Abstract: A negative glow discharge lamp includes a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas fill material. A pair of electrically spaced electrodes is disposed in a parallel relationship within the envelope. A pair of lead-in wires is coupled to each of the electrodes and extends through and is hermetically sealed in the envelope. A pair of wire probes is associated with each of the spaced electrodes. Each of the ends of the spaced electrodes has one of the wire probes extending beyond the electrode associated therewith and toward the other electrode. The present invention provides a negative glow discharge lamp that has improved lamp efficacy and enhanced lamp life.

Abstract: A consolidated tungsten alloy body consisting essentially of from about 88% to about 98% by weight of tungsten, balance, nickel and iron, produced by liquid phase sintering, containing a continuous phase of a tungsten, nickel and iron alloy and a discontinuous phase of elongated grains of tungsten having an aspect ratio of at least 4:1 relatively uniformly distributed throughout the continuous phase and wherein said body has a recrystallization temperature of from about 1000.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. A process for producing the consolidated bodies comprises working and annealing at controlled temperatures to achieve the desired properties. The working temperatures are from about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. and the annealing temperature is preferably 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second housing having a normally open switch fixed between them. Means are formed on one of the housing for maintaining the switch in an open position. In the event of separation of the housings, spring action causes the arms of the switch to engage electrical contacts, closing a circuit and energizing a warning light. The device has applicability in automatic braking systems for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker has an insulative rigid base on which a circuit breaker assembly is mounted. The base has two long sides with grooves extending the full lengths thereof. A metal cover is crimped onto the base at and along the full lengths of the grooves.

Abstract: The present invention describes an electrodeless HID lamp fixture which utilizes conventional microwave printed circuit material to provide both coupling and impedance matching functions. The fixture provides a steady state input impedance of a predetermined (e.g. 50 .OMEGA. or 75 .OMEGA.) value allowing direct connection to a RF power supply. Microwave power is applied at the input of the impedance matching network/balun which transforms the steady-state impedance of the lamp to the predetermined value. The network include a quarter wave transformer having a shunt capacitor coupled to balun-applicator which supplies microwave power to the lamp. In a preferred embodiment, the quarter wave transformer, shunt capacitor and balun are all manufactured on a microstrip.

Abstract: A circuit for starting and operating a discharge lamp, such as a compact fluorescent lamp, at high frequency from an 60 Hz AC supply. The circuit includes a DC power supply coupled to a pair of AC input terminals for generating a DC voltage. An oscillator coupled to the DC power supply includes a drive transformers having a primary winding. A load coupled to the output of the oscillator comprises a series combination of the primary winding of the drive transformer and a tank circuit including a tank inductor and a tank capacitor. Suitable means for connecting a discharge lamp in parallel with the tank capacitor is provided. A voltage sensing circuit responsive to failure of the lamp, is coupled to an oscillator controlling circuit which reduces the output of the oscillator after a predetermined time delay by shunting the drive transformer. Upon replacement of the failed lamp, normal operation of the oscillator is resumed without having to disconnect the AC supply.

Abstract: A subminiature aperture of fluorescent lamp is fabricated with press seals to facilitate accurate orientation of the aperture relative to an optical system. Flat surfaces of the press seal are accurately aligned relative to the aperture during manufacturing. The press seals can include detents for axial positioning of the lamp.

Abstract: A circuit for starting and operating a discharge lamp, such as a compact fluorescent lamp, at high frequency from an 60 Hz AC supply. The circuit includes a power supply for generating a DC voltage coupled to a pair of AC input terminals. A DC/AC converter includes an oscillator having a pair of semiconductor switches coupled in parallel with the DC power supply. an oscillator starting circuit is coupled to one of the semiconductor switches and includes a series circuit comprising a resistor, capacitor and threshold element. The input of the oscillator starting circuit is coupled to one of the AC input terminals so as to prevent a momentary flicker in the lamp after the AC supply is removed and the lamp has extinguished. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the oscillator includes fusible circuit elements which render the oscillator inoperable upon failure of the lamp due to depletion of emissive material on at least one of the lamp electrodes.

Abstract: A male connector body for a radio antenna employs a plurality of compressible ribs to provide tactile feedback to an assembler. The ribs provide an insertion force that is less than a withdrawal force.

Abstract: In a process for producing a high density article of titanium diboride, a titanium diboride powder mixture is formed into a compact shape, and then sintered according to a two step sintering process with one step being at a low furnace pressure to close the surface porosity of the compact and the second sintering step being at a higher over pressure to form a high density article.

