Abstract: A device for the voltage supply for a heavy power consumer, e.g., an electric auxiliary compressor in a motor vehicle, in which the electric auxiliary compressor is supplied with voltage with the aid of two ultracaps and one high current diode. The voltage supply via the high current diode takes place starting from the battery of the vehicle electrical system, while the ultracaps provide high electric power for a short time during the starting phase of the electric auxiliary compressor at a voltage level which is doubled vis-a-vis the voltage level of the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and a method for disposal of occupant protection devices/road user protection devices with a pyrotechnic igniter, by which both a reliable disposal of the device as well as a stable/malfunction-free placing of the device in operation can be ensured with implemented disposal capabilities/disposal routines (protection from faulty activations in the event of simple errors).

Abstract: A power supply system for providing main power and standby power to peripheral electronic devices in a computer, comprises an input signal coming from a CPU of the computer; a driving device for receiving the input signal and generating a driving signal; a first power switch device connected with a first main power source and a first standby power source; and a second power switch device connected with a second main power source and a second standby power source. When the driving signal is transmitted into the first power switch device and the second power switch device, the first power switch device outputs the first main power source or the first standby power source in response to the driving signal to one of the peripheral electronic devices, and the second power switch device outputs the second main power source or the second standby power source in response to the driving signal to another one of the peripheral electronic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulse width modulated control of a plurality of load elements, particularly during supply of the load elements from a common supply system in motor vehicles. The load elements are controlled in a time staggered manner with respect to one another, more particularly in a phase staggered manner within a common pulse width. Switch loads and high frequency interferences in the supply lines and the corresponding emissions can thus be reduced. The invention also discloses a circuit arrangement in which a corresponding phase staggered control is achieved with only one counter.

Abstract: A power system that serves as a source of dedicated back-up power for a cooling system is disclosed. The power system utilizes a plurality of fuel cells, which produce direct current (DC) power. A conversion device, such as an inverter, is used to convert the DC into alternating current (AC) for powering the cooling system. A transfer switch connects the AC power from the inverter to the cooling system. The position of the transfer switch determines the source of AC power for the cooling system.

Abstract: An arrangement comprising at least one electrical voltage source (1) and one first voltage converter circuit (2) with an output (3) and an input (4). In this arrangement, the electrical voltage source (1) is connected to the input (4) of the first voltage converter circuit (2) and the output (3) of the first voltage converter circuit (2) can be connected to an electrical load (5). An input circuit (6) comprising an electromechanical switching element (7) and an inductance (8) is formed and the switching element (7) automatically opens and closes once or several times in dependence on a physical quantity, wherein an output circuit (10) comprising a capacitive element is formed.

Abstract: A power-off circuit includes a power unit (10), a power management unit (20), an integrated circuit chip (IC chip, 40), a switching apparatus (30), and a clamp circuit (70). The switching apparatus produces and transmits a power-off instruction to the power management unit. The power management unit produces and transmits a power-off notice to the IC chip in accordance with the power-off instruction. And the IC chip feeds back a power-off affirmation in accordance with the power-off notice to the clamp circuit. The clamp circuit receives the power-off affirmation and produces and transmits interrupted power-off signals to the power management unit, till the power management unit completely cuts off power supplied from the power unit to the IC chip.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus including a movable member for transmitting a driving force in a driving-axis direction to a stage, a first electromagnet for driving the movable member in the driving-axis direction by forming a magnetic path between the movable member and the first electromagnet and generating first magnetic flux, and a second electromagnet, which is positioned away from the first electromagnet and arranged in an overlapping direction, for driving the movable member in the driving-axis direction by forming a magnetic path between the movable member and the second electromagnet and generating second magnetic flux having an inverted polarity from the first magnetic flux.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a stator, a mover, a compression instrument coupled to the mover and including a cylinder and a piston, and a nonmagnetic conductor which generates a reaction flux to disturb the flow of a leakage flux as an induced flux is generated by the leakage flux through the compression instrument. The linear compressor minimizes leakage flux to the compression instrument to increase efficiency output power of the compressor.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor having a ring-shaped body having a circumference along which a plurality of magnetic poles of alternates. A plurality of stator members is arranged along and spaced from the circumference of the rotor. Each stator member has two limbs circumferentially spaced from each other by an angular range corresponding to an odd number of the magnetic poles of the rotor. A coil winding is formed around an end portion of each limb of each stator member and is substantially flush with the end face of the end portion to reduce and minimize magnetic loss. The stepper motor further includes a circuit board to which the coil windings are electrically connected whereby the phase switching sequences of the stator members and the windings is controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outer rotor type induction motor mounted on an underside of an outer tub of a washing machine, in which a rotor core and a rotor bushing are insert injection molded with a rotor frame as one body, for simplifying a rotor structure for easy fabrication of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine comprising: a stator; a rotor having an axis of rotation, and comprising a tubular end wall defining two opposite braking surfaces; and at least one electromagnetic brake configured for bear simultaneously in a braking configuration against the braking surfaces.

