Abstract: Disclosed herein are solid state illumination systems which provide improved color quality and/or color contrast. The systems provide total light having delta chroma values for each of the fifteen color samples of the color quality scale that are preselected to provide enhanced color contrast relative to an incandescent or blackbody light source, in accordance with specified values which depend on color temperature. Illumination systems provided herein may comprise one or more organic electroluminescent element, or they may comprise a plurality of inorganic light emitting diodes, wherein at least two inorganic light emitting diodes have different color emission bands. Methods for the manufacture of illumination systems having improved color quality and/or color contrast are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including at least one electronic component. The apparatus also includes an enclosure enclosing the at least one electronic component. The enclosure includes at least one wall defined by a membrane. The apparatus further includes a piezoelectric actuator that is fixed at a first end and rigidly attached to the membrane at a second end. Application of alternating current to the piezoelectric actuator generates a pulsating mechanical deformation of the membrane.

Abstract: A lamp is provided having an arctube having a light-transmitting envelope. The arctube is surrounded by a gaseous medium confined by a containment envelope such as a hermetic shroud. The gaseous medium is preferably He or H2 or Ne or another gas whose thermal conductivity is greater than that of N2 at 800° C., or a mixture thereof, to help cool the arctube. The inside and/or outside of the shroud may be coated with a diffusion barrier. To help cool the hot spot of the arctube the gap between the shroud and the envelope can be made small, the portion of the shroud wall near the arc can be thickened, the arctube can be offset above the longitudinal axis of the shroud, and the return lead of the arctube can be located between the shroud and the arctube.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp includes an arc envelope and a cooling device. Cooling passage is provided between the arc envelope and the cooling device. An airflow blocking structure is mounted rotatably to the arc envelope. The airflow blocking structure blocks airflow between the cooling device and the arc envelope except for a portion of the passage directed towards a top side of the arc envelope.

Abstract: A lamp is provided having an arctube having a light-transmitting envelope. The arctube is surrounded by a gaseous medium confined by a containment envelope such as a hermetic shroud. The gaseous medium is preferably He or H2 or Ne or another gas whose thermal conductivity is greater than that of N2 at 800° C., or a mixture thereof, to help cool the arctube. The inside and/or outside of the shroud may be coated with a diffusion barrier. To help cool the hot spot of the arctube the gap between the shroud and the envelope can be made small, the portion of the shroud wall near the arc can be thickened, the arctube can be offset above the longitudinal axis of the shroud, and the return lead of the arctube can be located between the shroud and the arctube.

Abstract: A light distribution assembly includes an electrodeless HID light source providing emitted light along substantially first and second hemispherical zones. A first optical element redirects a portion of light from the first hemispherical zone into a first desired direction in the second hemispherical zone. A second optical element redirects at least a portion of light within the second hemispherical zone. Other optical elements may be added to tailor the light distribution. Various combinations of these components may be used to create the desired illumination pattern.

Abstract: An oblate spheroidal arctube body geometry provides for a significant reduction in stress cracks and results in lamps that operate at greater than 400 watts for extended periods of time leading up to greater than 20,000 hours. Preferably, the major diameter (OD) ranges between approximately 20 and 40 mm. Wall thickness (T) is preferably on the order of approximately 1.0 to 3.0 mm. An aspect ratio defined as AR (major axial dimension/minor axial dimension) is preferably between 1.1 and 2.0. A radius of curvature (R1) between the spheroidal portion and the leg of the arctube body preferably ranges from—approximately 3 mm to 12 mm or which can be expressed as a curvature 1/R1 ranging from 0.08 to 0.33 mm?1.

Abstract: A multi-turn coil formed from a single sheet of conductive material and the method of forming same eliminates the use of a weld. The multi-turn coil includes a single sheet of conductive material having at least a first turn in a first plane, and at least a second turn in a second plane, where the first plane is parallel to the second plane. An interconnecting fold interconnects the first and second turns, and any additional turns. The method of forming a multiple turn coil includes providing a continuous strip of conductive material having at least first and second turns extending through substantially 360° and formed in a first plane. The method further includes displacing at least the first turn from the first plane into generally overlapping, parallel relation with the second turn.

Abstract: A lamp is provided having an arctube having a light-transmitting envelope. The arctube is surrounded by a gaseous medium confined by a containment envelope such as a hermetic shroud. The gaseous medium is preferably He or H2 or Ne or another gas whose thermal conductivity is greater than that of N2 at 800° C., or a mixture thereof, to help cool the arctube. The inside and/or outside of the shroud may be coated with a diffusion barrier. To help cool the hot spot of the arctube the gap between the shroud and the envelope can be made small, the portion of the shroud wall near the arc can be thickened, the arctube can be offset above the longitudinal axis of the shroud, and the return lead of the arctube can be located between the shroud and the arctube.

Abstract: A discharge lamp having a starting assembly is provided for use with existing high frequency electronic ballasts. The lamp comprises a light-transmissive envelope and has a discharge sustaining fill of an inert gas mixture of krypton and argon. The starting assembly comprises at least one conductive path attached to the outside or inside surface of the envelope or embedded in the envelope.

Abstract: A lamp and method for the reduction of gas loss in a high temperature lamp includes providing a light source and a surrounding shroud, using a fill gas outside of the light source and inside the shroud having a thermal conductance greater than nitrogen, and modifying the shroud so that it contains at least 20% of the initial fill gas for at least the rated life of lamp operation. The shroud is preferably modified by one or more of selecting the shroud material, controlling the thickness of the shroud, providing a coating on the shroud, and the selection of the fill gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solid state illumination systems which provide improved color quality and/or color contrast. The systems provide total light having delta chroma values for each of the fifteen color samples of the color quality scale that are preselected to provide enhanced color contrast relative to an incandescent or blackbody light source, in accordance with specified values which depend on color temperature. Illumination systems provided herein may comprise one or more organic electroluminescent element, or they may comprise a plurality of inorganic light emitting diodes, wherein at least two inorganic light emitting diodes have different color emission bands. Methods for the manufacture of illumination systems having improved color quality and/or color contrast are also provided.