacle for the light using a different single fastener, such as a pop-rivet or screw.

Abstract: A power converter and power conversion method converts an input AC signal to a voltage usable by a load while reducing power consumption, thereby making the converter and method suitable for a wider range of applications. A rectifier receives the AC input signal and outputs a rectified voltage Vs, a controller has a power input connected to Vs and outputs two out-of-phase signals, two transistors are connected in series between Vs and a ground and each of the two transistors has a gate connected to a respective one of the two out-of-phase signals, and a transformer that has a primary coil connected to a node between the two transistors and a secondary coil connected to a load feeds back current from the secondary coil to the power input of the controller to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A controllable light bulb comprises an electrical connector, a receiver module, an electronic switch, a translucent casing, and a light producing element. The electrical connector receives a power signal. The receiver module is powered by the power signal received via the electrical connector and determines control parameters based upon on/off modulation of the power signal. The receiver module generates a control signal based upon the control parameters while the power signal is on. The electronic switch outputs an output power signal and reduces the output power signal based on the control signal. The translucent casing encloses the light producing element. The light producing element receives the output power signal.

Abstract: Reducing the manufacturing cost of an EL display device and an electronic device furnished with the EL display device is taken as an objective. A textured structure in which projecting portions are formed on the surface of a cathode is used. External stray light is diffusely (irregularly) reflected by the action of the projecting portions when reflected by the surface of the cathode, and therefore a defect in which the face of an observer or the surrounding scenery is reflected in the surface of the cathode can be prevented. This can be completed without using a conventionally necessary high price circular polarizing film, and therefore it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the EL display device.

Abstract: A field emission device having a simple structure and capable of readily changing emission colors of light by adjusting emission intensity of red, green and blue light is provided. In the field emission device, current that flows into each cathode electrode block is adjusted according to a very low control pulse signal of 0 to 5 V with a predetermined voltage applied to an anode electrode and a gate electrode over time, so that emission intensities of red, green and blue are individually adjusted. Therefore, the current that flows into each cathode electrode block is adjusted in a simple manner using a control pulse signal of a low level without a separate pulse driving high-voltage power supply, so that emission intensities of red, green and blue can be arbitrarily adjusted and emission colors of the field emission device can be readily changed.

Abstract: A flasher bulb including a thermal shorting element that alternately shorts and opens only a portion of the bulb filament, thus causing the flasher bulb to produce an alternating high-low illumination. The thermal element is activated by current passing through the element, rather than by heat from the filament. The amount of brightness differential between the “high” and “low” illumination of the flasher bulb is determined by the amount of bulb filament that is shorted out when the thermal element inside the bulb is in the closed position. When a plurality of such flasher bulbs are placed in the sockets of a series-wired light string, they cause the light string to exhibit a random high-low twinkle.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp comprises a discharge tube arrangement with at least one discharge tube. The tube is formed of glass, encloses a discharge volume filled with a discharge gas and has a fluorescent phosphor coating disposed on the inner surface of the tube. The tube forms a continuous arc path and is provided with electrodes disposed at each end of the arc path. The lamp also comprises a ballast circuit mounted on a printed circuit board, which is oriented in a plane substantially parallel to the principal axis of the lamp. The ballast circuit is connected to the electrodes by lead-in wires and to a supply voltage by lead-out wires and controls the current in the tube. A bulb shaped outer envelope has a substantially spherical portion enclosing at least a part of the tube arrangement and an elongated end portion enclosing at least the ballast circuit.

Abstract: A lamp contains a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage and includes a switch and a microcontroller that operates the switch to define the RMS load voltage. The microcontroller senses a load voltage of the lamp, compares the sensed load voltage to a reference RMS voltage, and operates the switch in response to the comparison so that the RMS load voltage is substantially constant at the reference RMS voltage over an operating range of the line voltage and so that the RMS load voltage decreases with decreasing line voltage at line voltages less than the operating range. The operating range of the line voltage is defined to have a minimum that is a non-zero line voltage at which a load current is a predetermined maximum. The voltage conversion circuit may be a phase clipping circuit or a pulse width modulation circuit.