Abstract: In a magneto generator, second phase lead wires (10a, 10b) and third phase lead wires (11a, 11b) among individual one pair of first, second and third lead wires (9a, 9b; 10a, 10b; 11a, 11b) are covered with first protective tubes (12a, 12b), respectively. The second phase lead wires (10a, 10b) and the third phase lead wires (11a, 11b) covered with the first protective tubes (12a, 12b) are bent toward the first phase lead wires (9a, 9b) in a circumferential direction and bundled together with the first phase lead wires (9a, 9b). The first phase lead wires (9a, 9b), the second phase lead wires (10a, 10b) and the third phase lead wires (11a, 11b) thus bundled are bent in a direction opposite to the circumferential direction and covered with second protective tubes (22a, 22b, 22c), respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotating shaft, a rotor cover which is secured to the rotating shaft and rotates the rotating shaft, a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft, a holder for holding the bearing, and a holding magnet which is directly mounted to an inner wall of the rotor cover. In this case, the holding magnet is positioned above the bearing to prevent oil from being discharged from the bearing to the outside.

Abstract: The turbomolecular vacuum pump with active magnetic bearings comprises an enclosure (110) defining a primary vacuum chamber (116), a rotor (120), an electric motor (107), an axial magnetic bearing (103), radial magnetic bearings (101, 102), an axial detector (106), and radial detectors (104, 105). Remote external electric circuits associated with the electric motor (107) and with the axial and radial magnetic bearings (103 and 101, 102) essentially comprise power supply electric circuits (191). Circuits (194) for controlling the axial and radial magnetic bearings (103 and 101, 102) from signals issued by the axial and radial detectors (106 and 104, 105) are embedded in a resin and placed inside the enclosure (110) in the primary vacuum chamber (116). A hermetic leaktight electrical connector (180) and an electric cable (183, 184) providing a connection with the remote external electric circuits (191, 192) each have a number of connection wires that is less than ten.

Abstract: A case (100), a rotor (200) that is freely rotatably supported in the case (100), and stators (110) for rotating the rotor by magnetic force are provided. The stator (110) contains a core (111) mounted at the outside of the case (100), and a magnetic coil (112) wound around the core (111). An end face of the core (111) constituting a magnetic pole is formed of at least non-laminate ferromagnetic substance, and exposed to the inner surface of the case (100) so as to form a part of the inner wall of the case (100).

Abstract: A rotor shaft of a spinning rotor has an annular magnet bearing component which is secured from the centrifugal force effective during the spinning process by means of a ring liner, for radially and axially supporting the rotor shaft, whereby the rotatable magnetic bearing component interacts with a stationary magnetic bearing component. The magnetic bearing component linked with the rotor shaft (4) of the spinning rotor (3) is configured as a slotted permanent magnet ring (32,42), thereby ensuring the deformability required for fitting a ring liner (6,7).

