Abstract: An improved solid state radiant energy switch device is described for operation with a plurality of flash lamps fired individually and in sequence and which is activated by radiant energy generated during flashing of the lamps to convert from a high electrical resistance ("off" condition) to a low electrical resistance or conductive state ("on" condition). Said switches are prepared from an improved material composition which undergoes chemical conversion comprising a carbon-containing silver salt admixed with a humidity-resistant organic polymer binder in ratios wherein said polymer binder does not exceed more than about three percent by weight in said admixture.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp filament is described having an inner core of doped tungsten crystals with a surface layer of chemically vapor deposited undoped tungsten crystals. The inner core material exhibits the sag-resistant grain structure obtained with dispersion alloy products of tungsten whereas the unalloyed tungsten crystals in the surface layer are of a finer size and can further exhibit a preferred crystallographic orientation. Incandescent lamps utilizing said improved tungsten filaments exhibit increased vibration resistance and greater notch resistance when operated on direct current.

Abstract: A method is described for making a shaped silicon carbide-silicon matrix composite. A confined carbon fiber preform is infiltrated with sufficient molten silicon metal at a temperature in the range of from about 1400.degree. C. to about 1800.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. Silicon carbide powder can also be incorporated in the preform structure.

Abstract: An electric lamp filament of tungsten is disclosed that has been coiled and heat-treated to at least 1600.degree. C. on a wire mandrel containing molybdenum but which is essentially free of molybdenum contamination. A barrier layer of tungsten or tantalum is provided on said mandrel to preclude the molybdenum contamination and the coated mandrel can thereafter be dissolved from the uncontaminated tungsten filament coil in an acid mixture.

Abstract: Improved fuse elements used with the circuit board to provide more reliable sequential firing in a flash lamp array. The circuit board includes a lamp firing circuitry along with radiation switches connected in said circuitry and more reliable fuse elements cooperate with said radiation switches in the circuit operation. The improved fuse elements are constructed as an integral part of the lamp firing circuit pattern deposited on the circuit board at circuit locations wherein the underlying circuit board substrate has a thickness less than the substrate thickness elsewhere to enhance melting or thermal decomposition of the circuit board substrate.

Abstract: Improved fuse arrangement used with the circuit board to provide more reliable sequential firing in a flash lamp array. The circuit board includes a lamp firing circuitry along with radiation switches connected in said circuitry and a more reliable series connected fuse arrangement to cooperate with said radiation switches in the circuit operation. The individual fuse elements are constructed as an integral part of the lamp firing circuit pattern deposited on the circuit board at circuit locations wherein the underlying circuit board substrate has a thickness less than the substrate thicknesss elsewhere and desirably cooperate in raising the dielectric breakdown voltage characteristic of the fuse combination.

Abstract: Improved mechanical stop means are provided for a sealed prefocused light source mount for a parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) lamp and, in particular, to improved mechanical stop means for an all-plastic PAR lamp or a PAR lamp comprising a plastic reflector. The particular mount construction employed utilizes a plastic block having mating parts which define a cavity from which lead wires extend and which is filled with an elastomeric polymer providing both a leak-proof seal around the lead wires as well as a more reliable barrier to moisture leakage through the mount assembly. An exterior surface of said plastic block limits insertion of the assembled lamp unit into a conventional plug-in receptacle used to supply electrical power to the lamp.

Abstract: An improved sealing means is provided for a sealed prefocused light source mount for a parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) lamp and, in particular, to improved leak-proof sealing means for an all-plastic PAR lamp or a PAR lamp comprising a plastic reflector. The improved mount construction utilizes a plastic block having mating parts which define a cavity from which lead wires extend and which is filled with an elastomeric polymer providing both a leak-proof seal around the lead wires as well as a more reliable barrier to moisture leakage through the mount assembly.

Abstract: A novel frit glass composition is disclosed which is particularly useful to color the soda-lime glass envelopes of incandescent lamps. Specifically, the present glass frit can be combined with various colored oxides to produce the colored coating when fired on the surface of the lamp glass envelope. The glass frit has a composition expressed in terms of weight percent, based on the starting batch formulation, as follows:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 18-25 TiO.sub.2 0-5 ZrO.sub.2 7-12 ZnO 18-21 BaO 4-6 CaO 4-6 Na.sub.2 O 2-4 K.sub.2 O 6-8 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 15-22 Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A discharge type electric lamp construction is described having electrode means which include a porous sintered body of refractory metal having an electron emissive material containing cesium ion dispersed in the pores of said porous sintered body as Cs.sub.2 MO.sub.4 wherein M is a refractory metal. Said electron emissive material is preferably employed in combination with another electron emissive material containing barium ions to provide a lower breakdown voltage as well as operating voltage characteristics for said discharge lamps. Representative electron emissive materials containing barium ions include barium aluminate and barium tungstate materials.

