Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, method, and system for reducing clock-to-output delay of a sequential logic unit in a processor. The apparatus comprises a sequential unit including: a data path, to receive an input signal, including logic gates to operate on a first power supply level, the data path to generate an output signal; and a clock path including logic gates to operate on a second power supply level, the logic gates of the clock path to sample the input signal using a sampling signal to generate the output signal, wherein the second power supply level is higher than the first power supply level. The apparatus improves (i.e. reduces) setup time of the sequential unit and allows the processor to operate at minimum operating voltage (Vmin) without degrading performance of the sequential unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method for ascertaining a type of a gas discharge lamp using an electronic ballast for operating different types of gas discharge lamps, wherein the different types of gas discharge lamps differ in at least one operating parameter, wherein the method may include: a) preheating at least one filament in the gas discharge lamp for a predetermined preheating time; b) measuring a physical variable which is characteristic for the type of the gas discharge lamp at the end of the preheating time and providing the measurement value of said variable; and c) ascertaining the lamp type on the basis of the measurement value which is provided, wherein the preheating time is increased by a predetermined time period and the b) and c) are repeated if the lamp type in c) cannot be ascertained uniquely. Moreover, various embodiments provide an electronic ballast for operating at least two different types of gas discharge lamps which have at least one different operating parameter.

Abstract: An ionization gauge to measure pressure and to reduce sputtering yields includes at least one electron source that generates electrons. The ionization gauge also includes a collector electrode that collects ions formed by the collisions between the electrons and gas molecules. The ionization gauge also includes an anode. An anode bias voltage relative to a bias voltage of a collector electrode is configured to switch at a predetermined pressure to decrease a yield of sputtering collisions.

Abstract: A compensation system includes first and second sensors to determine the intensities of first and second fluorescent lamps, a compensator to control the intensity of the first lamp, and a controller to adjust the intensity of the first lamp to about the same intensity as the second lamp. The lamps may be coupled in series, and the compensator may be arranged to divert current around or away from one of the lamps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a multi-hot-cathode ionization gauge is provided to increase the operational lifetime of the ionization gauge in gaseous process environments. In example embodiments, the life of a spare cathode is extended by heating the spare cathode to a temperature that is insufficient to emit electrons but that is sufficient to decrease the amount of material that deposits on its surface or is optimized to decrease the chemical interaction between a process gas and a material of the at least one spare cathode. The spare cathode may be constantly or periodically heated. In other embodiments, after a process pressure passes a given pressure threshold, plural cathodes may be heated to a non-emitting temperature, plural cathodes may be heated to a lower emitting temperature, or an emitting cathode may be heated to a temperature that decreases the electron emission current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a multi-hot-cathode ionization gauge is provided to increase the operational lifetime of the ionization gauge in gaseous process environments. In example embodiments, the life of a spare cathode is extended by heating the spare cathode to a temperature that is insufficient to emit electrons but that is sufficient to decrease the amount of material that deposits on its surface or is optimized to decrease the chemical interaction between a process gas and a material of the at least one spare cathode. The spare cathode may be constantly or periodically heated. In other embodiments, after a process pressure passes a given pressure threshold, plural cathodes may be heated to a non-emitting temperature, plural cathodes may be heated to a lower emitting temperature, or an emitting cathode may be heated to a temperature that decreases the electron emission current.

Abstract: In a current fed electronic ballast multiple lamps are operated in a parallel circuit arrangement. The ballast provides pre-heating to the cathodes of the lamps for a period of time before an open circuit voltage is ramped up to the preferred starting voltage of the lamps. An open circuit voltage controller times coordinates the pre-heating and the operating voltage. After the pre-heating phase, current is removed from the cathodes of the lamps so that electricity is not wasted to the cathodes while the lamps are lit. A single switch is used to switch cathode pre-heating on and off, regardless of how many lamps the ballast operates. A decoupling array of diodes allows the single switch to coordinate pre-heating to all the lamps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for receiving a modulating signal, splitting up its various frequency components into separate channels using a plurality of filters, and applying the outputs of the filters to gas discharge lamp modulating circuits to analogously vary the light output of each lamp. The present invention processes the modulation signal through a control circuit, a peak voltage detector, a current source, an ionization voltage supply, a filter circuit, a voltage multiplier and a modulating circuit to the gas discharge lamps. Optocoupling elements are implement in the present invention to control the circuitry. The gas discharge lamps have a rectifying element connected between each gas discharge lamp to prevent the gas discharge lamps from being connected to neutral by the filament of an adjacent gas discharge lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting control system providing automatic and/or manual adjustability of the arc current(s) in one or more fluorescent lamps to permit operation of the lamps at less than rated wattage, and its concomitant luminous flux, in interior building spaces where full light output of the installed lamp(s) is rarely required particularly when daylight components are present. The goal(s) of this invention is to provide means to reduce wasteful electrical consumption in buildings and thereby reduce operating costs and gain the attendant benefit of dampening the increasing need for more electrical generation with its concomitant environmental pollution problem.

