Abstract: A mechanical electrical connector for an electric lamp lead is disclosed. The connector is formed as a single piece from sheet metal and includes an electrical contact against which the lamp lead is pinched by an approximately perpendicularly extending clamp arm. The clamp arm may be further latched to lock the lead hard against the connector. The single piece connector yields an inexpensive, quickly attached, strong, and permanent mechanical support providing a secure electrical connection for an electric lamp lead.

Abstract: A neon lamp assembly includes a housing having a cavity with an aperture for emission of light, a neon lamp mounted within the cavity in the housing for emission of light through the aperture and a lens covering the aperture in the housing. Connectors are secured to opposite ends of the neon lamp. Each connector includes a resilient boot that is positioned in a recess in the housing. The resilient boot locates the lamp in the housing and cushions the lamp against shock and vibration. The neon lamp assembly further includes a light-transmissive, conductive mesh covering the aperture in the housing for substantially blocking the emission of RF energy from the housing, and an electrical conductor for coupling the conductive mesh to a reference potential, such as ground. The neon lamp is typically used as a stop light in a vehicle.

Abstract: A replaceable headlamp lamp bulb may be held in retainer with a projecting tab. The tab may in turn be positioned in a slotted holder having adjacent pivots. The lamp bulb may then be positioned by sliding and pivoting the tab with respect to the slot and pivots until properly located. The tab may then be welded to the adjacent slot wall, thereby accurately and permanently fixing the lamp in three dimensions. The slotted holder may be retained in a less expensive resin, since ultrasonic welding is no longer required.

Abstract: A pulse structure for operating a method neon lamp in a multi-colored light source is described along with its pertinence to automotive lighting. The particular neon lamps are mercury-free, low pressure, rare gas lamps that can be operated as efficient red, amber, and potentially white light sources in automotive and other lighting applications. The preferred pulse structure has a leading spike to ionize the neon and generate ultraviolet radiation, and has a trailing pulse to add energy to the lamp, which increases visible neon emission efficacy.

Abstract: A neon lamp assembly includes a housing having a cavity with an aperture for emission of light, a neon lamp mounted within the cavity in the housing for emission of light through the aperture and a lens covering the aperture in the housing. Connectors are secured to opposite ends of the neon lamp. Each connector includes a resilient boot that is positioned in a recess in the housing. The resilient boot locates the lamp in the housing and cushions the lamp against shock and vibration. The neon lamp assembly further includes a light-transmissive, conductive mesh covering the aperture in the housing for substantially blocking the emission of RF energy from the housing, and an electrical conductor for coupling the conductive mesh to a reference potential, such as ground. The neon lamp is typically used as a stop light in a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp reflector comprises a concave shell having a reflective surface, the shell including multiple vertical panels defining the reflective surface. The panels include at least one panel having therein on the reflective surface multiple vertical ribs defining alternating ridges and grooves. The ridges and grooves are of a rounded configuration, of substantially equal width throughout their lengths, and extend substantially from top to bottom of the panel.

Abstract: A miniature discharge lamp tube holder having clamp, and stake is disclosed. The miniature discharge lamp tube holder snaps to the mid section of a small diameter discharge lamp, and has a stake end that may be inserted into a formed hole in the lamp housing, or may be pressed directly, or with the help of heat, into the body of the lamp housing to thereby securely couple to the lamp housing, and securely clam to the lamp housing. The one piece support is easily installed, and still accurately holds the lamp. The support allows easy insertion and removal of the lamp, acts to dampen lamp vibration, and allows the tube to slide axially during thermal expansion and contraction. The support also minimizes the dark spot caused while holding the lamp, and minimally interferes with projected light.

Abstract: An method of operating a neon stop lamp for a vehicle is described. By adjusting the lamp pressure, the then controlling the frequency and pulse width of the power, the lamp efficiency can be increased, while also shifting the chromaticity for the lamp to comply with automotive standards. The result is a small, efficient light source whose light may be reflected and focused, and whose color is correct for vehicle warning lights.

