Abstract: To provide for reliable ignition of low-pressure discharge lamps, particularly compact fluorescent lamps, operated at high frequency, for example in the order of about 45 kHz, an ignition circuit is connected in parallel to the lamp and serially with the electrodes (16, 17) thereof, which comprises a limiting capacitor (19) and the parallel circuit of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor (20) and a starting capacitor (18). The two capacitors (18, 19), together with an inductance (13, 14) in the operating circuit of the lamp, and a further capacity formed by a blocking capacitor (15), after preheating of the lamp electrodes by current flowing through the initially cold PTC resistor, will cause voltage rise across the resonance capacitors (18, 19) which will cause ignition of the lamp.

Abstract: A plasma CVD apparatus comprises a first vacuum enclosure with a plasma generating means, an accelerating means for accelerating ions in a plasma toward a substrate and a second vacuum enclosure connected to the first vacuum enclosure, so that the plasma gas flows into the second vacuum enclosure and forms a film of uniform and superior quality at high speed.

Abstract: An electron beam controlled switch employing a radial geometry and a Wire-Ion Plasma-Electron gun (WIP E-gun) as an electron source is disclosed. The switch comprises an inner cylinder that serves as the WIP E-gun cathode, a cylindrical grid that serves as the WIP E-gun anode, an array of fine wire anodes disposed in the WIP E-gun ionization chamber, a foil support cylinder to support the foil windows which also serve as the switch anode, and an outer cylinder which also serves as the switch cathode. The WIP E-gun and ionization chamber is gas filled at low pressure, while the switch cavity is filled with a high pressure gas. A voltage pulse is applied to the wire anodes to ionize the gas in the ionization chamber. The ions are extracted through the chamber grid and accelerated through a high voltage to bombard the E-gun cathode.

Abstract: An electrical device for igniting and supplying a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (11) provided with two preheatable electrodes (12,13). A series arrangement (12, 4, 14, 13) comprising the two lamp electrodes (12, 13), a PTC resistor (14) and a second winding (4) of a transformer fed back negatively with respect to a first winding (3) thereof is connected to a connection point of the first transforming winding. This series arrangement (12, 4, 14, 13) is further connected to a second connection point of the first transformer winding (3). Thus, the electrical device will readily ignite and supply the lamp and will also protect the PTC resistor of the electrical device should the lamp fail to ignite even with lamp electrodes that are uninterrupted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power supply for lighting an incandescent lamp with high-brightness, comprising connecting a time constant circuit, rectifier, switching device so that the output of the rectifier is supplied to an incandescent lamp through the impedance for a period, determined by the time constant circuit, and that the switching device conducts and shorts the impedance after a lapse of the period to allow the incandescent lamp to receive the output of the rectifier by bypassing the impedance.

Abstract: An installation for electron beam metalworking comprises an electron gun (1), a transformer and rectifier system producing a rectified high voltage supplied to the gun, a vacuum tube (23) disposed in the circuit and associated with means (21) sensitive to the current flowing through the circuit and adapted to interrupt the current when it exceeds a predetermined value. The circuit is characterized in that the positive terminal of the rectifier is connected to the gun anode (4) by way of earth (the reference potential) and the vacuum tube (23) associated with its current flow sensiive means (21) is disposed in the connection between the negative terminal of the rectifier (19) and the gun cathode (3).

Abstract: In a digital wave observation apparatus having an A/D converter for A/D converting an input signal, a trigger level setting device for setting a trigger level, a trigger signal generator for comparing the input signal with a set trigger level and generating a trigger signal, a wave memory for storing an A/D converted input signal in response to the trigger signal, and a display for displaying the input signal stored in the wave memory, the apparatus has a trigger level display device for displaying a horizontal line corresponding to a trigger level on the display irrespective of generation of the trigger signal.

Abstract: An object recognition system for detecting visible light of a predetermined wavelength emitted by a fluorescent material illuminated with modulated ultraviolet light produced by a self-modulated high pressure mercury vapor lamp. The lamp forms part of a resonant LC circuit which produces oscillations in the lamp intensity at a frequency higher than line frequency. The resulting visible light is detected, demodulated, and compared with a predetermined threshold to sense when the fluorescent material is present. Self-modulation of the UV lamp source eliminates external triggering, excitation or switching of the lamp power supply.

Abstract: A solid state ballast for starting and operating a plurality of fluorescent lamps comprises a plurality of parallel connected, series LC circuits each coupled by a capacitor to a lamp so that voltage existing across the series capacitors is applied across the lamps and driven by an inverter at a DC power source voltage and at a selected frequency high enough to develop a lamp starting voltage but substantially below their resonant frequency. After starting the resonant frequency of the LC circuits is reduced substantially below the selected frequency by the added capacitive reactances of the coupling capacitors whereby the destructive high voltage at the upper and lower resonances is avoided and the independent selection of the values of L and C and the coupling capacitors to control starting voltage and conduction after starting at the selected frequency is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photographic lighting apparatus for illuminating a photographic object in taking the object with a camera such as a television camera or an 8 mm movie camera. The photographic lighting apparatus is capable of illuminating the object practically at a fixed intensity of illumination regardless of the variation of the distance between the object and the lamp thereof by reducing the brightness of the lamp when the object is located near to the lamp and increasing the same when the object is located remotely. The brightness of the lamp is regulated by controlling the conduction angle of a thyristor connected to the lamp according to the output signal of a photometric circuit which measures the intensity of illumination of the object.

