Abstract: Flush and pump flush processes yielding light sources for incandescent and metal vapor discharge lamps are disclosed. The flush and pump flush processes also yield lamps that are particularly suitable for deposition of a reflective coating on its outer surface. For such reflective coated light sources, the associated lamp leads are encased in glass and therefore are protected against any deleterious reactions that may otherwise result from the deposition of the reflective coating process. The light sources yielded by the flush and pump flush processes of the present invention are advantageous in reducing the mounting arrangement of the lamps in which the light sources are housed.

Abstract: An improved high intensity arc discharge lamp is disclosed having curved projection means included when a bowed shape arc discharge is being closed to preclude molten vitreous material from deforming the internal cavity. In this manner, the arc tube internal cavity is more reliably shaped and sized with the discharge electrodes being more accurately positioned within the internal cavity. Such curved projection means are provided in each pinch seal region of the arc tube and can be formed mechanically with the jaw members ordinarily employed for the pinch sealing operation.

Abstract: A rough service incandescent lamp having a flexible arbor comprised of a stainless steel member that joins a glass stem press to a filament mounting structure is disclosed. The stainless member is selected to have a coefficient of expansion that both matches the coefficient of expansion of the glass stem press and of a glass cane member of the filament mounting structure. The stainless steel member allows for simplification of the fabrication process related to forming the rough service incandescent lamp while also improving the shock capability of such a lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a xenon lamp used for lighting applications and which is particularly suitable for automobile applications such as headlamps. The benefits of such usage, relative to incandescent lamps commonly employed for automotive forward lighting applications along with discharge lamps for lighting application, are primarily related to the size, shape, quality and concentration of the light generated by the xenon lamp and the ability to selectively move the position of the generated light relative to the reflector in which the xenon lamp is housed. The xenon lamp also provides the ability for the light to be generated by excitation of a D.C. source so as to be first positioned relative to the reflector to serve as the light source for low beam applications and then moved to a second position relative to the reflector to serve as the light source for high beam applications.

Abstract: A lighting subsystem is disclosed that uses optical devices to alter, the actual or apparent optical position of the ends of optical fibers coupled to a high intensity light source so as to provide all of the forward illumination needs for a vehicle. In one embodiment, optical wedges are interposed between a rectangular array of optical fibers and an array of lens elements mountable on the front of a vehicle from which the forward illumination is transmitted therefrom. The imposition of the optical devices alters the actual or apparent optical position of the fibers relative to the lenses and thereby changes the forward illumination from its low to its high beam pattern, to a fog beam illumination or to a cornering illumination pattern. In another embodiment, flat shaped optical members are rotated to provide the various forward illumination needs of the vehicle.

Abstract: Luminaires, floodlights and spotlights having a light shield comprised of a flexible material are disclosed. The flexible light shield has a slit in its majority and presents a low wind loading factor when used for a high mast luminaire that is subjected to wind speeds from 60 to 100 miles per hour typically experienced in storms or hurricanes. The flexible light shield is readily adapted to meet the light distribution needs of various other lighting units.

Abstract: A power supply system for discharge lamps employs a current interruption circuit to control current flow through a discharge lamp. A power switch is connected in series with the lamp and controls the current level in the lamp by controlling lamp current on-time. The current on-time is maintained for a relatively very short time period allowing control of lamp current by controlling the integral of the lamp current or controlling the charge delivered to the lamp during each pulse rather than controlling peak current value. Since the voltage impressed across the lamp generally exceeds the conventional value observed when using a passive current limiting means, for example a series reactor, non radiative losses associated with operating the lamp are reduced.

Abstract: A rapid restrike metal halide lamp and method of operating such a lamp are disclosed which are particularly suitable for sports stadium lighting applications. The rapid restrike metal halide lamp has an arc tube containing constituents which require a waveform having a relatively high voltage and at a relatively high current in order to rapidly restrike the arc tube after the lamp has experienced a power interruption so as to initiate a sustaining arc condition of the arc tube. The relatively high waveform in the form of a series of pulse trains is routed to the arc tube by means of a two path arrangement comprising a conductive base at the bottom of the lamp and a insulative cap at the top of the lamp. This two-way path substantially reduces and even eliminates any arcing condition within the confines of the lamp.

Abstract: An optical system that controls the operation of infrequently used electrically activated devices of a vehicle, such as hood or trunk latches or door locks, is disclosed. The optical control system comprises a storage device and an optical device. The storage device, such as a solar battery, is chargeable by the radiant energy of the light source and the electrical power of the battery is applied to the infrequently used activation devices under the control of the optical device, which, in turn, is also controlled by the radiant energy of the light source.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge metal vapor lamp comprising an arc tube having an inner chamber vented to the arc tube and disposed therein is disclosed. The combination of the arc tube and inner chamber being of a double wall construction confines the arc condition occurring between thermionic electrodes to be within the inner chamber. The inner chamber is operated at an increased wall temperature, relative to a conventional arc tube, while at the same time reducing the typically experienced sodium losses that normally occur for increased wall temperature operation. Ceramic evaporation at elevated temperatures from the inner chamber can be rendered innocuous by deposition on a similar material utilized in the arc tube. The characteristics of the arc tube allows for improved methods of its operation such as a pulsed operation at a relatively high rate of 1 to 20 KHz so as to achieve a relatively high color temperature. If desired, the arc tube may be operated in a d.c.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp for selective radiant energy distribution is disclosed which employs a reflective film for improved efficiency of the lamp operation. Said lamp further employs a tungsten filament extending the length of its elongated lamp envelope with particular support means for said incandescent filament also being disclosed to precisely position the filament along the principal lamp axis. Various structural configurations for said particular support means are also disclosed so that such filament position is maintained regardless of the lamp spatial orientation.

