Abstract: A self-regulating, no load protected electronic ballast system (10) is provided which includes a power source (12) for actuating at least one gas discharge tube (66) with a regulated current and limited voltage to maintain the gas discharge tubes (66) input and output power at a predetermined value. The self-regulating, no load protected electronic ballast system (10) includes a filter circuit (11) coupled to the power source (12) with an induction circuit (15) coupled to the filter circuit (11). The induction circuit (15) has a tapped primary winding (42) providing an auto-transformer configuration for establishing the magnitude of the regulated current.

Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system (10) is provided for converting electromagnetic energy whose spectrum is within the ultraviolet bandwidth into energy within the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum through excitation of fluorescent composition coatings (20). The lighting system (10) provides for an excitation mechanism (12) which generates an enclosed magnetic field, an induced electrical field, and a radiating electrical field, where the induced electrical field is substantially parallel and in the same direction as the magnetic field. Both the magnetic and induced electrical fields are applied at substantially the same frequency for accelerating and directing electrons for collision with gas composition atoms contained within a closed contour gas housing (14) and in particular within a gas housing chamber (16). An electrostatic shield (26) substantially encompasses the excitation mechanism (12) is provided for containing the radiating electrical field within the lighting system (10).

Abstract: A current driven gain controlled electronic ballast system (100) is provided having a power source (112) for actuating a pair of gas discharge tubes (140 and 140'). The ballast system (100) includes a filter network (111) which is connected to the power source (112) for establishing a substantially constant voltage signal and suppressing harmonic frequencies generated by the electronic ballast system (100). An induction circuit (115) is coupled to the filter network (111) for generating a voltage across the gas discharge tubes (140 and 140') responsive to the driving current. The induction circuit (115) includes an automatic gain control network (117) to maintain the driving current at a predetermined value and includes a trigger network (117) for generating a switching signal.

Abstract: This invention provides for a self-regulating electronic ballast system (10) which includes a power source (12) for actuating at least one gas discharge tube (66). The self-regulating electronic ballast system (10) includes a filter circuit (11) connected to the power source (12) for maintaining a substantially smooth direct current voltage signal as well as for suppressing harmonic frequencies generated by the electronic ballast system (10). Induction circuitry (15) is coupled to the filter circuit (11) and includes a tapped primary winding (42) for generating a voltage across the gas discharge tube (66) responsive to a regulated current. A switching network (13) which is feedback coupled to the induction circuitry (15) establishes the regulated current and the switching network (13) includes a regulation control circuit (17) for maintaining the power output of the gas discharge tube (66) at a predetermined and substantially constant value.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electromagnetic energy collector assembly in which a transparent cylindrical glass tube made from common glass tubing lengths is sealed under vacuum at one end to an inner cylindrical energy absorber having a plurality of grooves on the exterior surface. The inner absorber may be constructed of glass, metal, or other material and the energy absorbing surfaces have grooves which may be helical, or parallel or longitudinal to the normal axis of the absorber. One or more of energy collectors are connected into a manifold for circulation of a fluid working media, e.g., gas or water, which is eventually utilized in any application of thermal energy, e.g., heating, cooling or driving a turbine. The collector assembly is particularly useful in the collection of solar energy.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system (200) which is coupled to a power source (204) in order to actuate at least one of a pair of gas discharge tubes (202 and 202'). Each of the gas discharge tubes (202, 202') include respective first and second filaments (206, 208 and 206', 208'). The system (200) includes a first transformer (238) which is coupled to the power source (204) and the first transformer (238) includes a primary winding (240) and a secondary winding (242) for establishing an oscillation signal. A first and second transistor network (252 and 254) are feedback coupled to the first transformer (238) for switching a current signal responsive to the oscillation signal. Additionally, a first and second inverter transformers (210 and 212) are provided with each of the inverter transformers (210 and 212) having in tapped windings (288 and 290) respectively, for establishing an induced voltage signal responsive to the current signal.

