Abstract: A pelletized lamp fill material suitable for delivering a precise quantity of rhenium and a halogen into the light emitting chamber of a tungsten halogen lamp. The pellet is formed by pressure aggregating a mixture of a metal powder and a rhenium-halogen compound. In a pellet suitable for delivering bromine into the lamp, the metal powder may be mixed with rhenium tribromide powder to form the pellet. The release of the bromine and rhenium is desirably controlled over time as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: A method of generating an electrical discharge in a high pressure gas contained in a sealed enclosure. The method includes driving a helical coil resonator at an RF frequency to generate an RF electric-magnetic field sufficient to generate an electrical discharge in the high pressure gas. The electrical discharge produces an emission spectrum that may be spectroscopically analyzed to determine the composition and impurity content of the gas.

Abstract: A circuit and method for running a metal halide arc discharge lamp from an AC power source. The circuit includes a rectifier for producing a DC voltage. The lamp is resistively ballasted by a current limiting filament connected in series with the lamp. The circuit includes a switch that closes during start up of the lamp so that the resistive filament is energized to provide immediate light prior to the lamp entering the normal run mode.

Abstract: A solid halogen-containing lamp fill material and a method of introducing small amounts of halogen into a HID lamp are disclosed. The solid material may include an admixture of a metal and a metal halide in the form of spheres of high purity, uniform size and uniform composition. Solid lamp fill material and methods of introducing small quantities of one or more metals into a HID lamp are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tipless arc tube for a high intensity discharge lamp and method of manufacture wherein the arc tube may remain open to an uncontrolled atmosphere during the step of hermetically scaling the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to perform any process steps within a controlled atmosphere. The pressure of the fill gas sealed within the arc tube may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the fill gas during the step of hermetically sealing the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to use a pump to control the fill gas pressure.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: An efficient system for directing light comprises a light source and a generally tubular, hollow coupling device. The coupling device has an interior light-reflective surface for receiving light from the source at an inlet and transmitting it as a generally diverging light beam through an outlet. The device is shaped in accordance with non-imaging optics and increases in cross sectional area from inlet to outlet so as to reduce the angle of light reflected from the surface as it passes through the device. The foregoing system provides a discharge-based directional light source that can be of the size of a directional halogen source (e.g., an MR16 or MR 11 lamp) while substantially preserving the discharge efficiency, light-output capacity and lifetime of discharge-based sources. This results from the coupling device that provides light with good spatial uniformity in light intensity and color. Embodiments of the invention can simply split the light to multiple (e.g.

Abstract: A tipless arc tube for a high intensity discharge lamp and method of manufacture wherein the arc tube may remain open to an uncontrolled atmosphere during the step of hermetically scaling the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to perform any process steps within a controlled atmosphere. The pressure of the fill gas sealed within the arc tube may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the fill gas during the step of hermetically sealing the arc tube. The novel arc tube and method obviate the need to use a pump to control the fill gas pressure.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: A dimming system and method suitable for any type of magnetic ballast operating a gaseous discharge lamp. The dimming system operates to selectively vary the number of turns of the ballast winding in operative connection with the lamp to thereby effect a change in the impedance of the ballast, the power provided to the lamp, and ultimately the brightness of the lamp. The system may be operated such that the brightness of the lamp is selected responsive to the detection of an external stimulus such as motion or sound within the space to be illuminated.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting control circuit and method for a lighting system having a HID lamp as the primary light source and an auxiliary light source for providing light when the HID lamp is extinguished or below full brightness but power remains available to the circuit. The circuit senses the HID lamp current and activates a relay to a conductive state using a solid state controller when the HID lamp current is below a predetermined current magnitude to effect the lighting of the auxiliary light source.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination metal halide and auxiliary light bulb floor or table lamp which is suitable for home or office illumination. The lamp includes a lampholder module which provides a unitary housing for the bulb sockets and the electrical components required to operate the bulbs. The module also positions each bulb relative to the others to minimize shadowing which results when a bulb casts a shadow due to the light emanating from another bulb.

Abstract: Particle compositions are described comprising certain metal halides in combination with a strengthening agent. The addition of the strengthening agent to a metal halide particle increases the particle's strength thereby reducing breakage on impact and during handling. When used as a vaporizable metal halide fill in discharge lamps, the particle strength is increased without significantly altering the spectral and electrical characteristics of the lamp. Methods of making the particles and arc tube containing the particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Metal halide table and floor lamps and method of manufacture. A lamp base module housing a power supply, ballast, and illumination controls separate from a metal halide bulb with the metal halide bulb housed within the base or a luminaire module. Lamp modules of various size and appearance may be manufactured separately and easily assembled by those of but ordinary skill.

Abstract: Ballast circuitry for a metal halide lamp is disclosed enabling sustained operation with a typical 120 volt AC power source. A novel auxiliary circuit network is operatively associated with inductive type starting circuit means to provide lamp reignition when needed during each half-cycle of the AC power supply. The present auxiliary circuit network employs breakover switching means connected in series with capacitor storage means for further connection across the operating discharge lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.