Abstract: Coil bobbins having flanged coil support portions provided with outboard terminal housings projecting beyond the flange rim and defining inwardly extending terminal-receiving cavities. The end walls of the housings are slotted to allow a wire to pass through the cavity in a circumferential direction relative to the winding axis in similar fashion to a turn of coiling. Bifurcated terminals pressed into the cavities in straddling relationship to the wire provide connections to the coil. A double bobbin has twin flanged coil support portions with bridging sections maintaining their physical separation. Terminal housings are provided on the bridging sections allowing wire to be first wound into a coil on one support portion, guided across the bridging section and passed through the cavity in a terminal housing, and then wound into a coil on the other support portion, all without interruption.

Abstract: Flush and pump flush processes yielding light sources for incandescent and metal vapor discharge lamps are disclosed. The flush and pump flush processes also yield lamps that are particularly suitable for deposition of a reflective coating on its outer surface. For such reflective coated light sources, the associated lamp leads are encased in glass and therefore are protected against any deleterious reactions that may otherwise result from the deposition of the reflective coating process. The light sources yielded by the flush and pump flush processes of the present invention are advantageous in reducing the mounting arrangement of the lamps in which the light sources are housed.

Abstract: A lighting system particularly suited for aerodynamically styled automobiles and aircraft is disclosed. The lighting system emits light from a strip arranged across a vehicle such as the automobile. The lighting system may comprise various subsystems finding application for the high and low beam frontal illumination and rear illumination all of the automobile. Each of the subsystems comprises a high intensity light source coupled to one end of each of a plurality of light pipes or optical fibers with each having their other end preferably positioned relative to a reflective element and lens. The reflective elements are arranged relative to a lens element to provide a prescribed illumination patterns. In one embodiment the lenses are arranged relative to each other and are located across a strip of the automobile to provide a composite beam to serve the needs of the high and low beam illumination patterns for the automobile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to produce a blown glass envelope on a ribbon machine having a self supporting closed end, said article being of a unitary, integral construction with glass wall thickness substantially less than that found in conventional pressed glass envelope. Said ribbon formed glass envelope has a cylindrical neck portion terminating at one end in a bulb portion of larger cross sectional dimensions and which includes the self supporting base end. The sides of said glass envelope can be curved or flat and with said self supporting base also being of a curved or planar contour. A novel mold construction permitting said glass envelope to be blown on a ribbon machine comprises a pair of cooperative halves forming the sides of the blown glass envelope in a central cavity in which further includes a separate base part located at the lower end of the said cavity to shape the self supporting base, said base part of the mold being provided with reciprocal motion in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Coil bobbins are disclosed having flanged coil support portions provided with outboard terminal housings projecting beyond the flange rim and defining inwardly extending terminal-receiving cavities. The end walls of the housings are slotted to allow a wire to pass through the cavity in a circumferential direction relative to the winding axis in similar fashion to a turn of coiling. Bifurcated terminals pressed into the cavities in straddling relationship to the wire provide connections to the coil.A double bobbin has twin flanged coil support portions with bridging sections maintaining their physical separation. Terminal housings are provided on the bridging sections allowing wire to be first wound into a coil on one support portion, guided across the bridging section and passed through the cavity in a terminal housing, and then wound into a coil on the other support portion, all without interruption.

Abstract: A battery charger assembly comprising a charging network and four charging units for charging four major cell types of rechargeable batteries having desired different charging rate currents is disclosed. The battery charger assembly further comprises at least a pair of terminal for accepting a fifth major rechargeable battery. The battery charging assembly selectively and simultaneously provides the desired charging rate to any of the five major rechargeable cell types.

Abstract: Incandescent lamps having an improved light source are disclosed. The light source contains a halogen compound along with a fill-gas at a pressure above atmospheric. The light source has an oblate ellipsoidal shape so as to obtain a desired temperature gradient which reduces typically experienced "cold spots" that detrimentally contribute to the condensation of halogen compounds within the light source which would otherwise reduce the desired light output of the light source throughout life. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the light source.

Abstract: A series ballast circuit for operating a gas discharge tube from a constant current alternating voltage source having a fundamental frequency is disclosed. The primary feature of the ballast circuit comprises a ballast transformer having a magnetic core and at least a primary coil and at least a secondary coil. The ballast transformer has parameters that are selected in accordance with the operational conditions, that is, the extinguished and non-extinguished states of the gas discharge lamp. The primary coil and the area of the core have parameters selected in accordance with the extinguished state of the gas discharge tube. The primary and secondary coils have a selected turn ratio so as to produce a current level sufficient to maintain the ionization condition of the gas discharge tube in its non-extinguished state.

Abstract: An improved vehicle headlamp for developing forward illumination and having reduced dimensions relative to prior art headlamps is disclosed. The lamp comprises an enclosed concave parabolic reflector of a rectangular cross section type and having a single tungsten-halogen light source coaxially located within the enclosed reflector. The headlamp has a glare shield arranged around the light source when the headlamp is utilized for low beam application and a heat shield located about the light source for both low and high beam applications. The light source is of a tubular shape and has a bulbous portion preferably of an ellipsoidal shape. The efficacy of the light source is improved by means of an infrared reflective coating placed on its outer surface.