Abstract: A fan assembly includes at least one fan blade for moving air and a line-start permanent magnet (LSPM) motor having a shaft. The fan blade is coupled to the shaft of the line-start permanent magnet motor such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the fan blade for moving air. Also disclosed is an LSPM motor that includes a shaft and a squirrel cage rotor having a plurality of embedded magnets. The LSPM is configured to permit limited rotation of the squirrel cage rotor relative to the shaft as a speed of the motor approaches a synchronous speed. This LSPM motor can be used in a variety of applications including, without limitation, fan assemblies, fluid pumps, etc.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a DC homopolar machine is provided. The DC homopolar machine may include a stator having a stator magnetic core and a permanent magnet, a rotor magnetic core supported within the stator to rotate relative to the stator, and non-magnetic material within a gap between the rotor magnetic core and the stator magnetic core. The stator, rotor and non-magnetic material form a magnetic circuit having a total reluctance, the total reluctance of the magnetic circuit being provided by a first reluctance of the permanent magnet and a second reluctance of the gap of non-magnetic material, with the first reluctance being substantially equal to the second reluctance.

Abstract: Provided are a self magnetizing motor and a method for winding coils on a stator thereof, wherein two exciter poles are positioned at an inner circumferential surface of the stator to face each other, and an exciter magnetizable portion is disposed at an outer circumferential surface of a rotor to thus be selectively magnetized by the exciter poles, whereby the self magnetizing motor can be operated by an induced electromotive force generated by a main coil, a sub coil and a conductive bar of a rotor from its initial driving to a speed prior to a synchronous speed, and operated by a magnetomotive force generated by the exciter poles and the exciter magnetizable portion at the synchronous speed, thereby improving an efficiency of the motor, a power factor, and a synchronization characteristic.

Abstract: Provided are a self magnetizing motor and a method for wining coils on a stator thereof, wherein an exciter pole and exciter coils are formed at a stator and an exciter magnetizable portion is disposed at an outer circumferential surface of a rotor, whereby the self magnetizing motor can be operated by an induced electromotive force generated by a main coil, a sub coil and a conductive bar of the rotor from its initial driving to a speed prior to a synchronous speed, and operated by a magnetomotive force generated by the exciter pole and the exciter magnetizable portion at the synchronous speed, thereby improving an efficiency of the motor, a power factor, and a synchronization characteristic.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings herein, systems and methods are described for providing electrical contact with a rotating element of a machine. In one example system, a nozzle may be used to emit a stream of a molten metal material, the nozzle being configured to transmit electric current from a power source to the stream of molten metal material. The rotating element may be supported within the machine to rotate relative to the nozzle, and may include a current collector ring. The nozzle may be operable to emit the stream of molten metal material onto a localized portion of the current collector ring to transfer the electric current from the power source to the current collector ring, the localized portion of the current collector ring being a portion of the current collector ring that is less than an entire circumference of the current collector ring.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine having a number of poles includes a shaft that extends along a portion of an axis and defines an outer surface. A first core portion extends along a portion of the axis to define a first core length. The first core portion includes a first reduced back portion that has an inside surface that does not contact the outer surface. A second core portion is coupled to the first core portion for rotation. In some constructions, a coupling member interconnects the shaft, the first core portion, and the second core portion such that the shaft, the first core portion, and the second core portion rotate about the axis substantially in unison.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a shaft that is rotatable about an axis and defines a first diameter normal to the axis. A first core portion defines a first aperture having a first aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The first core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a first space. A second core portion defines a second aperture having a second aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The second core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a second space. A damping member is positioned in the first space and the second space. The damping member at least partially interconnects the shaft, the first core portion, and the second core portion.

Abstract: A rotor core which has relatively high rigidity, can ensure sufficient magnetic performance, and can be produced at a cheaper cost with a relatively small-scale facility. A claw-equipped core and a yoke are manufactured separately. After fitting the yoke to a fitting portion formed in the claw-equipped core, a part of the claw-equipped core in the vicinity of the fitting portion is axially pressed to plastically flow into an annular groove formed in the yoke, thereby integrally joining the claw-equipped core and the yoke to each other. Thus, a large-scaled manufacturing facility is not required, and claws of the claw-equipped core are hard to open in the radial direction even under the action of a centrifugal force during high-speed rotation. A stator core and the claws of the claw-equipped core can be positioned closer to each other, and deterioration of magnetic performance can be avoided.

