Abstract: A ballast having fused leads protects against uncommon, but harmful, ballast failures. The fused leads prevent a current in the primary coil of the ballast from exceeding a potentially damaging value. A thermal protector shorts the primary ballast coil if the temperature of the secondary ballast coil exceeds a potentially damaging value. Since the thermal protector permanently disables the ballast, potentially damaging repetitive overheating of the ballast is prevented.

Abstract: A transformer assembly and method for powering a load with a secondary fault protected isolated secondary. The fault fault path is isolated from ground allowing voltage detection of faults and the return terminal is isolated from the midpoint for multiple load connection schemes using the midpoint as a ground connection. A power control system is connected between the primary winding and the input terminal with a ground fault detection circuit connected between the fault path and the ground terminal, where the ground fault detection circuit is operable to detect a fault and activate the power control system to disconnect the source of power from the primary winding in response to detecting the fault. Also disclosed is a high frequency filter adapted to reduce the effects of high frequency transients and a capacitive reactance connected between the input terminal means and the ground terminal. The capacitive reactance is adapted to provide a ground fault path for fault signals.

Abstract: A lamp protection circuit for smaller gas discharge lamps and for compact fluorescent lamps powered by a ballast. The circuit protects against several lamp failure modes that can cause overheating and cracking of the lamp. Power levels in the lamp are sensed and when a level is exceeded, a control signal is generated. The circuit acts to reduce power in an electronic ballast powering the lamp and keeps the lamp powered down when either one of two fault conditions is sensed in the lamp. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clear solid compositions that may be used as the base material of a transparent candle, to the transparent candles made therefrom, and to methods of making the same. The compositions of the present invention include one or more polyamide resins present in a total amount of about 60-80% by weight of the composition, one or more solubilizers, and one or more emulsifiers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clear solid compositions that may be used as the base material of a transparent candle, to the transparent candles made therefrom, and to methods of making the same. The compositions of the present invention comprise one or more polyamide resins, which may be present in a total amount of about 40-70% by weight of the composition; and one or more 12-hydroxystearic acid ester solvents, which may be present in a total amount of about 10-70% by weight of the composition, having the following chemical structure: ##STR1## and wherein R may by selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, aryl radicals, and arylalkyl radicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fragrance composition having enhanced efficacy for masking malodor for extended periods of time, to be used in deodorant compositions. The fragrance composition includes materials providing fruity, aldehydic and green notes, in an olfactory effective amount, and also includes at least 10% (e.g., 10%-28%) by weight, of the total weight of the fragrance composition, of acetyl hexamethyl tetralin. The fragrance composition can be incorporated in a body deodorant (for example, a deodorant for axillary regions, such as a deodorant stick) to mask body malodor arising in, e.g., axillary regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fragrance composition having enhanced efficacy for masking malodor, for extended periods of time, the fragrance composition containing fragrance materials that provide a top note and/or a middle note and/or a bottom note, and also containing more than 28%, and up to 95%, by weight, of the total weight of the composition, of acetyl hexamethyl tetralin. The fragrance composition can be incorporated in deodorant compositions to be applied to a person's skin, e.g., in axillary regions, to combat body malodor, including malodor arising in axillary regions.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp power control having an input conditioning section, a lamp driver section, and a power command interface and control section to control power to fluorescent lamps. An external power command input is compared to an internally generated, computed power level and an electronic preregulator is controlled to regulate amp power. The preregulator output voltage and lamp driver current are multiplied to obtain a signal indicative of lamp power. A power command interface isolates the external power command input. Fluorescent lamp dimming is achieved by reducing the external power command input signal, reducing the power delivered to the fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system for operating fluorescent lamps at full and partial brightness is disclosed having a series reactance selectively switched into or out of the system by a reactance switch. The electronic ballast has an input filtering section, a voltage-clamped current source, and an oscillator whose frequency is determined in part by load reactance. Series filament capacitors provide lamp filament power control during starting and running at full and partial brightness.

Abstract: A novel transistorized fluorescent lamp ballast and lamp combination operates from AC line voltage. The ballast provides for "soft-start" lamp operation in one featured aspect and provides for some lamp light output regulation in another featured aspect thereof.