Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp having a glass envelope with a phosphor coated inner surface, a low pressure gas fill and an electrode at each end includes at least one electrode disconnected switch having a bimetal switch normally closed at room temperature and open at a predetermined temperature higher than room temperature with the bimetal switch connected to the electrode and to an electrical lead extending from the lamp to an energization source.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for a lower pressure lamp wherein a voltage divider network coupled by a capacitor and directly coupled to an AC source is shunted by a series connected transistor switch and capacitor filter, and the switch is coupled by a diode to a lamp while a ballast resistor couples the filter capacitor to the lamp. A starter network device includes a glo-bottle starter which couples a transistor switch to the lamp with a resistor coupled to the glo-bottle starter and the transistor switch.

Abstract: An arc-extinguishing ampul and a low-pressure arc discharge lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, having such ampul on each electrode structure, the ampul comprising a thin-walled glass body enclosing an arc-extinguishing gas, at least one electrically conductive support wire, and a heat-conductive coating covering the outer surface of the ampul and portions of the support wire. Upon depletion of the electron-emissive coating on one electrode filament at the end of the useful life of the lamp, the arc discharge is attracted to the ampul by the support wire. The heat of the arc softens and melts the ampul to the point where the arc-extinguishing gas within the ampul escapes and renders the lamp inoperable without loss of the lamp's hermetic seal.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sensing a mercury dispensing target within an arc-discharge lamp and connecting a DC voltage source thereto to effect current flow and heating of the mercury dispensing target in an amount sufficient to effect dispersion of the mercury within the lamp.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a fluorescent lamp having a longitudinal axis and a filament winding at each end includes a pair of terminals formed for connection to a potential source with means for connecting one of the terminals to a filament winding, an incandescent lamp coupling the other terminal to the filament winding at the other end of the fluorescent lamp, a starting aid extending along the longitudinal axis of the fluorescent lamp and an impedance coupling the starting aid to the junction of the incandescent lamp and a filament winding of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: An energy saving fluorescent lamp includes an elongated envelope having an interior coating with phosphor and an ionizable fill material, hermetically sealed end walls, an operating electrode affixed inwardly of each end wall and a starting electrode spaced at a lesser distance from each end wall with an electron shielding means adjacent a portion of the starting electrode and intermediate thereto and the operating electrode whereby a reduction in long wattage use is effected.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices having series-connected filaments wherein a transformer is connected to a potential source and to a pair of series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices with a starting capacitor shunting one of the gaseous discharge devices and a circuit means series-connects a filament of each of the gaseous discharge devices to the transformer by way of a rectifier means.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices includes at least one pair of series-sequenced discharge devices having series-connected filaments with a first rectifier means coupling a filament of one discharge device to the transformer and a second rectifier means coupling the series-connected filaments to the transformer whereby current flow is inhibited until both discharge devices are secured in the fixtures and dangerous socket-to-ground voltages are prevented during discharge device installation.

Abstract: A starting aid for a fluorescent lamp is formed from a metallized, insulating tape carrying an adhesive on the metallized surface. An integral coupling impedance is formed on one end of the starting aid by an adhesive backed insulating tape which is attached to a metal foil. The metal foil carries a connecting wire which is attached to one of the lead-in wires of the lamp. The lead-in wire potential is thus capacitively coupled to the metallized layer of the starting aid.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp assembly is comprised of a lamp and a ballast therefor. The lamp includes an internal, solid wire starting aid connected to third lead-in wire sealed in an end of the lamp. A resistive ballast serially couples the lamp electrodes to a lamp starting means such as a glow-bottle. The starting aid is capacitively coupled to a lead-in wire of its adjacent electrode.

Abstract: A circuit for starting and operating a low-voltage fluorescent lamp from a 120 volt AC supply. The circuit includes a choke type ballast connected in series with the lamp and inductively coupled to a pulse train generator comprising an RC energy storage circuit connected across the line and a voltage sensitive transistorized relaxation oscillator having a divider network for sensing lamp voltage. In a preferred embodiment the circuit is employed in a preheat mode of operation in combination with an electronic starter circuit comprising a PTC resistor, silicon diode and SCR series connected across the lamp.

Abstract: A dimming circuit for operating a fluorescent lamp in an incandescent-to-fluorescent adapter at two selectable current levels. The circuit includes a choke which is series connected between the center contact of a three-contact incandescent base and one of the lamp filament coils, and a capacitor connected between the ring contact and center contact of the base. A bleeder resistor of the PTC type is connected across the capacitor. For use with an incandescent lamp fixture having a four-position, three-way switch, the circuit further includes a current limiting discharge resistor connected in series with the capacitor.

Abstract: A lamp assembly (10) comprises a base plate (12) having both an incandescent bulb (18) and a fluorescent bulb (16) affixed thereto. The incandescent bulb (18) acts as ballast and light source. A glow switch (26) and capacitor (27) act as starter and are contained within the base plate (12) or socket means (14). A starting aid (24) is impedance coupled into the series filament network.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp has an extension base at one end thereof which contains an impedance to reduce current flow through the lamp. The length of the lamp plus extension base equals the length of a standard fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A power reducer for a rapid start fluorescent lamp includes a time delay circuit that discontinues heater current to the lamp cathode after a predetermined time interval and places, at the same time, a current-reducing capacitor in series with the lamp.

Abstract: The resistance of a conductive film coating on the interior bulb wall of a fluorescent lamp is measured by capacitive coupling from the exterior bulb wall. A pair of metal bands engage the exterior bulb wall, with one band being connected to ground through a sensing resistor and the other band being connected through a series inductance to a variable frequency signal generator. The sinusoidal voltage output of the generator is set to a fixed frequency equal to or less than 15 KHz, and the series inductance is selected to provide a resonant circuit during lamp testing. The voltage across the sensing resistor is measured and compared with a predetermined reference voltage or a measurement of the generator output voltage to provide an indication of the internal film resistance of the tested lamp.