Abstract: An integrated fluorescent lamp device for use with a lamp fixture including a lamp socket configured to removably receive a portion of the integrated fluorescent lamp device therein to selectively support the integrated fluorescent lamp device thereon, the integrated fluorescent device comprises an enclosure to house an electronic ballast coupled to a lamp base affixed to the enclosure having a pair of mounting members formed on opposite sides thereof configured to be removably received in the lamp socket obversely configured to secure the integrated fluorescent lamp device to the lamp fixture and a fluorescent lamp affixed to the enclosure including a spiral shaped glass tube containing a gas electrically coupled to the electronic ballast such that when a switch mounted on the lamp fixture is in the on position electricity flows from an AC power source through the lamp base, electronic ballast and fluorescent lamp to energize the gas within the spiral shaped glass tube.

Abstract: A lamp contains a lamp voltage conversion circuit that is entirely within a base for converting a line voltage at a lamp terminal to an RMS load voltage at a light emitting element. The voltage conversion circuit includes a forward clipping circuit with a three-terminal thyristor that forward clips a load voltage to define the RMS load voltage, and a time-based pulse source that provides pulses the trigger conduction of the three-terminal thyristor at constant time intervals that are independent of the magnitude of the line voltage.

Abstract: A lamp has a voltage controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage suitable for operation of the lamp's light emitting element, where the voltage controller is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller is connected in series between the light emitting element and a line voltage terminal in the lamp base and has a bridge that supplies the RMS load voltage to the light emitting element, a switching transistor that pulse width modulates a current supplied to the bridge, and a timer that is connected to a gate of the switching transistor to turn the switching transistor on and off at a rate that defines the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller allows the lamp to be used with an external dimming circuit that provides a clipped line voltage to the lamp.

Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor and a ballast choke of a lighting circuit, are disposed on a first face of a circuit board facing a base, and a one-package switch of the lighting circuit is disposed on a second face, facing a fluorescent lamp. The one-package switch comprises field effect transistors contained in a single package and serve as two inverter switches for driving the fluorescent lamp. The one-package switch is a generally rectangular SMD with dimensions of not more than 6 mm respectively in length and width and mounted on the second face of the circuit board by means of terminals of the one-package switch. The one-package switch enhances heat dissipation properties of the circuit, enables the reduction of its dimensions, and increases the mounting efficiency.

Abstract: A method of operating a lamp that has a power controller connected between a terminal and a light emitting element that converts the line voltage to an RMS load voltage. An input to an analog control block is provided in the controller that is independent of a change in magnitude of the line voltage. A trigger signal from the analog control block is provided at a first frequency by charging and discharging a capacitor in the analog control block that receives the input. An initial condition of the analog control block is resetted periodically. A sync signal synchronizes the trigger signal with a waveform of the line voltage. A load voltage is clipped based on the synchronized trigger signal to define the RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A lamp which includes a fixed phase power controller connected between a terminal and a light emitting element converts line voltage to an RMS load voltage. The controller has an analog control block that receives an input that is independent of a change in magnitude of the line voltage and that charges and discharges to provide a trigger signal at a first frequency, a reset circuit that periodically resets an initial condition of said analog control block, a synchronization connection that provides a sync signal that synchronizes the trigger signal with a waveform of the line voltage, and a control circuit that is connected to said terminal and to said analog control block and that clips a load voltage based on the synchronized trigger signal to define the RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage controller that converts a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage. The voltage controller is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller has a feed-back circuit that adjusts the RMS load voltage to a desired voltage based on a comparison to a preset reference. The voltage converter also includes a switching transistor that pulse width modulates lamp current and that is responsive to the feed-back circuit. The feed-back circuit may be included in a microcontroller that has a time-based signal source that triggers the transistor, a comparator that compares the load voltage to a reference, and a program that adjusts the time-based signal source based on the comparison so as to provide the desired RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage conversion circuit entirely within a lamp base. The voltage conversion circuit includes a pulse width modulator for modulating a lamp load voltage and provides a load voltage to a light emitting element. A feed-back circuit adjusts the pulse width modulator in response to the load voltage to cause an RMS load voltage to reach a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit includes a bridge that supplies the RMS load voltage to a light emitting element, a switching transistor that pulse width modulates a current supplied to the bridge, a timer connected to a gate of the switching transistor to turn the switching transistor on and off at a rate that defines the RMS load voltage, an analog-to-digital converter that converts the RMS load voltage to a digital signal, a comparator that compares an output from the converter to a preset reference value, and a circuit that adjusts the timer in response to an output from the comparator.

