Abstract: An ultraviolet enhancer (UVE) holder (428) may be configured to attach a UVE (424) having an outer envelope (530) to an electrical lead (420) of a lamp (400) and to retain the UVE (424) within the lamp (400) in a desired position. The UVE holder (428) may include a plurality of turns (640) comprising a first turn (642) and a final turn (644). The first and final turns (642, 644) may have a substantially similar inner diameter (D) defining a through passage (646) shaped to conformingly receive the outer envelope (530) of the UVE (424). The UVE holder (428) may further include a first leg (534) depending from the first turn (642), wherein the first leg (534) may have a first distal portion (648) remote from the first turn (642) defining a first attachment region (650) adapted for attachment to a lamp capsule electrical lead (410).

Abstract: An ultraviolet enhancer (UVE) holder (428) may be configured to attach a UVE (424) having an outer envelope (530) to an electrical lead (420) of a lamp (400) and to retain the UVE (424) within the lamp (400) in a desired position. The UVE holder (428) may include a plurality of turns (640) comprising a first turn (642) and a final turn (644). The first and final turns (642, 644) may have a substantially similar inner diameter (D) defining a through passage (646) shaped to conformingly receive the outer envelope (530) of the UVE (424). The UVE holder (428) may further include a first leg (534) depending from the first turn (642), wherein the first leg (534) may have a first distal portion (648) remote from the first turn (642) defining a first attachment region (650) adapted for attachment to a lamp capsule electrical lead (410).

Abstract: An integrally ballasted lamp assembly (200) including a spacer disk (220) disposed in a lamp receptacle cavity (244) between a lamp (226) and the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214). The disk (220) may be configured to contact connector clips (216, 218) coupled to the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle to positively align the clips (216, 218) for connection to a ballast circuit disposed on a PCB (212). The disk (220) may also, or alternatively, at least partially occlude connector clip openings (402, 404) in the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214) for hindering the flow of uncured cement (902) through the openings (402, 404), and may also, or alternatively, provide a thermal barrier between the lamp (226) and the lamp receptacle (214).

Abstract: An integrally ballasted lamp assembly (200) including a spacer disk (220) disposed in a lamp receptacle cavity (244) between a lamp (226) and the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214). The disk (220) may be configured to contact connector clips (216, 218) coupled to the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle to positively align the clips (216, 218) for connection to a ballast circuit disposed on a PCB (212). The disk (220) may also, or alternatively, at least partially occlude connector clip openings (402, 404) in the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214) for hindering the flow of uncured cement (902) through the openings (402, 404), and may also, or alternatively, provide a thermal barrier between the lamp (226) and the lamp receptacle (214).

Abstract: Arc tube (10) has a bulbous body (12) with a hollow center portion (14) and opposite ends (16, 18). Each of these ends has a cylindrical terminal-receiving section (20, 22) extending therefrom. The hollow center portion (14) has an internal length A and an internal diameter B that provides an aspect ratio of less than 5 and an outer surface area to inner surface area ratio, measured in square units, of less than 1.5. Electrodes (24) and (26) are hermetically sealed in the terminal-receiving sections (20, 22). The lamp uses less than 7 mgs of mercury. The low pressure operation allows the use of the arc tube in lamps without a shroud and the low mercury allow the lamp to pass TCLP requirement and be conventionally landfilled.

Abstract: Arc tube (10) has a bulbous body (12) with a hollow center portion (14) and opposite ends (16, 18). Each of these ends has a cylindrical terminal-receiving section (20, 22) extending therefrom. The hollow center portion (14) has an internal length A and an internal diameter B that provides an aspect ratio of less than 5 and an outer surface area to inner surface area ratio, measured in square units, of less than 1.5. Electrodes (24) and (26) are hermetically sealed in the terminal-receiving sections (20, 22). The lamp uses less than 7 mgs of mercury. The low pressure operation allows the use of the arc tube in lamps without a shroud and the low mercury allow the lamp to pass TCLP requirement and be conventionally landfilled.

Abstract: A neon gas discharge lamp is provided which produces an acceptable amber color emission for automotive applications. The red emission from the neon discharge when the lamp is operated in a pulsed mode is combined with a green emission from a substituted Y.sub.3 Al.sub.15 O.sub.12 :Ce phosphor coated on the interior surface of the lamp. The resulting amber emission meets both SAE and ECE amber color requirements. In particular, phosphor has the general formula:Y.sub.3-(a+b+c) Ce.sub.a M.sub.b V.sub.c Al.sub.5 O.sub.12where M is Gd or La;V are lattice vacanies;0.01.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.08;0.60.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.2.4; and0.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.0.1.

Abstract: The efficiency of a horizontally operated arc discharge lamp has been found to be substantially improved by the application of a transverse magnetic field. The magnetic field moves the arc downward, away from the upper wall of the lamp envelope. The magnetic field moves the arc so that the outer mantel that otherwise would make contact with side walls of the envelope stand away from the envelope wall. With the arc withdrawn from the wall, less energy is lost in heating the envelope, resulting in more energy be directed to the emission of light.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp with an internally threaded electrode is disclosed. The lamp includes an envelope, a support rod, and an electrode can with an interior surface having a multiplicity of peaks, points, of sharp edge regions. These equal height prominences evenly extended around the inside wall of the electrode can. The threaded electrode yields a highly emissive electrode with no emissive material to be eroded.

