Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a conduction angle of a phase-control clipping circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the conduction angle of the phase-control clipping circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: A method of converting a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage in a lamp includes the steps of pulse width modulating a load voltage with a pulse width modulation circuit, triggering conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit independently of a line voltage magnitude with a time-based signal source that defines a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit, and adjusting the RMS load voltage to the desired RMS load voltage by adjusting the triggering of conduction in the pulse width modulation circuit based on a comparison of the RMS load voltage to a reference.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage controller that converts a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage. The voltage controller is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller has a feed-back circuit that adjusts the RMS load voltage to a desired voltage based on a comparison to a preset reference. The voltage converter also includes a switching transistor that pulse width modulates lamp current and that is responsive to the feed-back circuit. The feed-back circuit may be included in a microcontroller that has a time-based signal source that triggers the transistor, a comparator that compares the load voltage to a reference, and a program that adjusts the time-based signal source based on the comparison so as to provide the desired RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage conversion circuit entirely within a lamp base. The voltage conversion circuit includes a pulse width modulator for modulating a lamp load voltage and provides a load voltage to a light emitting element. A feed-back circuit adjusts the pulse width modulator in response to the load voltage to cause an RMS load voltage to reach a predetermined level.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes plural resistors connected to each other in parallel, each of the resistors being series-connected to a respective fuse, each of which has a different breaking current corresponding to voltage present at the line. A resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit is fixed by breaking at least one fuse in response to the first voltage. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element.

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation circuit is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation circuit in plural steps to provide the soft start.

Abstract: A lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit which converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage by clipping or modulating a load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit includes a time-based signal source that triggers conduction in the voltage conversion circuit independently of line voltage magnitude. A transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source triggers the voltage conversion circuit. A microcontroller increases one of a rate and a duration of the signals from the time-based signal source sent to the gate of the transistor switch when starting the lamp.

Abstract: A lamp includes a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage to a desired RMS load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage conversion circuit includes a bridge that supplies the RMS load voltage to a light emitting element, a switching transistor that pulse width modulates a current supplied to the bridge, a timer connected to a gate of the switching transistor to turn the switching transistor on and off at a rate that defines the RMS load voltage, an analog-to-digital converter that converts the RMS load voltage to a digital signal, a comparator that compares an output from the converter to a preset reference value, and a circuit that adjusts the timer in response to an output from the comparator.

Abstract: A method of operating a power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a soft start in which a conduction angle or duty cycle is gradually increased to a steady state value that defines the RMS load voltage. The controller has a circuit with a time-based signal source that triggers conduction independently of line voltage magnitude and a transistor switch whose gate receives signals from the time-based signal source to trigger the circuit. When starting the power controller, a microcontroller increases a rate and/or duration of the signals from the time-based signal source in successive cycles of the load voltage to provide the soft start. The power controller may be in a voltage conversion circuit that converts a line voltage at a lamp terminal to the RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp.

Abstract: A phase-control power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes an analog load voltage sensor that includes a light emitter that provides an optical output related to an RMS load voltage, and a phase-control circuit that has a comparison circuit that varies a resistance in the phase-control circuit responsive to the optical output. The comparison circuit includes an optically coupled transistor that senses the optical output from the light emitter, a load sensitive resistor that emits an amount of thermal energy corresponding to an amount of optical energy sensed by the optically coupled transistor, and two thermally dependent resistors connected in series, where one of the two resistors has a resistance that corresponds to the amount of thermal energy emitted by the load sensitive resistor and that varies the resistance in the phase-controlled dimming circuit.

Abstract: A phase-control power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a phase-control circuit connected to the line and load terminals and having an RC network that clips the load voltage. A load sensing circuit is connected across the load terminals that senses the load voltage and provides a DC signal that is related to an RMS load voltage. A comparison circuit is connected to the phase-control circuit and the load sensing circuit and compares the DC signal to a reference and adjusts a resistance of the RC network in response to the comparison of the DC signal to the reference to control the RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A phase-control power controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage includes a phase-control circuit with a potentiometer and a capacitor whose resistance and capacitance determine clipping of a load voltage, a load sensing circuit that senses the load voltage and provides a DC signal that is different from but related to the RMS load voltage, and a comparator circuit that compares the DC signal to a reference and adjusts the resistance of the potentiometer to control the RMS load voltage.