Abstract: Means are provided to repair one or more flash lamps in a linear type photoflash lamp array which have become disconnected from the circuit board member. Specifically, the disconnected in-lead is secured to the sequential firing circuitry located on the circuit board member with an adhesive deposit of an organic polymer and a surface conductive path thereafter established on said adhesive deposit between the in-lead and the adjacent circuitry. The surface conductive path can also be an organic polymer containing an electrically conductive filler.

Abstract: Color correction means for flash lamp are disclosed which utilizes a blue emitting organic phosphor medium to increase the total light output being emitted from the flash lamp and lower the Spectral Distribution Index (SDI) of the lamp-phosphor combination. The phosphor medium can be employed as a coating for the light-transmitting envelope of the flash lamp wherein the phosphor constituent is dissolved in a transparent film forming polymer. In certain preferred embodiments, further color correction of the flash lamp radiation can be effected with dyes incorporated into the protective cover means or containment lacquer now commonly employed.

Abstract: A planar-type multiple photoflash array is disclosed and including a circuit board with circuitry thereon for sequentially firing a plurality of flash lamps which are positioned horizontally in the cavities of an integral reflector and barrier member supported on said circuit board. The present improvement comprises further including spacing means between the contact and surfaces of the circuit board and barrier member to reduce the amount of radiant energy being transmitted by the flash lamps to radiant energy actuated switches and the circuitry of the circuit board member.

Abstract: Copper staining of a borosilicate glass article is described which utilizes a single heating step to produce red coloration in the stained glass. The method utilizes a particular liquid slurry to coat the surface of the glass article being treated which generates copper halide vapors during a single heating step in a controlled atmosphere to produce the desired final red color. Atmosphere control is exercised with non-reducing atmosphere conditions being maintained until the alkali metal ions in the glass surface have been replaced with copper ions and which is followed by conversion to reducing atmosphere conditions to convert the substituted copper ions to the metallic state.

Abstract: A method is described for making a shaped silicon carbide-silicon matrix composite. A confined carbon fiber preform is infiltrated with sufficient molten silicon metal at a temperature in the range of from about 1400.degree. C. to about 1800.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. Silicon carbide powder can also be incorporated in the preform structure.

Abstract: Means are provided to repair one or more flash lamps in a linear type photoflash lamp array which have become disconnected from the circuit board member. Specifically, the disconnected in-lead is secured to the sequential firing circuitry located on the circuit board member with an adhesive deposit of an organic polymer and a surface conductive path thereafter established on said adhesive deposit between the in-lead and the adjacent circuitry. The surface conductive path can also be an organic polymer containing an electrically conductive filler.

Abstract: Hermetic seal construction for an incandescent lamp is described wherein a composite inlead structure is employed. A pair of inleads connected to the resistive incandescent filament in said lamp are joined at the opposite ends to larger diameter inlead wires in the hermetic seal region. The glass envelope of said lamp utilizes glasses having the following compositional limits in percent by weight:______________________________________ Oxides Weight Percent Range ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 54-71 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 12-18 BaO 10-23 CaO 4-8 R.sub.2 O 0-3 ______________________________________except for incidental impurities, residual fluxes, and refining agents. These glasses have improved reboil resistance and can be sealed directly to tungsten or molybdenum metal inleads to provide said direct hermetic seal.

Abstract: Reflective coating means are provided to replace the conventional reflector cavities surrounding each photoflash lamp of a multilamp photoflash array. A reflective adhesive coating for this purpose can be applied to each photoflash lamp around a portion of the lamp circumference to reflect the light outwardly in a desired direction. A reflective adhesive coating can also be applied to the circuit board member used with a photoflash lamp array to provide sequential firing of flash lamps as an alternate means to provide the desired light reflection and without need for individual lamp processing in achieving this result. The coating material comprises light reflective particulate solids bonded to the substrate with an adhesive binder.

Abstract: A series of solid organic luminescent materials is disclosed comprising the condensation product of a substituted aromatic primary amine with an alkyl ester of a hydroxy aromatic acid having an alkyl group containing up to about 6 carbon atoms. The present organic phosphors can be excited with 3650 Angstrom radiation to provide efficient red color emission. A process for the preparation of these phosphors is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric lamp construction is described having a pair of conductive inlead wires of dispersion-strengthened copper alloy to serve as the sole means of physical support for a resistive incandescent filament electrically connected thereto, wherein said inlead wires have a surface metallurgical structure of fibrous dispersion-strengthened copper alloy. Said metallurgical surface of the inlead wires can further serve to enhance bonding of other materials thereto including metals such as nickel and aluminum as well as nonmetallic gettering materials such as phosphorous compounds.