Abstract: This application discloses circuits for use with arc discharge devices wherein a D.C. or A.C. high frequency, high voltage source is provided in conjunction with either a low frequency or D.C. voltage source. The high frequency, high voltage circuit is a low power circuit providing sufficient voltage to ionize the arc. If desired the low power circuit may also control the major arc power obtained from the low frequency or D.C. source which does not require a ballast. By virtue of this arrangement much smaller, lighter and lower cost circuits than conventional ballast circuits can be used.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electronic flash system which obviates the need for the typical large capacity main capacitor as the power source for the flashtube. The system includes a conventional flashtube, trigger circuit for ionizing the flashtube and control circuit for turning on and off an electronic switching element which applies the main operating power to the flashtube. The ignition circuit for the flashtube uses a relatively small capacitor which is charged to a high voltage level for first igniting the flashtube and causing it to commence emission of light. Once ignited, a medium voltage power supply supplies the necessary current level for the required length of time to continue the production of the flash of light. The system also enables the use of a relatively small electronic switch as well as a relatively small voltage converter for charging the ignition capacitor.

Abstract: An improvement on conventional internal combustion ignition systems, which improvement comprises a capacitor connected parallel to the secondary winding of the ignition transformer, and a bypass circuit through which energy stored in the primary circuit is conveyed around the high impedance secondary winding of the circuit transformer to the spark plug after the high voltage at the secondary winding has fired an auxiliary gap to complete the by-pass circuit. The energy originally stored in the primary circuit is discharged at the plug to produce a plasma jet ignition plume.

Abstract: In an electronic photographic flash apparatus comprising a DC-DC converter, a high tension capacitor, and a gas-discharge flash tube to produce a light flash by consuming electric energy stored in said high tension capacitor,the improvement is that the apparatus further comprisinga low tension capacitor and a switching circuit which connects the low tension capacitor parallel to the DC low voltage source for charging therein at an off-state of the apparatus, and connects the low tension capacitor in series to the DC low voltage source in a subsequent stand-by period thereby to boost the operation of the DC-DC converter at an initial stage in the waiting time when the power switch is on, so as to quickly charge up the high tension capacitor.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luminous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luninous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

Abstract: A computer type electronic flash device is disclosed. The flash device has an auxiliary capacitor for producing a bias voltage which is to be superimposed on the charged voltage across the main capacitor upon triggering of the flash tube, and an impedance circuit provided in the discharge path of the auxiliary capacitor to produce an actuating voltage for the light measuring circuit when the auxiliary capacitor produces the above-described bias voltage.

Abstract: An in vacuo spark generator for the spectral analysis in the ultraviolet of a sample acting as an anode, with a coaxial annular cathode cooperating with the anode and an electrode for the formation of initiation sparks the operative portion of which is disposed opposite the outer side surface of the cathode and set back relative the frontal face of the cathode, the cathode frontal face being rounded and the opposite portions of the cathode and the initiation electrode being provided each with removable snap-rings slightly protruding relative to the body of the cathode and initiation electrode; said snap-rings are housed in a semicircular groove provided in the body of the cathode and the initiation electrode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for triggering a flash lamp without the use of a conventional high voltage trigger pulse. In accordance with the invention, gas molecules in the flash lamp are ionized by the application of radiant energy to lower the impedance of the flash lamp. An energy discharge device (e.g., a capacitor) is thus able to discharge abruptly through the flash lamp causing the lamp to flash.

Abstract: An AC powered ignition system employs a rectangular wave power source and a timer for controlling igniter firings. Such timer intermittently interrupts the flow of DC bias current in active stages of the AC power source so as to create a large transient current and high induced voltage in an output transformer. The large transient current is intermodulated with a Kettering type transient to provide high energy firing levels to igniters in a fuel burning engine. The output transformer is coupled to an ignition transformer and to a reactance compensating capacitor to energize a distributor and igniters connected to the distributor.

Abstract: An electronic flashlight apparatus comprising a flash tube filled with a noble or inert gas of a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure and having main electrodes and a trigger electrode arranged to receive a triggering pulse from a trigger circuit, a storage capacitor arranged to be charged by a charging circuit through at least one diode and connected across the main electrodes of the flash tube, and an auxiliary capacitor having small capcitance as compared to the storage capacitor, the auxiliary capacitor being also connected across the main electrodes of the flash tube, and being arranged to be charged through a second charging circuit to a voltage which is larger than the charging voltage of the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A self-triggering circuit for a gas-filled laser is disclosed. Electrical pulses which stimulate laser emission are applied to the laser cavity in response to an electrical energy change in the laser charging circuit when ionizing radiation is injected into the laser cavity. A semiconductor device of the type responsive to dv/dt, or of the type responsive to di/dt, is used as the self-triggering switch.

Abstract: A relatively infinitely incremental mode of obtaining any desired brightness of flash from an electrically operable flash-tube is attained by employing plural capacitors, each having a charging source of selectable voltage level and a unilaterally conductive element between the capacitor and the flash-tube. The unilaterally conductive element is poled to pass the charge on the associated capacitor during the discharge cycle regardless of the voltage of the charge on other of the plural capacitors involved.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting a gas discharge flush tube in which the flash tube is arranged in the circuit of a voltage source in parallel to a flash capacitor and the flash tube is connected to an ignition voltage generator which emits high voltage pulses during operation of the circuit arrangement. The ignition voltage generator has a low impedance, in particular low inductance, and the high voltage pulses produced thereby initiate ignition of and at least approximately adiabatically head a plasma channel in the flash tube. The ignition voltage generator is fundamentally capacitive. In one embodiment of the invention it comprises a second voltage source for charging a second capacitor connected in parallel with the flash tube, whereas in another embodiment the ignition voltage generator contains a piezoelectric crystal or a pyro electric crystal.

Abstract: Laser excitation is generally initiated by "dumping" energy from a stored supply into a flashlamp. The flashlamp produces light which is a mixture of both black-body type radiation and atomic line spectra. That portion of the flashlamp output energy spectrum which overlaps the pump bands of Nd.sup.3.sup.+ causes the inversion population necessary for laser action. It has been determined that the sequence in which energy is initially supplied to the flashlamp is an important parameter. More particularly, light output in the pump bands, and hence laser efficiency, is increased by slightly turning on the flashlamp at a predetermined interval of time prior to the main energy dump. Theory indicates that this method of triggering results in a larger ionic path diameter at the time of main energy release to the flashlamp.