Abstract: A method for illuminating explosive, flammable, and other hazardous environments. The method employs electroluminescent lights heaving controlled dielectric strength and capacitance, which when matched with the low current and voltage from an intrinsically safe power supply, and the controlled capacitance of each lighting circuit, produces an emergency lighting system which is both safe and effective.

Abstract: An inverter circuit for providing an AC driver voltage for a capacitive load from a DC input voltage. The circuit uses a pair of balanced transistors supplying a split primary winding of a transformer, a feedback winding thereof being coupled thereto to supply a feedback signal to the transistor inputs. Resistors are used to optimize inverter efficiency by adjusting transformer saturation and the DC bias of the drive transistors. A capacitor is connected across the two primaries to provide harmonic suppression an aid in starting the inverter. A second capacitor, connected from base to collector of the transistors opposite the transistor with DC bias being introduced, provides suppression of undesirable high frequencies which will occur if this capacitor is not present. The AC output is supplied from the secondary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: An improved electroluminescent lamp is described comprising a desiccant layer comprising a formed-in-place patternable hygroscopic film layer.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) lamp element and a process for making same. The EL lamp element has a monolayer of phosphor particles deposited in a resin binder material. The sizes of the particles are controllably pre-selected to lie within a selected range thereof. The thickness of the resin binder layer is about one-half that of the average particle size so that the tendency of the resin to migrate through the particles and to cover the surfaces of the particles is prevented. A second resin binder layer is then deposited over the exposed surfaces of phosphor particles to form a relatively thin monolayer of particles uniformly distributed in the resin binder layers. If desired, the particles can be coated with a colloidal silica material to prevent any agglomeration thereof when depositing them in the resin binder layer.

Abstract: A structure for providing electromagnetic wave energy primarily in the near infra-red region of the spectrum and having an electroluminescent lamp element which includes a red fluorescent dye material for emitting energy in both the visible and the near infra-red regions of the spectrum, and at least one layer of optical filter material having selected color filter characteristics for transmitting electromagnetic wave energy therefrom in a manner such that the amount of energy transmitted in the near infra-red region is substantially increased and the amount of energy transmitted in the visible region is substantially decreased.

Abstract: An instrument panel member comprising a multiple-ply back sheet of fiberglas reinforced material impregnated with a polyester resin, a multiple-ply front sheet of the same material and one or more electroluminescent (EL) lamp elements positioned therebetween. The overall structure is cured at a temperature and pressure selected to provide adequate curing without damage to the EL lamp elements and so as to minimize warpage of the final structure. The thickness of the back sheet is selected to accommodate the dimensions of the EL lamps and any electrical connectors used therewith while the thickness of the front sheet is normally much less and need only be such as to permit light from the EL lamps to be seen therethrough.