Abstract: A high-speed link switch for a distributed-control burst-switching communications system. The switch provides fully integrated voice and data services and processing capacity sufficient to support T1 or higher transmission rates. A communications systems may include a plurality of switches interconnected by time-division multiplexed links. In a preferred embodiment, a link switch comprises a central memory coupled with a link-input processor, a link-output processor, a port-input processor, a port-output processor, and a memory manager. The link switch includes switching intelligence for routing a burst through the switch toward its destination port in the system. A burst is a plurality of bytes which may represent, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy as sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports. Within an outgoing communications link, a burst is transmitted by a switch one byte at a time in an assigned channel of sequential frames of the time-division multiplexed link.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of setting-up and taking-down connections for voice and data calls in a burst switching communications system having distributed-control means coupled with ports of the system. In preferred embodiments, the distributed-control means include port processors serving one or both parties of the call; port processors and call processors serving one or both parties; and port processors, call processors, and administrative processors serving one or both parties. In a burst-switching communications system, control is implemented through control bursts sent through the system between control processors.

Abstract: A distributed-control burst-switching communications system with fully integrated voice and data services, and with processing capacity sufficient to support T1 or higher transmission rates. The system may include a high-speed hub switch located at a point of high-traffic concentration in the network and a plurality of link switches. The switches are interconnected by time-division multiplexed communications links. Each switch includes one or more ports. Each port provides access to the system for a control processor, an end-user, or another communications system. Within each switch, there is switching intelligence for routing a burst toward its destination port. A burst is a variable-length sequence of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy as sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports. Within a communications link, a burst is transmitted one byte at a time in an assigned channel of sequential frames of the time-division multiplexed link.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen electric lamp having permeable means closing an outer envelope. Such non-hermetic means may be relatively free-breathing or weather-tight. Tungsten-halogen lamps with permeable means may be manufactured more simply and economically than those currently available.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for position orienting a base assembly of a metal halide lamp is describe for maintaining the curved arc tube in the upward position when the lamp is inserted in a socket. Once the lamp has been fully assembled and sealed a locator structure is attached to the base shell in order to create a base assembly which will properly position the lamp when it is in the socket. The welding apparatus of the present invention resistance welds the locator structure onto the base shell once the locator structure has been aligned approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise from the tip of the curved portion of the arc tube when viewed from the dome end of the lamp. The lamp resulting from the method and use of the apparatus will be more inexpensive and will not have the problems of a loose base or a cracked seal.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improved reflector-type lamp having reduced focus loss and exhibiting an increase in reflector collection efficiency. Stray light from the lamp's light source is reduced and channeled into the central angular region of the reflector where it can be more easily controlled and increase the in candle power of the lamp. A shorter, more compact filament design, wound with larger mandrel ratios, is positioned within the reflector to evenly disperse the light energy throughout the central angular region.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved compact fine wire incandescent lamp filament and method for making such having a primary mandrel ratio in the range of about 1.40 to about 4.00 and a secondary mandrel ratio which is greater than or equal to the primary mandrel ratio. The improved filament design exhibits an increase in compactness and retains or increases structural rigidity while exhibiting minimal sag when the filament is incorporated into an incandescent lamp of the tungsten halogen type variety. The compact coiling method is particularly useful in designing compact filaments for high voltage applications where it is desirable to eliminate the use of rectifying means to lower the effective voltage across the filament.