Abstract: In a surface acoustic wave device, electrode films constituting at least one IDT are disposed on a piezoelectric substrate, and an SiO2 film is arranged on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the electrode films. The film-thickness of the electrode films is in the range of about 1% to about 3% of the wavelength of an excited surface acoustic wave.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for a SAW apparatus a first insulating layer is formed on the entire surface of a piezoelectric LiTaO3 substrate. By using a resist pattern used for forming an IDT electrode, the first insulating layer in which the IDT electrode is to be formed is removed. An electrode film made of a metal having a density higher than Al or an alloy primarily including such a metal is disposed in the area in which the first insulating layer is removed so as to form the IDT electrode. The resist pattern remaining on the first insulating layer is removed. A second insulating layer is formed to cover the first insulating layer and the IDT electrode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device has a rotor substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, the rotor having a pair of opposite surfaces, a first movable section fixed to a first end of one of the surfaces, a first piezoelectric/electrostrictive element for actuating the first movable section, a second movable section fixed to a second end of the other one of the surfaces, the second end being diametrically opposite to the first end, and a second piezoelectric/electrostrictive element for actuating the second movable section.

Abstract: A driving device comprises: an electro-mechanical conversion element enabled to expand and contract in response to input of an electrical signal; a pair of clamping members that come closer to and move away from each other with expansion and contraction of the electromechanical conversion element; a moving member disposed between said pair of clamping members; and flagellar members which are provided between the moving member and each of said pair of clamping members to be inclined to a direction in which said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, and which are adapted to swing when said pair of clamping members come closer to and move away from each other, to cause the moving member to move in a constant direction.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for a biometric sensing apparatus. An apparatus includes an input signal generator configured to produce an activation signal. Also includes is a piezoelectric ceramic sensor having a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic elements arrayed and spaced to (i) receive the activation signal (ii) detect one or more features of a digit proximate to the array in accordance with the received activation signal and (iii) produce output signals representative thereof. A processor is coupled to the sensor to process the output signals.

Abstract: The invention includes a D33 mode piezoelectric actuator region, including electrodes of differing length to produce a bending motion. The invention also includes a piezoelectric actuator containing a first piezoelectric actuator region coupled to a second piezoelectric actuator region, which may be separated by the ceramic material. Applying a first potential difference between electrodes generates a first bending of the piezoelectric actuator region. Applying the negative first potential difference generates the complement first bending for the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator region may be used to radially move a coupled transducer by the first bending. The piezoelectric actuator may be used to radially move a coupled transducer by the first bending and/or its complement. The invention includes the methods of making the piezoelectric actuator region and the piezoelectric actuator, and their products.

Abstract: A transporting rail unit includes a first driving mechanism driving the object to a first position on a rail. A second driving mechanism includes a member designed to displace in response to reception of a force from the object when the object moves forward to the first position from a second position in front of the first position on the rail. The second driving mechanism allows accumulation of an elastic repulsive force based on displacement of the member. The transporting rail unit allows the object to keep moving forward based on the elastic repulsive force even after the object is released from engagement with the first driving mechanism. If the second driving mechanism is interposed between the first driving mechanisms, the object can be transferred between the first driving mechanisms. A single transporting rail unit can be utilized in common. This results in reduction in the production and management costs.

Abstract: A furniture includes a main frame having a periphery provided with a plurality of hollow pipes, a front panel pivotally mounted on a front portion of the main frame 1, a top panel mounted on a top of the main frame, a bottom panel mounted on a bottom of the main frame, and three side panels mounted on three side walls of the main frame respectively. Thus, each of the side panels is mounted between the respective hollow pipes, and the hollow pipes are connected with each other by the mounting blocks, so that the main frame is assembled and disassembled easily and quickly, thereby facilitating a user mounting and dismantling the main frame.

