Abstract: A fluorescent lamp of high brightness and compact size is provided by constructing the envelope from two or more phosphor-coated open-ended glass tubes that are held in bundled columnar relationship by a dome-shaped cap which is also phosphor coated and defines an end chamber that is common to each of the tubes. The opposite ends of the tubes are closed and contain electrodes so that one or several arc discharges can pass between the electrodes by traversing the interconnecting end chamber and the associated tubes when the lamp is energized. If three or more arc tubes are used, operation of the lamp in either a single or multiple-discharge mode can be achieved by selectively energizing different pairs of electrodes and tubes. Operating circuits for energizing a three-tube lamp and a four-tube lamp in such a manner are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluorescent light source of small physical size and high brightness is provided by making the vitreous envelope of cylindrical configuration and providing it with an inserted partition assembly that is coated with phosphor and longitudinally extends from the hermetically sealed end of the envelope to its flat end wall or face. The partition assembly preferably comprises a series of radiallyextending sheet metal panels that divide the envelope interior into a series of interconnected sectors that define a discharge channel which forces the discharge to follow a retroverted path through the envelope. One end of the partition assembly is seated against the flat end wall of the envelope and its opposite end is seated in keyed interlocked relationship with a disc-like support member that is held in place by the lead-in conductors and has channels which receive the ends of the partition panels.

Abstract: The tubular envelope of a double-ended fluorescent lamp is provided with a partition assembly of sheet metal or other rigid material that is inserted into the envelope in the space between the electrodes and defines a single discharge channel which forces the arc to traverse the envelope an odd number of times in retroverted fashion, thus reducing the size of the lamp and providing a concentrated light source of high brightness. The partition assembly consists of a number of joined panels that radially extend from a common axis to the envelope walls and divide the interior of the envelope into an odd number of sectors that are interconnected and form a continuous discharge channel. Diaphragm components are fastened to each end of the partition assembly and laterally extend across the interior of the envelope to prevent the arc from bypassing the partition assembly or any of its planar segments.

Abstract: The envelope of a fluorescent lamp is provided with a partition assembly of sheet metal or other rigid material that is inserted into the envelope and forces the art discharge to follow a tortuous path which is longer than the envelope, thus reducing the size of the lamp and providing a concentrated light source. The inherent tendency of the arc to bypass the partition by seeking and passing through small gaps or crevices between the envelope wall and the mating edges of the partition assembly is prevented by providing the longitudinal edges of the partition assembly with short laterally-extending flanges that are seated against or closely overlie the envelope wall. The resulting lengthening of the arc-leakage paths through such gaps or crevices creates a "barrier" along the envelope-partition interface which cannot be breached by the arc.

Abstract: The envelope of a single-ended fluorescent lamp is provided with an inserted partition assembly that forces the arc discharge to follow a tortuous path which is longer than the envelope, thus reducing the size of the lamp and providing a concentrated light source which is suited for use in lighting fixtures that are designed for incandescent type lamps. The inherent tendency of the arc to bypass the partition is overcome by seating the end of the partition assembly against a soft gasket of porous material (preferably fibrous in structure) that is located at the sealed end of the envelope and constitutes a barrier to the discharge which blocks the direct arc-path between the adjacent electrodes. The porous gasket is part of a diaphragm assembly and, since it is permeable to gases and vapors, it does not interfere with the evacuation of gaseous impurities and water vapor from the envelope when the lamp is being manufactured.

Abstract: A single-ended fluorescent lamp having a partitioned envelope is coupled to a threaded screw-in type base and a module that contains a miniaturized electronic circuit which permits the lamp to be started and operated on direct current from an AC power source. The resulting compact fluorescent lamp unit can thus be used as a direct replacement for incandescent lamps in fixtures that are designed for residential and commercial lighting. Cataphoretic pumping and accumulation of the mercury vapor in the vicinity of the cathode during DC operation and short-circuiting of the partition by the arc discharge are both prevented by a diaphragm assembly at the electrode-end of the envelope which includes a porous gasket of fibrous material that is permeable to mercury vapor but constitutes an impenetrable barrier to the arc.

Abstract: A reflector-type incandescent lamp having a glass envelope with an end face or lens component that is coated with a film of colored plastic is retained within a paperboard shipping and display carton by a peripheral flange structure and an end closure that are formed by integral parts of the carton. The plastic-coated end face of the lamp envelope is protected from abrasion damage by the rough edges of the tabular members which form the retaining-flange structure by a shield-panel that also constitutes an integral part of the carton and is automatically pulled into overlapping relationship with the flange structure when the carton is erected into tubular form from collapsed condition. The shield-panel is so shaped that it provides a non-abrasive continuous pad for the coated end face of the packaged lamp.

