Abstract: A potting compound for electronic components comprises a first composition of asphalt and sand and a second composition that attenuates the forces normally applied by the first composition when it is used alone. The force attenuator preferably comprises solvent-refined heavy paraffinic petroleum oil from about 0.1 to 20 wt % of the compound.

Abstract: A base-up incandescent lamp (10) includes a coiled-coil filament (14) that has a primary wire (18) and a secondary wire (16), the primary wire (18) comprising an overwind that overlies the secondary wire (16) and provides a lower filament temperature and, therefore, less filament sag and a concomitant longer lamp life.

Abstract: A light regulation device includes at least one light sensor which provides at its output a real brightness value, at least one regulator to which a set brightness value can be supplied, besides the real value, and a number n of output connections, n being greater than or equal to two. Each output connection is coupled to the output of a regulator in order to modify the light flux which can be supplied to at least one of the lighting elements. The regulator is designed to determine a difference between set and real values, to verify whether this difference lies within or outside a predeterminable tolerance range, and, in the event that the difference lies outside the tolerance range, to modify accordingly the light flux from the lighting elements which can be connected to the n output connections. At least one limit of the tolerance range depends on the actual light flux value.

Abstract: A lamp having a measurable ultra violet light emission and having thereon a first marking revealing at least the operating characteristics of said lamp and a second marking evidencing a change in characteristics in response to exposure to ultra violet emissions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a symbol or other indicia is provided on the lamp as the second marking that fades in accordance with the number of hours the lamp is operating, thus providing an indication of the UV output of the lamp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for driving a gate of a transistor, in particular a MOSFET, which is arranged in an electronic ballast, the circuit arrangement (2) being designed for the variable driving of the gate (221) as a function of the operating state of the electronic ballast. The invention also relates to a method for driving a gate of such a transistor.

Abstract: A mounting structure for LED lighting sources, includes a support body having attached on one side thereof a circuit board for mounting the LED lighting sources. The circuit board is preferably a printed-circuit board with conductive traces to feed electrical power to the LED lighting sources. The support body is in the form of an elongated bar or a box with a linear, round, square, hexagonal or octagonal shape. The support body is a drawn or molded body of a lightweight material and preferably exhibits good heat transfer properties. The support body includes a back side for mounting the structure on a supporting surface, such back side possibly having associated a heat dissipation fixture. Additionally, the support body may have free space inside and/or be at least partially apertured to permit cooling air flow for a driver circuit for driving the LED lighting source.

Abstract: A ballast (10) for powering at least one gas discharge lamp (70) in a program start mode comprises an inverter (200), a resonant output circuit (400), and a control circuit (600). During operation of ballast (10), control circuit (600) monitors a voltage within resonant output circuit (400). When the monitored voltage reaches a first specified level that is indicative of sufficient filament preheating, control circuit (600) maintains the inverter operating frequency at a first present value for a preheating period so as to provide preheating of lamp filaments (72,74). Following completion of the preheating period, control circuit (600) allows the inverter operating frequency to decrease. When the monitored voltage reaches a second specified level that is indicative of sufficient ignition voltage, control circuit (600) maintains the inverter operating frequency at a second present value for an ignition period so as to provide ignition of lamp (70).

Abstract: A lamp contains a lamp voltage conversion circuit which includes a forward/reverse hybrid phase-control clipping circuit that clips a load voltage and provides an RMS load voltage to the lamp. The phase-control clipping circuit has a time-based pulse source that triggers conduction of the phase-control clipping circuit independently of line voltage magnitude during time periods spanning polarity changes of the load voltage that are separated by intervals when conduction is not triggered.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for protecting an electronic converter against overloads includes: a low impedance path selectively activatable to prevent ignition of the electronic converter, the low impedance path including an electronic switch, a control capacitor whose charge voltage controls the electronic switch, whereby the electronic switch is activated to prevent ignition of the electronic converter when the charge voltage of the control capacitor is above a given threshold, a first generator for loading the control capacitor, the first generator activatable in the presence of a first overload condition of the electronic converter, and a second generator for further loading the control capacitor, the second generator activatable in the presence of a second overload condition of the electronic converter, the second overload condition being heavier than the first overload condition.

Abstract: A sensor system has a video camera and an evaluation unit, the evaluation unit receiving a video signal from the video camera and providing output information relating to luminance and movement of an observation space. The evaluation unit can include a microcontroller that undertakes calculations in order to provide the output information. However, the sensor system can be included in a light control system. A method for controlling an artificial light component of controllable light sources via a light control system includes: picking up a video signal, relaying the video signal to the input of the evaluation unit, evaluating the video signal with reference to luminance and movement in the evaluation unit, outputting the information relating to luminance and movement at the output of the evaluation unit to a control unit and setting a desired brightness of the controllable light sources via the control unit.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement has a drive circuit for a lamp having a first connection for a first filament of the lamp and a second connection for a second filament of the lamp, a protective circuit, coupled on the output side to the drive circuit and on the input side to the first connection for the first filament and the second connection for the second filament such that a first signal correlated with an operational parameter of the first filament, and a second signal, correlated with an operational parameter of the second filament, can be transmitted to the protective circuit. The arrangement also includes a modification apparatus connected between the protective circuit and the first connection and/or the second connection, the apparatus designed to modify the first signal and/or the second signal and to make them available to the protective circuit as a modified first signal and/or a modified second signal.