Abstract: An automatic closing mechanism for a slide track of a drawer according to present invention comprises a guide member, a connection member, a bendable member, and a hook stopper; the connection member is disposed on the inner wall of a furniture article and the hook stopper is disposed on the outer wall of another article in the opposite direction, and when the other object being pulled outward, the bendable member is stretched to render the guide rod contacting the outer edge of the arrow portion, the swing part rotates to press against the slant wall of the arrow portion, the swing part is retained thereon and thus points downward, and the hook stopper is disengaged and thus separated from the engagement of the swing part; and when the other object is being inserted inward, the engaged tooth of the contacts the hook stopper and the inner wall of the hook slot of the swing part at the arrow portion and is accommodated there to disengage therefrom, and thus the bendable member contracts and in turn drives the

Abstract: A bearing drawer slide (10) has an inner slide member (16) which is slidably extensible from within an outer slide member (14). Captives bearings (28) have elongate bodies (29) for locating in fixed relation to a rearward end (20) of the inner slide member (16), disposed within the bearing spaces (48) between the inner slide member (16) and the outer slide member (14), with sides (31, 33) of the elongate bodies (29) fitting against bearing races (36, 46) of the outer and inner slide members (14, 16). The captive bearings (28) are moveable with the inner slide member (16) relative to the outer slide member (14), and prevent movement of the rearward end (20) of the inner slide member (16) relative to the outer slide member (14) in directions which are transverse to the directions in which inner slide member (14) extends relative to the outer slide member (16), particularly when the inner slide member (14) is fully retracted within the outer slide member (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door apparatus for a drawer for a drawer type refrigerator which can be put in and taken out from the interior of a main body of the refrigerator through guidance of rails. The door apparatus comprises a door with a thermally isolating layer; a frame disposed in the rear of the door to be simultaneously put in and taken out from the interior of the main body together with the door and provided with a storage space for accommodating stored goods; a rotating means for connecting the door to a front end of the frame and causing the door to rotate through a predetermined angle with respect to the frame; and a rotation limiting means for connecting the door to the frame and selectively limiting the rotation of the door. According to the present invention, a user can select and utilize a tilting function of the door.

Abstract: An egg tray for a refrigerator, having a support plate, in which a plurality of openings, each for receiving one egg, is formed. A wall, surrounding the support plate, is divided into several wall sections, separated by recesses. A handle protrudes from said support plate above the centre of gravity thereof. Said egg tray can be stacked pairwise due to a slit in the support plate.

Abstract: A shelf fixing device for attaching a shelf to an internal wall of a refrigerator is provided. The shelf fixing device includes a vertical supporting plate, a horizontal supporting plate, a stopping plate, and hooking device. The hooking device includes a cylinder part with first and second ends, a plurality of hooking gap, and a predetermined number of protrudes extending substantially perpendicularly and radially from the side surface the cylinder part. The first end of the cylinder part is attached to the second wall of the vertical supporting plate. The protrude is aligned with the second end of the cylinder part. The hooking gap is defined by the protrude, the side of the cylinder part, and the second wall of the vertical supporting plate. The shelf clip is adapted to detachably attach the shelf clip to the internal wall of the refrigerator. The shelf clip is made of plastic.

Abstract: Electron multipliers, radiation detectors, and methods of making the multipliers and detectors are described. In some embodiments an electron multiplier has a structure including a plurality of interconnected fibers having electron-emissive surfaces, the fibers having a width to thickness aspect ratio greater than one.

Abstract: An electroluminescent film includes a base film through which an electric current is selectively passed. The base film emits radiant energy in the visible spectrum when the electric current is passed therethrough. A filter layer is fixedly secured to the base film and filters a portion of the radiant energy wherein only a portion of the radiant energy emitted by the base film passes through the filter layer to be visible to an observer.

