Abstract: A hand-held inspection lamp is described. The lamp includes a multi-pin receptacle capable of connecting to a cord carrying alternating current and, alternatively, a cord capable of carrying direct current. The pins of the receptacle are wired to appropriate hardware within the lamp such that the proper type of current is supplied to a bulb housed therein. Thus, if the lamp is configured for a bulb that utilizes AC current, the pin configuration of the receptacle and an AC power cord supply AC current directly to the bulb or a ballast. The DC power cord has pins configured to supply current to an inverter connected to the bulb or ballast through the receptacle. A similar, but converse, arrangement is provided for the lamp when designed to house a bulb that utilizes DC current.

Abstract: The present invention may be used in the field of microelectronics, in medicine as well as in the production of lighting appliances. The method and the device of the present invention are used for increasing the brightness of optical radiation sources powered by low-voltage power supplies. The optical radiation is generated by emitting electrons and by exciting the radiation. The electrons are generated by emitting the same from the surface of a cathode, while the excitation of the radiation involves accelerating the electrons in the gaseous interval up to an energy exceeding the excitation energy of the radiating levels of the gas. To this end, a voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode, wherein said voltage does not exceed the ignition voltage of a self-maintained discharge. The device of the present invention comprises a chamber as well as electrodes having surfaces which are transparent to the radiation.

Abstract: A discharge pulse generator for supplying power between a pair of electrodes (1 and 2), comprises a distribution constant line (8) of a predetermined length being connected at one termination to the electrodes (1 and 2), charging means (16) being connected to the distribution constant line (8) for charging the capacitance of the distribution constant line (8), rectification means (13) being connected to an opposite termination of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8) in a direction in which no current flows relative to voltage of the above-mentioned charging means (16), and a resistor (10) being connected in series to the above-mentioned rectification means (13) and having a resistance value equal to the characteristic impedance of the above-mentioned distribution constant line (8). For example, to use the discharge pulse generator for electric discharge machining, a workpiece can be worked on with higher accuracy and higher quality at higher speed.

Abstract: A pool safety lighting system is designed for use in diving swimming pools, in particular, which have a shallow portion connected to a deep portion by an intermediate sloping wall. To reduce the risk of injury for persons diving into the pool, either using a diving board or diving from the edge, colored warning lights are placed in the bottom of the pool, typically with a green light in the deepest portion and a red light at the transition from an intermediate portion to the shallowest portion, with a yellow light located on the intermediate rising portion between the deep part of the pool and the shallowest part. The light delivery system ideally is a fiber optic cable system supplying light to fiber optic cables terminating in the bottom of the pool and supplied with light from a source remote from the pool.

Abstract: A discharge lamp bulb includes a light transmissive envelope and at least one conductive fiber disposed on a wall of the envelope, where the fiber has a thickness of less than 100 microns. The lamp may be either electrodeless or may include internal electrodes. Suitable materials for the fiber(s) include but are not limited to carbon, silicon carbide, aluminum, tantalum, molybdenum, platinum, and tungsten. Silicon carbide whiskers and platinum coated silicon carbide fibers may also be used. The fiber(s) may be aligned with the electrical field, at least during starting. The lamp preferably further includes a protective material covering the fiber(s). For example the protective material may be a sol gel deposited silica coating. Noble gases inside the bulb at pressures in excess of 300 Torr can be reliably ignited at applied electric field strengths of less than 4×105 V/m. Over 2000 Torr xenon, krypton, and argon respectively achieve breakdown with an applied field of less than 3×105 V/m.

Abstract: An improved plastic border utilized in cathodes used in the processes for the electrolytic refinement of minerals, characterized in that the plastic border presents a transversal aperture of a conical like base section with straight walls, thereafter converging with another quadrangular aperture, to end in an oblong section aperture opening.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting broken glass are disclosed comprising determining an area to be searched for broken glass and temporarily illuminating the area using a high operating voltage gas discharge lamp while the broken glass is found and removed. In an industrial application, the method and system involve illuminating an area around a glass processing machine with a high operating voltage gas discharge lamp. Such a glass processing method and system may comprise a glass processing machine, a conveyor line for transported a plurality of glass objects to or from the glass processing machine, and a high operating voltage gas discharge lamp. The high operating voltage gas discharge lamp is disposed to illuminate an area around the glass processing machine and conveyor line. In operation, the area around the machine and conveyor line is illuminated with the high operating voltage gas discharge lamp, and the machine and line are operated to move and process a plurality of glass objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating light signals, in particular traffic lights. The device according to the invention contains a housing with at least one opening, which is closed by a plate, the absorption of which can be controlled electrically, there being located in the interior of the housing behind the opening a diffuser element, which reflects incident light through the plate. Preferred switched states of the plate are either black (absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light) and colored transparent (slight absorption in specific spectral regions) or transparent (no absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light). The device according to the invention is used to generate light signals by virtue of the fact that the ambient light strikes the plate and, depending on switched state, is absorbed entirely, partially or not at all by the plate.

Abstract: A self-oscillating circuit for driving high-side and low-side switching devices, such as MOSFETs connected in a half-bridge configuration. The circuit alternately turns on the switching devices by providing alternating gate pulses varying in duration or width. The pulses are separated by dead time to prevent cross conduction. At start up, the pulses increase from a minimum duration of zero to a maximum duration, while dead time duration simultaneously decreases to its minimum duration, to provide soft start. The circuitry includes an oscillator for providing a periodic signal in which each cycle includes a rising portion followed by a falling edge to a low portion. Reference circuitry provides a varying reference signal. A comparator responds to the periodic signal and the varying reference signal, and provides a pulse output signal whose pulse width is proportional to the reference signal.

