Abstract: Electrostatic power generator cell architectures having high generator output and a method of manufacture. In one embodiment, parasitic capacitances are reduced by reducing overlap between walls of the chamber and electrodes of the generator cell. In another embodiment, generator component materials are selected to reduce triboelectric effects to improve the coupling of kinetic energy to electrical output, thereby increasing generator output. In a further embodiment, the high permittivity material is selected to increase the modulation of the variable capacitors in the power generator to increase generator output. In still another embodiment, the physical dimensions of the generator cell components are reduced to increase power density. In an additional embodiment, a physical dimension of the generator chamber is based on the dominant motion the generator will be exposed to in a particular application.

Abstract: A junction component fixed on a PCB (13) has a slot (4) suitable for accepting the electrical leads (10) protruding from the electrical unit and also has a base part (11) and a connection part (12). The base part (11) is embedded into the PCB (13) and is connected with its corresponding output. The leads of the electrical unit are connected to a connection part (12). At the place of connection, the orientation of the electrical leads is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the PCB (13). The direction in which the electrical leads are connected to the connection part (12) is substantially parallel to the plane of the PCB (13). The base part (11) comprises a base plate (1) and tabs(s) (8a-8c) bending out from it. The tab(s) protrude(s) into openings (17) formed in the PCB (13) and is (are) embedded there in a way also ensuring electrical contact to the PCB (13).

Abstract: A lamp cathode-to-ballast interconnect is provided in combination with a lamp having elongated cathodes and ballast circuitry for supplying power to the cathodes. The lamp cathode-to-ballast interconnect comprises a plurality of conductive clips connected to the ballast circuitry. Each clip has a generally flat portion connected at a first end to ballast circuitry and has a pinching groove formed through the flat portion and extending to a cathode-receiving opening at a second end. The interconnect further comprises a loom for holding the lamp cathodes. The loom comprises, for each cathode, a pair of cathode-receiving support grooves separated by a space in which a second end of an associated conductive clip is to be received. Walls of each of the pair of cathode-receiving support grooves grip therein-received portions of the cathode with sufficient force to enable a gas-tight contact to be made with its associated conductive clip when the cathode is received within the pinching groove of the clip.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp ballast with an indicator of operability of the ballast is disclosed. The ballast circuit comprises circuitry for providing a d.c. bus voltage on a bus conductor with respect to a ground, and a resonant load circuit. The resonant load circuit includes lamp terminals for connecting to a removable gas discharge lamp, a resonant inductor, and a resonant capacitor. The resonant inductor and resonant capacitor are selected to set a magnitude, and resonant frequency, of a bidirectional current in the lamp. Further included is a converter circuitry, including first and second serially connected switches coupled between the bus conductor and the ground, and providing to the resonant load circuit, at a node coupled between the first and second switches, a voltage that alternates between first and second voltage levels.