Abstract: A constant lumen output control system for providing a constant lumen output throughout the life of a lamp at the mean or preset lumen level. The lumen con system (315) coupled to a lamp driver (310) initially reduces the power to the lamp (330) to prevent the lamp from being operated at power levels that result excess mean or preset lumen levels. With increased lamp usage, the lumen control system gradually increases power to the lamp to compensate for lamp lumen depreciation due to light-reducing mechanisms. By compensating for lamp lumen depreciation the lamp is operated at a constant mean or preset lumen output throughout the life of the lamp.

Abstract: A constant lumen output control system for providing a constant lumen output throughout the life of a lamp at the mean or preset lumen level. The lumen con system (315) coupled to a lamp driver (310) initially reduces the power to the lamp (330) to prevent the lamp from being operated at power levels that result excess mean or preset lumen levels. With increased lamp usage, the lumen control system gradually increases power to the lamp to compensate for lamp lumen depreciation due to light-reducing mechanisms. By compensating for lamp lumen depreciation the lamp is operated at a constant mean or preset lumen output throughout the life of the lamp.

Abstract: A system for promoting passive end of life light source failure in response to thermal cycling of the light source includes an automatic relay in communication with a ballast or groups thereof for interrupting power to the associated light sources. Alternatively, the relay may be configured to short out the light source directly. The automatic relays are configured to turn off associated light sources at predetermined or random times for predetermined or random durations.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an alternate AC voltage to an electrical load having a main AC voltage. The system and method include a signal generator for generating a main AC voltage signal representing the value of the main AC voltage, and a processor for processing the main AC voltage signal to determine a status of the main AC voltage, a main AC voltage failure time period, and a main AC voltage restoration time period. The system and method also include a control signal generator for generating a control signal in response to the main AC voltage signal, the main AC voltage failure time period, the main AC voltage restoration time period, and a pre-selected delay time period, and a switch for switching the electrical load between the main AC voltage and the alternate AC voltage in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a DC to AC voltage inverter. The system and method include an inverter for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) waveform to convert a DC input voltage to an AC output voltage suitable for use with a non-linear electrical load, and a signal generator for generating a AC output voltage signal representing the AC output voltage. The system and method further include a processor for processing the AC output voltage signal to select the PWM waveform, and a control signal generator for generating a control signal based on the PWM waveform selected operative to control the inverter for generating a PWM waveform.

Abstract: A method and system of converting a wide range of DC input voltages from a DC power source to a substantially lower regulated DC output voltage is disclosed. A pulse width modulated (PWM) signal is generated from an applied DC input voltage to obtain a desired regulated DC output voltage. The PWM signal has a fixed frequency and a variable duty cycle. The PWM signal is filtered to provide a DC output voltage proportional to the amount of time the PWM signal spent in the ON or HIGH state. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is controlled based on an error signal generated by comparing an error voltage level that is proportional to the output voltage to a voltage reference. High voltage protection is provided to the controller during the period the PWM signal is in the OFF or LOW state.

Abstract: In a method of making lengths of smoking-material rod, particularly cigaret lengths, smoking material and wrapper-web material are each continuously fed to a rod maker operable to wrap and seam-seal the wrapper material about the smoking material to provide smoking material rod which is then fed to a cutter for cutting the rod into lengths. Smoke-modifying agent is applied by spray intermittently to one of the materials during their feeding to the rod maker so that, in each of the lengths, the smoke-modifying agent is distributed over one end zone which is accounted for by a few puffs, in the smoking of the length. The smoke modifying agent is of low volatility and low porosity migration.

Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, has a filter which incorporates a volatile smoke-modifying agent. The filter comprises zeolite granules impregnated with the volatile agent. A cavity-type of filter may contain between 10 and 200 mg of mentholated zeolite granules. The loading level of a menthol on the zeolite granules may be within a range of from 3 to 60 mg/g. Cellulose-acetate plugs may be provided at the ends of the filter cavity.

Abstract: A single lighting fixture for mounting in front of a large billboard having a horizontal length approximately two times as long as its vertical length is disclosed. The lighting fixture comprises a lamp housing having a lamp positioned therein with the lamp being approximately horizontally positioned in the housing. A new and novel reflector is positioned on one side of the lamp is designed to reflect the light radiating from the lamp in such a manner that the bottom surface of the reflector is utilized to light up the approximate central portion of the billboard while the sides of the reflector are used to light triangular shaped side corners of the billboard. A refractor is positioned on the lamp housing to totally enclose the lamp with the refractor comprising in part three phase light control prism elements for stray light control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for assessing the quality of illumination provided by a lighting environment to a task location in terms of the ability of that illumination to render the contrast of a visual task at the task location. Past systems have been inaccurate, inflexible, or required trained personnel and bulky equipment to make such an assessment. The present system accomplishes this assessment by generating a series of electrical signals, each such signal corresponding to the luminous flux impinging at the task location provided by a discrete, substantially non-overlapping zone of the lighting environment. These signals, when associated with the position of the corresponding zones, accurately describe the flux distribution of the lighting environment, and are used to calculate Equivalent Sphere Illumination, a figure of merit for that lighting environment.

Abstract: A tobacco-smoke filter comprises a plug of filter material of which a transverse cross section is impervious to the passage of smoke except for a minor proportion of the area of that cross section which forms a smoke-accelerating orifice, the plug being enclosed by an envelope permitting ingress of air into a region of the plug downstream of the orifice. The cross section may be impervious because of the presence of a barrier diaphragm of impervious material. Thus an annular groove may be provided in the plug at the cross section and may be filled with, or have its walls coated with, an impervious material. Alternatively the cross section may be impervious by reason of the closure of interstices in the filter material by the local application of heat thereto.

Abstract: A tobacco-smoke filter has a filter body comprising at least one intermediate section which is located between end sections, has a cross section less than that of the end sections and lies wholly within the outline of the latter sections as viewed axially of the body, and a porous wrap of sheet material which is pervious to volatile constituents of tobacco smoke and which bounds, with the said body, at least one space affording a path through which smoke can pass when the filter is in use and from which said constituents are removed fom the smoke by diffusion through the said sheet material, each of the said sections being made of filter material. Suitably the body is of generally cylindrical form and composed of cellulose acetate. Advantageously the intermediate section is integral with at least one end section.

Abstract: An improved tobacco-smoke filter or filter material contains granules of porous activated carbon to which has been applied a nitroxide of the group consisting of the nitroxide 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-oxy, the nitroxide 1-nitronyl-3-oxyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-phenyldihydroimidazole and mixtures thereof. The carbon may be loaded with 0.5 to 25%, suitably 1.0 to 15%, by weight of the nitroxide. Advantageously such a filter has provision for filter ventilation. For instance, in a triple filter with a center section containing the treated carbon, the said center section and/or the section upstream thereof is ventilated.