Abstract: Electroluminescent display device suitable for ac and unipolar pulse voltage operation, and ensuring an increased luminescent brightness and a low driving voltage, comprises a transparent electrically insulating substrate; an electroluminescent layer comprised of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and at least one luminescingly active material; an electrically insulating layer formed on one surface of said electroluminescent layer; and first and second energizing means for applying signal voltages across said electroluminescent layer and said insulating layer corresponding to information to be displayed, wherein said first energizing means is interposed between said transparent substrate and said electroluminescent layer, and includes at least one semiconductive electrode which contacts said electroluminescent layer and is comprised of a semiconductive material containing at least one chemical compound selected from the group consisting of the chemical compounds of Groups II-VI, and wherein said second energizing means is ar

Abstract: A heater for a thermionic cathode for producing an electron beam includes a central wide and a hollow cylindrical conductor with the wire disposed coaxially thereof. The wire and the cylindrical conductor are electrically connected at one end of the heater and at the other end include means for connecting to a power source. Equal electrical currents thus flow in opposite directions in the wire and the cylindrical conductor so that the magnetic fields produced thereby tending to deflect the electron beam cancel each other.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium vapor lamp comprising an alumina arc tube within an outer glass envelope is provided with a capacitive starting aid in the interenvelope space. The aid comprises a stiff wire which is pressed lengthwise against the side of the arc tube by a bimetal arm swinging in a plane normal to the lamp axis. Preferably the wire has a camber concave towards the arc tube which is flattened out at room temperature. In the event of a reclosure, the camber shortens the hot restart time.

Abstract: In order to implant ions uniformly in a plurality of wafers, carriers, on which a plurality of wafers are mounted, are moved along a straight line one after another. An ion implanter comprises a beam sweep width controller for controlling the beam sweep width in such a manner that the area scanned with the ion beam by sweeping it coincides approximately with the shape of the wafers in which ions are to be implanted and a carrier speed controller for controlling the carrier speed, depending on the beam sweep width so that the dose of ions implanted in the wafers is uniform. The beam sweep width controller includes a detector for detecting the width of a wafer in which ions are being implanted in the one direction and a controller for varying the beam sweep width, depending on the width of the wafer thus detected. The carrier speed controller varies the carrier speed inversely proportionally to the width of the wafer thus detected.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp including a rectifier-filter for coupling to an AC power supply to generate a DC voltage, an oscillator circuit coupled to said DC voltage for developing an RF oscillator signal, and switching signal means for developing concurrent oppositely phased switching signals at the frequency of said oscillator signal to drive series connected power transistors. The common output of the power transistors is coupled to energize a fluorescent lamp coil and regenerative feedback means for generating a signal to aid in switching the power transistors.

Abstract: In a neon sign control device, a.c. power of an a.c. power source is connected to a neon transformer through an electronic switching element, a control signal from a control signal generator is supplied to a trigger circuit, the trigger circuit generates a trigger signal while the control signal is supplied, and the electronic switching element is rendered on by the trigger signal, whereby a.c. power is supplied to the neon transformer, and neon tubes connected to a secondary winding of the neon transformer are lit. A control unit composed of at least the electronic switching element and the trigger circuit is installed inside or outside of the transformer housing or disposed near the housing.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp with a safety switch which automatically shuts off the lamp upon rupture of the outer envelope. The switch is formed by a carbon rod disposed in the interior space between the arc tube and the outer envelope and connected in series with one of the electrodes so that the current flow through the rod maintains it at an elevated temperature during operation of the lamp. Upon rupture of the outer envelope, the carbon rod oxidizes and falls, thereby interrupting the electrical path to the electrodes.

Abstract: A multiplex wiring circuit for a gas discharge panel which reduces the number of driver circuits normally used, by a unique capacitive coupling to the display electrodes through a multiplex circuit arranged on the peripheral portions of the display substrates.

Abstract: A starter circuit for a fluorescent tube lamp is connected between the cathode heaters of the tube to provide an initial heating current and then changes to a high impedance to ignite the tube. The circuit is fed by raw rectified a.c. and has a main thyristor requiring a high holding current to maintain the initial conduction. The current through the main thyristor sets up a voltage across a series diode which triggers a second thyristor to reduce the gate voltage of the main thyristor. The main thyristor ceases conduction when the current falls below the holding value and the inductive ballast impedance then produces a high energy striking pulse for the tube. The pulse voltage is limited to increase its duration. One embodiment generates a single pulse only each time the circuit is switched on and another embodiment produces pulses for a period of time before becoming quiescent. The main thyristor and the voltage limiting means are embodied in a monolithic semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A regulated light dimmer control circuit which is particularly suitable for use in controlling the level of illumination of lights in a sound stage environment such as a motion picture set television studio or sound studio. A variable D.C. voltage source is utilized as the dimmer control usually located within the studio and manually controlled by an operator. The D.C. output of the dimmer control is fed to a voltage regulator and controller which receives an output from a timing circuit having a periodic waveform output which is synchronized with the A.C. power line and provides a trigger signal for a solid state relay when the D.C. fed from the dimmer control to the voltage controller is equal to or greater than the output of the timing circuit. Thus, the solid state relay will be fired for a portion of the A.C. period which is in accordance with the D.C. voltage set on the dimmer control. A.C.