Abstract: A compact folded fluorescent lamp and a small incandescent lamp are both mounted on an ordinary Edison-type screw-base capable of being screwed into an ordinary lamp socket at which ordinary AC power line voltage is controllably provided. An inverter-type ballast is integrally combined with the base and is operable to power the fluorescent lamp whenever the base is indeed screwed into the lamp socket. The incandescent lamp is powered from the AC power line voltage by way of an SCR whose conduction angle is controlled such as to cause the total light provided from the combination fluorescent-incandescent lamp to remain substantially constant from the very first moment that AC power line voltage is provided at the lamp socket. Thus, when the AC power line voltage is initially provided, the light provided from the incandescent lamp will be at its maximum while the light provided from the fluorescent lamp will be at its minimum.

Abstract: A portable multi-color signal light having at least two color LED, such as red or blue or green or yellow, with or without covering color films, and at least one incandescent lamp, with or without covering color films. Independent switches allow for the selective operation of the LED and the incandescent lamp. The power source may be disposed within the signal light or relocated to a cell box to be worn on the belt of the user to provide weight decrease for long-term usage. The signal light may be used as a signal light for traffic control and illumination.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a tubular incandescent lamp located between the four tube sections of a double twin tube compact fluorescent lamp such that heat is transferred from the incandescent lamp to the fluorescent lamp when the incandescent lamp is energized. A power source provides power to the incandescent lamp and to the fluorescent lamp through a thermal switch. The thermal switch is in thermal contact with the incandescent lamp and the fluorescent lamp. When the lamp assembly is turned on, the switch applies power to the incandescent lamp initially. When the switch is heated by the incandescent lamp to a predetermined temperature, the switch deenergizes the incandescent lamp and applies power to the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: Ornamental and decorative light display utilizing LEDs constructed of two or more individual diodes. Each diode or portion of a diode is alternately selected and energized at a sufficient frequency that colors can blend to produce another color. The system provides for an extremely large configuration of LEDs to be driven at a low average power and at the same time to allow the user to select individual lights to be constantly illuminated or flash in response on oscillating voltage source or allow multicolored patterns to be generated using bicolor LEDs.

Abstract: An intermittent low intensity light source that is switched on by a drive signal is enhanced by a high intensity light source. The high intensity light source is coupled with the low intensity light source so that at least some light from both sources is projected in a desired direction. The high intensity light source has a brightness or intensity that significantly exceeds that of the low intensity light source. A pulse power source is connected to the high intensity light source and made responsive to the drive signal for pulsing the high intensity light source to emit a brief light pulse before the low intensity light source achieves any substantial precentage of its peak intensity, the light pulse occurring in such close time proximity to the peak intensity of the low intensity light source that persistence of vision in the human eye causes the two light sources blend together visually.

Abstract: A three way lamp having two gas discharge light tubes mounted on the same housing having three terminals arranged thereon as provided on a three-way incandescent lamp.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for indicator lights in motor vehicles comprises four differently dimmable groups of lights I for tachometer and speedometer illumination 1, 2, II for the remaining dashboard illumination 3, 4, III for the center panel and foot space illumination 5, 6, and IV for the illuminating lights 7, 8 in a radio unit. These lights can be connected to a voltage source via a potentiometer 9 and an electronic amplifier 12. The amplifier has a number of different characteristic curves, corresponding to the number of groups of lights. The shape of these curves is such that, when the potentiometer 9 is turned from its null position into its end position, at first only the voltage for the first group of lights I, that is for the speedometer and tachometer illumination 1 and 2, is increased from zero to a average value. The remaining groups are switched on sequentially.

Abstract: This invention concerns with an electronic flash unit in which, as two capacitors of large and small capacitances are charged, even when a trigger operation is actuated before the capacitor of large capacitance is fully charged, it is made possible with the help of the charge from the capacitor of small capacitance to fire the flash tube. Particularly in application of the invention to the above-described type of electronic flash unit, as the battery for use in charging the capacitors also serves to drive another load for a time which can fall in coincidence with the period of charging the capacitors, when the driving of the load is started, the charging of the capacitor of large capacitance is inhibited while the charging of the capacitor of small capacitance is permitted to go on, thereby it being made possible to carry out the driving of the load with high reliability so that the correct flash exposure is made while still maintaining the quickness of snap shots.

