Abstract: An electronic starter for a discharge lamp includes an SCR controlled by a temperature-sensitive element and an auxiliary switch arranged so that no current flows in the temperature-sensitive element when the lamp is in operation, whereby rapid restarting of the lamp occurs after a brief interruption of the AC supply voltage. The temperature-sensitive element may be thermally coupled to an inductor in series with the lamp ballast thereby to limit the ballast current in the event the lamp fails to ignite.

Abstract: A starter circuit for a hot cathode discharge lamp which has a switching element which is connected across the lamp to permit a cathode heating current to flow and then opens to permit the lamp to strike. The starter circuit has a thyristor as the switch element, and a control circuit for rendering the thyristor conductive at a desired point during each cycle of the applied voltage. The control circuit includes means for increasing the instantaneous applied voltage which is required to trigger the thyristor with successive cycles of the applied voltage after switch-on of the circuit. This means preferably includes a capacitor which is progressively charged to provide an increasing bias which must be overcome by the applied voltage. If the lamp fails to strike, the required voltage for triggering goes on increasing until it is too high for the thyristor to trigger at all. No damage can then occur to the starter circuit or the lamp ballast.

Abstract: A two-wire ballast arrangement is disclosed for fluorescent tubes having first and second terminals for supplying variable power to dim the fluorescent tube, a choke coil connected between the first terminal and the fluorescent tube and a filament transformer having a primary connected between the second terminal and a tap on the choke coil, the tap being selected to supply substantially constant voltage to the primary winding, the transformer having secondary windings to supply filament voltage to the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: An energizing circuit for gas discharge lamps for room or street lighting or for lights used in document copying machines and the like comprises means for continuously energizing the same at a low non-useful light producing level when such lamps are not needed by a voltage which strikes an arc and maintains a low level of ionization with an infinitesimally small current and very little energy drain. This voltage may be an AC voltage or a DC voltage supplied by a unique circuit including a number of DC voltage sources, rectifiers, voltage adjusting and current-limiting impedances and electronic switches. The lamps are energized by AC or pulsating DC supplied by the aforesaid or other electronic switches operated at a high frequency of at least about 20-30 kilo-Hertz.

Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp contains a circuit opening device on the cathode mount which opens a short time after lamp starting and stops heater current flow to the cathode. The circuit opening device is a thermostatic element in a sealed glass tube. Additional support is provided for the cathode end that is connected to the circuit opening device in order to prevent damage from vibration.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp having an inner tube in which a discharge takes place to produce visible light and ultraviolet radiation and an outer envelope which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation. An element is provided to extinguish the discharge when the outer envelope is broken.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relay starter for a discharge lamp wherein the lamp is stabilized by a series arrangement of at least an inductor and a capacitance. Also included in series with these stabilization elements and the lamp is an energizing winding of a relay having a normally-closed contact disposed in a circuit which shunts the lamp.A diode is also disposed in the circuit which shunts the lamp, so that if the lamp does not ignite, current flows for a short period of time through the diode which thereby charges the capacitor. When this capacitor has received a sufficient charge no further current flows either in the lamp circuit or in the shunting circuit so that the entire circuit is put out of operation.

Abstract: A starter for a discharge lamp including first and second filaments, comprises an SCR having an anode and a cathode connected in series through the first and second filaments and a ballast transformer to an AC power supply. The gate electrode and the anode of the SCR are connected to each other through a first resistor, while the gate electrode is further connected through a second resistor to the power supply side.

Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp contains a circuit opening device on the cathode mount which opens a short time after lamp starting and stops heater current flow to the cathode.

Abstract: A triode ionization gauge controller employing logarithmic amplifiers develops a signal proportional to the logarithm of the ratio of an ion current to the ionizing current. Gaseous thermal conductivity is employed to reduce emission current at high pressure, thereby prolonging the life of the cathode. Complete over-pressure protection is accomplished by comparing emission current with respect to a predetermined limiting current.

Abstract: There is provided in combination with a rapid-start series-sequence type ballast for two low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, apparatus for reducing the power consumption of both lamps. The apparatus utilizes switch means in conjunction with a capacitor to limit the current supply to the lamps after the lamps are energized. The switch means has two members in series circuit arrangement with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps. Each member is connected on opposite sides of the electrode. The capacitor is connected in parallel circuit arrangement with one of the members. Initially upon energization the switch means has a low impedance state to permit current flow and then switches to a high impedance state. The switch means permits preheating of the electrode and thereafter upon response to current flow switches and causes the lamp current to pass through the capacitor and thereby decrease by a predetermined amount the current through the normally operating lamps.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting device combines one or more discharge lamps and a backswing booster including essentially a power source circuit having a power source connected in series with a ballast and a high voltage generating circuit having an oscillation capacitor and a series circuit of a nonlinear inductor and a switching semiconductor. The supply voltage for the discharge lamp from the power source circuit is established to the extent permissible by the lower limit for sustaining an arc discharge of the lamp so that the terminal voltage of the ballast in the lamp operation is maintained as low as possible. The preferred backswing booster is of small size and an impedance circuit having a capacitor either with or without a bias coil is added to the high voltage generating circuit to produce a momentary high voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power supplier for a magnetron for use in electric appliances, such as a microwave oven. The power supplier of the present disclosure has a solid state frequency converter which changes commercial A.C. power to A.C. power at a high frequency, which A.C. power is increased in voltage in a step-up transformer and then fed to the magnetron. The power supplier further has a control system which stabilizes the power to be applied to the magnetron with respect to a preselected reference level and a power supplier protecting circuit for protecting the power supplier from an unexpected low voltage occurring in the commercial power source.

