Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an envelope tube forming a gas-tight enclosure about a pair of externally-energizable filaments which generate a plasma discharge for conversion to visible light; a keep-alive electrode is located adjacent to at least one filament. A dimming control circuit individually externally energizes each keep-alive electrode to generate an auxiliary discharge, between that keep-alive electrode and the adjacent filament, at a magnitude sufficient to maintain the adjacent filament in the spot mode of operation even if the main plasma discharge current is varied over a range sufficient to change the visible light output of the lamp over at least a 10:1 range.

Abstract: A lead-tin-bismuth alloy is disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp to control the mercury vapor pressure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the alloy is placed within the tip-off region of the lamp envelope. The alloy is fixed within the tip-off region by a means of wetting the alloy to a metal wire structure such as a helix or a cylindrical screen. Alternatively, the alloy may be placed on an interior surface of the envelope by first wetting the glass with a layer of indium or other metallic wetting agent. Additionally, methods for wetting the lead-tin-bismuth alloy to the metal wire include firing the alloy in contact with the wire in a hydrogen atmosphere at a sufficiently high temperature to wet the alloy to the wire. The present invention permits the control of mercury vapor pressure in solenoidal electric field discharge lamps.

Abstract: A novel electrode structure for a fluorescent lamp, particularly one employing a low discharge gas pressure, comprises a directly heated hollow cathode interiorly coated with an emissive mixture. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flat metal ribbon is wound to form a helix which is heated resistively. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a flat metal ribbon is wound in a flat spiral configuration and likewise heated resistively. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a fluorescent lamp electrode comprises a metal cylinder heated directly by a filamentary coil disposed about the circumference of the cylinder and electrically insulated therefrom.

Abstract: It is known that electrical discharges in capillary tubing shows a positive volt-ampere characteristic even for low pressure gas fills. In contrast, conventional fluorescent lamps exhibit a negative volt-ampere characteristic and, accordingly, require special ballast circuits for operation. In the present invention, a fluorescent lamp comprises a plurality of discharge tube sections which are connected by capillary tube sections to provide the necessary ballasting action to prevent lamp current runaway. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ballastless lamp is configured in a compact configuration which may include much simpler ballast components configured in a package similar to a conventional screw-in incandescent lamp.

Abstract: A lead-tin-bismuth alloy is disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp to control the mercury vapor pressure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the alloy is placed within the tip-off region of the lamp envelope. The alloy is fixed within the tip-off region by a means of wetting the alloy to a metal wire structure such as a helix or a cylindrical screen. Alternatively, the alloy may be placed on an interior surface of the envelope by first wetting the glass with a layer of indium or other metallic wetting agent. Additionally, methods for wetting the lead-tin-bismuth alloy to the metal wire include firing the alloy in contact with the wire in a hydrogen atmosphere at a sufficiently high temperature to wet the alloy to the wire. The present invention permits the control of mercury vapor pressure in solenoidal electric field discharge lamps.

Abstract: A hollow cathode electrode, particularly useful in fluorescent lamps, comprises an outer metal sleeve, an inner metal sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve and an emissive mix disposed on the inner sleeve. In one embodiment, the inner sleeve is a folded cylinder having a square cross section disposed within a circular cylinder. The object of the present invention is to prevent heat loss from the inner sleeve and to minimize sputtering. The electrode of the present invention may also include a third exterior sleeve surrounding but not contacting the interior sleeve or sleeves.

Abstract: A lead-tin-bismuth alloy is disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp to control the mercury vapor pressure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the alloy is placed within the tip-off region of the lamp envelope. The alloy is fixed within the tip-off region by a means of wetting the alloy to a metal wire structure such as a helix or a cylindrical screen. Alternatively, the alloy may be placed on an interior surface of the envelope by first wetting the glass with a layer of indium. Additionally, methods for wetting the lead-tin-bismuth alloy to the metal wire include firing the alloy in contact with the wire in a hydrogen atmosphere at a sufficiently high temperature to wet the alloy to the wire. The present invention permits the control of mercury vapor pressure in solenoidal electric field discharge lamps.

Abstract: A balanced hydraulic well pumping unit for actuating an underground pump in which the weight of the downstroke is utilized to store energy in an accumulator which is then used to assist in the upward stroke of the pump. A working rod passes through first and second vertically positioned cylinders and is connected to first and second pistons in the cylinders, respectively. Hydraulic power means are connected to the first cylinder for alternately supplying hydraulic fluid to opposite sides of the first piston for moving the working rod upwardly and downwardly. An accumulator is connected to opposite ends of the second cylinder whereby downward movement of the working rod causes the second piston to store energy in the accumulator which is then used to assist movement of the working rod upwardly on the upward stroke of the pumping unit. Preferably, the sucker rod of the well pump extends into the working rod thereby allowing the pumping unit to be positioned close to the well surface.

Abstract: A lead-tin-bismuth alloy is disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp to control the mercury vapor pressure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the alloy is placed within the tip-off region of the lamp envelope. The alloy is fixed within the tip-off region by a means of wetting the alloy to a metal wire structure such as a helix or a cylindrical screen. Alternatively, the alloy may be placed on an interior surface of the envelope by first wetting the glass with a layer of indium. Additionally, methods for wetting the lead-tin-bismuth alloy to the metal wire include firing the alloy in contact with the wire in a hydrogen atmosphere at a sufficiently high temperature to wet the alloy to the wire. The present invention permits the control of mercury vapor pressure in solenoidal electric field discharge lamps.

