Abstract: An electric discharge apparatus, for example a gas laser or discharge lamp, includes first and second electrodes defining a first discharge path and third and fourth electrodes defining a second discharge path alongside the first. A respective impedance is associated with any electrical connection between electrodes. The electrodes are electrically arranged such that either the current flow of a discharge along the first path is so different from the current flow of a discharge along the second path that, overall, the discharges repel one another, or stable electric discharges which coalesce are generated between respective electrodes of the first and second sets.A multi-electrode plasma torch is also provided comprising an electrode holder from which a plurality of electrodes project and a pilot electrode common to more than one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A long-life incandescent lamp and a socket insert for use with conventional lamps to provide long life. The lamp includes a sealed glass envelope, a base fixedly attached to the glass envelope, a center contact fixedly attached to the base and electrically insulated therefrom, a pair of lead wires extending within the envelope, an illuminable filament disposed within the envelope and electrically connected between the lead wires, a diode electrically connected between the center contact and the one lead wire for half-wave rectifying current to the filament, and a resistor for providing a resistive bridge between the base and center contact. The resistor has a resistance substantially in excess of the resistance of the filament, preferably no greater than 27K ohms. In one embodiment, the resistor is electrically connected between the center contact and the base in parallel with the in-series combination of the filament and the diode.

Abstract: A starter circuit for metal halide discharge lamps in which a diode resistor rectifier network is provided between a conventional ballast and a spiral line generator to superimpose a D.C. voltage on the A.C. ballast voltage thereby to increase the peak instantaneous voltage to the spiral line generators and thus provide a larger breakdown voltage to the discharge lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulsed electron beam gun for generating a high current, short duration pulse which is received by a pulse detection circuit. The gun has a gated electron beam emitting area, a beam deflection and sweeping area and a beam pulse detector. Magnetic collimating means having lines of force along an axis in the direction of the electron beam surrounds the aforementioned structure. The magnetic collimating means intensifies the density and strength of the electron beam once it is emitted from its source of emission and is gated through the electron gate. A conventional pulse source delivers a low voltage pulse and a delayed pulse. The internal impedance of the pulse source is matched at the location of the electron gun where the pulses are applied to the electron gun components. The first pulse, at the beam gate, causes a short burst of electrons to be emitted.

Abstract: A first phototransistor (20, 20') is mounted on the structure such as a home (12) or a garage (14) to sense the level of ambient illumination. A second phototransistor (22, 22') senses both the level of ambient illumination and illumination from the headlights of an approaching vehicle or the like. The phototransistors are arranged with a pair of resistors (54, 56) in a balanced bridge (50). A central bridge junction (52) assumes a higher potential when both phototransistors are illuminated the same, whether light or dark, and a lower potential when the second phototransistor is illuminated more brightly than the first. In response to the uneven illumination of the phototransistors, a timer (60) produces an output signal for a preselected duration. An optic coupler (90) gates a triac (92) conductive for the preselected duration of the timer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating laminations of mica and conductive foils of particular utility in constructing apparatus for generating ions in air. A layer of mica is laminated to sheets of metallic foil using a thermoplastic adhesive. The foil is etched in order to form electrodes in a prescribed pattern. The mica-foil laminate may be appended to additional structures to interface actuating electronics, provide a heat sink, and for other purposes. The preferred bonding material is a thin film of thermoplastic organopolysiloxane adhesive.

Abstract: A flashlight emission apparatus is provided which inhibits the emission of flashlight from a flash discharge tube before a voltage to which a main discharge capacitor is charged reaches a proper voltage level for emission. This occurs in response to an output from a detector that detects the voltage across the main capacitor. The apparatus provides an indication that the main capacitor is being charged as long as the converter is in operation to provide a booster action, and terminates the indication and ceases the operation of the converter when the voltage across the main capacitor reaches a proper voltage level for emission.

Abstract: An electronic flash of series controlled type is provided. It comprises a series connection of a flash discharge tube and a main thyristor, which series connection is further connected in series with a thyristor which forms a reverse charging path for a commutating capacitor. The series combination of the flash discharge tube, the main thyristor and the last mentioned thyristor is connected in parallel with a main capacitor. A diode is connected in series with the commutating capacitor so that their series combination is in parallel with the reverse charging thyristor. The reverse charging thyristor is rendered conductive as the main thyristor is rendered conductive so as to establish a reverse charging path for the commutating capacitor therethrough when a commutating operation is to be performed. This prevents a reverse charging current to the commutating capacitor from passing through the flash discharge tube, thus enabling an accurate control over the amount of exposure produced by flashlight.

Abstract: An electronic light emitter comprising an electric-discharge tube having a transparent tube, a cathode, an anode, a trigger electrode, and a reflector for forwardly reflecting light emitted from the discharge tube. A reflecting portion is formed on the transparent tube to reflect light impinging thereupon toward the reflector, thereby limiting the direction in which the light emitted from the discharge tube passes outwardly from the transparent tube. The reflecting portion is formed of conductive material and is used as the trigger electrode.