Abstract: An automatic control system is provided for regulating the emission of an X-ray tube of the type which is activated by the heating of a cathode filament by passing current through the filament, and which emits X-ray radiation systematically in accordance with the amount of tube current flowing between the anode and cathode of the tube, with a relatively high voltage being applied between the anode and cathode. Current is passed through the filament and a tube current sensor is coupled to the X-ray tube for developing a tube current signal representative of the magnitude of the current flowing between the cathode and anode of the X-ray tube. Coupled to the current sensing circuit and responsive to the tube current signal is a circuit for generating a filament current control signal.

Abstract: A device for operating a low-pressure sodium vapor discharge lamp without a ballast. The electrode voltage drop near a main electrode of the sodium lamp is influenced by a change in the pre-heating current of that electrode and/or a change in the effective area of the electrode. The changed electrode voltage drop thus obtained provides a mechanism whereby any changes in the lamp current are opposed so as to produce ballast-free lamp operation.

Abstract: System for the power control of high voltage electron beam generators having a cathode and a control electrode associated with the cathode. The system is provided with a high voltage isolation transformer with primary and secondary winding for supplying the control electrode with a control voltage. A system precedes the isolation transformer on the primary side and is adapted to generate square wave pulses susceptible of amplitude modulation. The pulse generator is designed such that the pulses are square wave impulses symmetrical with the null line. The isolation transformer is provided with a tertiary winding on the primary side and the primary winding receives input from an amplifier whose input is connected with the output voltage of the tertiary winding. A rectifier bridge is connected to the secondary winding.

Abstract: A device for starting a discharge lamp by means of a transistor starter provided with an auxiliary transistor for stopping the starting procedure if the lamp fails to ignite.A zener diode is included in the control circuit of the auxiliary transistor, a capacitor is connected in parallel across the lamp, and a self-inductor is included in the connection from the lamp to the main transistor. The auxiliary transistor has a second function in that, by the action of the zener diode, the auxiliary transistor delays the conduction of the main transistor so that a large rise of the voltage between the lamp electrodes is produced, which provides a more reliable ignition of the lamp within a large temperature range.

Abstract: HID lamp has a spring-loaded safety switch positioned between the outer protective envelope and the arc tube and electrically connected in series with one of the lamp electrodes. When the lamp is operating normally, the safety switch is maintained in the closed position, but if the outer envelope is accidentally broken, the switch automatically opens to break the lamp energizing circuit and render the lamp inoperative.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitively stabilized discharge lamp shunted by a coil. During the starting procedure of the lamp the coil is brought into saturation so that, by means of resonance with the capacitive ballast, a high voltage is applied across the lamp to start it.The B-H magnetization curve of the coil has been chosen so that a transition from the unsaturated condition to the saturated condition also occurs during the operating condition of the device, namely just before the lamp is extinguished during each half cycle of the a.c. supply voltage. Consequently the ratio of the r.m.s. voltage of the a.c. voltage source to the operating voltage of the lamp may be relatively small.A resistor having a positive temperature coefficient shunts the lamp and is in series with the coil so as to limit the electric current if the lamp refuses to start.

Abstract: HID lamp has resilient safety switch positioned proximate the inner surface of the dome portion of the protective outer envelope in contact with an extremity of a resilient leaf-spring support portion of the arc tube frame, to maintain the switch in a closed position. When the envelope is shattered, the normally closed switch will open to break the electrical path to the arc tube, thereby rendering the lamp inoperative.

Abstract: A ballast for a rapid start fluorescent lamp with heated filaments has a secondary winding supplying lamp current, tertiary windings for supplying heater current to the filaments, and solid state switching circuits in secondary circuits through the filaments. Each switching circuit, which may be integrated with the ballast circuit or connected to a filament within the lamp envelope, comprises two voltage divider resistors having a common junction coupled to the gate of a triac whose primary electrodes are connected in parallel with the voltage divider. The triac is in series with the filament and supplies heating current to the filaments prior to lamp starting. When the lamp starts and conducts rated operating current the voltage divider reduces the voltage at its junction and at the triac gate below triac breakdown level thereby substantially eliminating heater current.

Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp ballast with a secondary winding supplying lamp current and tertiary windings for supplying heater current, has a magnetic switch which senses current through the secondary winding and opens the heater current circuit after the lamp starts and draws operating current from the secondary winding. The current sensing magnetic switches shown are a slow acting relay with its coil in the secondary circuit and a magnetic reed switch physically disposed in the magnetic field of the secondary ballast winding.

Abstract: A discharge lamp (e.g., fluorescent lamp) lighting apparatus using as the starting element a sintered type oxide resistance element having the voltage-current characteristic that the element is rendered conductive when impressed with an inter-electrode voltage applied at the discharge lamp starting time and rendered substantially non-conductive while impressed with an inter-electrode voltage applied during lighting of the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp lighting apparatus using in particular a sintered type oxide resistance element comprising ZnO, MgO and MnO.sub.2 as the starting element presents an excellent performance.

Abstract: A ballast impedance for an electric discharge lamp comprises an inductor and a capacitor connected in series with the lamp across AC input terminals. The lamp operating voltage is less than 20 percent of the AC supply voltage. The values of L and C are chosen so that the ballast has a net capacitive character and to provide a resonance between 3.5 and 4 times the frequency of the AC supply voltage.

Abstract: An improvement for effecting rapid warm-up of the thermionic cathode means in a color CRT display device utilizing a degaussing circuit including a temperature responsive resistive element in series with the primary winding of an inductive means. A direct operational relationship is established between the degaussing and cathode heater circuits by having the secondary winding of the inductor series coupled therein. Upon simultaneous activation of both circuits, through a common switching means, a transitory surge of current is supplied by the degaussing circuit to the heater circuit, via the common inductor, to effect an accelerated temperature response in the heater.

Abstract: A solid state starter apparatus for a discharge lamp comprises a current limiter, an AC power supply, a discharge lamp of filament-preheating type and a switching circuit for controlling the turning on and off of the discharge lamp. The switching circuit further includes a lightedstate detector circuit for detecting the turning on or off of the discharge lamp, a current breaker circuit controlled by the lighted-state detector circuit to cause the filament current to be turned on and off, and a preheater circuit for starting to supply a filament preheating current in accordance with the magnitude of the current controlled by the current breaker circuit.

Abstract: A means is disclosed for selectively increasing the emission of the several color guns of a color picture tube by placing a variable resistance between the control grid and the screen grid corresponding to each said color gun. This provides a source for increasing the voltage on the control grid of that color gun. As the voltage on the control grid is increased, the emission of that color gun is increased, thereby making it possible to blend the colors of the several color guns.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes three oscillation circuits. The first comprises a linear inductor and a capacitor connected in series to a power source. The second oscillation circuit is connected across the capacitor and includes a bounce or backswing booster inductor and a voltage responsive switching element connected in series. The third oscillation circuit comprises the bounce inductor and its distributed capacity. The bounce booster inductor has a magnetic core with a shape and of a material providing an abrupt saturation characteristic. The core factor K of the core is small and may have a ratio of the cross sections of the wound to the unwound parts thereof of less than one half. Alternatively, the ratio of the wound part of the core to the unwound part thereof is less than one fourth and a conventional core material may be employed for the core.

Abstract: An electric discharge lamp lighting circuit in which a discharge lamp is lighted by a circuit comprising a semiconductor switching circuit in which the cathode of a first thyristor is connected to the gate of a second thyristor and the first and second thyristors are commonly connected at the respective anodes, an integration circuit consisting of a capacitor and a resistor and connected between the gate of the first thyristor and the cathode of the second thyristor, a resistor connected between the integration circuit and the anode of the first thyristor, and a resistor connected between the gate and cathode of the second thyristor.

Abstract: An electron gun comprising a changeover chamber and changeover circuit between the gun chamber and the insulated cable which connects the power supply circuits to the electrodes which enables adjustment of electrode potentials to accomplish electrode treatment without excessive gun currents.

Abstract: An improved field emission type electron gun is automatically controlled so as to generate a stable emission current. The preferred embodiment employs a detecting means for detecting the emission current fluctuation and a control means for controlling the electric field for field emission according to the output signal of said detecting means.

Abstract: A lighting system for gaseous-discharge lamps for applying high voltage pulses to ignite the lamp and for discontinuing the application of high voltage pulses when the lamp is operating. The system includes ballast facilities having an inductive portion, and a control circuit which is responsive to a voltage induced in the inductive portion when the gaseous-discharge lamp operates. When the control circuit is operative, the pulsing portion of the system is disabled. The system is arranged so that the components of the control and pulsing circuits are not subjected to the application of high voltage pulses at any time.