Abstract: An electric lamp assembly includes a sealed lamp envelope, a lamp capsule located within the lamp envelope, a cylindrical, light-transmissive shroud surrounding the lamp capsule, and a mounting arrangement for supporting the lamp capsule and the shroud within the lamp envelope. The mounting arrangement includes one or two supports rods parallel to the axis of the shroud and first and second clips for retaining the shroud and the lamp capsule. The clips prevent both axial and lateral movement of the shroud. The clips are attached to the support rods, typically by welding. In a preferred embodiment, a single clip at each end of the shroud retains both the shroud and the lamp capsule, and requires only a single weld to the support rod.

Abstract: An electric circuit for glow discharge lamp includes a sensing and control circuit which senses the minimum of the lamp voltage wave form and adjust the filament voltage in accordance with sensed wave form and changing environmental conditions for maintaining lamp voltage at a predetermined constant value.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an arc discharge capsule from a tubular blank, and a mold used in such fabrication, is provided wherein a first electode is sealed in a first press seal in one end of the blank, and a preform designed to facilitate insertion and positioning of a second electrode is formed in an opposite end of the blank, in a single pressing and blowing step.

Abstract: A miniature, low-wattage fluorescent lamp includes a double-bore inner capillary tube having a pair of ends and a convoluted shape. The inner capillary tube is comprised of a vitreous material (e.g., quartz) which is capable of transmitting ultraviolet radiation. A pair of electrodes (e.g., mercury pool) is located at one end of the inner capillary tube and disposed within respective bores. An ionizable medium is enclosed within the inner capillary tube and includes an inert starting gas and a quantity of mercury. When energized, the ionizable medium generates an arc discharge between the electrodes consisting of ultraviolet radiation. A phosphor coating responsive to the ultraviolet radiation is disposed on an outer surface of the inner capillary tube and remote from the arc discharge. An outer jacket of vitreous material surrounds the inner capillary tube and contains an inert gas at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An electric air or gas heater includes a plurality of equal diameter elongated linear serpentine resistive wire heating elements circularly arranged in parallel about a common axis and disposed within a cylindrical chamber having separable air or gas entrance and exit sections at its opposite ends. Each heating element is disposed in a close-fitting ceramic or quartz tube. The tubes are supported by discs at the opposite ends of the chamber which block air or gas flow outside the cross-sectional area of the tubes. Each heating element has a ceramic cylinder extending through the center thereof through which a wire for electrically connecting adjacent pairs of heating elements extends.

Abstract: A method of making a lanthanum cerium terbium phosphate phosphor involves the single-step reaction of single-phase, mixed valence state lanthanum cerium terbium oxide with boron phosphate in the presence of a flux-forming compound containing lithium. The resulting phosphor is up to 5% brighter than the same phosphor prepared without the lithium-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a small particle size borate lamp phosphor by preparing a dispersed suspension containing particles of a borate lamp phosphor precursor, adding a sufficient amount of boric acid to the dispersed suspension to provide for the mutual isolation of the borate lamp phosphor precursor particles in the boric acid, drying the mixture under conditions suitable for retaining the precursor as a dispersed phase in a matrix of boric acid, communicating the dried mixture, firing the comminuted mixture under conditions suitable for converting the precursor to a small particle size borate lamp phosphor product in a matrix of boric oxide while maintaining the mutual isolation of the product particles, and contacting the resulting mixture with water to solubilize substantially all of the boric oxide and separate the small particle size borate lamp phosphor product.

Abstract: A method of removing deposited product from a photochemical reactor used in the enrichment of .sup.196 Hg has been developed and shown to be effective for rapid re-cycling of the reactor system. Unlike previous methods relatively low temperatures are used in a gas and vapor phase process of removal. Importantly, the recovery process is understood in a quantitative manner so that scaling design to larger capacity systems can be easily carried out.

Abstract: A lamp holder may formed from a plastic a retainer and insert. The retainer is designed to receive and a couple with a lamp capsule, and an insert. A flexible wall is formed intermediate the lamp socket cavity and the insert cavity, thereby allowing an end of the lamp capsule to be inserted in the lamp socket cavity. An insert having an appropriate size and shape is then inserted in the insert cavity, thereby preventing the flexible wall from further motion. The plastic material provides electrical insulation, and highly accurate injection molded shaping. The lamp capsule is then securely, and accurately fixed in place with a little assembly effort.

Abstract: An electric reflector-type lamp having an improved eyelet construction in which there is utilized a uniquely contoured eyelet fitted into specially shaped apertures in the rear of the glass reflector. The eyelets consist of a hollow cylinder of brass with a bulged center portion which is held firmly within each aperture. The end portions of the eyelet are flared to permanently hold the eyelet in position after insertion. The apertures in the rear of the reflector are comprised of a plurality of sections which accommodate the eyelet and promote sturdy construction. A light source capsule is guided into the apertures by the flared ends of the eyelets, after which the leads are soldered to the eyelets. To seal the lamp and for additional strength, an adhesive can be added around the eyelet.