Abstract: A fluorescent lamp particularly adapted for illuminating food, such as in a grocery store, particularly meat. The phosphor-containing layer in the lamp has two phosphors, a broad-band red-emitting phosphor having a peak between 610 and 645 nm, and a broad-band blue-green-emitting phosphor having a peak between 465 and 495 nm. The preferred phosphors are (Sr,Mg,Ca)3(PO4)2:Sn2+ and Ca5(PO4)3F:Sb3+. The lamp also has substantially reduced UV radiation.

Abstract: A low-wattage mercury vapor discharge fluorescent lamp is provided for use with existing 110V high frequency electronic ballasts. The lamp has a discharge sustaining fill gas of mercury vapor and an inert gas that does not require a starting aid. The inert gas has 40-100 vol. % krypton, balance argon, and the fill gas has a total pressure of 0.5-3 torr. The phosphor layer has a coating weight of 2.3-4.3 mg/cm2.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp having an envelope with an improved shape. The invented shape is shorter and the light-trapping area near the neck is substantially reduced or eliminated. The ratio of the operational width to the operational height of the envelope is preferably at least 1.5 and the reflector face angle is preferably less than 40.degree..

Abstract: A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided, having a non-straight glass envelope and a plurality of rare earth phosphor layers coated inside the glass envelope. The lamp is made by coating a plurality of rare earth phosphor layers inside a straight glass tube. The tube is then formed into a non-straight configuration, each layer being sufficiently thin so that the phosphor coating does not flake off in sections where the tube is bent around a radius of curvature. A plurality of thin rare earth phosphor layers will not flake off in the bent section whereas a single thick rare earth phosphor layer will flake off. The invention is particularly useful in the manufacture of helical compact fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent reflector lamp includes a housing arrangement having a threaded screw base for receiving line power and a lamp envelope mounted on the housing arrangement. A ballast circuit is disposed within the housing arrangement and is effective for converting line power into an RF signal which excites a fill contained within the lamp envelope to a discharge state thereby resulting in the production of visible light. The lamp envelope is constructed having an upper curved face portion and a lower tapered portion which extends partly within the housing. A reflective coating is applied to the lower tapered portion of the lamp envelope. A phosphor coating distribution is applied to the interior surface of the lamp envelope in a manner so as to maximize the light output from the reflector lamp.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp is provided having a lamp envelope which is shaped in the form of a double helix. The lamp envelope is formed so as to exhibit a side contour which is essentially hemispherical in shape thereby providing a light distribution which approximates that of a conventional A-line incandescent lamp. The lamp envelope further provides a top portion which tapers inwardly and which has a crossover portion at the top that provides a light distribution from this top region that is essentially uniform across such top portion. The open coiling configuration of the lamp envelope is further effective for allowing light generated from the interior of the coiled lamp envelope, to pass through the open coil arrangement with a minimum amount of loss as can otherwise occur for a straight lamp envelope arrangement.