Abstract: A light source of the invention includes: a cylinder having disposed therein a phosphor material that emits light by ultraviolet rays which are radiated due to discharge; a pair of internal electrodes disposed inside the cylinder; a pair of external electrodes a and b disposed outside the cylinder; and a lamp controller that switches between an external electrode lighting mode resulting from the application of a voltage to the pair of external electrodes and an internal electrode lighting mode resulting from the application of a voltage to the pair of internal electrodes, wherein the lamp controller controls, in the external electrode lighting mode, an electric potential VIN with respect to the pair of internal electrodes and an electric potential VH of the electrode of the higher electric potential of the pair of external electrodes to a condition where VIN>VH or VIN?VH.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light. Power couplings are electrically connected to the pins of a fluorescent lamp and to a power converter of the wireless network component so that a circuit is completed between the pins and the power converter. The power couplings may alternatively be electrically connected to the fluorescent lamp connectors of a fluorescent light fixture and to the power converter of the wireless network component to complete the circuit. Power supplied to fluorescent lamp is drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. Alternatively, the ballast of the fluorescent light power source may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the wireless network component to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light.

Abstract: A discharge device generates stable direct current glow discharges at high gas pressures. The discharge device has a flat cathode that does not utilize microhollows, and has an anode containing an arbitrarily shaped opening. A dielectric having a minimum thickness separates the anode and the cathode by a by a distance of less than one millimeter. The discharge device may be included in a discharge chamber for maintaining the device at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A tubular fluorescent lamp has a light emissive portion and an integral adjacent portion for containing power circuitry, such as an electronic ballast for providing high voltage power to electrodes of the lamp. All necessary electrical connections between the power circuitry and the electrodes are provided either within or on the lamp structure itself.

Abstract: A system for an individual bulb timing assembly for providing direct bulb timed on-off sequencing. A timing assembly that is installed directly into an electrical fixture bulb socket, that provides electrical power to an individual timing assembly, allowing each bulb directly controlled by a timing assembly to be preprogrammed, enabling timed sequence events at the bulb for selected electrical lighting fixtures. The timing assembly receives electrical power that has moved through the select fixture, the invention positioned after the power is through the fixture provides for operation independent of the kind and type of power source, delivery line to the fixture, and the kind and type of switching device controlling the select fixture. The system is programmable at the attached controlled bulb for two timed events in a twenty four hour period. Programmed event timing is protected by the timing assembly's onboard energy storage cell.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting circuit 1 has a DC power supply circuit 3 for outputting a DC voltage and a DC-AC conversion circuit 4 for converting the output voltage of the DC power supply circuit 3 into an AC voltage and then supplying the AC voltage to a discharge lamp 6. To light the discharge lamp 6, a predetermined period of time over which the polarity of the voltage supplied from the DC-AC conversion circuit 4 to the discharge lamp 6 is defined as either positive or negative and is provided before the discharge lamp 6 is lighted. The voltage polarity is forcibly inverted to limit the duration of the period so as not to exceed the predetermined time. The circuit reduces costs and prevents short life and degradation of a discharge lamp by placing a time limit on the duration of the period over which the supply voltage polarity is temporarily fixed before the discharge lamp is lighted.

