Abstract: A HID dimming method and apparatus are provided. The method includes generating a dc waveform during a reduced power dimming mode of operation of the HID lamp, the reduced power dimming mode being less than the full power rating of the lamp, and driving the lamp with the dc waveform to generate a dimmed lamp output. An ac waveform may be utilized to drive the lamp during the full power mode of operation.

Abstract: An improved reactor and ballast system is provided. The reactor includes a core having an I portion and a rolled portion which forms a core opening, a coil having an electrically insulated coil opening through which the I portion extends, and a spacer between the I portion and an edge of the rolled portion of the core. A portion of the coil extends into the core opening. The ballast system includes a core having a plurality of I portions and a rolled portion which form one or more core openings, a plurality of coils, each coil having an electrically insulated coil opening through which one of the I portions extends, and a plurality of spacers between the I portions and a first edge of the rolled portion and between the I portions and a second edge of the rolled portion. A portion of each coil extends into a corresponding core opening.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an automated diagnostic tester system is configured for use with a lighting fixture connected to a power source and including at least one of a ballast connected to the power source, a capacitor connected to the ballast, an ignitor, and a high intensity discharge lamp connected to the ballast. The tester system includes an electrical connector system capable of being interconnected as part of the lighting fixture, providing circuit access at least to the power source and to the high intensity discharge lamp. This enables interruption of at least one of (i) the connection of the ballast to the power source and (ii) the connection of the high intensity discharge lamp to the ballast.

Abstract: A ballast circuit with an ignitor circuit for starting serially connected HID lamps is provided. The ballast circuit comprises an electromagnetic ballast arrangement for driving the lamps and an ignitor circuit for starting the lamps. In an embodiment of the invention, the ignitor circuit comprises a voltage-breakover device, a first capacitor, a resistor, a pulse autotransformer, and a second capacitor. A pulse autotransformer is associated with each subsequent lamp after a first lamp of the serially connected lamps.

Abstract: A ballast circuit with an ignitor circuit for starting serially connected HID lamps is provided. The ballast circuit comprises an electromagnetic ballast arrangement for driving the lamps and an ignitor circuit for starting the lamps. In an embodiment of the invention, the ignitor circuit comprises a voltage-breakover device, a first capacitor, a resister, a pulse autotransformer, and a second capacitor. A pulse autotransformer is associated with each subsequent lamp after a first lamp of the serially connected lamps.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp luminaire including a heater for eating the lamp arc tube prior to starting. Preheating the arc tube decreases the amount of damage done by starting, and additionally reduces warm-up time. An illumination reflector has an open end for light output, and an apex. The arc tube contains an ionizable fill and a pair of electrodes and is mounted generally in front of the rear apex, such as within the illumination reflector between the open end and the apex. At least a portion of the illumination reflector is a dichroic element which is relatively reflective of visible light and relatively transmissive of infrared radiation. A source of infrared radiation, such as an incandescent heat lamp, is located outside the illumination reflector, such as generally behind the apex, for directing infrared radiation through the dichroic element portion of the illumination reflector to heat the arc tube.

Abstract: A ballast circuit with an ignitor circuit for starting serially connected HID lamps is provided. The ballast circuit comprises an electromagnetic ballast arrangement for driving the lamps and an ignitor circuit for starting the lamps. In an embodiment of the invention, the ignitor circuit comprises a voltage-breakover device, a first capacitor, a resister, a pulse autotransformer, and a second capacitor. A pulse autotransformer is associated with each subsequent lamp after a first lamp of the serially connected lamps.

Abstract: A high lumen output illumination device includes a light source secured within a socket and a reflector. The reflector redirects light emanating from the source along a direction of interest. The socket is mobile relative to the reflector and varies the directional output of the device. The socket holds the light source substantially vertical regardless of the relative angle of the reflector. The reflector includes a channel through which the socket moves. The device may also be inverted, keeping the light source substantially vertical, to give a range of illumination complementary to the range offered by tilting the reflector.

Abstract: In a lighting system 10, a voltage pulse clamping device 12 is connected across a ballast coil 20. The clamping device 12 regulates the ignitor output voltage pulse applied to high intensity discharge lamps during startup. The ignitor pulse is developed by an ignitor pulse circuit connected to the lamp 14. The voltage clamping device 12 ensures that the ignitor output voltage does not exceed the maximum voltage rating of the lamp 14 being used, regardless of component tolerances or variations in the power supply 24 line voltage. Lamp 14 performance can be increased by the application of the appropriate voltage pulse to the lamp 14, thereby avoiding degradation of the lamp ballast due to excessively high ignitor pulses.

Abstract: A metal halide gas discharge lamp (12) luminaire (10) includes an acrylic lens (22). The metal halide lamp (12) is subject to non-passive failure whereby not particles of quartz or ceramic arc tube (28) material and tungsten electrode (32, 34) material fall as hot (e.g. 1100 ° C.) debris. The interior, upper surface (24) of the lens (22) is ignition-resistant and, in exemplary embodiments, comprises a thin coating (44). In the event of non-passive failure of the lamp (12), hot debris particles fall on to the acrylic lens (22). Not only is there no flame, but hot debris particles do not sink into the material of the acrylic lens. Thus, containment is maintained.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an automated diagnostic tester system is configured for use with a lighting fixture connected to a power source and including at least one of a ballast connected to the power source, a capacitor connected to the ballast, an ignitor, and a high intensity discharge lamp connected to the ballast. The tester system includes an electrical connector system capable of being interconnected as part of the lighting fixture, providing circuit access at least to the power source and to the high intensity discharge lamp. This enables interruption of at least one of (I) the connection of the ballast to the power source and (ii) the connection of the high intensity discharge lamp to the ballast.

