Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a conduction angle of a phase-control clipping circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the conduction angle of the phase-control clipping circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ballast for lamps having a converter, in which a switching transistor is protected against transient disturbances by a detection circuit C1, C2, R1, R2, D1–3, T1. In this case, the time derivative of the voltage is taken into consideration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ballast, in which an internal converter S1, S2, C1 continues to operate in the event of a lamp failure. An auxiliary power supply from control circuits can thus be maintained.

Abstract: An arc discharge light source (10) for automotive headlight applications comprises an arc tube (12) having a hollow body (14) arrayed along a longitudinal axis (16) and provided with first and second ends (18, 20). The first and second ends have, respectively, first and second jointure areas (22, 24) with the hollow body (14). Electrodes (26, 28) are sealed respectively in each of the first and second ends (18, 20). An arc generating and sustaining medium is contained within the hollow body. a low-voltage-pulse starting aid (30) is associated with the arc tube and comprises an electrically conductive member (32) having an intermediate portion (34) and proximal and distal ends (36, 38). The intermediate portion (34) extends the length of the hollow body (14) and the proximal and distal ends (36, 38) each terminating in a loop (40, 42) comprised of a single turn of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp 10 has an envelope 12 that includes a chamber 14. A core 16 of magnetic material, preferably ferrite, is positioned in the chamber 14 and has a first winding 18 surrounding the core and having first and second lead-in wires 20, 22, attached to a high frequency voltage supply or ballast 24. A second winding 26 surrounds the core 16, respective turns of the second winding 26 being located adjacent turns of the first winding 18 and electrically insulated therefrom. The second winding 26 has a free end 28 and has another end 30 connected to one of the lead-in wires, for example 20. A braided sheath 32 surrounds the other of the lead-in wires 22. The first winding 18 is generally called the RF antenna. The braided sheath 32 is connected to the local ground. This inexpensive solution alone reduces the conductive EMI level sufficiently to pass all existing regulations on such interference with significant reserve.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting mercury from leaching from a land-filled arc discharge lamp containing a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury, provides for including within the lamp a quantity of a non-metallic copper-containing compound and an ingredient X, said ingredient X including a noble metal or a noble metal compound selected from the group consisting of silver and compounds of silver, gold and platinum, and a lamp containing same. The inhibiting compound is preferably included with the basing cement.

Abstract: A method of converting a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage in a lamp includes the steps of pulse width modulating a load voltage with a pulse width modulation circuit, triggering conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit independently of a line voltage magnitude with a time-based signal source that defines a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit, and adjusting the RMS load voltage to the desired RMS load voltage by adjusting the triggering of conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit based on a comparison of the RMS load voltage to a reference.

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: The operating method is based on the simultaneous use of FM and AM and is distinguished by passing through a number of steps which are used to find an optimum frequency for the AM and, in addition, to define an optimum AM level. An electronic ballast which has a memory module which can be overwritten is used for implementation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric lamp including at least one vessel for producing and emitting visible electromagnetic radiation, a base for securing and making electrical contact with the lamp in a luminaire fitting, and a connecting part which connects the base to one of the remaining parts of the lamp. The connecting part is in the form of a rotationally symmetrical rotary device which allows the remaining parts of the lamp to be rotated with respect to the base, when the base is secured in the fitting, about the axis of the lamp.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes plural resistors connected to each other in parallel, each of the resistors being series-connected to a respective fuse, each of which has a different breaking current corresponding to voltage present at the line. A resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit is fixed by breaking at least one fuse in response to the first voltage. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp (10) having a burner (20), a ballast housing (30) containing a ballast (40) and a screw base (50) for connection to a power supply. A reentrant cavity (60) is formed in the burner (20) and an amalgam receptacle (70) containing amalgam (75) is formed as a part of the reentrant portion and in communication with the burner (20). A housing cap (80), formed of a suitable plastic, connects the burner (20) to the ballast housing (30) and a suitable adhesive (31) fixes the burner to the housing cap (80). An EMI cup (90) is formed as an insert to fit into the ballast housing (30), which also is formed of a suitable plastic, and has a bottom portion (100) and an EMI cap (110) with an aperture (120) therein closing an upper portion (140). The EMI cup (90) and the EMI cap (110) are preferably formed from 0.5 mm brass. The amalgam receptacle (70) extends through the aperture (120) and into the cup (90).

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: A step-up converter has a power factor correction, has an input for connection to a supply voltage, in particular a rectified AC voltage; an inductor, a diode and a storage capacitor, which are coupled in a series arrangement between the input and the output, in which the voltage that is dropped across the storage capacitor is provided at the output; a switch, which is coupled between a junction point between the inductor and the diode, on the one hand, and a reference potential, on the other hand; and a drive circuit for the switch which controls the times for which the switch remains closed and open; the drive circuit being designed to control the time for which the switch remains closed as a function of the freewheeling time of the inductor. A method for operating such a step-up converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stem and lamp capsule are connected together as an assembly using a retainer such that the stem is clamped to one end of the retainer and the capsule is clamped to the other end of the retainer. An oxidizable fuse is connected between leads of the capsule and electrical conductors of the stem. The retainer maintains the rigidity of the assembly and keeps a constant distance between the stem and the lamp capsule so that the repeatability and failure parameters of the fuse length can be maintained within acceptable tolerance.

Abstract: A ballast and its operating method for a dielectrically impeded discharge lamp. The ballast contains a transformer having a third winding which can be short-circuited via a switch. By so doing, the injection of the voltage pulse into the lamp circuit may be controlled by an external trigger signal.

Abstract: A coil bobbin (10) has a housing (12) having a floor (14) with at least one electrical lead-in (16) projecting therethrough for attachment to a printed circuit board (18). The at least one electrical lead-in (16) is provided with thermal-strain relief (20) between said floor (14) and the printed circuit board (18). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the strain relief takes the form of a loop formed in the lead-in.

Abstract: A coil bobbin (10) that comprises a housing (12) with an interior (13) and including a floor (14) with at least one electrical lead-in (16) projecting through an aperture (15) in the floor. The lead-in (16) has one end (17) formed for attachment to a printed circuit board (18). The electrical lead-in (16) has a given diameter D1 and is provided with thermal-strain relief (20) positioned within the interior (13) of housing (14). The aperture (15) has a diameter D2 larger than the given diameter D1 of the lead-in. The larger diameter D2 of the aperture allows free movement of the lead-in during thermal cycling and contributes to the desired result. This construction also allows the use of round lead-ins over the previously employed square lead-ins, which were required to provide the rigid interference fit previously necessary.