Abstract: A ballast circuit arrangement for providing a predetermined desired A.C. voltage to enhance the operation of the gas discharge tube serving as the main light source in a lighting unit of the type which also comprises an incandescent filament serving as a resistive element and a supplementary light source is disclosed. The circuit arrangement operates directly from an applied 220 volt, 50 Hz or 120 volt, 60 Hz alternating current (A.C.) voltage source. The circuit arrangement comprises a capacitor connected serially with both the incandescent filament and the gas discharge tube. If desired, the incandescent filament may be replaced with a resistive element. The value of the capacitor is selected so as to reduce the applied 220 volt, 50 Hz or 120 volt, 60 Hz A.C. source to a desired range for operating the circuit in a manner to develop a desired reduced voltage for operation of the gas discharge tube.

Abstract: A lighting system for a suspended ceiling comprises a plurality of power conditioning units permanently wired-in with the 120 Volt/60 Hz power line and mounted in various suitable locations on the permanent ceiling above the suspended ceiling. Each such power conditioning unit provides a power-limited Class-3 high-frequency voltage at an output receptacle and is operable to power a special fluorescent lighting fixture by way of a light-weight flexible two-wire detachable connect cord. Special fluorescent lighting fixtures are mounted in the suspended ceiling, with each such lighting fixture being powered from a power conditioning unit mounted somewhere nearby on the permanent ceiling above.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen lamp including a tubular quartz envelope wherein both of the lead-in conductors designed for providing electrical energy to the lamp's coiled filament are strategically positioned within a single, press-sealed end portion of the lamp's envelope. Electrical connections to the lamp may thus be provided at only one end thereof to thereby facilitate positioning and connection of the lamp within a photocopier or similar machine. The lamp is suited for high wattage applications (i.e., about two-hundred watts per linear inch of filament or greater) by positioning the inner portion of one of the lead-in conductors externally of the coiled filament supports and thus at spacing sufficient to prevent excessive heating of the inner portion and surrounding, tubular insulative member.

Abstract: A highly efficient circuit for converting a low level DC voltage to the high voltage necessary for energizing a flash lamp. The circuit is very small and non-complex, it is portable and is quickly recharged, particularly being adaptable for emergency flash uses and for toys such as light swords and laser pistols. A very efficient portion of the circuit, comprising a DC/AC inverter, an AC/DC converter and a voltage multiplier, operating at an appropriate frequency, enables the flash capacitor to always be maintained substantially at peak voltage value with minimum power usage.

Abstract: An electric lamp (e.g., tungsten-halogen) wherein a glass bridge (31) is used and has the support wires (23) of the lamp's filament structure (13) passing therethrough. The support wires are indented (e.g., with V-shaped notches) on opposing sides thereof just below the bridge to permit movement of the portions of the support wires between the bridge and press-sealed end (17) of the lamp's envelope (11) during press-sealing, thereby substantially relieving stresses on the bridge (31) and possible breakage thereof as may occur if such wires were retained in a fixed, non-movable arrangement.

Abstract: A transverse field interaction multi-beam amplifier device comprising a structure having, for example, a plurality of discrete cathodes cylindrically located in succession along a central axis of RF propagation. In registration with the cathodes are a respective number of annular collectors located within an outer cylinder which also acts as the structure housing. Intermediate the cathodes and collectors are two additional coaxial cylinders, one having a relatively smaller diameter than the other, with the smaller diameter cylinder including respective number of discrete grids, while the larger cylinder comprises a structure preferably having a rippled or undulating slow wave wall surface and a respective number of annular slots formed therein.

Abstract: In an electron beam tube such as a gyrotron, electron dissipation on the collector wall is often quite non-uniform due to radial concentrations of the electrons. The dissipation is made more uniform by pseudo-random scrambling of trajectories by transverse magnetic fields which are non-uniform in transverse and axial dimensions.

Abstract: In a CRT display device the target comprises a multilayered semiconductor including a p-n junction and at least one current-blocking layer. The e-beam is locally absorbed in the current-blocking layer so as to open a narrow zone which allows charge to flow through the forward biased p-n junction. The injection current produces a local spot of light which radiates from the opposite side of the device and whose position is varied by scanning the e-beam. In one embodiment the current-blocking layer is a semi-insulating semiconductor layer, and in another embodiment the current-blocking layer comprises the base of a normally cut-off transistor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electron gun for a linear accelerator, able to supply a modulated electronic current for injection into an accelerating structure. Such an electron gun comprises a cavity resonator in which a cathode and a grid define a grid--cathode space, on which is closed said cavity resonator. An electromagnetic wave injected into said cavity resonator defines, with the grid and the cathode, an alternating potential difference by which the electronic current is modulated. The invention more particularly applies to industrial irradiation machines.

Abstract: A collective interactive klystron that utilizes a bent drift tube to achi circular motions of the electrons in the drift region. This bent drift tube eliminates material repulsion between AC space charges in a klystron.

Abstract: An arrangement for transmission of a predetermined fixed frequency by means of a tunable high frequency transmitter tube, such as a magnetron, the tuning of which can be varied periodically by means of a rotatable tuning body driven by a motor. The arrangement comprises a locking hook (22) which is pivotably mounted on a part connected to the rotatable tuning body and cooperates with a stationary locking disc (11), having a locking notch (14) with a stop surface (15). The locking hook (22) cooperates with spring means (28, 30) urging the active end of the locking hook towards the stationary locking disc (11). The locking hook (22) has furthermore a counterweight (35) situated at the opposite side of its rotation axis (23) as compared with the active end.