Abstract: A ballast and metal halide lamp circuit improvement designed to reduce lamp lumen depreciation over the life of the lamp, wherein the circuit comprises a high frequency electronic ballast configured to generate high voltage starting pulses, and a metal halide lamp further comprising an arc tube containing an ionizable medium, and having main electrodes sealed into opposed ends of the arc tube, the ionizable medium including mercury, a metal halide, and an inert gas selected from the group consisting of argon, krypton, and xenon and mixtures thereof, wherein the starting pulses are suitable for starting high fill pressure metal halide lamps, and said inert gas is at a cold pressure of greater than 50 torr.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fluorescent lamp system wherein an ultraviolet producing discharge tube contains no phosphor internal to the tube. Rather an insert or sleeve physically distinct from the tube includes a phosphor. The layer insert or sleeve further includes an ultraviolet filter, preferably in the form of an ultraviolet reflective/visible light transmissive layer positioned to reflect ultraviolet energy that is not converted to visible light on a previous pass through the phosphor, back toward the phosphor. It has many embodiments.

Abstract: A configurable power (10) module for a lamp accepts a wide variety of components and component combinations. The power module can accept a ballast (412), a capacitor (420), an ignitor (416), a voltage selector (44), a wattage selector (460), a switched quartz line lamp relay (440), and a bi-level relay (not shown). Various types and sizes of ballasts, capacitors and ignitors are accommodated. A socket (26) for the ignitor can be a GE ignitor socket. The power socket can aid field diagnostics. Mounting means (84) provided on the power module make it compatible with a wide variety of lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a plurality of serially connected, high pressure gas discharge lamps comprises an electromagnetic ballast arrangement receptive of an input power signal, providing an output ballast voltage for driving the plurality of lamps, and providing an open circuit ballast voltage (OCV) when the lamps are disconnected from the arrangement. An ignitor circuit is connected between the ballast arrangement and the first lamp, and produces at least one ignitor pulse, per each half cycle of the ballast voltage, of high voltage and high frequency compared to the open circuit ballast voltages to initiate starting of the first lamp.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a plurality of serially connected, high pressure gas discharge lamps comprises an electromagnetic ballast arrangement receptive of an input power signal, providing an output ballast voltage for driving the plurality of lamps, and providing an open circuit ballast voltage when the lamps are disconnected from the arrangement. A first ignitor circuit is connected between the ballast arrangement and the first lamp, and produces at least one ignitor pulse of high voltage and high frequency compared to the open circuit ballast voltage, to initiate starting of the first lamp. A second ignitor circuit is connected between the first lamp and a second lamp so as to be supplied with current through the first lamp. The second circuit produces at least one ignitor pulse of high voltage and high frequency compared to the open circuit ballast voltage after the first lamp begins to start and drops substantially in impedance, to initiate starting of the second lamp.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp comprises an elongated, main arc tube containing a gas fill. First and second in-leads are connected to first and second electrodes within the arc tube, with an arc gap being defined in the arc tube between the electrodes. The fist and second in-leads are adapted to be connected to first and second power leads of a ballast circuit. A starting aid is included for the main arc tube and comprises a path generally parallel to the main arc tube along the arc gap and which is conductive during starting of the main arc tube; an electron barrier disposed between the path and the main arc tube for preventing a substantial amount of photoelectrons from collecting on an outer surface of the main arc tube; and first and second ends of the path being coupled to the first and second in-leads by first and second electrical couplings.

Abstract: A metal halide gas discharge lamp comprises an arc tube containing a vaporizable metal halide and first and second spaced electrodes. An arrangement for heating the arc tube assists in creating an arc discharge between the first and second electrodes. It comprises a heat source positioned to heat the arc tube, and an electron barrier disposed between the heat source and the arc tube for minimizing accumulation of photoelectrons on an outer surface of the arc tube so as to substantially avoid sodium migration out of the arc tube. A switch deactivates the heat source after the arc tube is heated a desired amount.

Abstract: A starting aid with an autotransformer arranged in a parallel manner with respect to a gaseous discharge lamp is disclosed. The parallel arrangement lowers the current carrying capabilities necessary for the starting aid to handle relative to a serial arrangement. The parallel arranged starting aid by appropriate selection of its component values provides for the application of the starting aid to various sources of alternating current used for the excitation of a variety of types of gaseous discharge lamps.

Abstract: A nonflame-propagating joint between the flared rim of a tempered glass globe and a globe support ring is effected by means of a gasket of a suitable moldable material, preferably solder, cast between the faying surfaces. The gasket may be cast in place by pouring molten solder between the globe and the preheated globe ring. Alternately a precast gasket may be assembled in placed between globe and globe ring, and recast by induction heating of the assembly.