Abstract: The light output of a fluorescent lamp is improved under cold temperature operating conditions by enclosing the envelope in a jacket of light-transmitting plastic material that has a plurality of air pockets or bubbles formed therein. The pockets of entrapped air collectively function as a thermal blanket for the envelope which conserves the heat produced by the lamp during operation without obstructing the generated light rays. The "thermo-bubble" jacket is preferably fabricated from flexible two-ply plastic so that it can also serve as a lightweight protective component for the lamp when it is packed with other jacketed lamps in a shipping container.

Abstract: The planar multi-coil filament of a high-wattage halogen-cycle incandescent lamp is suspended within the envelope by a mount assembly having support rods that are fastened to the lead-in conductors, the ends of the filament and the insulating bridge members by mechanical means rather than metal-to-metal welds. The mechanical junctures are effected by providing a coiled portion on one of the components and then crimping or hot-clamping it around the inserted part of the other component. The expense and quality control problems encountered with tungsten-to-tungsten and molybdenum-to-tungsten welds in the prior art halogen-cycle lamps are thus eliminated. Lamp cost is further reduced by fabricating the envelope from a selected hard glass and, in the case of lamps having large planar filaments, distortion of the filament coiled sections is prevented by modifying the mount structure to provide a "floating bridge" action.

Abstract: The mercury-vapor pressure within an operating fluorescent lamp is regulated by several discrete bodies or bits of a suitable amalgamative metal (such as indium or an indium alloy) that are placed into the lamp envelope before it is sealed. The metal bodies are not secured to any of the structural parts of the lamp and are thus free to move about within the envelope. When they subsequently combine with the dosed mercury in the finished lamp, they form a plurality of mobile amalgam bodies that are distributed at random locations within the lamp and release controlled amounts of mercury vapor when the lamp is energized and the amalgam bodies are heated. The amalgamative metal is preferably dispensed into the envelope in the form of spherical pellets that are provided with a porous non-stick coating to prevent them from becoming accidentally attached to each other or to the lamp electrodes.

Abstract: Protection against potentially destructive arcs which may occur within a gas-filled incandescent lamp when the energized filament fails is achieved by partly embedding separate inner and outer lead-in conductors in an hermetic seal that is formed on one end of the lamp envelope and electrically connecting the conductors by a short uncoiled fuse element that is located within the confines of the envelope and has both of its ends embedded in the seal. In the case of halogen-cycle type lamps that have long useful design lives (in the order of 2000 hours) and press-sealed envelopes, the fuse element comprises a tungsten wire that has a diameter which is more than 10% (and up to about 20%) larger than the diameter of the filament wire and has its ends welded to a pair of molybdenum foil conductors that are embedded in the press seal and connect the fuse wire to the inner and outer lead-in conductors.

Abstract: The "f" stop of a camera having a fixed shutter speed is automatically set by a galvanometer type control component that is energized by a mechanically powered electric generator which constitutes an integral part of the camera. The shutter is tripped in predetermined time-delayed sequence relative to tripping of the generator and the latter is automatically recocked along with the shutter when the film is advanced. Precise and reliable dynamic regulation and setting of the "f " stop as the picture is being taken is thus achieved without the aid of a battery.

Abstract: Fast "warm-up" of an amalgam-regulated fluorescent lamp under "cold" starting conditions and safe failure of the lamp at the end of its useful life are achieved by coating selected portions of both stems with a material that contains indium or an indium alloy and initially is semiconductive. The coating is applied to portions of the stems adjacent the electrodes and covers a segment of one or both of the lead wires at the point where they emerge from the stem presses. The coating is thus rapidly heated and releases mercury vapor as soon as the lamp is energized. When the electrodes are devoid of emission material and the lamp has reached the end of its useful life, sputtered material from the metal parts of the mount renders the coating electrically conductive and causes the arc to impinge upon and finally puncture the stem. The coating accordingly serves both as an auxiliary-amalgam source and a "fail-safe" component.

Abstract: A compact electric generator that is powered by a tensioned spring and adapted to serve as an integral and permanent source of electric energy for a photographic camera or other apparatus. The generator includes a permanent magnet, a pole piece and a reciprocally-movable armature that define a magnetic circuit. The permanent magnet is also movable with respect to the pole piece and armature and is so oriented, when the generator is cocked, that the field strength of the magnetic circuit is sufficient to permit the pole piece to magnetically "capture" the armature and hold it in a predetermined position against the action of the tensioned spring. The generator is tripped by displacing the permanent magnet and thus weakening the field strength of the magnetic circuit. This permits the tensioned spring to overcome the magnetic "lock" on the armature and rapidly propel the latter away from the pole piece.

