Abstract: To insure that lamps which have a non-rotation symmetrical feature or strure with respect to aligned bases (e.g., a tipped-off exhaust or pumping stub) are placed in a predetermined preferred operating position when inserted into socket terminals (2a, 2b), the lamp bases are formed with stepped surface abnormalities (10a, 10b), for example, in the form of recesses or projections from a terminal engagement surface (8a, 8b) extending perpendicularly to the lamp axis (A--A); socket springs (2a, 2b) have matching surface abnormalities which interengage with the surface abnormality on the base, for example by being formed with ridges, or depressions. The lamp thus can be inserted in such bases only if the respective surface abnormalities on the lamp bases and in the socket terminals can engage.

Abstract: To be able to accept high-voltage pulses, in the order of 70 kV, required r re-starting a hot high-power high-pressure discharge lamp, having a power rating, for example, of 6 kW and up, including 12 kW, a ceramic base is provided with auxiliary mica strips or plates (13) positioned between part of the terminal posts or pins, and especially in the region of retentions flanges or rims formed thereon, and extending up to about the end portion (4a) of a pinch or press seal, into which connection leads extend, connected to the pins or posts. The additional mica strips or plates (13), for example located on both sides of a central separating strip (10), retained in suitable grooves or slots (14) formed in the base effectively prevent arc-over, creep currents and corona discharge between the terminal pins or posts (8a, 8b), the circumferentially projecting flanges or rims (16a, 16b) and the connected current supply leads (7a, 7b).

Abstract: To reliably support a metal halide discharge vessel within an outer bulb, spite of possible shock or vibration, and to accomodate thermal expansion in use, a support structure (6) is provided, melt-connected to the base (4) and having a cross bar portion (15) positioned transversely to the lamp axis of a length substantially less than the diameter of the outer bulb (1), and electrically and mechanically connected to one of the current supply leads (11) of the discharge vessel. The cross bar portion is connected through respectively inclined connecting portions (16, 17; 16', 17') to transversely extending first and second holding portions (20, 21; 20', 21') located within the outer bulb, and extending in chord across the outer bulb at respectively opposite sides of the discharge vessel.

Abstract: To provide for reliable connection of electrical terminal contact elements (5, 5', 5") within a socket body (2) and remove stresses such as tension, pressure, or torsion applied by a connecting cable (9), the contact terminal elements (5) are formed with a plate-like projection, extending essentially parallel to the contact elements, and secured in grooves or slots (12) formed in the inner walls of the body of the socket, or between projecting ribs (21) extending from the contact terminal chamber walls (7).

Abstract: To provide a low-profile socket for a single-ended high-pressure discharge lamp, a ceramic body is formed with a recess and includes two connection terminal elements (8, 9) secured thereto. A separating wall (7) subdivides the recess in the socket body into two chambers (4, 5; 6), one each of the contact terminal elements being located in a respective chamber (8:4-5; 9:6). The socket body (2) is formed with an access opening (5, 18) to the lamp terminal connection end portions (10, 11) of the connection terminal elements and closed off towards the lamp base (FIG. 3:21) by cover plates (16, 17) presenting a flat engagement surface for matching surfaces on the lamp base. The separating wall (7) which subdivides the socket into the two chambers insures high resistance against high-voltage flash-over, which may be in the order of 25 kV during hot-starting ignition.

Abstract: To reduce the size of the base and a socket therefor of a single-ended, sle-based, high-pressure discharge lamp, for example a mercury discharge lamp with halogen and noble gas additives therein, possibly including rare earths, a base (5) has a generally conically shaped portion (8) in the region adjacent the discharge vessel, the discharge vessel being formed with two supply shafts (3, 4) one of which is seated in a recess in the smaller part of the conical portion. The base is formed with a centering stub (9), preferably of rectangular cross section, and extending away from the discharge vessel, the centering stub having a lateral slot (11) within which one of the terminals (12) of the lamp is located. The other terminal is formed by a metal strip (14) carried through the cone surface and terminating laterally of the centering stub (9) at the side remote from the first terminal (12).

Abstract: A halogen-metal vapor lamp (1) with its electrodes coming out of the discharge vessel at opposite ends is provided with a highly insulated socket at one end capable of withstanding 30 kV that may have to be applied for warm ignition of the lamp. Contact pins (9,10) of the socket (11) and connection bushings (22,23) of the support (21) into which the socket plugs in, are provided with collars (15,16;25,26) which lengthen the breakdown path length. The fused seal (7) of the lamp through which the high voltage is applied is cemented in a central opening of the socket body and additionally surrounded in part by a collar (17). The other end of the lamp is connected to the socket by an uninsulated rigid conductor in the form of a metal strip to facilitate the dissipation of heat by radiation. A projecting partition (24) at the bottom of the support (21) separates the voltage supply connection to the connection bushings.

Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a high pressure discharge lamp and reflector wh are secured together as a structural unit. An insulating base is connected to the neck end of the reflector and to the lamp, and a front end ring is connected to the front, light emitting end of the lamp and reflector assembly. A pair of electrical connection members, preferably in the form of pins, are associated respectively with the base and end ring and are rigidly connected to the respective associate base and end ring. The connection members are electrically connected to respective ends of the lamp, the lead-in wire of the lamp and the front or light emitting end of the structure extending from the lamp substantially radially to at least one of the reflector and end ring and then extending directly to the connection member associated with the end ring. Preferably, the lead-in wire at the front end of the structural unit acts as a support and adjustment or locating member of the lamp.

Abstract: A-C high-pressure discharge lamp and reflector combination assembly in which the reflector and the lamp are each separately and individually cemented into a base, but are not cemented together. Ventilation openings are formed between the lamp and the reflector in the base, to permit air to pass between the base and the lamp, and between the lamp and the reflector. Preferably, the reflector at the end remote from the base is surrounded with a ceramic end ring, at the inner circumference of which extends a metallic ribbon or strip which has radially extending connecting portions to the electrical terminals of the lamp, placed edgewise with respect to the light radiation to provide for essentially shadowless electrical connection and high-voltage insulation between the lamp terminals. Constructing the lamp as an a-c lamp permits lifetimes in the order of hundreds of hours for a lamp of comparable power and size with respect to d-c high-pressure lamps.