Abstract: A lamp assembly (301) includes a reflector (306) having an opening (334) defined by an upper rim (333) and a concave reflective surface (336) surrounded by the upper rim (333), and an illumination element (304) is mounted within the opening (334) of the reflector (306). An air guide conduit (335) extends around the upper rim (333) of the reflector (306 ). The air guide conduit (335) has an air inlet (336a, 336b) connected to a blower (320a, 320b) and an air outlet (337 ) into the opening (334) of the reflector (306). In operation, the blower (320a, 320b) and air guide conduit (335) cooperate to introduce a vortex tangentially into the opening (334) such that the vortex travels down the concave reflective surface (336) of the reflector, thereby cooling the lamp assembly (301).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spark plug comprises: an electrically nonconductive body disposed in an electrically conductive shell; a side electrode extending from said shell; a sheath disposed within and protruding from a body first end of the electrically nonconductive body; a core disposed in the cavity; and a center electrode tip extending from the cavity through the opening. The sheath comprises a cavity extending from a sheath second end toward a sheath first end. The cavity connects to an opening disposed through the first end. The core is in electrical communication with the center electrode tip. The center electrode tip is in alignment with the side electrode.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp is provided with an improved profile. The lamp generally includes: a glass envelope filled with an inert gas and a metal vapor; a coating of phosphor disposed on an inner surface of envelope; and a means for exciting the gas within the glass envelope. To achieve a slimmer profile, the tubes defining the glass envelope have an oval cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing an organic EL light-emitting device which enables prevention of crosstalk between adjacent pixels of the same color. Provided is a method of producing an organic EL light-emitting device which has banks provided in a row direction and in a column direction, and a plurality of organic EL light-emitting portions isolated from each other by the banks. The method includes the steps of forming banks such that a height of a bank portion of a row direction and a height of a bank portion of a column direction are different from each other; and applying an organic EL material in a continuous manner along the bank portion which is higher of the bank portion of the row direction and the bank portion of the column direction, between the banks of the higher bank portion.

Abstract: An electron source includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermionic element interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode, and a guard electrode interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermionic element and the guard electrode may be at substantially the same voltage. Another electron source includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermionic element interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode, and a thermal expansion component interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermal expansion component may be heated to cause expansion. The heating may be cycled to cause alternating expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An ion source and a polishing system using the ion source are disclosed. The ion source includes a discharge chamber, an electron emitter, a cathode, a screen grid, an accelerator grid, and a screen electrode. The discharge chamber is configured for accommodating discharge gas. The electron emitter is disposed in the discharge chamber. The cathode, the screen grid, the accelerator grid, and the accelerator grid are separately aligned in the discharge chamber in an ascending order with respect to the respective distance thereof from the electron emitter. The electron emitter, the cathode, the screen grid, the accelerator grid, and the accelerator grid are powered in order of descending voltages. The screen electrode defines an adjustable orifice to permit adjustment of an ion-beam ejecting area associated with the orifice. The polishing system further employs a movable stage and control and monitor components, in addition to the ion source.

Abstract: A light source module of a white light emitting diode comprising a blue LED, a packaging substrate, wherein the blue LED is mounted on and electrically connected to the packaging substrate, a cap layer, enclosing the blue LED, wherein the cap layer includes a mixture of silicon and phosphor blend at ratio of 1:0.2-0.5, and a protective layer over the cap layer.

Abstract: A low-pressure vapor discharge lamp has a radiation-transmitting discharge vessel (1) enclosing, in a gastight manner, a discharge space (3) provided with a gas filling. The gas filling is substantially free of mercury and comprises an indium compound and a buffer gas. The discharge vessel (1) comprises discharge means (2) for maintaining a gas discharge in the discharge space (3). The discharge vessel (1) is provided with a luminescent layer (4). The luminescent layer (4) comprises a luminescent material based on a nitridosilicate or on an oxonitridosilicate. Preferably, the luminescent material comprises rare-earth emitters. Preferably, the luminescent material comprises europium, cerium, or ytterbium emitters.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a flat fluorescent lamp, a buffering member and a bottom chassis. The flat fluorescent lamp includes a lamp body generating light and an electrode portion formed on the lamp body. The buffering member contacts the electrode portion and includes at least one hole. The bottom chassis includes a bottom plate and a sidewall to receive the flat fluorescent lamp and the buffering member and includes at least one hole.

Abstract: An arc tube is formed by turning a glass tube at a substantially middle thereof and winding the glass tube from the middle to its both ends around an axis to form a double spiral, and sealing electrodes at both ends of the glass tube. The spiral pitch of a spiral part in a vicinity of one of the ends and an adjacent spiral part in the direction of the axis is set larger than the spiral pitch of other adjacent spiral parts, to widen a gap between the one end and the adjacent spiral part.