Abstract: A power circuit for N series connected loads according to the present invention includes N transformers having primary windings connected in series across a constant current AC source and secondary windings connected in series with the N loads. N-1 conductors are coupled from a junction between the loads to a corresponding junction between the secondary windings. Failure of one of the loads resulting in an open circuit will not interrupt power to the remaining loads.

Abstract: A power supply for outdoor lighting systems accepts ordinary household alternating current of 120 volts at 60 hertz. The power supply uses a digital switching means to convert this current into a lower voltage at a higher frequency. Typically, these values are 28 volts at 20 kHz. This high frequency signal is then supplied to the lights through a transformer. The use of a higher voltage than that normally used for such systems improves the operating efficiency of the lighting system and allows lights to be placed at a greater distance from the power supply. The higher frequency signal reduces the bulk and cost of the transformer. The voltage and current supplied to the lights can be altered by changing the frequency of the signal entering the transformer. A feedback circuit monitors the signal supplied to the lights and automatically varies the frequency so as to keep the voltage and current within predetermined operating limits.

Abstract: An illuminator for cultivating a plant by a discharge lamp excited by the output of a high frequency power source by utilizing photosynthetic mechanism. The output power of the high frequency power source is controlled to high and low powers by a bright and dark controller to alternatively supply the high and low powers to the discharge lamp in predetermined periods.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for an arc discharge lamp (38) which includes a relatively low voltage high current power supply section and a high voltage starter circuit (10). The low voltage section includes a transformer (15), rectifier (24), variable resistor (26) and a bank of capacitors (28), while the starter circuit (10) comprises a plurality of diodes (D1 to D12) and capacitors (C1 to C12) connected as a Cockcroft-Walton multiplier. The starting circuit is effectively bypassed when the lamp arc is established and serves to automatically provide a high starting voltage to re-strike the lamp arc if the arc is extinguished by a power interruption.

Abstract: A current-balancing transformer is provided to supply plural parallel-connected electrical loads, especially loads such as gas discharge lamps which exhibit negative impedance and/or non-linear impedance over at least a part of their normal operating range. The current-balancing transformer forces current sharing among the loads so that each of the parallel-connected loads is supplied operating current.

Abstract: Two fluorescent lamps are lightened by a single inverter circuit which provides switched power current to a single leakage transformer. The leakage transformer has a single primary winding coupled with said inverter circuit and a pair of secondary windings each coupled with a related fluorescent lamp. The core of said leakage transformer has a closed magnetic core with a pair of short legs each of which bridges across said closed magnetic path with a non-magnetic material so that said pair of short legs provides three windows and bypass leakage magnetic paths. The first window is defined by said pair of short legs, and each of the second and the third legs is defined by one of said short legs and said closed magnetic path. The primary winding is mounted in said first window, and each of said pair of secondary windings is mounted in said second or third window.

Abstract: An improved magnetic core transformer for use as a voltage stabilizer in gas discharge lamps and tube circuits. The transformer has a magnetic stack length greater than either side of the magnetic cross-section and a floating shunt assembly constructed from stacks of magnetic strips. The stack length is optimized technically and as a function of the cost of iron and copper utilized in the transformer and when conformed with an optimum shunt a greater leakage inductance variation is achieved.

Abstract: A dual voltage lighting fixture for permiting the interchangeable use of light bulbs having substantially different operating voltages. The apparatus includes a housing to which is mounted a standard sized light bulb socket and a connector. A transformer is also mounted to the housing and serves to deliver electrical current to the socket and connector at substantially different operating voltages. A manually operated switch controls the supply of electrical current between the socket and the connector. A detachable fixture for receiving a smaller sized low voltage light bulb is also provided which is attached to the housing and connector. The detachable fixture may be removed whenever it is desirable to use a standard sized light bulb.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system (200) which is coupled to a power source (204) in order to actuate at least one of a pair of gas discharge tubes (202 and 202'). Each of the gas discharge tubes (202, 202') include respective first and second filaments (206, 208 and 206', 208'). The system (200) includes a first transformer (238) which is coupled to the power source (204) and the first transformer (238) includes a primary winding (240) and a secondary winding (242) for establishing an oscillation signal. A first and second transistor network (252 and 254) are feedback coupled to the first transformer (238) for switching a current signal responsive to the oscillation signal. Additionally, a first and second inverter transformers (210 and 212) are provided with each of the inverter transformers (210 and 212) having in tapped windings (288 and 290) respectively, for establishing an induced voltage signal responsive to the current signal.

Abstract: Display device using a discharge lamp for displaying a series of message formed of characters, numerals or symbols by combining various kinds of discharge lamps which are different in shape and size. Inert gas is charged in a glass tube of the discharge lamp, one of the electrodes is provided within the glass tube and the other is provided outside of the glass tube. Pulse signal or AC signal generator is provided and serves to supply such signals to both electrodes. The various kinds of discharge lamps are combined and arranged on the surface plate of a display unit. A plurality of display units are combined and magnetically connected to a display panel. A plurality of electrically conductive segments mounted on the back portion of the display unit are electrically connected to a plurality of feeder plates. Additionally, there are provided in the display unit a boosting transformer for boosting pulse signals or AC signals to be supplied, a transistor, and power supply.

