Abstract: A cost-effective apparatus to improve the power factor of an AC line powered electronic transformer for powering gaseous discharge tubes uses an L-C filter link between a rectifier that provides DC voltage and an inverter for converting from DC to AC. The L-C filter link and the inverter function as a power factor correction stage, while at the same time converting DC voltage to AC voltage to drive gaseous discharge tubes.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a gas-filled plasma discharge tube; an electrode adjacent an end of the tube for coupling high-frequency, high-voltage energy into the gas in the plasma discharge tube; an ionization energy supply operably connectable to a source of electrcity for producing an adjustable high-frequency, high-voltage energy at an output thereof having an upper limit sufficient to ionize the gas in the plasma discharge tube without a ground return by utilizing the electrical capacity of the surroundings to provide a reactive impedance for plasma tube current to flow into, the electrode being operable connected to the output; and, a control circuit operably connected to the ionization energy supply for adjusting the level of the high-frequency, high-voltage energy at the output between levels causing ionization of the gas in the plasma discharge tube to occur in differing amounts as a function of a changing stimulus connected to an input thereof.

Abstract: A gas discharge tube is controlled in intensity and in the length along such tube that is illuminated by providing digital control signals to an analog drive circuit connected to the high-voltage energization device for the tube. A pulse-width modulated digital control signal containing illumination length and intensity information is converted to ramp-shaped analog drive pulse that control the voltage at a high-voltage transformer secondary to which the gas discharge tube is connected. A manually actuatable keypad permits the user to enter the information that is then converted to the pulse-width modulated signal.