Abstract: A frequency stabilized automatic gain controlled ballast system (10) which is coupled to a power source (12) in order to operate at least one of a pair of gas discharge tubes (40 and 40'). Each of the gas discharge tubes (40, 40') include respective filaments (42, 44 and 42', 44'). A frequency control circuit (11) is coupled to the power source (12) and includes a frequency control transformer (43) and a frequency control capacitor (50) for establishing a constant oscillation signal at a predetermined frequency. A switching network (13) is connected to the frequency control circuit (11) for establishing a pulsating current responsive to the constant oscillation signal of predetermined frequency. Induction circuitry (15) is coupled to the switching network (13) and the frequency control circuit (11) and includes an inverter transformer (78) as well as coupling capacitors (86 and 88) for generating a voltage across the gas discharge tubes (40 and 40').

Abstract: A fastening system (10) for fixedly securing a first member (12) and a second member (14) of a container (16). The first member (12) is generally planar in contour and the second member (14) includes a fastening portion (30) defining a dome configuration which is drawn from the second member (14). A slot (36) is cut into the fastening portion (30) on one side thereof with the other side defining a cavity (34). The first member (12) is inserted through the slot (36) and extends to a first member portion (38) contained within the cavity (34). The first member portion (38) is bent into a bent portion (38) out of alignment with the slot (36). An adhesive element (42) is inserted within the cavity (34) to substantially fill the same and adhesively secure the first member (12) to the second member (14). In this manner, first member (12) is fixedly secured in a substantially tamper-proof manner to second member (14).

Abstract: An electronic ballast system includes a first capacitor (C.sub.2) electrically coupled to the first filament (30) of a gas discharge tube (12) and becomes the power supply of the gas discharge tube (12) subsequent to both its charging and discharging operations. The collector (38) of a transistor (Tr) is connected to the first capacitor (C.sub.2). The primary winding (22) is connected to the first capacitor (C.sub.2) and the collector (38) of the transistor (Tr) in parallel relation. The transformer (t) includes a secondry winding (24) which is connected on opposing ends thereof in feedback relation to the base (44) and emitter (42) of the transistor (Tr). Pulses of opposing current polarity (122 and 124) generated through the secondary winding (24) alternately provide conducting and non-conducting states for transistor (Tr) to discharge and charge the first capacitor (C.sub.2) through gas discharge tube (12) to provide a power source for operation of gas discharge tube (12).

Abstract: A segment display system (10) whereby ultraviolet energy is generated and contacted with fluorescent material coatings (78) to create electromagnetic wave generation within the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum through fluorescent excitation of the fluorescent material coatings (78). Ultraviolet energy is generated from the ionization of metallic atoms from a metallic coating (42) coated to through opening sidewalls (40) of slots (38) forming the cathode mechanism (26). The slot through openings (38) are in registration with the fluorescent material coatings (78) mounted on a display panel member (80). Below the cathode mechanism (26) is a common anode element (62). Each of the metallic coatings (42) formed within each of the slot through openings (38) is coupled to an external electrical source as is the anode element (62).

Abstract: An improved lighting system (10) which in the preferred embodiment includes a cathode (12) having an external surface (34) being coated with a cathode outside film (40) for emitting electrons therefrom. A first anode (14) extends internal to the cathode (12) for heating the cathode (12) to thereby emit electrons from the external surface (34). A second anode (16) is positionally located external to the enclosed cathode (12) for accelerating the electrons emitted from the cathode external surface (34). A bulb member (18) encompasses the cathode (12), the first anode (14), and the second anode (16) in a hermetic type seal. The bulb member (18) has a predetermined gas composition contained therein with the gas composition atoms being ionized by the cathode emitted electrons. The gas composition ionized atoms radiate in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A monochromatic and polychromatic display system (10) which is operative by the generation of ultraviolet energy impinging on fluorescent material compositions (54) in order to create electromagnetic wave generation within the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum through fluorescent excitation of fluorescent material (54). The operative ultraviolet energy produced results from the ionization of metallic atoms from a metallic coating (28) applied to cathode opening sidewalls (26) of a cathode mechanism (12). The display system (10) includes a matrix of cathode openings (22) formed in a cathode plate member (14). The cathode openings (22) define the cathode opening sidewalls (26) which have a metallic coating (28) applied thereto. The sidewall metallic coatings (28) and additionally, the metallic coating annular portion (30) of each hollow cathode cavity are coupled to a next succeeding cathode element in a linear column direction (32).