Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for starting a thyristor are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling power to a load. The apparatus includes a thyristor, a secondary load switchably connected to an output of the thyristor, and a sensor connected to the secondary load. The sensor is adapted to connect the secondary load to the thyristor when the output of the thyristor falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power includes a power input, an output driver operable to transfer power from the power input to a load output, an output driver control switch operable to control a current from the power input through the output driver, a pulse generator operable to generate a pulse signal to control the output driver control switch, and a stealer switch operable to disable the pulse signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an input current path, a switch in the input current path, an energy storage device connected to the input current path, a load output connected to the energy storage device, and a timer-based variable pulse generator connected to a control input of the switch. The timer-based variable pulse generator is adapted to generate a stream of pulses having a variable on-time and off-time. The dimmable power supply is adapted to vary the on-time and off-time to control a current at the load output.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods are disclosed for a remotely controllable LED lamp. One embodiment of an LED lamp includes at least one LED in each of a plurality of colors, a power supply, and a controller connected to the power supply and the at least one LED in each of a plurality of colors. The controller is adapted to adjust current levels to the at least one LED in each of a plurality of colors to produce a blended color. The controller is also adapted to adjustably vary an intensity of the blended color without substantially changing the blended color.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an input current path, a switch in the input current path, an energy storage device connected to the input current path, a load output connected to the energy storage device, and a timer-based variable pulse generator connected to a control input of the switch. The timer-based variable pulse generator is adapted to generate a stream of pulses having a variable on-time and off-time. The dimmable power supply is adapted to vary the on-time and off-time to control a current at the load output.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for a vacuum electronic device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vacuum electronic device includes a vacuum housing, an array of slow wave structures inside the vacuum housing sharing a common electron beam tunnel, an electron beam input port at a first end of the common electron beam tunnel, and an electron beam output port at a second end of the common electron beam tunnel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an input current path, a switch in the input current path, an energy storage device connected to the input current path, a load output connected to the energy storage device, and a timer-based variable pulse generator connected to a control input of the switch. The timer-based variable pulse generator is adapted to generate a stream of pulses having a variable on-time and off-time. The dimmable power supply is adapted to vary the on-time and off-time to control a current at the load output.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an output driver, a variable pulse generator and a load current detector. The output driver has a power input, a control input and a load path. The variable pulse generator includes a control input and a pulse output, with the pulse output connected to the output driver control input. The variable pulse generator is adapted to vary a pulse width at the pulse output based on a signal at the control input. The load current detector has an input connected to the output driver load path and an output connected to the variable pulse generator control input. The load current detector has a time constant adapted to substantially filter out a change in a load current at a frequency of pulses at the variable pulse generator pulse output.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an output driver, a variable pulse generator and a load current detector. The output driver has a power input, a control input and a load path. The variable pulse generator includes a control input and a pulse output, with the pulse output connected to the output driver control input. The variable pulse generator is adapted to vary a pulse width at the pulse output based on a signal at the control input. The load current detector has an input connected to the output driver load path and an output connected to the variable pulse generator control input. The load current detector has a time constant adapted to substantially filter out a change in a load current at a frequency of pulses at the variable pulse generator pulse output.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for replacing a fluorescent lamp with a non-fluorescent tube are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, including an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture, a DC rectifier connected to the electrical connector, a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier, and a non-fluorescent light source connected to the voltage converter. The DC rectifier, voltage converter and non-fluorescent light source are substantially contained within a housing that is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent lamp fixture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include helical, ring bar and tunnel ladder slow wave structures (SWSs). Embodiments of methods of micro-fabricating such SWSs are also disclosed. Embodiments of high frequency electromagnetic devices including such SWSs are also disclosed. Exemplary high frequency electromagnetic devices may include a traveling wave tube, a traveling wave tube amplifier, a back wave oscillator, as part of a linear accelerator, a microwave power module, a klystron or a millimeter-wave power module.

Abstract: Vacuum compatible high frequency electromagnetic and millimeter wave source components, devices and methods of micro-fabricating such components and devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the methods may include using a UV-curable photoresist, such as SU-8 to form structures having height up to and exceeding 1 mm. High frequency electromagnetic wave sources including the inventive high frequency electromagnetic wave source components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises an anode positioned in the cavity of the substrate, a cathode suspended over the cavity of the substrate, and a grid positioned between the cathode and anode. In addition, the SSVD comprises a seal for creating a vacuum environment in the area surrounding the grid, cathode, and anode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current produced by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A solid-state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises cathode positioned near the opening of the cavity, wherein the cathode spans over the cavity in the form of a bridge that creates an air gap between the cathode and substrate. In addition, the SSVD further comprises an anode and a grid that is positioned between the anode and cathode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current received by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A solid state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises an anode positioned in the cavity of the substrate, a cathode suspended over the cavity of the substrate, and a grid positioned between the cathode and anode. In addition, the SSVD comprises a seal for creating a vacuum environment in the area surrounding the grid, cathode, and anode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current produced by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A solid-state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises cathode positioned near the opening of the cavity, wherein the cathode spans over the cavity in the form of a bridge that creates an air gap between the cathode and substrate. In addition, the SSVD further comprises an anode and a grid that is positioned between the anode and cathode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current received by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A vertical transformer that comprises a primary and a secondary winding, wherein one winding is positioned on a first plane, and the other winding is positioned on a second plane. The primary and secondary windings are separated by a dielectric substrate. In one embodiment, the primary and secondary windings are configured to use the same ground reference, and terminals in the center of each winding are connected to the ground reference by a via hole to form an in-phase transformer. In a second embodiment, a center terminal of one winding and an outbound terminal of the other winding are connected to the ground reference to form an opposite-phase transformer. In the second embodiment, a dielectric substrate is positioned between one of the windings and a ground plane.