Abstract: A double-enveloped electric lamp having a self-mounting frame-assembly for supporting a light-source capsule within the outer envelope, such frame-assembly being mounted by means of elastic and frictional forces other than glass-to-glass or glass-to-metal seals. In one embodiment of the invention, the frame-assembly is mounted on the neck of the outer envelope by means of a clamp on each leg of the frame-assembly; each clamp grasps the brim of the neck within a formed groove. Locking means may be obtained by mounting the lamp base over the grooves; barbed prongs on each clamp bite into the shell of the base and lock together the component parts of the lamp. In a second embodiment, a wire frame-assembly having two preformed legs with barbed prongs is mounted on the neck of the outer envelope by fitting each preformed leg into a matching groove formed in the threaded neck of the outer envelope.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-speed queue sequencer which may be employed as a component of a link switch or hub switch in a burst-switching communications system. When so employed, transmission speeds for integrated voice and data services over communications links between switches may be equivalent to the T1 rate or higher. A burst is a plurality of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-speed switching processor which may be employed as a component of a link switch or a hub switch in a burst-switching communications system. When so employed, transmission speeds for integrated voice and data services over communications links between switches may be equivalent to the T1 rate or higher. A burst is a plurality of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports.

Abstract: A low wattage single-ended metal halide arc discharge lamp has an isothermal arc chamber with an outer diameter (t) substantially equal to the product of a first constant and the lamp wattage plus a second constant; a fill gas and a pair of electrical conductors sealed into and passing through one end of the arc chamber to provide a pair of electrodes therein having a spacing therebetween of a distance to provide a substantially uniform current for lamps in the range of about 35 to 150 watts.

Abstract: A double-enveloped tungsten halogen incandescent lamp having a light-source capsule containment device wherein a knitted wire mesh surrounds the light-source capsule and may be anchored to the capsule, stem, or lead-in wires. In the event of a burst of the light-source capsule, the containment mesh substantially restricts shards of the capsule from shattering the outer envelope of the lamp. In some embodiments, a crumpled portion of the containment mesh is positioned above the capsule and provides a collision-absorbing cushion in the event the capsule and mesh are propelled against the outer envelope by the burst of the light-source capsule whereby further protection against the shattering of the outer envelope is provided. Lamps with such containment devices have improved operational safety characteristics.

Abstract: An electric lamp having a relatively high outer-envelope to inner-envelope wall-thickness ratio whereby the risk of a containment failure of the lamp is substantially eliminated. In an alternate embodiment, the outer envelope has a concave top. In another embodiment, the neck of the outer envelope has a relatively thick wall. Lamps having a wall-thickness ratio falling within the prescribed range, i.e., approximately equal to or greater than 3, have the property that the outer envelope will contain shards of the inner light-source capsule in the unlikely event such inner capsule should burst.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of electric current welding in a flowing inert gas atmosphere of an electric feedthrough assembly for an electric lamp, and an apparatus for performing such welds. The method and apparatus are well suited to welding refractory metals, e.g., a molybdenum-titanium-nickel alloy feedthrough body a tungsten electrode for use in an alumina arc tube of a high-pressure sodium lamp, and a molybdenum lead-in wire pin. When the tungsten electrode is inserted into a receiving cavity in the feedthrough body and appropriate pressure applied, the electrical resistance of the solid-to-solid rough interface is greater than that of either the electrode pin or feedthrough so that application of an appropriate electrical pulse causes melting to occur only in the immediate vicinity of the interface whereby extensive recrystallization of the feedthrough body does not occur.

Abstract: A metal halide arc discharge lamp having a gaseous fill within the outer envelope and means for suppressing convection currents within such fill; and methods of operating and constructing such lamps. A light-transmissive sleeve or enclosure surrounding the arc tube laterally and about at least one end thereof is so shaped and mounted with respect to the arc tube as to insure that the Rayleigh Number, a quantitative measure of convective flow, in the atmosphere laterally surrounding the arc tube will be less than 5.times.10.sup.4 during operation of the lamp whereby excessive convective heat loss in such lamp will be effectively suppressed.

Abstract: This invention provides a tungsten-halogen lamp having a thin-wire filament and a hydrogen-impervious envelope. Containment of hydrogen within the lamp envelope suppresses tungsten corrosion of the filament and prevents early termination of the lamp. In the preferred embodiment, an aluminosilicate glass is employed as the hydrogen-impervious envelope material. This invention overcomes a substantial impediment in the development of a feasible tungsten-halogen lamp as a replacement for the standard Edison-type lamp for general lighting purposes.