Abstract: A double jacket arc lamp is disclosed. A double jacket arc lamp may be formed with an electric lamp capsule having an inner light transmissive envelope with electrical lead extending from the inner envelope through a first seal, and a second light transmissive envelope sealed to the inner envelope at a second seal to substantially surround the electric lamp capsule and form an enclosed volume between a portion of the exterior of the inner envelope and the interior of the outer envelope, and leaving the leads unenclosed by the outer envelope. The lamp leads then pass through only one seal, and have no portions exposed in the intermediate insulating volume. The inner capsule is then aligned once, while still being for the most part protected by a double envelope.

Abstract: A fail safe feature for long life reduced voltage lamps including diodes id disclosed. As known, a low wattage lamp may designed for longer life by using a lower root mean square design voltage. The root means square voltage of the alternating source current may be lowered by including a rectifying element, and a fuse may be included in series with the lamp to safely interrupt the circuit. By further including a one-way shunt oriented oppositely to the rectifier, in parallel with the lamp, and intermediate the rectifier and fuse, on failure of rectifier, unrectified current blows the fuse. If the rectifying diode fails, substantially all of the current is shunted to the fuse during the failed half of the current cycle, thereby blowing the fuse, and safely failing the lamp.

Abstract: An improved electric lamp wherein a flexible cover holder is utilized to secure the lamp's cover means (e.g., lens) against the reflector in a sealed manner. The holder flexes during lamp operation to enable expansion and/or contraction of the cover means in such a manner that damage thereto is substantially prevented. In one example, a ceramic reflector and glass lens combination was used, with the holder comprising an annular, metallic (e.g., aluminum) rim.

Abstract: An electric lamp of compact, rugged design capable of high temperature operation in such applications as down lighting, display lighting, track lighting, etc. The lamp includes a ceramic reflector having therein a capsule (e.g., tungsten halogen or arc discharge) which serves as the lamp's light source. A base member of conventional external design is secured to the reflector to enable positioning of the lamp in existing socket configurations. At least one part of the capsule engages the internal surface of the reflector's central opening to assure stabilization of the capsule. The lamp further includes a cover which is capable of outward flexing during lamp operation.

Abstract: A light-emitting capsule for use in a reflector-type electric lamp utilized in such applications as display and track lighting. The capsule includes a hollow bulb portion containing a light source (coiled filament or arc) therein and an elongated sealed end including a flattened, narrow width segment and a protruding end segment. The end segment, preferably of similar configuration (cylindrical) as the bulb, is adapted for engaging the internal walls of the reflector's central opening to facilitate capsule positioning within such a reflector in both a precise and stable fashion. Additionally, the bulb portion is also capable of similar engagement to even further assure stabilized capsule orientation.

Abstract: A multi-filament lamp that includes a tubular envelope having a pinch seal at one end thereof and containing therein a halogen atmosphere. At least two coiled tungsten filaments are disposed in the tubular envelope and are supported so as to be oriented parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the envelope. Lead-in wires are provided within the envelope and are hermetically sealed using metal foil strips, these being hermetically sealed within the pinch seal. Outer lead-in wires extend from the pinch seal and are each connected to a respective contact pin. A lead-in wire is associated with each filament and a common lead-in wire is also provided. A wire grid extends longitudinally within the envelope substantially in parallel to the filaments and is disposed therebetween so as to isolate one filament from the other and thereby provide filament redundancy.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen incandescent lamp has a hermetically sealed light-transmitting envelope with a fill of inert gas and halogen, a tungsten filament and a preferential tungsten deposition site of palladium material within the envelope.