Abstract: A luminous tube is provided with three color producing inner tubes and is mounted within a clear outer tube. The luminous gas filling the outer tube also fills the open-ended inner tubes. Each of the color-producing tubes has an electrode to enable the current density to be independently controlled, and thus control of the light-intensity emitted from each of the color-producing tubes. A luminous tube may also be constructed with at least one tube mounted inside an outer tube within a common luminous gas, where the inner tube houses an electrode and has a restricted diameter opening to produce a high-intensity luminous discharge.

Abstract: A glow lamp includes electrodes having both elements and oxides formed with a portion of the elements applied thereto to provide a glow lamp which can be used as a switch and which has a relatively low breakdown voltage but a relatively large current-handling capability. The glow lamp is constructed by a method which includes the step of causing relatively large, variable frequency currents to flow between adjacent electrodes for a limited time period to create the combination of elements and oxides on the electrodes.

Abstract: A pair of conically tapered rollers orients and positions a plurality of initially randomly oriented negative glow lamps. A component holder receives said oriented and positioned lamps sequentially one at a time and releasably holds said lamps in a fixed position relative thereto as the lamps are moved laterally away from the rollers.

Abstract: A pair of conically tapered rollers orients and positions a plurality of initially randomly oriented negative glow lamps. A component holder receives said oriented and positioned lamps sequentially one at a time and releasably holds said lamps in a fixed position relative thereto as the lamps are moved laterally away from the rollers.

Abstract: The apparatus includes three electrodes housed in a single enclosure which is filled with a gas. A first one of the electrodes is connected to the junction of a load and a fuse. A second one of the electrodes is connected to an intermediate point of the load, which intermediate point separates the load into two normally equal impedance segments. A third one of the electrodes is connected to the other end of the load. When either of the impedances of the two segments of the load changes sufficiently to cause a breakdown voltage between either the first and second electrodes or between the second and third electrodes to be exceeded, current flows between the first and third electrode thereby short-circuiting the load and causing the fuse to break.

Abstract: An electrical component positioning apparatus includes a frame with first and second substantially horizontally extending conically tapered rollers rotatably mounted upon the frame. Edges of the first and second rollers closest to each other are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart so that said electrical components may be received between the rollers and may be engaged with and supported by both of the rollers. This apparatus mechanically positions in sequence at a predetermined position a plurality of electrical components of the type having a body with first and second lead wires extending therefrom. The predetermined position includes a predetermined location in space and a predetermined angular orientation so that the wires extend downward from the body of the electrical components and are spaced apart in a direction parallel to a predetermined horizontal line.

Abstract: A sequencing drop chute apparatus receives a batch of electrical components and feeds them one at a time to a single line conveyor. The sequencing drop chute apparatus includes a support frame with an inclined surface attached to the support frame. A plurality of walls extend upward from an upper portion of the inclined surface and divide the upper portion of the inclined surface into a plurality of chutes. There is at least one chute for each electrical component of a batch of electrical components. A camshaft is rotatingly mounted upon the frame and includes a plurality of eccentric cams one of which is operably associated with each of the chutes for periodically blocking and periodically opening each of the chutes. The cams are arranged so that the plurality of chutes are opened one at a time thereby permitting the batch of electrical components to pass one at a time through the drop chute apparatus to the conveyor.

Abstract: An automated welding system takes initially randomly oriented negative glow lamps and welds a resistor to each lamp. Lead wires are trimmed to desired lengths and the physical strength of the weld between the lamp and the resistor is tested.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating first and second lead wires of an electrical component and cutting one of the lead wires to a predetermined length includes a separator blade having a first shearing edge thereon. The separator blade is attached to a carrier assembly for moving the separator blade between the first and second lead wires to separate the lead wires. A length adjustment assembly is operably associated with the separator blade for moving the electrical component relative to the separator blade to a relative position such that the first shearing edge of the separator blade is adjacent a point at which the one lead wire is to be cut. A cutter assembly is operably associated with the separator blade and has a second shearing edge thereon.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and methods are provided for aging negative glow lamps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing output indications in response to the presence of an electromagnetic energy receptor within a predetermined distance of a glow discharge device the electrodes of which have a voltage applied thereacross at least equal to the maintaining voltage but less than the breakdown voltage, including an excitor for generating an electromagnetic field around the glow discharge device at a strength less than the ionization level but sufficient to ionize the gas when the electromagnetic energy receptor is within the predetermined distance of the glow discharge device.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing resistors wherein substantially round heads are heat-formed on the ends of the leads and molded, under a predetermined pressure, into electrical and mechanical contact with a quantity of resistive material to form an integral body.