Abstract: Unitary ballast structure for starting and operating four fluorescent lamps comprising stacked magnetic iron laminations and coils retained thereon to provide two separate inductor means and a transformer means for heating multiple lamp electrode coils. The magnetic structure comprises a core member having a shell-type configuration with two main legs and six coil legs which define five coil-receiving windows. Coils retained on the second and third coil legs each comprise inductor means and occupy the first, second and third windows. An electrode-coil-heating transformer means is retained on the fifth coil leg and occupies the fourth and fifth windows. Each of the laminations which comprise the magnetic structure can have the same configuration which facilitates manufacture. Magnetic coupling between the different electrical components comprising the ballast structure is minimized, while still providing a compact, unitary ballast.

Abstract: A power transfer network for efficiently coupling a source of high frequency energy to a physically large dimensioned electrode system in a sputtering machine which exhibits high spray capacitance to ground. The network includes an inductive element capable of being tapped along its length such as a linear line section and a tuning capacitor with the source of high frequency energy in the megahertz range, each of the source and the electrode system being connectively tapped into a suitable location along the inductive element.

Abstract: A low voltage distribution system for a miniature structure having a step down transformer which is energized from a high voltage alternating current source to produce a low voltage signal, a pair of elongated bus bar strips formed of a conductive metal foil layer and an adhesive bottom layer which is used to affix the bus bar to the miniature structure with the bus bars being positioned in a spaced parallel relationship, electrical conductors for applying the low voltage signal across the spaced parallel bus bar strips, a plurality of bi-prong electrical fastening devices which have sharp ends to pierce and drive through the bus bar strips forming an electrical connection therewith and into holding relationship with the section of the miniature structure under the bus bar strips and a plurality of light bulbs electrically connected across the bi-prong electrical fastening devices wherein the light bulbs are responsive to the low voltage signal to become illuminated is shown.

Abstract: Electrical lamp ballast system for starting and operating fluorescent lamps with improved efficiency and safety. System includes high leakage reactance autotransformer having primary and secondary windings, and a ballast capacitor connected in series with the secondary winding and two serially connected fluorescent lamps of low starting and operating voltage, the secondary circuit being connected to a tap on the primary winding for reducing the ratio of the ballast power input to the lamp light output. A starting capacitor connected across one of the lamps has a resistor of predetermined resistance connected in shunt therewith to reduce the peak voltage to ground resulting from removal of that lamp from the circuit, so that electrical shock hazard to service personnel is minimized.

Abstract: A solid-state switching system which produces one or more switching signals in response to a power circuit current's reaching a preset level or levels whereby remote control of associated apparatus may be effected without independent control circuits.

Abstract: A device which is designed to save electrical energy expended by a regular rapid start fluorescent lighting fixture having a plurality of lamps, or tubes, and a conventional ballast. The device comprises the combination of a step-up transformer, a resistor and two capacitors, all of which are mounted externally of the ballast. The device is wired in series with the ballast and one of the lamps to allow normal ballast voltages to be delivered to the lamp circuit, thereby eliminating any detrimental effects to the lamps or ballast. At the same time, the current to the lamps and consequent consumption of power by the lamps is substantially reduced to save electrical energy while providing a reduced, but uniform level of illumination.

Abstract: Electrical ballast circuit of improved power factor for operating gaseous discharge lamps. Two discharge lamps are respectively connected to two inductively coupled induction coils for obtaining high power factor without the use of capacitors.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which may be utilized as an energizing circuit for the ignition of fluorescent lamps and other gas discharge luminescent devices. The circuit directs energizing signals to gaseous discharge tubes at a voltage sufficient to intitiate ionization of the gases therein. The signals are characterized by having a predetermined frequency in the range from about 20 kilohertz to 10 megahertz. Thereafter, the circuit lowers the voltage and current of the signal delivered to the tubes to a level sufficient to maintain gas ionization. Significant power savings are realized over conventional ballast circuits with the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: Lead-lag, series-sequence starting and operating apparatus for three to six fluorescent lamps comprises two parallel circuit branches, one of which comprises a ballast capacitor and two lamps in series for a three or four lamp apparatus or three lamps in series for a five or six lamp apparatus. The other circuit branch comprises an inductor ballast and one or two lamps in series for a three or four lamp apparatus and two or three lamps in series for a five or six lamp apparatus. An additional ballast inductor connects in series with the two parallel-connected circuits and the AC power source. Starting capacitors parallel individual lamps and means are provided for preheating the lamp electrode coils upon energization of the apparatus. In operation, the lamp electrode coils are all preheated and the lamps which are ballasted by the capacitor, which constitutes the lead circuit, then sequentially start.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ballast unit for gas discharge lamps, particularly fluorescent lamps, by which a substantially constant burning current is supplied to the lamp. The ballast unit includes a transformer mounted on a core having a defined air gap. The transformer is provided with a leakage inductance having a value resulting in a voltage drop of between approximately 15 and 30 percent of an input voltage applied thereto. One or more capacitors are connected in series with the transformer output supply to the lamp. The one or more capacitors provide a capacitance in series with the lamp substantially equal to the ratio of the burning current to the angular frequency of the input voltage multiplied by the secondary no-load voltage supplied to the secondary circuit.