Abstract: The quality and useful life of regenerative-cycle type incandescent lamps that employ iodine as the halogen are enhanced by dosing the lamps with controlled amounts of SnI.sub.4 in combination with elemental iodine. Alternative dual-additives that provide iodine-bromine type lamps are SnI.sub.4 in combination with a compound such as methylene bromide (CH.sub.2 Br.sub.2) or mercury bromide which decompose within the energized lamp and release free bromine, and mercury iodide in combination with CH.sub.2 Br.sub.2. The combined use of two different additives or dosing materials to provide either an iodine or an iodine-bromine atmosphere within the operating lamp permits elongated tubular lamps having singly-coiled filaments to be operated in various non-horizontal burning positions at voltages above their nominal voltage ratings for much longer periods of time than lamps of the same rating and construction that are dosed with a single additive such as elemental iodine, SnI.sub.4 or CH.sub.2 Br.sub.2.

Abstract: The mercury-vapor pressure within an operating fluorescent lamp is regulated by several discrete bodies or bits of a suitable amalgamative metal (such as an indium-tin alloy in the form of pellets) that are anchored at fixed sites within the lamp during the manufacture thereof. Emplacement of the metal pellets is achieved by dropping them into the open upper end of the envelope while the circumferential seal of fused glass which joins the stem to the opposite end of the envelope is still hot and "tacky" as a result of the sealing-in operation. The metal pellets automatically fall toward and contact the newly-formed circumferential seal and remain fused and bonded to its surface after the glass cools and rigidifies.

Abstract: Protection against potentially destructive arcs which may occur within a gas-filled incandescent lamp when the energized filament fails is achieved by partly embedding separate inner and outer lead-in conductors in an hermetic seal that is formed on one end of the lamp envelope and electrically connecting the conductors by a short uncoiled fuse element that is located entirely within the confines of the envelope. In the case of a halogen-cycle type lamp having a press-sealed envelope, the fuse element comprises a tungsten wire which is preferably from about 1% to 10% larger in diameter than the filament wire and is fastened to the inner lead-in conductor at a point located inside the envelope, and to the outer lead-in conductor at a point which is located within the press seal. Reliable arc-suppression is thus achieved in a practical inexpensive manner with rugged components that are readily made integral parts of the finished lamp.

Abstract: The light output of a high-presure discharge lamp that employs a mercury arc tube is selectively modified by two luminescent coatings on the inner surface of the outer protective envelope to provide color rendering and a source-color that are similar to those of an incandescent-type lamp. The coating in contact with the envelope surface comprises a blend of two selected phosphors -- one which absorbs and is excited by blue-violet radiations produced by the arc discharge and emits in the green portion of the spectrum, and another which also absorbs and is excited by the blue-violet radiations and by yellow radiations produced by the discharge and emits in the red portion of the spectrum. The second luminescent coating facing the arc tube comprises a phosphor that absorbs ultraviolet radiations produced by the mercury discharge and converts them into red radiations.

Abstract: The quality and useful life of regenerative-cycle type incandescent lamps that employ iodine as the halogen are enhanced by dosing the lamps with a carefully controlled amount of SnI.sub.4 which decomposes when the lamp filament is energized and provides from about 0.05 to 0.20 micromole of vaporized elemental iodine per ml. of bulb volume within the lamp during operation. The resulting increase in the amount of iodine that is converted into atomic rather than molecular form within the energized lamp permits elongated iodine-cycle lamps having singly-coiled filaments to be operated in any position in contrast to conventional iodine-cycle lamps of the same configuration and construction that exhibit early blackening of the top portion of the envelope when the lamp is operated in a vertical position. The undesirable light-absorption and color distortion effects characteristic of conventional iodine-dosed lamps are also reduced, thus increasing the lamp efficiency.

Abstract: One or more lamp bulbs are protectively packaged by inserting them into an open-ended wrapper of single-faced corrugated paperboard and slip-fitting the resulting lamp pack into an open-ended boxboard sleeve that overlies and closes the open ends of the wrapper. The sleeve has oppositely disposed corner portions with inwardly bowed flexible junctures of such curvature that they exert a wedging force on the associated end edges of the inserted wrapper. The resulting clamping action frictionally locks the wrapper and the contained lamp bulbs within the boxboard sleeve despite the smooth surfaces of the latter.