Abstract: An electrodeless conductivity measuring system of the type employing a spaced pair of toroidal ferromagnetic cores, in which anomalies in the permeance of the cores is alleviated by the use of non-permeable shields of conductive material.

Abstract: Solenoidal electric field lamps are effectively dimmed with no loss in lamp efficiency by powering the lamps with high frequency current pulses and periodically interrupting the current pulses in a time ratio fashion in order to reduce the average power being supplied to the lamp. The lamp may be dimmed from 100 to 0 percent of full power in an efficient manner as long as the pulse interruption period is less than the plasma deionization time of the lamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a gaseous discharge lamp comprises a D.C. power source, a transistor inverter which is connected to the D.C. power source through a switch, provided with at least one inverter transistor and generates an output having a prescribed frequency, and a discharge lamp which is energized by an output from the transistor inverter and having a pair of electrodes heated by part of the output. The apparatus further comprises base current control means which holds the base current of the inverter transistor at a level lower than a first level during a prescribed length of time after the close of the switch, and holds the base current at the first level after the prescribed length of time. The discharge lamp has its electrodes preheated, but does not display discharge when the base current has a level lower than the first level, and commences discharge when the base current reaches the first level and thereafter continues discharge.

Abstract: An illumination control system for gas discharge lamps which can be dimmed is provided in which a central inverter produces a sinusoidal output voltage at about 23 kHz. The amplitude of the inverter output is adjustable to dim the lamps. A transmission line consisting of spaced wires having respective thick insulation sheaths distributes the high frequency power to remotely located assemblies of ballasts and lamps. The ballasts consist of passive linear components. A high power factor rectifier network is disclosed for providing a d-c input to the inverter from the 50/60 Hz mains. The inverter circuit is provided with novel controls for gradual start-up and turn-off and is protected against load fault currents and internal fault currents. Automatic and manual resets are provided for internal fault current and load fault current, respectively. The basic inverter circuit consists of two alternately conducting controllably conductive power switching devices.

Abstract: The coiled-coil filament of a tubular incandescent lamp is held in suspended longitudinally-extending position within the envelope by lead-in conductors and a single support wire that is anchored in one of the envelope seals and has a hook portion that is coupled to one of the secondary turns of the filament. The free end of the filament-support member is formed into a single loop that nestingly engages the arcuate wall of the envelope and thus holds the support member and filament in the desired position during the sealing-in operation and within the finished lamp. The unique shape of the support member simplifies its manufacture and its subsequent assembly with the coiled filament and envelope.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp control system wherein a two-position solenoid operated ratcheting switch conducts current from the storage battery to the headlamps. The position of the switch controls the energization of the headlamps and momentary energization of the solenoid changes the position of the switch. The driver may manually energize the solenoid to control the headlamps and the switch is automatically shifted to a position to deenergize the headlamps when the vehicle ignition key is shifted to an "off" position. Automatic turn-on and delayed turn-off functions are also provided.

Abstract: An electric lamp construction is described having a pair of conductive inlead wires of dispersion-strengthened copper alloy to serve as the sole means of physical support for a resistive incandescent filament electrically connected thereto, wherein said inlead wires have a surface metallurgical structure of fibrous dispersion-strengthened copper alloy. Said metallurgical surface of the inlead wires can further serve to enhance bonding of other materials thereto including metals such as nickel and aluminum as well as nonmetallic gettering materials such as phosphorous compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric lamp having a pinch seal in which a molybdenum foil is incorporated as a current leadthrough conductor. An external current conductor is connected to the foil. As a result of differences in coefficients of expansion, a capillary space is present around the external current conductor, through which space oxidizing gas can reach the molybdenum foil. Oxidation of the foil involves an increase of its volume and results in crack of the pinch seal.In lamps according to the invention a metal plug is provided around the external current conductor, said plug being sealed to said current conductor and to the glass of the pinch seal and sealing the capillary space in a vacuum-tight manner.

Abstract: An illumination control system for gas discharge lamps which can be dimmed is provided in which a central inverter produces sinusoidal output voltage at about 23 kHz. The amplitude of the inverter output is adjustable to dim the lamps. A transmission line consisting of spaced wires having respective thick insulation sheaths distributes the high frequency power to remotely located assemblies of ballasts and lamps. A high power factor rectifier network is disclosed for providing a d-c input to the inverter from the 50/60 Hz mains. Several ballasts are disclosed, which consist principally of circuits using passive linear components. Some of the ballasts disclosed are conjugate ballasts which are those made of complex conjugate impedances which resonate with or near the input power frequency. Some ballasts disclosed are non-linear when the lamp is out in order to limit the open circuit voltage. The ballasts disclosed all have the following characteristics:(a) good power factor (above 0.

Abstract: An illumination control system for gas discharge lamps which can be dimmed is provided in which a central inverter produces an output voltage at a high frequency which can be about 23 kHz. The amplitude of the inverter output is adjustable to dim the lamps. A transmission line consisting of spaced wires having respective thick insulation sheaths distributes the high frequency power to remotely located assemblies of ballasts and lamps. The ballasts consist of passive linear components. A high power factor rectifier network is disclosed for providing a d-c input to the inverter from the 50/60 Hz mains.

Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp having an arc tube which is enclosed by and supported within a light-transmitting outer envelope which is spaced from the arc tube. The outer envelope enclosing a hard vacuum. Electrical lead-in means are sealed through the arc tube connected to the electrodes. Electrical adapter means are affixed to the outer surface of the protective envelope to facilitate electrical connection for the lamp to a source of electrical power. A pair of electrical conductors electrically connect the electrical adapter means to the electrical lead-in means. Fuse means is provided. The fuse means has a fusible element extending from one of the electrical conductors and separated from and encircling an insulating sleeve means carried about the other of the electrical conductors, so that the spacing therebetween constitutes the shortest gap within the envelope between opposite current-carrying components. The hard vacuum enclosed by the outer envelope is obtained by flashing barium getter means.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit includes a directly driven high frequency inverter circuit with a series resonant output circuit coupled to a load circuit having a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp and to a drive circuit dependent upon current flow in the load circuit. A starting circuit for the high frequency inverter is coupled to a DC source and to a charge storage and isolating circuit and provides initial energization to the high frequency inverter circuit. Also, a lamp starting circuit initiates increased conductivity of the high frequency inverter circuit which causes development of energy sufficient to "fire" an HID lamp whereupon a disablement circuit essentially removes the lamp starting circuit from the operational circuitry.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp comprises a substantially cylindrical, tapered envelope with a correspondingly tapered partition disposed within the envelope so as to define a folded discharge path having a length approximately twice the length of the envelope. The taper of the partition and envelope permit easy assembly of the lamp with minimal disturbance of a prior applied phosphor coating. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the partition is formed using shaping wedges applied to a partially molten glass bulb so as to produce a seamed partition extending almost to the closed end of the bulb. The partition in the lamps of the present invention sealably separate one discharge path portion from another.

Abstract: A high intensity arc discharge lamp has an arc tube the emission of which includes some harmful UV radiation. An outer envelope surrounds the arc tube and substantially blocks the harmful UV radiation. The lamp includes means to render the arc tube inoperative when the outer envelope becomes cracked or punctured sufficiently to admit air therewithin, the means including a pyrophoric material to initiate combustion of a current carrying portion of the lamp circuit.

Abstract: Rotary targets for X-ray tubes are provided comprising a molybdenum base body alloyed with a stabilizing proportion of iron, silicon, cobalt, tantalum, niobium, hafnium, stable metal oxide, or a mixture of the preceding.

Abstract: There is disclosed a support structure for a directly-heated cathode in a cathode ray tube, for supporting the cathode by fastening the strip leads of the cathode to support rods piercing and rigidly fixed to a base of insulating material through resistance welding. The support rods are provided in their proper positions respectively with protrusions having top plane areas to be contacted with the surfaces of the strip leads and the cathode is supported by fastening the strip leads to the protrusions through resistance welding. The length of the top plane area of the protrusion extending in the direction along the width of the strip lead is 30 to 80% of the size of the width of the strip lead.

Abstract: In a spark gap device a number of arc-resistant insulating elements are stacked in spaced relationship to form spaces between adjacent insulating elements with each element having a through-hole. At least two metallic electrodes are sandwiched between the respective surfaces of adjacent insulating elements in spaced relation to form a spark-over gap therebetween. Each electrode includes a recessed portion and the recessed portions of aligned electrodes on respective opposite sides of an insulating element extend through each of the through-holes in contacting relationship. The insulating elements each include at least one elevation which projects snugly into the recessed portion of an associated electrode.

Abstract: A cathode for an electron source according to this invention comprises an emitter tip made of an electron emissive material, a filament for holding the emitter tip, and a binder for binding the emitter tip and the filament, the filament and the binder being made of glassy carbon. The binder can have a carbide or boride powder incorporated therein. The cathode according to this invention can be produced by using a thermosetting resin of predetermined shape as the starting material of the filament, fixing the emitter tip to a predetermined position of the thermosetting resin with the adhesive agent made of the raw thermosetting resin, and heating the resultant assembly in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to carbonize the resinous portions. This cathode is structurally very simple. Moreover, the adhesion between the filament and the emitter tip is excellent, and the emitter tip can be heated to high temperatures above 2,000.degree. C. by causing current to flow through the cathode.

Abstract: A distributorless ignition system has an alternating current power source for providing power to fire the igniters. The alternating current power source is coupled through a capacitor to a plurality of ignition transformers, one transformer for each igniter. Each transformer has an electronic switch in its primary winding circuit initiated by independent logic means for each switch. A timer, driven by the engine, triggers one logic circuit at a time so that only one electronic switch and consequently one igniter is fired at such one time, maintaining the other logic circuits and electronic switches quiescent during such firing. The system has short lengths of high tension wires connecting each ignition transformer secondary winding to its respective igniter.

Abstract: High-pressure-discharge (HID) sodium lamp has a starting aid comprising a plug-like ceramic member extending through the longitudinal wall of the arc tube proximate one of the lamp electrodes. The plug-like ceramic member is fused to the alumina arc tube and is electrically conductive by virtue of having embedded therein a small percentage of finely divided refractory metal. At least during lamp starting, the plug-like ceramic starting aid is electrically connected through a resistor to the opposite lamp electrode and, as a result, on application of energizing potential, a glow discharge is established between the interior surface of the plug-like ceramic member and the proximate lamp electrode to ionize the atmosphere within the arc tube to facilitate lamp starting.