Abstract: A retrofit HID lamp assembly adapted for use in a non-HID lighting receptacle includes in one embodiment: (1) a housing compatible in size and shape with the receptacle; (2) a ballast unit disposed substantially within the housing interior; (3) a base terminal structure receiving electrical inputs and communicatively coupled to the ballast unit; (4) an aperture-defining reflector disposed within the housing; a lens bounding a reflector cavity; and an HID lamp having a light emissive portion that is removably insertable through the reflector aperture into the reflector cavity, and having a base portion that is electrically coupleable with the ballast unit. Fabrication and retrofit method are further provided.

Abstract: A retrofit HID lamp assembly, for use in a non-HID lighting receptacle, to provide HID illumination. The lamp assembly includes (i) a housing of a non-HID lamp assembly, (ii) a base terminal structure coupled with the housing, and compatible with such non-HID lighting receptacle, (iii) a ballast unit in the interior of the housing, (iv) a reflector overlying the ballast unit in the interior of the housing, (v) an HID lamp mounted in the interior of the housing so that light generated by the HID lamp is reflected by the reflector, with the HID lamp being electrically coupled with the ballast unit, and (vi) a lens coupled with the housing. A corresponding fabrication methodology is described. The retrofit HID lamp assembly may be used to retrofit existing lighting installations, such as PAR receptacles in exterior aircraft lighting systems, to cost-efficiently improve the illumination provided by such systems.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) strobe lamp assembly including an HID lamp and circuitry arranged to maintain a current flow to the arc gap of the lamp throughout the powered operation of the lamp during strobing emissions as well as non-strobing operation. The lamp assembly thereby avoids problems incident to turn-on of the lamp for strobing emissions in prior lamps, in which long delay times between successive strobe emissions are necessary or high turn-on voltages are needed to flash the lamp. The lamp assembly of the invention avoids the requirement of long relaxation periods between successive strobe events and the need for high voltage conditions for strobing of the lamp, so that the lamp is able to operate in an efficient manner without generating EMI in the MegaHertz-GigaHertz range.

Abstract: A lighting unit including an illumination element, and an electric circuit comprising electric power supply leads, coupled with the illumination element and operable to deliver electric power to the illumination element for actuation thereof, having an electric fuse integrally coupled to at least one of the leads to provide electrical isolation of the lighting unit in the event of an electrical short therein. The invention has particular utility in application to electroluminescent lamp units, of a type which is usefully employed in assembly of multi-unit electroluminescent lamp arrays. When provided in a parallel circuit arrangement comprising a multiplicity of individually fused lamps on a common power feed, the failure of any one lamp will not cause any other lamp to cease operation.

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.