Abstract: A low pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided, having a non-straight glass envelope and a plurality of rare earth phosphor layers coated inside the glass envelope. The lamp is made by coating a plurality of rare earth phosphor layers inside a straight glass tube. The tube is then formed into a non-straight configuration, each layer being sufficiently thin so that the phosphor coating does not flake off in sections where the tube is bent around a radius of curvature. A plurality of thin rare earth phosphor layers will not flake off in the bent section whereas a single thick rare earth phosphor layer will flake off. The invention is particularly useful in the manufacture of helical compact fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A reflector fluorescent lamp with a reflective layer between the light-transmissive envelope and the phosphor layer(s). The reflective layer has a coating weight of at least 5, more preferably 6-8, mg/cm.sup.2 and is a blend of gamma alumina and alpha alumina, preferably 7-80 weight percent gamma alumina and 20-93 weight percent alpha alumina, more preferably 30-40 weight percent gamma alumina and 60-70 weight percent alpha alumina. The reflective layer finds particular utility in an electrodeless fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A low pressure discharge lamp, particularly a compact fluorescent lamp, achieves an overall reduction in height by orienting ends of the envelope radially inward for connection to the base. This advantageously positions the electrodes housed within the envelope away from the base. Moreover, this mounting arrangement provides resistance against pull out forces and elimination of a cement to secure the envelope to the base, as well as other improved heat transfer benefits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluorescent lamp and ballast arrangement of the type having a lamp base for connection to a fixture that also accommodates a lamp base of an incandescent lamp. A ballast circuit contains a first conversion circuit which converts a.c. voltage to d.c. voltage and which has an electrolytic capacitor for smoothing the d.c. voltage. The ballast circuit further includes a second conversion circuit which converts the d.c. voltage into a.c. current and which includes a resonant inductor and resonant capacitor. A ballast housing has first and second ends spaced along a longitudinal axis of the housing and encloses parts of the ballast circuit. Only two lamp tube portions of the lamp terminate in the first end of the ballast housing, with the resonant inductor being positioned between the two lamp tube portions.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp is provided in a coiled or helical configuration in order to maximize the length of discharge tubing for a given height. A non-uniform coating of phosphor is provided on the interior surface of the discharge envelope to inhibit light otherwise directed inwardly into the lamp toward a longitudinal axis of the helical configuration and redirect the light outwardly through an outer circumferential portion having a thinner phosphor coating. This results in increased light output for an given lamp geometry and lamp power.

Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp is provided having a generally helically shaped lamp envelope wherein the two end segments of the lamp envelope extend radially inward from the pitch of the helix. The end segment extend into openings formed in a mounting cap member which is essentially dome-shaped at the center portion thereof. The mounting cap member can be constructed of two pieces each of which accepts one of the end segments of the lamp envelope. The mounting cap member is effective for reducing the amount of lamp envelope surface area that must be disposed within the housing of the lamp and is further beneficial in that light generated on the inside surface of the lamp can be reflected outward and more readily escape without losses due to multiple reflections or absorption.

Abstract: A UV absorbing soda-lime glass containing specific amounts of cerium oxide and iron oxide permits the use of significantly less CeO.sub.2 than is used in prior art glass. The amount of cerium oxide and iron oxide present is 0.02-0.07 wt. % and 0.02-0.06 wt. %, respectively, with a combined total typically no more than 0.13 wt. %. This glass is useful for fluorescent lamp envelopes in absorbing UVB radiation having a wavelength between 280-320 nm, while being transparent to visible light radiation without effecting the color of the light emitted by the lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp utilizing a dual layer phosphor coating is disclosed and with the base layer employing a calcium halophosphate phosphor which has been modified to provide efficient lumen output at a substantially reduced coating weight. The top phosphor layer in said coating comprises a blend of narrow bandwith emitting phosphors at various coating weights primarily to improve the color rendering capability of these lamps.

Abstract: In a high intensity metal halide discharge lamp, means are provided associated with the interior surface of the envelope to promote the formation and spreading of a liquid film of condensate thereon. Such a film can lower the color temperature as a result of pressure broadening and self-reversal of the sodium line, and also by acting as a color correcting filter. The film-promoting means may be a coating which imparts an irregularity to the surface such that the reduction in exposed surface area by coverage with a uniform liquid film is energetically favored. Alternatively, a chemically different surface better wetted by the metal halide dose may be used.

Abstract: A multiple headlamp system for vehicles, comprising at least two individual lamps having their filaments connected in electrical series. This permits the use of shorter filaments and hence smaller diameter reflector lamps, without loss of optical control or reflector efficiency, for use in modern cars having low-profile front ends for providing improved aerodynamic streamlining. In a preferred embodiment, a vehicle is provided with two sets of headlamps, each set comprising a pair of individual headlamps each containing a filament at the focal point of the reflector for achieving maximum optical control, and means for connecting the filaments of each pair in electrical series across the vehicle's battery, one lamp of the pair being designed to provide a narrow-beam "punch" light for distant viewing, and the other lamp of the pair being designed to provide a wide-angle beam "spread" light for general viewing.