Abstract: An arrangement (900) and method (1000) for providing power line communication from an AC power source (910) to a circuit (900) for supplying power to a load (960), as well as electronic ballasts (20,30,40,70,80) that operate according to the method (1000).

Abstract: A lamp (10) has a base (12) including a longitudinal axis (14) extending in a first direction (16) and a transverse axis (18) extending in a second direction (20) normal to the longitudinal axis (14). A pivot arm (22) is mounted on the base (12) for rotation through 180 degrees about the transverse axis (18) and at least one LED (24) is mounted with the pivot arm (22). Electrical means (26) are enclosed in the base (12) and pivot arm (22) for supplying electrical energy to the at least one LED (24). A cover 30 is mounted with the base (12) and is rotational about the longitudinal axis (14).

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system receives power from a power supply and includes a lighting control module, a lamp, and a ballast having a bias control circuit. The lighting control module provides a remote enable signal to the ballast in response to an input. The bias control circuit of the ballast receives a supply voltage from a power supply and the remote enable signal and selectively energizes a bias regulator circuit of the ballast as a function of the remote enable signal. When the bias regulator circuit is energized, a controller of the ballast operates the ballast to provide power from the power supply to the lamp.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying a constant current to at least one LED includes a current source (2; 2a, 2b) with an output capacitor (3) connected across the terminals of the current source. An output inductor (4) is associated with the output capacitor (3) whereby the current supplied flows through the inductor (4). A smoothing resistor (5) is preferably connected in parallel to the output inductor (4).

Abstract: Circuit with a switch-off device for the operation of light sources The invention relates to a circuit with a switch-off device for the operation of light sources (Lp), have the following features: a self-commutated half-bridge inverter having a series circuit of an upper electronic switch and a lower electronic switch (T1, T2), which are joined at a half-bridge midpoint (M) and are connected between a supply voltage (+) and a ground potential, a start capacitor (C3) which is joined via a trigger element (DIAC) to a control electrode of the lower electronic switch (T2), and a switch-off device having an input (E) and an output, which are configured and connected so that they discharge the start capacitor (C3) if a switch-off signal is applied to the input (E). The switch-off device contains a time delay.

Abstract: Apparatus for safely connecting a lamp to an equipment voltage ground, includes a rectification circuit for rectifying the power supply alternating voltage into a direct voltage, and an oscillating circuit for converting the direct voltage into alternating voltage for driving the lamp to work. The oscillating circuit includes a DC-blocking capacitor, a oscillating inductor and an oscillating capacitor orderly connected in series, and one end of the DC-blocking capacitor is connected to the output rectification voltage of the rectification circuit, and another end is connected to the oscillating inductor, while one end of the oscillating capacitor is connected to the equipment voltage ground, and another end is connected to the working voltage terminal of the lamp. The ground terminal of the lamp is electrically connected to the equipment voltage ground through a parallel circuit formed of a switch and a high impedance capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit (200) for powering a high intensity discharge lamp (10) comprises first and second input terminals (202,204), first and second output terminal (206,208), first and second inverter switches (SW1,SW2), a transformer (240), first and second buck capacitors (CBUCK1,CBUCK2), first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2), an ignitor (216), and a diode subcircuit (250,260). Transformer (240) includes a primary winding (242) and a secondary winding (244). During operation of circuit 200, primary winding (242) functions as a buck inductor, while secondary winding (244) operates in conjunction with diode subcircuit (250,260) to provide enhanced low frequency open circuit voltage (OCV) during the lamp starting phase and during steady-state powering of the lamp (10). Circuit (200) also allows for a lamp current having a non-zero average value. Circuit (200) is realizable with first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2) having a relatively low capacitance value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating at least one lamp (LA), which has a first filament (W1) and a second filament (W2), it comprising an apparatus (10) for determining a variable which is correlated with the temperature of at least one of the two filaments (W1; W2). It also relates to a method for operating at least one lamp, which has a first and second filament, a variable correlated with the temperature of at least one of the two filaments being determined prior to restarting the lamp.

Abstract: A circuit (300) for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (302,304), output terminal (306,308), a charging circuit (RIGN,CIGN), a transformer (320) having a primary winding (322) and a secondary winding (324), a MOSFET (340), and a clamping diode (DCLAMP). During operation, ignitor circuit (300) provides a high voltage (VIGN) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit (300) provides an ignition voltage (VIGN) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit (300) may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.