Abstract: An alternating current power source which is generally used to feed an ignition transformer primary winding may be electronically controlled so as to rapidly activate and deactivate the power source for each ignition cycle. An electronic switch intermittently interrupts current flowing in the primary winding and in the output circuit of the power source. Such electronic switch is made operable by virtue of the peak excursions of the alternating current, thus supplying the necessary collector potential to such switch during each firing cycle of the system. Such control system can have these type of controls in the collector circuit of the power source, the emitter circuit of such power source, the DC power input circuit for such power source, or in the output circuit of the power source's output transformer. A capacitor in series with the output circuit of the power source and with the primary winding enables current to be transferred out of the power source to such primary winding.

Abstract: A current limiting spark gap for use in a high voltage valve type lightning or surge arrester includes a plurality of insulating gap plates assembled together in a vertical stack to define a generally horizontally extending arc elongation and cooling chamber between adjacent plates. Series gap electrodes are disposed along opposite sides of each plate and are double electrodes formed by a unitary piece of wire preformed to slide into position onto each plate. A gap spacer is provided in each arc chamber interfitting with the series gap electrodes and the insulating plates for accurately defining and enclosing the series gap and for maintaining the spark gap as an assembly. A new and improved spark initiator with two, resilient, ionizing arms is provided in each arc chamber for consistently achieving low impulse voltage sparkover.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent light source has an electrodeless lamp mounted in a termination fixture which includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor disposed around the inner conductor and is coupled to a high frequency power source. Power is coupled to an ultraviolet-producing low pressure discharge in the electrodeless lamp which acts as a termination load within the termination fixture. A phosphor coating on the inner surface of the electrodeless lamp emits visible light upon excitation by ultraviolet radiation. Alternatively, the phosphor coating can be on the inner surface of a transparent envelope which forms part of the termination fixture. In this case, the phosphor coated envelope can be removable from the light source. The light source can be dimmed by reducing the microwave power input. Frequency of operation is typically from 902 MHz to 928 MHz.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit includes a direct drive high frequency inverter circuit with a tuned output circuit and a drive circuit dependent upon current flow in a load circuit. The high frequency inverter circuit is coupled to a DC potential source which is derived from a pulsed DC potential source by way of a charge storage and charge isolating circuit. An oscillator provides a starting capability for the high frequency inverter circuit and is essentially removed from the active circuitry upon energization of the high frequency inverter circuit.

Abstract: A direct drive electronic ballast circuit suitable for a fluorescent lamp load includes a high frequency oscillator inverter circuit having a tuned output circuit coupled to a load and to a drive circuit series connected to the load and dependent upon current flow therein. The high frequency oscillator inverter circuit is also coupled to a pulsed DC potential source which is shunted by a charge storage and isolating circuit energized by a feedback rectifier circuit which supplies energy whenever the potential from the pulsed DC potential source decreases below a given reference level. A relaxation type oscillator is coupled to the high frequency oscillator inverter circuit and provides a starting capability therefore.

Abstract: Spurious electromagnetic radiation from an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a phosphor-coated, globular glass envelope containing an ionizable gas surrounding at least a portion of a toroidal magnetic core is reduced by situating a conductive loop about the envelope such that the loop and core planes are normal to each other. The loop also acts as the harp for a lampshade. Radio frequency energy, coupled into the gas from the core to ionize and excite the gas to emit ultraviolet radiation and thus stimulate visible radiation from the phosphor, also radiates from the lamp. The loop, driven by the radiated radio frequency energy, creates an opposing electromagnetic field. Cancellation of the radiated radio frequency energy thus tends to occur at a distance from the lamp, sharply reducing electromagnetic interference from the lamp.

Abstract: A solenoidal electric field lamp comprises a plurality of toroidal ferrite cores connected to a radio frequency energy source and disposed in an ionizable gas. The cores are so connected and oriented that circulating discharge currents passing through each core produce magnetic dipole fields which tend to cancel one another. Near and far field electromagnetic interference is thus reduced even when the lamp is operated at higher, more efficient frequencies. The cores are disposed in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp with a screw-in plug to fit conventional screw sockets which operates at 20-30 watts and provides the lumen output of a 75-100 watt lamp. The lamp is essentially a hollow cylinder with a glass envelope for the two outer walls. The space between the two outer walls is partitioned to constrain the arc discharge to follow a zigzag path around the surface of the lamp. The design parameters are such that the lumen output per square inch of phosphor is greater than from conventional tubular fluorescents. Efficiency is promoted by novel ballast design. The ballast fits into the hollow center of the lamp. The ballast is constructed of special shape to spread the arc within the evacuated glass envelope, thus reducing the current density and the total current, but maintaining the lumen output of the phosphor.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp comprises an elongated tubular envelope and a filament assembly disposed longitudinally extending in the tubular envelope by means of ring-like anchors. The filament assembly comprises a plurality of coil-shaped filaments, subcoils coupled with the filaments and connectors formed by strand wires. The ends of the connector are fitted into the subcoils and fixed therein.

Abstract: An electrodeless light source having a termination fixture adapted for connection to a high frequency power source has an electrodeless lamp with a self-contained ultraviolet excitation source and a means for coupling power to the electrodeless lamp. The electrodeless lamp includes a main lamp cavity and an exciter lamp cavity within a single envelope. When power is applied to the fixture, the exciter lamp cavity emits ultraviolet radiation which assists starting of the arc discharge in the main lamp cavity.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor lamp having an elongated light-transmitting refractory arc tube with closure members sealing each end of the arc tube. An elongated hollow refractory metal member of predetermined length and surface area projects from the arc tube and is sealed through one of the closure members. The interior of the hollow metal member opens into the interior of the arc tube and the projecting end of the hollow metal member is sealed. During the operation of the lamp, the hollow metal member acts as a condensing repository for excess discharge sustaining filling which is not vaporized since the coolest spot of the hollow metal member is at a temperature less than the arc tube. The hollow metal member is provided on the outer surface with a radiation-emissive and electrical-insulating means, and a resistive-heater member is affixed to the exterior of the hollow metal member and in thermal contact with the radiation-emissive and electrical-insulating means.