Abstract: Spurious electromagnetic radiation from an electrodeless fluorescent lamp having a phosphor-coated, globular glass envelope containing an ionizable gas surrounding at least a portion of a toroidal magnetic core is reduced by situating a conductive loop about the envelope such that the loop and core planes are normal to each other. The loop also acts as the harp for a lampshade. Radio frequency energy, coupled into the gas from the core to ionize and excite the gas to emit ultraviolet radiation and thus stimulate visible radiation from the phosphor, also radiates from the lamp. The loop, driven by the radiated radio frequency energy, creates an opposing electromagnetic field. Cancellation of the radiated radio frequency energy thus tends to occur at a distance from the lamp, sharply reducing electromagnetic interference from the lamp.

Abstract: Novel geometries for high intensity discharge solenoidal electric field lamps are disclosed providing good coupling between the magnetic fields within the ferrite and the plasma discharge. In addition, the geometries provide for good heat sinking and cooling capabilities as well as escape of most of the generated light. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of toroidal shaped ferrite cores are arranged about the high intensity discharge tube, the tube being threaded through the holes in the toroidal ferrite cores. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bundle of ferrite rods is disposed through the hole of a toroidal shaped discharge tube, the packing density of the ferrite rods in the bundle being less than one hundred percent efficient whereby channels for cooling air are formed.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a ferrite core disposed within a solenoidal electric field lamp comprises first and second members disposed in chord-like fashion, each having an opening for receiving the core, and in one embodiment, a third member which encircles the core in a chord-like fashion and also encloses the first and second members so as to fixedly hold them to the core when ends of the first and second members are stressedly anchored to points distal from the core. In another embodiment the third member comprises a circular band to which said first and second members are attached, said band being readily affixable to a glass pedestal header assembly. The mounting means cooperate with the lamp assembly so as to reduce the level of electromagnetic interference produced, and can be fabricated rapidly and inexpensively.

Abstract: A two-stage gas compressor in which a double acting piston reciprocates in a cylinder in a housing and on a stationary member in which unnecessary compression of gas in the piston interior is avoided and in which gas bypassing the piston rings is prevented from leaking out of the compressor. The piston includes a set of piston rings at each end and between the piston and the stationary member and is actuated by a piston rod sealingly extending through the housing. An opening is provided through the wall of the piston between the two sets of piston rings and a passageway in the housing extends between the compressor first-stage inlet and the piston opening whereby any gas bypassing any of the piston rings and accumulating in the piston cavity will pass to the low pressure first-stage inlet and away from the piston rod packing.

Abstract: A short arc fluorescent lamp comprises an envelope having dimensions compatible with existing incandescent lamp luminaires. A radio frequency power supply, enclosed within the lamp base structure, reduces anode voltage drop to increase lamp efficacy. Cathode voltage drop and sputtering are reduced by compact hollow cathode assemblies, including centrally disposed filaments, which are positioned at opposite ends of a tubular envelope assembly having a large ratio of diameter to length. Diffuse cathode emission allows operation with low pressure, low atomic weight fill gas which further increases luminous efficiency.

Abstract: Power for electronic instrumentation on high voltage transmission lines is provided through a high efficiency cascade of ferrite core transformers operating in the superaudio range. An array of tuning capacitors is provided to neutralize the leakage inductance in each transformer primary and thus present a resistive input impedance throughout the cascade. Unequal turns ratios in the transformers may also be utilized to provide constant resistance, and therefore nearly constant voltage and current along the cascade.The transformers in a voltage grading network are optimally enclosed within a cylindrical insulator and a dielectric medium, for example, oil or SF.sub.6.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp adapted for economical substitution in place of existing incandescent lamps comprises an ionizable medium contained within a phosphor coated globular envelope. A closed loop, magnetic core, which may be ferrite, is contained within the ionizable medium to induce an electric field, ionize the medium, and stimulate visible light output. The core, which may be coated with glassy material, is energized by a radio frequency power source in the lamp base structure. Current from the power supply is transmitted to the core by means of a metal rod structure which also serves to transfer heat from within the envelope. A secondary winding on the core provides high starting voltages to initiate a glow discharge.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp adapted for economical substitution in place of an existing incandescent lamp comprises an ionizable medium contained within a phosphor coated globular envelope. A closed loop magnetic core transformer, contained within a reentrant cavity in the base of the envelope, induces a radio frequency electric field which ionizes the medium to stimulate production of visible light output from the phosphor. A tubular extension of the envelope traverses the cavity, linking the core with a column of ionizable medium, to form a "secondary winding" on the transformer. A base assembly, attached to the envelope, supports a lamp plug for receipt of input energy. A radio frequency power supply, contained within the base assembly, provides electric current to a primary winding on the core.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp, suitable for substitution in place of existing incandescent lamps, comprises a gas filled toroidal envelope assembly removably mounted around a cylindrical ballast assembly. The ballast supplies radio frequency energy which induces electric current flow within the envelope and stimulates the emission of visible light. A toroidal transformer, which may have a ferrite core, is contained within a constriction on the envelope toroid and couples the energy to the gas. Heat generated within the envelope and transformer is conducted through the ballast to a radiator. The heated surfaces of the ballast and envelope form a chimney which induces air flow over the radiator.

Abstract: An induction-ionized, electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a phosphor coated, globular envelope. An ionizable gas is contained in the envelope to produce radiation which excites the phosphor to produce light. A closed loop, magnetic core lying partially within and partially without the envelope couples radio frequency energy into the gas to produce ionization. The core may be bonded to a metal strap or enclosed in a metal container to improve heat transfer from the surrounding air. Primary windings and heat radiators are attached to the core outside the lamp envelope thereby eliminating the feed-through structures of other lamp embodiments.A radio frequency power supply and lamp base plug are attached to the envelope providing a lamp which is physically and electrically compatible with existing incandescent-type lamp equipment.