Abstract: A pulse structure for operating a method neon lamp in a multi-colored light source is described along with its pertinence to automotive lighting. The particular neon lamps are mercury-free, low pressure, rare gas lamps that can be operated as efficient red, amber, and potentially white light sources in automotive and other lighting applications. The preferred pulse structure has a leading spike to ionize the neon and generate ultraviolet radiation, and has a trailing pulse to add energy to the lamp, which increases visible neon emission efficacy.

Abstract: An method of operating a neon stop lamp for a vehicle is described. By adjusting the lamp pressure, the then controlling the frequency and pulse width of the power, the lamp efficiency can be increased, while also shifting the chromaticity for the lamp to comply with automotive standards. The result is a small, efficient light source whose light may be reflected and focused, and whose color is correct for vehicle warning lights.

Abstract: A nearly pure neon is described along with a method of operating the lamp. A phosphor is coated on the lamp wall. By properly stimulating the neon, ultraviolet light may be emitted, that can stimulate the phosphor to a first light emission. The lamp may then be operated to produce a visible light emission that is the result of neon emission or of intermediate combinations of the neon and phosphor emissions. A single neon lamp may then produce in one instance, an amber color, or in other instance, a red color without the cold environment problems typical of a mercury based lamp. The output efficiency is enhanced when the lamp is formed as an aperture lamp. The narrow source is also useful as a source in reflector and lens systems. High pressure neon lamps offer a small source size, direct color with no filtering, good tolerance of impact and jarring, moderate cost, and increased vehicle styling potential.

Abstract: A low wattage metal halide capsule shape having a cylindrical shape geometry with asymmetrical regions behind the anode and cathode for direct current operation is disclosed. The disclosure concerns several arc tube geometries to encourage internal convective flow in small, direct current arc discharge lamps.

Abstract: A ballast for starting and operating a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in a dc mode includes an oscillator coupled to first and second direct current input terminals. The oscillator includes a high frequency generator driving a pair of semiconductor switches. A first transformer having primary and secondary windings is coupled to the semiconductor switches. A rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit converts the voltage across the secondary winding of the first transformer to a dc voltage. A first energy storage circuit coupled to the rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit stores energy for generating a negative-going, high-voltage spike sufficient for initiating a glow condition in the lamp. A second energy storage circuit, which stores energy for application to the HID lamp during starting, insures proper glow-to-arc transition.

Abstract: A pulsed light source includes a sealed, ultraviolet-transmissive lamp tube defining a discharge region containing a rare gas or a mixture of rare gases, anode and cathode electrodes sealed into the lamp tube at opposite ends, leads for connecting the electrodes to a pulsed source of electrical energy and a phosphor material located on a surface external to the discharge region. The lamp tube contains mercury in sufficient quantity to cover the cathode electrode when the lamp tube is oriented with the cathode electrode at the bottom. The cathode electrode is protected by the mercury from sputtering that results from ion bombardment. The mercury emits pulsed ultraviolet radiation which stimulates emission of visible light by the phosphor material. Lamp tube pressure is below 200 torr. The light source is operable over a range of pulse widths and duty cycles. The color of light emission is determined by the phosphor.

Abstract: A circuit for starting and operating a high intensity discharge (HID)lamp in a dc mode includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) coupled to first and second direct current input terminals. The PWM includes a high frequency generator driving a pair of semiconductor switches. A first transformer having primary and secondary windings is coupled to the semiconductor switches. A rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit converts the voltage across the secondary winding of the first transformer to a direct current voltage. A first energy storage circuit coupled to the rectifier and voltage multiplier circuit stores energy for generating a high voltage spike which initiates a glow condition in the lamp. A secondary energy storage circuit, which stores energy for application to the HID lamp during starting, insures proper glow-to-arc transition.

Abstract: A arc discharge headlamp system is disclosed. An arc discharge headlamp system may be formed with a lamp housing including an enclosed reflector, a double ended arc discharge lamp having a two leads at offset ends, enclosed in the reflector. A first lamp support for the front end of the lamp is coupled to the lamp housing, and a first lead connection for the lamp is coupled through a high potential conductor embedded in the lamp housing. The high potential conductor embedded in the lamp housing extends subsurface to a ballast cavity formed in the lamp housing and enclosing a ballast. The ballast is potted in the cavity to protect it. A second lamp lead extends through a second lamp support to the rear of the lamp housing to be connected to the ballast. The lamp capsule, high potential leads, and ballast are all securely enclosed as a single unit with potential leakage between elements, and with the outside prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel system for producing selectable color bands from a single emission source. More particularly, this invention is directed to a small emission source consisting of a gas discharge means. The emission source in the present invention is preferably a single-ended fused silica capsule which encloses one or more predetermined metal halide salts and an inert gas, preferably argon gas.

Abstract: A pulsed metal halide arc discharge light source comprising a hermetically sealed light transmissive envelope with an anode and cathode protruding therein and an emissive material including at least one recrystallized metal halide salt covering the cathode. There is no mercury in the emissive material. During an application of a short-duration electrical pulse across the anode and cathode in a preferred embodiment of the invention, bright colored light is emitted from the lamp, the color of such emission being determined in large part by the choice of the metal halide salt or combination of metal halide salts employed in the emissive material and the duration of the electrical pulse, and the temperature of the emissive material remains less than one hundred degrees Centigrade. A lamp in accordance with the invention is particularly well suited for use as a signal lamp, such as a navigational beacon.