Abstract: A nearly pure neon is described along with a method of operating the lamp. A phosphor is coated on the lamp wall. By properly stimulating the neon, ultraviolet light may be emitted, that can stimulate the phosphor to a first light emission. The lamp may then be operated to produce a visible light emission that is the result of neon emission or of intermediate combinations of the neon and phosphor emissions. A single neon lamp may then produce in one instance, an amber color, or in other instance, a red color without the cold environment problems typical of a mercury based lamp. The output efficiency is enhanced when the lamp is formed as an aperture lamp. The narrow source is also useful as a source in reflector and lens systems. High pressure neon lamps offer a small source size, direct color with no filtering, good tolerance of impact and jarring, moderate cost, and increased vehicle styling potential.

Abstract: An arc discharge lamp having the ability to be easily focused is disclosed. The lamp includes a split ball assembly mounted about one end of an arc discharge tube which can be held in place by concave portions provided in a base and a locking nut. The split ball assembly also includes a rotation limiting portion to provide the ramp with a limited degree of movement in two axes. Additionally, the split ball assembly allows the lamp to be moved in a third axis. The resulting movement of the lamp allows it to be properly focused with any reflector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for using electrodeless high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps for automotive headlamp and similar applications requiring high/low beam operation (first and second beam orientation) of signaling. The HID lamp is excited with a high-frequency radio frequency (rf) signal. Modulation of the radio frequency signal is used to cause the arc of the HID lamp to selectively operate at an acoustic resonance point. At such a point, the arc undergoes a perturbation and is physically displaced from its quiescent position. When the lamp is placed at a focal or light-gathering point of an optical system having forward gain, displacement of the arc away from the focal point causes discernible changes in the far-field output of the optical system.

Abstract: A focusable lamp having lamp capsule, coupler, and a base is disclosed. The capsule is formed with rigid leads. The capsule and coupler are further formed to allow capsule to be held in the coupler and still focused with respect to the coupler. The coupler also includes an internally projecting tab that is sufficiently near one lead that despite movement of the lead during focusing, the gap between the lead and tab may be bridged by solder to thereby electrically and mechanically fix the lamp capsule to the coupler. The coupler and second lead are further aligned and connected to a base. No cement is needed to position the lamp capsule.

Abstract: A press sealed lamp with an internally pressed fuse is disclosed. The filament structure is conveniently formed so the fuse links across a looped section of the initial filament structure. The loop structure provides strength to the fused filament structure prior to sealing. After the lamp is sealed, a portion of the exposed loop is trimmed, thereby limiting the electrical connection to the path through the fuse.

Abstract: An marker for an adjustment linkage for vehicle headlamp may be made from a cover holding a marker gear having an internal gearing. The cover includes a pivot point, and a snap hole that clips over a bolt head on a rotatable link. The cover is then clipped to the bolt head but can pivot the bolt head between two positions. A marker gear with an internal gear is meshed to the linkage gear, while being held by the cover. The marker may then be zeroed when in a disengaged state, and pivoted to engage the adjustment linkage and thereby register degree changes when the adjustment linkage is rotated. The adjustment linkage is designed to be operated by a Philipshead screwdriver used as a gearing. No permanent gear box is formed in the linkage. A minimal linkage is formed that is accessible from the top of the headlamp module by the length of the screw driver. The adjustment linkage is water sealed to accommodate rotation and pivoting of the linkage.

Abstract: An electrodeless HID lamp formed with a power balanced coupling structure is disclosed. Microwave transmission to the discharge capsule is divided into two channels having an electrical length differential of about a half wave length. A balancing strap line is coupled between the two transmission lines where they deliver power to the field applicators for the discharge capsule. The strap line balances the power delivery between the two ends of the discharge tube.

Abstract: A headlamp capsule having lamp capsule, base, web and connectors, is disclosed. The web comprises an inner support, an outer support, and a plurality of cross linkages that may be adjusted. The lamp capsule is held by the base, and the base is in turn held by the adjustable web. Adjusting the web after the lamp capsule has be positioned in the base, allows for corrective repositioning of the light source. The small number of parts, and the simplicity of each part makes the total structure very inexpensive, and still yields an accurately adjustable headlamp capsule.