Abstract: A structure for a resistor to be built into a cathode ray tube. The built-in resistor divides an applied anode potential into an intermediate focusing potential. The built-in resistor has a main resistor and an additional resistor means. The additional resistor means is serially connected to the main resistor. The additional resistor means provides a plurality of resistors, one of which is selected for fine adjusting the divided potential.

Abstract: This light emitting element comprises three differently colored luminous sources the excitation of which varies as a function of a signal developed by a physical phenomenon sensor, in particular a microphone. The analog signal emitted by the sensor is initially converted into a sequence of electrical pulses in a suitable converter. The leading edges of said pulses are next applied to a counter the output of which provides a coded signal which changes with the arrival of each such edge and thus determines a different state of excitation of the luminous sources. The arrangement as described enables changing the color of the element from a musical signal.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle comprising headlights, an ignition switch, and an electric energy storage battery, there is provided a device for automatically turning on and off the headlights. A first and a second comparators responsive to two different reference voltages and to the voltage V present between the terminals of the battery determine whether the voltage V has an amplitude located within a predetermined range of voltage amplitudes. An electronic switch interposed between the battery and the headlights is controlled by the outputs of the first and second comparators to turn the headlights on when the amplitude of the voltage V is located within the predetermined range, and to turn the headlights off when the voltage V is outside of this range. The device is connected to the battery so that it operates only when the ignition switch is closed. The device is also connected in parallel with the normal, manually operated lighting switch so as to allow normal operation of the headlights through the latter switch.

Abstract: An electronic transformer system for operating neon lamps includes a converter coupled to a leakage reactance power transference transformer. The electronic transformer system may be energized by alternating current through a full wave rectifier, or by a direct current supply.

Abstract: The operation of the starting circuit is only allowed for a predetermined time period in response to a control signal which is generated either following the application of the alternating voltage to the input terminals of the lamp circuit at the beginning of a working period of the lighting installation including said lamp, or a predetermined delay after interruption of said alternating voltage due to a short power interruption. The operation of the starting circuit is not allowed if the lamp extinguishes due to an increase of its voltage, thus avoiding attempts to re-start a defective lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp dimming system which can be used in a retrofit manner with existing fluorescent lamp ballasts achieves a greater degree of energy management than has been previously possible. A dimming control having closed-loop feedback uses integrals of current as a measure of light output from the fluorescent lamps. The electronic control circuit implements complex control methods in a minimal space and at a minimal cost.

Abstract: An ionizable material is injected in the shape of concentric jet and cylindrical column of gases from a cathode-nozzle toward an anode and subjected to a very short, high voltage pulse of electrical current having sufficient magnitude to create a high magnetic field which implodes the cylindrical column of ionizable material and compresses the central jet of ionizable material to a very dense plasma that is relatively stable longitudinally that can be used as a gain medium for a long wave length X-ray laser.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment provides such a fluorescent tube ignitor having a plurality of auxiliary electrodes provided in the periphery of the tube wall of each fluorescent tube, while the potentials of these auxiliary electrodes are set at a specific level equal to or lower than those of the low-voltage-applied filament circuits of each fluorescent tube. Integration and simplification of the preheat circuit at one-end of respective fluorescent tubes securely realizes a still smaller size of the ignitor, cost reduction, suppression of noise interference, and easier and faster start of illumination.

Abstract: In a brazed joint between a coiled tungsten filament and a molybdenum lead, the lead continues integrally into a braze section which extends longitudinally within the coiled filament. The braze section may be formed by suddenly melting the portion of the lead used in the joint by a pulse discharge in an inert or reducing gas. The liquid molybdenum wets the tungsten and is drawn by capillarity into the turns of the coiling where it is rapidly chilled and solidifies in a time interval too short for appreciable crystal growth and embrittlement to occur in the tungsten.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp has an arc tube within an outer gas filled glass envelope, and a thermal switching means is located within the outer envelope. The thermal switching means has a bimetal strip and a spring-like member each affixed to at least one of the electrical conductors, and upon application of heat the bimetal strip and spring-like member are flexed to short-circuit the electrical conductors and remove any DC potential between the main electrode and the starting electrode minimizing electrolysis.

Abstract: A high vacuum sodium vapor lamp whose discharge tube is surrounded by a heating coil connected in series with a switch opening to interrupt the heating after the lapse of a heating period sufficient to allow breakdown of the tube, is also provided with overvoltage protection and especially an element located in the lamp base, for limiting the autoinductive voltage poles to a level sufficient for breakdown of the tube but insufficient to allow breakdown between the terminals of the lamp.