Abstract: A method to eliminate filament hot shock in lamp filaments, particularly in compact filament light sources such as high efficiency infrared reflective coated halogen lamps, during installation or during energization comprising a voltage reduction circuit that reduces the voltage applied to the lamp filaments for a predetermined period of time and a timing circuit that is activated each time the lamp is energized and controls the predetermined period of time during which the voltage reduction circuit reduces voltage applied to the lamp filaments. Optionally, a one time latch circuit may be included that enables the timing circuit upon energization and disables it after the voltage reduction circuit has operated continuously for the predetermined period of time, and forever thereafter.

Abstract: A metal halide lamp, having a cold fill pressure of at least 50 torr, incorporates a starter circuit with an active device to protect the diode included therein. The active portion of the starter circuit, either removes a voltage multiplying circuit portion, from the starter circuit or shorts out the diode by shunting action of the switch. The voltage multiplier circuit portion is connected across the main electrodes, wherein the voltage multiplier circuit portion increases the starting voltage applied to the starter electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus supplies an ohmic, inductive or capacitive load with needle pulse trains in which each individual pulse has a duration of less than 1 millisecond. Due to pulse amplitudes which are by far higher in relation to the nominal voltage of the load, considerable increases in efficiency can be achieved, however, without damaging the load or impairing its useful life. The needle pulses are of constant amplitude and the same polarity. The ratio between pulse voltage and nominal voltage is always higher than 1.7.

Abstract: A lamp device is constituted by an assembly consisting of a holder and a lamp and can be detachably attached to an installation hole of a print board or the like. The lamp device internally includes a flickering circuit for flickering the lamp. The holder comprises first, second, and third contact members for electrically connecting a power supply terminal of the print board with the lamp, and a flickering circuit element is contained in the holder. The first contact member has contacts with the power supply terminal and with a lead of the lamp. The second contact member has contacts with another lead of the lamp and with a terminal of the flickering circuit element. The third contact member has contacts with another terminal of the flickering circuit element and the power supply terminal.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp bulb which is driven by an electronic control module (ECM) and method of manufacture characterized in that an inductor comprising a magnetic element and a winding thereon is disposed within a screw shell base of the lamp bulb and surrounds the lamp exhaust tube therein. One end of the winding on the magnetic element is connected to a filament wire within the screw shell base and the other end of the inductive winding is connected to an output terminal of the ECM control module. In this manner, the inductor significantly reduces the di/dt rise time of voltage and current when a triac within the ECM module is driven to conduction on each one half cycle of the applied AC line voltage. This operation in turn produces a substantial reduction in radio frequency interference, both of radiation transmitted into space from the lamp bulb and by direct DC coupling back into the AC line voltage source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base socket that fits into incandescent fixtures and allows one or many "stick" type compact fluorescent lamps to be inserted. The fixture allows the user to insert as many CFL's as desired without changing or rearranging, in any way, the ballast. The ballast circuitry is designed for series or parallel electrical connections of the CFL's. When in series each socket has a bypassing microswitch that provides for electrical circuit continuity.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a resistive fuse for overcurrent protection of its associated ballast, which fuse is connected electrically in series with the discharge vessel of the lamp and continuously dissipates power during lamp operation. The resistive fuse is heated by passage of the operating current through the discharge vessel during lamp operation to a temperature substantially controlled by the operating current. In response to an increase in the operating current to a predetermined overcurrent, the resistive fuse reaches a temperature such that it breaks and disconnects the discharge vessel from its source of electric potential within a predetermined time period. The fuse passes short-term high starting currents and does not disconnect the discharge vessel during each lamp start-up at least until the operating current reaches the predetermined over-current during lamp life.

Abstract: A starting circuit is used in combination with a high intensity discharge lamp having electrodes. An inductor is in series with the electrodes of the lamp, and a first switching transistor is arranged in series with a diode and a load resistor. The first switching transistor, diode, and resistor are arranged in shunt with the electrodes of the lamp and in series with the inductor for charging the inductor when the first switching transistor is switched ON. The energy stored in the inductor is discharged as a voltage pulse across the lamp when the first switching transistor is switched OFF. A first bias circuit turns the first switching transistor ON at a first voltage level from an AC power source. A second switching transistor turns the first transistor OFF at a second voltage level. A second bias circuit turns the second switching transistor ON at the second voltage.