Abstract: Lamp operating voltage levels are reduced by using a boost circuit to initiate a triggering sequence in one of two lamps connected in series. The boost circuit is connected across one of the lamps at a connector point common to the two lamps. In a preferred embodiment, trigger pulses are applied sequentially to each lamp, the boost circuit voltage contained in an associated capacitor is discharged through the first triggered lamp, causing it to begin conduction. Most of the voltage from a main storage capacitor then becomes available to break down the second lamp.

Abstract: A combination lamp includes a first light and a second light. The first light includes a discharge lamp and serves to generate light. The second light serves to generate light and also heat, and thereby serves to heat the discharge lamp. Accordingly, the second light can preheat the discharge lamp. This preheating allows the discharge lamp to produce adequate luminous energy immediately when the discharge lamp is turned on.

Abstract: An improved decorative lighting display using LEDs, CMOS integrated circuits and high current MOS transistors. This display provides for an extremely large configuration of LEDs to be driven at low average power and at the same time allows the user to select individual lights to be constantly illuminated or flashed in response to an oscillating voltage source. Moreover, this display allows multicolor patterns to be generated using bicolor LEDs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp comprising an outer bulb accommodating a first and a second discharge vessel, these discharge vessels being connected electrically in series. According to the invention, the second discharge vessel is electrically shunted by a bimetal switch which is closed at a temperature of at least 300 K. The lamp thus starts in two steps, which facilitates the starting process and renders it more reliable.

Abstract: A three way lamp having two gas discharge light tubes mounted on the same housing in a light-transmitting bulb.

Abstract: An AC polarity-reversing bridge ballast for an arc discharge lamp using an incandescent filament for resistive ballasting and standby illumination powers the filament during hot restart without modifying the low duty cycle operation of the starting oscillator and without introducing additional power switches. The switching elements of the polarity-reversing bridge serve the dual functions of reversing the polarity of the voltage supplied to the arc lamp during normal running conditions and energizing the filament during a restart condition.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for an electric discharge lamp includes a lighting ballast capacitor connected in series to an electric dicharge lamp for stabilizing a lighting current to the lamp; a preheating ballast capacitor connected in parallel to the lamp for supplying a preheating electric power to the lamp; electric power supply including an output transformer for supplying an electric power to the lighting ballast capacitor; a control electric power supply circuit for obtaining a control electric power through the lighting ballast capacitor and discharge lamp or the preheating ballast capacitor without adding a stepdown transformer or a resistive element for voltage drop; and an oscillator which receives the control electric power from the control power supply circuit and controls the electric power supply. With this lighting apparatus, the electric power loss is made small and the miniaturization of the apparatus can be realized.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for controlling the power applied to two remote loads energized from a common ac line. An example is a circuit for controlling fan speed and lamp brightness, both loads being installed in a common ceiling fixture, and requiring only a two conductor interconnection to a wall mounted control circuit. An exemplary control circuit employs two conventional controllers, each having a bidirectional, semiconductor switch, (e.g., a triac) having a manually adjustable conduction duty cycle for power control. The control circuit includes shunt and series diodes for mutual isolation of the controllers and for allocating one controller to one load and the other controller to the other load. The arrangement simplifies installation costs in requiring only a two conductor control connection, and is economic in its selection of components for the control function.

Abstract: An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament.

Abstract: A flash lamp in which a flash tube, transformer, capacitor and base are coupled together to form a unitary integral lamp. A portion of the flash tube, the transformer and capacitor may be encapsulated by a plotting compound. An electrical circuit consisting of a flash lamp and a conventional incandescent light is also provided for operation in parallel from a remotely located power supply.

Abstract: An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament. The transistor switch is controlled in its operation by an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A power supply for an electric insect trap having an electrocution grid and a fluorescent lamp for attracting insects to the grid employs an inverter to generate a high frequency alternating voltage. The alternating voltage is applied across the primary winding of a first transformer having a secondary winding for development of a current-limited voltage for operating the lamp. Due to large inductance, the secondary winding functions as a constant current source to the lamp, so that lamps having different voltage characteristics may be used in the same circuit. A high voltage transformer has a primary driven by the limited lamp current to produce a high voltage for the electrocution grid across its secondary winding. Current limiting is achieved, in part, by providing a selected amount of flux leakage between the primary and secondary windings of the first transformer.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for powering a plurality of fluorescent lamps or the like from an unsmoothed DC voltage source includes a sine wave converter operatively connected to receive said DC voltage, for generating a high frequency alternating voltage of sufficient amplitude to power said lamps. The converter comprises a tank circuit and two push-pull transistors connected thereto and a current source capacitively coupled to said tank circuit for providing base drive alternately to each transistor. A lamp filament heater current cancellation circuit reduces power drain once the lamps have turned on.