Abstract: Circuits for increasing the efficiency of fluorescent tubes by openings one side of all of the filament circuits of the tubes in response to flow of plasma current. The circuits may be employed in conjunction with the circuits of Lucetta U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,316. It should be noted that solid state relays could also be employed so that filament current, although not completely terminated, would be substantially terminated and filament losses would be inconsequential.

Abstract: An improved non-lighting fluorescent lamp substitute to replace one lamp in a two-lamp series connected circuit so that the circuit is completed through the remaining lamp allowing it to light, whereas without the lamp substitute, the circuit is incomplete if one lamp is removed and then the other lamp is unable to light. In one form, the device is wired into a light fixture, while in another form, it looks like a conventional fluorescent lamp and fits into the sockets of the fixture. Either form cuts power consumption substantially in half with a corresponding reduction in light output. The improvement is a triac in the device that limits the magnitude of the effective arc current by phase angle control to the original design current of the lamp and ballast in order to achieve the normally expected life of the lamp and ballast.

Abstract: A frequency stabilized automatic gain controlled ballast system (10) which is coupled to a power source (12) in order to operate at least one of a pair of gas discharge tubes (40 and 40'). Each of the gas discharge tubes (40, 40') include respective filaments (42, 44 and 42', 44'). A frequency control circuit (11) is coupled to the power source (12) and includes a frequency control transformer (43) and a frequency control capacitor (50) for establishing a constant oscillation signal at a predetermined frequency. A switching network (13) is connected to the frequency control circuit (11) for establishing a pulsating current responsive to the constant oscillation signal of predetermined frequency. Induction circuitry (15) is coupled to the switching network (13) and the frequency control circuit (11) and includes an inverter transformer (78) as well as coupling capacitors (86 and 88) for generating a voltage across the gas discharge tubes (40 and 40').

Abstract: A non-light emitting insert for a fluorescent lighting fixture is used in place of a fluorescent lamp to complete a plural lamp ballast circuit so that the ballast is effective to illuminate properly any remaining fluorescent lamp coupled therein. The insert appears externally as a conventional fluorescent lamp including end electrical terminations that fit in the sockets of a fluorescent lighting fixture, and to an extent the insert duplicates the electrical effect of a lamp in a two lamp ballast circuit. Using the insert a reduction in the light output and a substantially corresponding reduction in consumed electrical power are achieved for a plural lamp fluorescent lighting fixture arrangement while at the same time the components of the ballast circuit are operated at reasonably normal electrical and temperature levels.

Abstract: A compact integral permanently assembled lamp unit comprising a fluorescent lamp, resistor ballast, starter means, and end connectors for connecting a plurality of lamps together.

Abstract: A non-light emitting insert for a fluorescent lighting fixture is used in place of a fluorescent lamp to complete a plural lamp ballast circuit so that the ballast is effective to illuminate properly any remaining fluorescent lamp coupled therein. The insert appears externally as a conventional fluorescent lamp including end electrical terminations that fit in the sockets of a fluorescent lighting fixture, and to an extent the insert duplicates the electrical effect of a lamp in a two lamp ballast circuit. Using the insert a reduction in the light output and a substantially corresponding reduction in consumed electrical power are achieved for a plural lamp fluorescent lighting fixture arrangement while at the same time the components of the ballast circuit are operated at reasonably normal electrical and temperature levels.

Abstract: A device for replacing a fluorescent lamp in a two lamp serially connected fluorescent fixture either of the type which includes a rapid-start type transformer for every two rapid-start fluorescent lamps or an instant start fixture for every two instant start lamps. By placing the device in the fixture in place of one of the two lamps the remaining lamp is energizable to provide illumination, whereas without the device the remaining lamp is inactive.