Abstract: A capless electric incandescent lamp comprises a lamp envelope having a flat pinch. A first wide side face of this flat pinch has current supply wires bent backwards along the extent thereof. A second wide side face of this pinch has means to suitably cooperate with a fixing member in a lampholder.

Abstract: High-intensity-discharge sodium lamp incorporates as a starting gas xenon at a pressure between 50 and 300 torrs, in order to improve the lamp efficiency and the spectral power distribution of the discharge. To facilitate lamp starting on a conventional pulse-type starting circuit, a trigger electrode is wrapped about the exterior of the arc tube proximate one of the lamp electrodes, with the potential applied to the trigger electrode during lamp starting being the same as that which is applied to the other or more remote lamp electrode. The starting pulse applied between the trigger electrode and the proximate lamp electrode initiates the lamp discharge. The trigger electrode also extends along the outer surface of the arc tube contiguous therewith toward the other electrode and the discharge, once initiated, progresses toward the other electrode.

Abstract: A light source includes an electrodeless lamp having a generally cylindrically shaped envelope made of a light transmitting substance. A volatile fill material, enclosed within the envelope, emits light upon breakdown and excitation. A termination fixture has an outer conductor disposed around its inner conductor, both conductors having a first end which couples power to the lamp and a second end coupled to an alternating current power source. A first end of conductive means is coupled to the first end of the inner conductor, a second end of the conductive means being open-circuited. The conductive means has an electrical length whereby axial electric field maxima and minima occur thereon. The envelope is oriented centrally and axially within the conductive means so that an axial, non-toroidal arc occurs within the envelope, but does not attach to its interior walls, thereby enhancing the life of the lamp. The conductive means can be formed in a helical or spiral configuration.

Abstract: In a thermionic cathode having a planar emissive body and a heating element of pyrolytic graphite which is provided on the side of the emissive body remote from the emissive surface of the emissive body, a uniform temperature distribution adjusts during operation throughout the overall emissive surface when the heating element is planar and the crystallographic c-axis of the pyrolytic graphite extends everywhere normal to the surface of the heating element facing the emissive body. As a result of this the possibility is obtained of realizing a planar, "rapid", induction-free unipotential cathode having a substantially ideal homogeneous temperature distribution.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder fitting has a preheat type circular fluorescent lamp with its ends in proximity and having a first end provided with a starting filament with a first and second filament terminal wire, and a second end provided with a second starting filament with a first and second filament terminal wire. A male screw base electrical connector extends axially along the lamp circle centerline from a housing which supports the lamp in a plane normal to the axis of the screw base. The screw base is provided with three electrical input connections which are adapted to be used in a three-way lampholder of a portable lamp or light fixture. A lamp starter is connected between the first lamp filament and the second lamp filament.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a ferrite core disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp comprises first and second members disposed in chord-like fashion, each having an opening for receiving the core, and in one embodiment, a third member which encircles the core in a chord-like fashion and also encloses the first and second members so as to fixedly hold them to the core when ends of the first and second members are stressedly anchored to points distal from the core. In another embodiment the third member comprises a circular band to which said first and second members are attached, said band being readily affixable to a glass pedestal header assembly. The mounting means cooperate with the lamp assembly so as to reduce the level of electromagnetic interference produced, and can be fabricated rapidly and inexpensively.

Abstract: The improvement in a filament system in a lamp for use in a drum lens of a navigational light in which a plurality of vertically positioned similar filaments are spaced about but away from a vertical axis adapted to be placed at the focal point of the lens. The filaments are positioned in a horizontal plane relative to each other whereby no more than two filaments are aligned in any horizontal direction. In using four filaments, three of the filaments are positioned at the corners of a horizontal square and the fourth filament is positioned outside of tne unoccupied corner of the square and in line with the diagonal of the square through the unoccupied corner thereby minimizing shadowing of one filament by other filaments in any horizontal direction.

Abstract: A single-ended fluorescent lamp having a partitioned envelope is coupled to a threaded screw-in type base and a module that contains a miniaturized electronic circuit which permits the lamp to be started and operated on direct current from an AC power source. The resulting compact fluorescent lamp unit can thus be used as a direct replacement for incandescent lamps in fixtures that are designed for residential and commercial lighting. Cataphoretic pumping and accumulation of the mercury vapor in the vicinity of the cathode during DC operation and short-circuiting of the partition by the arc discharge are both prevented by a diaphragm assembly at the electrode-end of the envelope which includes a porous gasket of fibrous material that is permeable to mercury vapor but constitutes an impenetrable barrier to the arc.

Abstract: A highly energy efficient lighting system for fluorescent lamps is provided comprising a blocking oscillator having a dimmer for reducing power consumption. In one embodiment a built in power supply transformer and a battery charger provides for AC operation, portability, and emergency lighting situations. The fluorescent lamp is excited in an energy efficient manner by a high frequency blocking oscillator circuit and the dimmer permits reduction of light output reducing power drain even further thereby enabling longer battery operation, reduced size, and reduced operation costs. Also the dimming feature is important in establishing a proper mood simulating candlelight, etc.