Abstract: A brightness control device for a light emitting display of an automotive vehicle electronic meter wherein the brightness of the light emitting display is controlled in response to the variable duty factor output pulse signal produced by an illumination controller for an illumination lamp of an ordinary meter. A circuit is provided for securing the minimum brightness of the light emitting display. The circuit is rendered operative when a lighting switch is turned off to limit the amplitude of a pulse voltage applied to one terminal of the light emitting display.

Abstract: A lighting unit is described utilizing an energy efficient metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source producing light when the arc lamp is being started, the filament thereof serving as a resistive ballast for the arc lamp under normal operation. The lighting unit is designed as a more efficient replacement for the incandescent lamp. The lighting unit includes a rectifier for conversion of 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network, including a ferrite transformer and a transistor switch. The operating network produces an output adapted to each operating state of the arc lamp, including the provision of a high ignition potential, a power boost for the lamp during the glow to arc transition, warm-up and ballasting provisions, and means for sustaining the arc during transients which reduce the line voltage.

Abstract: A discharge lamp comprises a high pressure arc tube for high pressure and a low pressure arc tube for low pressure which is electrically connected in parallel to said high pressure arc tube in an outer tube.A lighting equipment comprises a high pressure arc tube for high pressure discharge and a low pressure arc tube for low pressure which is electrically connected in parallel to said high pressure arc tube; and a high frequency lighting starter having 1 KHz to 100 KHz for starting the discharge of said high pressure arc tube.

Abstract: A light source including two high intensity discharge devices, such as metal vapor discharge tubes, electrically coupled in parallel to provide fast restart and immediate illumination after a momentary power interruption. Upon application of power, one of the discharge devices starts and operates while the other discharge device remains below its maximum starting temperature and in readiness for immediate restart. The discharge devices can be enclosed by a common outer envelope. The discharge devices can alternatively be high pressure electrodeless lamps coupled in parallel to provide fast restart.

Abstract: An electrodeless light source having a termination fixture adapted for connection to a high frequency power source has an electrodeless lamp with a self-contained ultraviolet excitation source and a means for coupling power to the electrodeless lamp. The electrodeless lamp includes a main lamp cavity and an exciter lamp cavity within a single envelope. When power is applied to the fixture, the exciter lamp cavity emits ultraviolet radiation which assists starting of the arc discharge in the main lamp cavity.

Abstract: A control circuit including at least one switch and a plurality of rectifiers for selectively applying a-c utility power to either or both of two remote electrically-powered apparatus at respective first and second states of rectification by means of a conventional two-wire interconnection cable. Where one of the apparatus is of a type, such as a motor, adapted to be powered by a full-wave a-c, the control circuit includes a relay and relay switch responsive to switch-selectable half-wave a-c for connecting the motor to receive full-wave power. In one disclosed embodiment, the two apparatus comprise a composite smoke detector and lamp fixture, and the control circuit provides continuous power at a first state of rectification to the smoke detector portion of the fixture and switch-selectable power at a second state of rectification to the fixture lamp.

Abstract: A lamp socket for use with a three-way bulb and a nightlight has five positions including off, nightlight, nightlight and low, nightlight and medium, and high. The socket includes a screw base for receiving the three-way bulb, a nightlight terminal coupled to the nightlight located outside of and remote from the socket, and a pair of power terminals coupled via wires and a plug to a wall outlet or other source of power. The different combinations and levels of illumination are provided by a rotatable element within the socket coupled to be rotated by a turnkey and having opposite conductive shells forming a predetermined array of conductive and non-conductive segments at pairs of inclined teeth at the outer edge of the element. One of the power terminals is electrically coupled to one of the conductive shells by a flexible contact.

Abstract: A small thin console or pad has a metal proximity switch actuated by a control ring mounted on one surface, with a small light bulb within the ring. The pad is used for remote control of a load which may be a lamp, or some other electric appliance such as a radio or stereo. The pad is connected to a wall outlet unit containing a triac as a switching device for the load. The light bulb on the pad is normally at a low glow for a night light. When the metal ring is first touched the triac is turned on for the load; and when it is touched again the triac is turned off, thereby shutting off the load, while the light on the pad is brought up to full brilliance for a predetermined interval of time as a courtesy light, and then returns to the normal night light intensity.