Abstract: A light emitting tunnel diode oscillator comprising a body of single crystalline material having a first portion n-doped and a second portion p-doped in such a way that the resulting p-n junction has the low voltage conductance characteristics of a tunnel diode as well as characteristics of light emission.The light emitting tunnel diode oscillator comprises a plurality of alternately layered n-doped portions and p-doped portions.a light emitting tunnel diode oscillator wherein said first n-doped portion and said second p-doped portion are formed to have a thickness corresponding to an integral number of desired wave lengths.

Abstract: An EL display panel comprises a plurality of insulating substrates which are aligned side by side. Each substrate has an elongated first side surface and an opposite second side surface, a plurality of discrete electrodes formed on the first side surface, a common electrode formed on the second side surface, and a plurality of luminescent elements formed on a top surface of the substrate. The discrete electrodes of the adjacent substrates are electrically connected with each other.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a sealed lamp envelope enclosing a filament, a screw shell connected to the lower portion of the envelope, and electrical leads extending from the filament into the screw shell. The screw shell has a bottom opening, in which is mounted an electronic control module. The electronic module is retained in the screw shell by an insulator. A spring is compressed between the electronic module and an exhaust tube on the lower portion of the envelope. One electrical lead is electrically coupled from the module through the spring to the filament, allowing the module to control the filament. The insulator defines a cavity for retention of the electronic module in a fixed position.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp is mounted on an ordinary Edison-type screw-base; which screw-base contains a frequency-converting electronic ballast. The combined lamp-ballast-assembly is adapted to be used in an ordinary screw-in lamp socket powered from ordinary 120 Volt/60 Hz power line voltage. The frequency-converting ballast within the screw-base converts the 120 Volt/60 Hz power line voltage to a high-frequency (20-30 kHz) substantially sinusoidal current, which is then used for powering the compact fluorescent 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: An adjustable flasher plug includes two load circuits such as light indicative circuits or decorative bulbs connected in series operatively contacting a left conducting pin of two pins connecting a power source, and a bimetallic strip jacketed in a heating coil operatively connecting two conducting pins of the power source, whereby upon the heating of the coil, the bimetallic strip will be bent to alternatively shift its contact from a load circuit to the other load circuit to form a simple, compact flasher device with adjustable alternative shift (flashing) frequency of the two load circuits.

Abstract: A flasher bulb and method of making same by mass production techniques are disclosed. The flasher bulb has first and second nickel wires connected by a tungsten wire to form a loop and a bimetallic strip one end of which is connected to one of the nickel wires, the strip being bent towards the other nickel wire. When the strip is heated by passage of current through the tungsten wire, it makes contact with the other nickel wire to take the tungsten wire out of circuit but retain current flow through the nickel wires. Accordingly in a string of flasher bulbs, extinction of one bulb will not necessary cut off current to the others. The conductive wires and bimetallic strip are assembled in position in a mold and held in place by an insulating disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for forming special color effects wth at least an electrical lamp which is supplied with a pulsed current and moved by a relative movement into space. The device supplies the electrical lamp with an electrical current which is pulsed during a time T1 in accordance with a pulsating period T, the cyclic ratio T1/T varying between 0 and 1 and the frequency 1/T varying from 1 to 500 Hz.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glow discharge starter having a sealed envelope containing an ionizable medium, a bimetallic electrode and a counter electrode located within the envelope. A getter holder is secured to one of the electrodes adjacent the internal surface of the envelope. An arc discharge lamp employing the improved glow discharge starter as part of a starting circuit is described.

Abstract: A rapid-start fluorescent lamp includes a circuit breaker having a sealed glass bottle, a pair of electrical conductors sealed therein and passing therethrough and a thermally sensitive bimetal switch within the glass bottle with the bimetal switch having a pair of leg portions of unequal length.