Abstract: A particle accelerator with frequency correction is provided in which an electromagnetic wave, supplied by a generator, is injected into a cavity through a wave guide. A frequency corrector device comprises two non directional couplers taking directly from said wave guide a standing wave from which an error signal is elaborated and applied to said generator for correcting the frequency of the electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: To facilitate assembly of tiny cores used in accessory circuitry for a flescent lamp, bases of two transistors (20, 20') are connected to inductive windings on a core (2) which is retained by a primary winding (3) on the printed circuit (PC) board (1). The windings connected to the bases are formed by U-shaped wires surrounding the core which--preferably--is a toroidal core. The windings may include a resistor (8, 8') located within the toroidal core to heat quickly and, also, heat the core, the resistor extending at right angles to the PC board and forming one leg of the U-shaped conductor legs forming the impedance winding around the core.

Abstract: A lighting assembly including a plurality of housing sections, a series of rib groups arranged circumferentially on the exterior of the housing sections, and a remote control assembly for selectively energizing tri-color diodes embedded in the ribs so that the rib groups can be selectively and independently caused to glow in various colors depending on the aspect of the electrical energy delivered to each particular rib group.

Abstract: A strobe light firing circuit is provided with an integrated circuit (10) for deriving both timing and power generating pulses. A field-effect power transistor (16) gates the power generation transients while effectively isolating the timing integrated circuit (10) from high transients during the switching of the transistor (16). Timing pulses from the timing circuit (10) are divided in frequency by a binary counter (38) and then sequentially applied at the output pins of a decade counter (40) for strobe timing sequence selection. A strobe light firing pulse is differentiated (48) to form a pulse for shutting off power generation pulses from time (10) for a time effective for the flash tube (58) to recover for a subsequent discharge.

Abstract: A plasma containment device for generating and sustaining a ball of plasma therein including an enclosure; a primary electromagnet for generating a primary magnetic field in said enclosure; gas jets positioned at terminal end portions of the primary magnet pole pieces for providing gas under pressure to said enclosure during initial pressurization and for preventing touching contact between electromagnet opposite pole pieces and a plasma ball generated in said enclosure; gas discharge apparatus for selectively sealing said enclosure and for discharging gas from said enclosure; gas ionization apparatus for ionizing gas to form a plasma ball; and plasma energizing apparatus for selectively providing energy to said plasma ball, and for maintaining a large circular electric current in said plasma ball.

Abstract: In an alternate type plasma panel, the low voltage/high voltage interface circuits of the integrated circuits associated to the second network of electrodes are supplied in high voltage by the two amplifiers associated to each of these integrated circuits. During elaboration of the writing and erasure signals, one of the amplifiers supplies the voltage to be applied to the selected electrodes, to write or to erase, while the other amplifier supplies the voltage to be applied to the non selected electrodes.

Abstract: A dimmer for fluorescent lights utilizes a standard A.C. phase control at normal line A.C. frequencies to control the line power to the standard fluorescent light ballast and thereby control the illumination level of the light. During the "off" time of the A.C. line signal, a high frequency signal is applied to the ballast which supplies additional power through the ballast to the filament of the light but is substantially blocked by the ballast from the discharge portion of the light so does not substantially affect the illuminating output of the light.

Abstract: A light level controller includes a microcomputer controlled light switch which responds to a manual tap or a longer manual depression of the switch in order to initiate various control modes for a light source. Preset levels of light intensity may be stored in the microcomputer's memory and an automatic fade mode may be initiated to cause the level of light intensity to fade from a current level to a preset level at a pre-established rate. The controller may respond to the momentary depression of the switch to initiate the automatic fade mode or if tapped while a fade is in progress it may cause the light source to make an abrupt transition to either full on or full off, depending on whether a higher or lower level of light intensity is desired. A depression of the switch for a period longer than a tap will cause the level of light intensity to continue to change until the switch is released, and simultaneously this level will be stored in memory.

Abstract: A starter circuit for use with a fluorescent lamp includes an inductor coupled in series with the lamp electrodes and a semiconductor bilateral trigger, such as a Sidac, connected between the lamp electrodes. The semiconductor bilateral switch is selected to conduct electricity at a value below the instantaneous peak voltage applied and to cease conduction at a level above the operating voltage of the lamp. When the voltage reaches the predetermined level at which the semiconductor switch turns on, current is conducted through the electrode and the bilateral trigger. When the bilateral switch turns off, a large voltage pulse is generated in the inductor which voltage pulse appears at one of the lamp electrodes. A voltage potential is therefore set up across the electrodes to the lamp fixture which is grounded ionizing ionizable material, for example, mercury, within the lamp.