Abstract: A metal halide high-intensity discharge lamp for connection to a constant wattage-type ballast including a transformer with a secondary having a capacitor connected in series circuit arrangement therewith. The lamp includes starting aid means including a voltage doubler comprising a diode and two resistors operating in conjunction with the ballast capacitor. The starting aid means further comprises a normally closed heat-responsive switch means operative to prevent voltage stress on the diode after the lamp starts.

Abstract: A flash lamp array is disclosed having a plurality of flash lamps connected to sequencing circuitry on a circuit board. A plurality of solid-state thermally activated switches, having predetermined composition and physical characteristics and predetermined dimensions, are located externally of the lamps and affixed directly to one side of the circuit board. The sequencing circuitry includes printed circuit branches having a plurality of spaced-arm sections two of which overlay each of the switches and terminate proximate each of the switches. The exposed surface portion of the switches upon being irradiated by a flashed lamp converts to an electrically conductive state to insure a closed electrical circuit between the overlaying spaced-arm sections of the printed circuit.

Abstract: A metal halide high-intensity discharge lamp for connection to a constant wattage-type mercury ballast including a transformer having a secondary winding having a capacitor in series circuit arrangement therewith. The lamp includes starting aid means and warm-up assistance means to ensure reliable operation. The starting aid means is a voltage doubler comprising a diode and two resistors operating in conjunction with the ballast capacitor and also including a normally closed heat-responsive switch means operative to prevent voltage stress on the diode after the lamp starts.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury-vapor discharge lamp combination for phototherapeutic treatment of infantile hyperbilirubinemia. The lamp combination includes the standard hollow elongated envelope having a coating of selected phosphors carried as a layer on the inner surface thereof. The coating of selected phosphors substantially comprises a blue-radiating alkaline-earth metal halophosphate activated with divalent europium and a second phosphor with a color output that falls within a predetermined area of an xy-C.I.E. diagram with the weight ratio of the europium-activated alkaline-earth metal halophosphate to the second phosphor being from about 90:10 to 85:15. This lamp combination substantially eliminates any tendency of the blue-radiation of the alkaline-earth metal halophosphate to produce nausea in certain attendant individuals.

Abstract: A flash lamp array is disclosed including a plurality of flash lamps and a two-sided circuit board having sequencing circuitry affixed to one side thereof and having the lamps connected thereto to fire individually and in sequence. The array comprises solid-state thermally activated switches located externally of the lamp and affixed to one side of the circuit board forming a part of the sequencing circuitry. Each of the switches is located in close proximity to one of the flash lamps to receive thermal energy emitted by the proximate flash lamp upon its being fired, and thereby changes from a high resistance or non-conductive state to a low resistance or conductive state. The switches comprise a uniform mixture of predetermined proportions of finely divided silver carbonate, finely divided silver oxide and finely divided hydrophobic silica. Switches prepared from this mixture are reliable and have no tendency to crack. The mixture is easy to work with being very free flowing.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp adapter for use in combination with a residential incandescent-type lamp fixture wherein the fixture includes an elongated fixture body supported in generally vertical disposition and having electrical conductors associated therewith. The fixture also includes an incandescent-lamp-type socket vertically projecting from the upper portion of the fixture body and operatively receiving the electrical conductors and a lampshade-supporting harp. The fluorescent lamp adapter comprises a housing conformed to fit into the space defined by the harp above the socket, supporting means adapted for affixing the housing to the harp, lamp mounting means affixed to the housing for engaging and supporting two annular-shaped tubular fluorescent lamps within a lampshade and on opposite sides of the vertical plane defined by the harp. The axes of the lamps as mounted are secured substantially horizontal and substantially colinear.

Abstract: An improved circuit board comprising a substrate having electrical conductor runs resistant to the formation of electrically non-conductive localized areas carried thereon. Such a circuit board is particularly adapted to use with a flash lamp array having a plurality of flash lamps and sequencing electrical circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. The sequencing electrical circuitry is formed in part by the conductor runs. The conductor runs comprise an organic polymer binder for attachment of the conductor runs to the substrate and silver-coated vitreous bead-like particles with a triazole-silver water-insoluble reaction product comprising the surface of the bead-like particles. The triazole-silver reaction product prevents the formation of non-conductive localized areas in the conductor runs.

Abstract: An HID lamp has a very positive acting and simple resilient safety switch positioned proximate the inner surface of the bulb portion of the protective outer envelope and in contact therewith which maintains the switch in a closed position. When the envelope is shattered, the closed switch will open to break the electrical path to the arc tube, thereby rendering the lamp inoperative.

Abstract: A method of improving the long term operating appearance of a low pressure fluorescent discharge lamp having an elongated tubular vitreous envelope and incorporating a phosphor layer carried as a coating on the interior surface thereof. The phosphor layer essentially consists of a mixed homogeneous three-component blend. The phosphor blend has a blue-violet-emitting phosphor component, a red-orange-emitting phosphor component and a green-emitting phosphor component. The green-emitting phosphor component is zinc silicate activated with manganese. The method entails prior to mixing the phosphors together, washing the zinc silicate phosphor in an aqueous organic acid solution. The organic acid solution consists of at least one of acetic, succinic and terephthalic. The acid washed zinc silicate phosphor is separated from the washing solution and dried. It is then suspended as a part of an aqueous envelope coating paint and applied to the envelope interior surface in the usual manner.

Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp having an arc tube which is enclosed by and supported within a light-transmitting outer envelope which is spaced from the arc tube. The outer envelope enclosing a hard vacuum. Electrical lead-in means are sealed through the arc tube connected to the electrodes. Electrical adapter means are affixed to the outer surface of the protective envelope to facilitate electrical connection for the lamp to a source of electrical power. A pair of electrical conductors electrically connect the electrical adapter means to the electrical lead-in means. Fuse means is provided. The fuse means has a fusible element extending from one of the electrical conductors and separated from and encircling an insulating sleeve means carried about the other of the electrical conductors, so that the spacing therebetween constitutes the shortest gap within the envelope between opposite current-carrying components. The hard vacuum enclosed by the outer envelope is obtained by flashing barium getter means.

Abstract: An improved phosphor composition excited by ultraviolet radiation to emit in the red region of the visible spectrum. The phosphor composition is expressible by the general constituent formulation xCaO.y(Y+Eu).sub.2 O.sub.3. zB.sub.2 O.sub.3 wherein x is from about 32 to 38, y is from about 31 to 41 and z is from about 25 to 31, with x, y and z expressing relative molar proportions of the constituents. The phosphor is activated by Eu. The relative molar proportions of the phosphor constituents are such that they fall within a predetermined area of a specified ternary phase diagram.

Abstract: A reflector-type high-intensity-discharge vapor lamp unit having a generally parabolic rear reflector member is provided with a dichroic reflector carried as a coating on the inner surface thereof. The dichroic reflector selectively reflects visible light having a wave-length from about 400 to 750 nanometers and selectively transmits infrared radiation having a wavelength from about 750 to 1600 nanometers.

Abstract: An HID lamp utilizes a thin, fragile, strip-like conductor member affixed to and carried on a portion of the inner surface of the lamp protective envelope. Upon breakage of the protective envelope, the fragile conductor will break and interrupt the electrical continuity of the lamp's electrical circuit, thereby rendering the lamp inoperative.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor lamp having an elongated light-transmitting refractory arc tube with closure members sealing each end of the arc tube. An elongated hollow refractory metal member of predetermined length and surface area projects from the arc tube and is sealed through one of the closure members. The interior of the hollow metal member opens into the interior of the arc tube and the projecting end of the hollow metal member is sealed. During the operation of the lamp, the hollow metal member acts as a condensing repository for excess discharge sustaining filling which is not vaporized since the coolest spot of the hollow metal member is at a temperature less than the arc tube. The hollow metal member is provided on the outer surface with a radiation-emissive and electrical-insulating means, and a resistive-heater member is affixed to the exterior of the hollow metal member and in thermal contact with the radiation-emissive and electrical-insulating means.

Abstract: A method of preparing anhydrous dicalcium orthophosphate of predetermined and substantially uniform particle size for use in making fluorescent lamp phosphors. The method entails heating an acidified aqueous slurry of hydrated dicalcium orthophosphate in a reaction vessel and at the same time agitating the heated slurry. The heating and simultaneous agitation is continued until significant incipient formation of a gel-like material is manifested at the wall portions of the reaction vessel. At that point the application of heat to the slurry is discontinued. The agitation of the slurry within the vessel is continued until all the slurry is converted to meta-stable gel-like material. At that time the agitation is discontinued. The formed meta-stable gel-like material is then maintained in a quiescent state until it converts completely to crystals of dicalcium orthophosphate. The orthophosphate crystals are then permitted to settle to the bottom of the residual liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: A molten glass metering device for making electric lamp bases by accurately metering the rate of flow of molten glass from an orifice in the wall of a glass melting furnace. The device comprises a metal member including an integral hollow elongated member aligned with the orifice. The flow of glass is controlled by varying the flow of electrical current through the metal member to control the temperature of same and to control the temperature of the glass within the metal member, thereby to control the rate of flow of molten glass therethrough.

Abstract: An energy-conserving solid-state-controlled illumination system which normally operates high-intensity discharge lamps at about rated power consumption with a relatively high output for a predetermined proportion of the night when a high degree of illumination is desirable. The illumination system then operates the lamps at about a predetermined power less than rated power consumption when a lower degree of illumination can be tolerated. The relative period of time the lamps are operated at the higher and lower levels of illumination is automatically adjusted according to the day-night seasonal variations.

Abstract: An energy-conserving solid-state-controlled illumination system which operates high-intensity-discharge lamps. The system operates the lamps at about a predetermined rated power consumption with a relatively high light output for a predetermined time when a high degree of illumination is desirable and thereafter operates the lamps at about a predetermined power less than rated power consumption when a lower degree of illumination can be tolerated.

Abstract: A flash lamp array including a plurality of flash lamps and sequencing electrical circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. The array comprises a flash sensing indicator that is readily observable by an operator of the flash lamp array and includes a generally flat radiation sensitive means and having sections thereof aligned with the flash lamps. Each radiation-sensitive section is positioned to receive some of the radiant energy emitted by the flashing of one of the aligned lamps and is operable to constrict and change appearance upon being irradiated to provide an indicia of such flashing. The radiation-sensitive sections are each provided with a structurally weakened portion so that upon irradiation by the flashing of one of the aligned lamps, the irradiated one of the radiation-sensitive sections will readily separate at the structurally-weakened portion to readily constrict upon itself to positively provide a desired change in appearance of the irradiated section.

Abstract: There is provided in combination with a rapid-start series-sequence type ballast for two low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, apparatus for reducing the power consumption of both lamps. The apparatus utilizes switch means in conjunction with a capacitor to limit the current supply to the lamps after the lamps are energized. The switch means has two members in series circuit arrangement with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps. Each member is connected on opposite sides of the electrode. The capacitor is connected in parallel circuit arrangement with one of the members. Initially upon energization the switch means has a low impedance state to permit current flow and then switches to a high impedance state. The switch means permits preheating of the electrode and thereafter upon response to current flow switches and causes the lamp current to pass through the capacitor and thereby decrease by a predetermined amount the current through the normally operating lamps.