Abstract: A treater system includes a conductive roller electrode that supports a moving web that is to be treated. One or more active electrode assemblies mounted to support headers have a pair of active electrodes that are positioned to treat one surface of the web as the web passes over the roller electrode. Air or a gas/gas mixture can be selectively piped to a chamber adjacent the active electrodes and diffused along the length of the discharge surfaces to allow the treater to operate in three distinct modes: corona, chemical corona and atmospheric plasma. The active electrodes are cooled by passing air into and through tubular bodies of the active electrodes.

Abstract: An electronic gas-lighting device having a casing defined by a cup-shaped body made of electrically insulating material is disclosed. An electronic high-voltage-pulse generator is housed in an inner cavity of the casing accessible through a mouth of the cup-shaped body. An output terminal is connected to the electronic pulse generator and housed through a respective seating duct formed integrally with a bottom wall of the cup-shaped body.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary power to a lighting system for heavy equipment during interruptions of power from a 250 volt direct current (DC) power supply is provided. The DC power supply is the only power source available to discharge lamps provided on the heavy equipment. The energy storage banks are provided between the power supply and a ballast for operating a gas discharge lamp. The energy storage banks store energy and provide the reserved energy to the ballast when the supply voltage to the ballast decreases below a level necessary for sustaining operating of the discharge lamp. The energy storage banks can comprise capacitors arranged in various series and parallel circuits and a blocking rectifier to prevent non-lighting loads on the heavy equipment from draining the energy storage banks.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement having at least one electric main switch (T1) with a reference electrode (E), a control electrode (B), and a work electrode (C). A recovery diode (D1; D2) is connected antiparallel to the main flow direction of each main switch (T1). In order to speed up the switch-off process and in particular to reduce the attendant power loss, each main switch (T1) is assigned an electric auxiliary switch (T11; T22), whose work electrode is connected to the control electrode (B) of the associated main switch (T1) and whose reference electrode is connected to the reference electrode (E) of the associated main switch (T1). The capacitor (C11) is disposed between the control electrode of the auxiliary switch (T11; T22) and the work electrode (C) of the associated main switch (T1).

Abstract: An electrically-energizable tongue-engagable body decorative device for display in the mouth of a wearer may include an electrically energizable cap having a pair of housing portions being releasably attachable; and means for sealing together the housing portions in a liquid tight manner. There may be at least one electrically energizable component disposed within the housing portions for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect and battery means mounted within the housing portions for energizing the component when connected via a circuit thereto. Means may be provided for securing the electrically energizable cap removably from the tongue of the wearer. Also provided is a method for adorning a wearer with an aesthetically pleasing decorative ornamental device including securing an electrically-energizable tongue-engagable body decorative device to the tongue of the wearer and electrically energizing the device.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight instrument for non-invasive blood analyte determination employs a light source incorporating an assembly of LED's interconnected within a thermally stable substrate. A large diameter mixer couples the signal to a fiber optic probe for delivering the signal to a tissue measurement site. Back-diffused light is collected and dispersed across an array of photo detectors in a miniature spectrometer instrument. A high-speed DSP executes an algorithm for predicting concentration of a target analyte, which is output to a LCD display. Instrument control is by means of keypad or voice recognition.

Abstract: A light source is provided which contains a light emitting component and at least one phosphor material. The phosphor material absorbs radiation emitted by the light emitting component and converts that radiation to visible light of a desired color. The phosphor composition is a molecular compound of the formula LnAXBY, wherein Ln is a lanthanide, A is &bgr;-diketonate ligands, B is at least one additional ligand, and X and Y are integers.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fluorescent lamp system wherein an ultraviolet producing discharge tube contains no phosphor internal to the tube. Rather an insert or sleeve physically distinct from the tube includes a phosphor. The layer insert or sleeve further includes an ultraviolet filter, preferably in the form of an ultraviolet reflective/visible light transmissive layer positioned to reflect ultraviolet energy that is not converted to visible light on a previous pass through the phosphor, back toward the phosphor. It has many embodiments.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is used in a video endoscope system having a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor and a monitor. The light source apparatus provides illumination to a scene to be imaged by the CCD image sensor and displayed on the monitor. The light source apparatus includes a discharge lamp serving as a light source. The lamp is subject to progressive degradation during use so that its output light intensity achievable with a given level of input current gradually decreases through its lifetime. The current supplied to the lamp is controlled using a feedback control technique so as to maintain the output light intensity of the lamp at a substantially fixed, desired intensity level. In order to allow the operator to timely replace the discharge lamp with a new one, the input current to the discharge lamp is detected and compared to a threshold level. The threshold level may be selected to a level corresponding to the rated power of the lamp designated by the manufacturer.

Abstract: A single triac on a heat sink is replaced by a plurality of lower rated current, parallel connected triacs for carrying the same total current as the single triac. The plural devices are spaced apart as far as possible, within the confines of an insulation back cover, to reduce the thermal gradient across the heat sink and to reduce the input thermal power to the heat sink. Thermally conductive compressive sheets thermally couple the flat heat sink to a face plate on the side of the heat sink opposite to the side receiving the triacs.

Abstract: A cable lamp which is powered by a low-voltage battery and which comprises a cable (10). Fitted on one end of the cable (10) is fitting (14) for a fluorescent bulb (21), while the other end of the cable has fitted thereon a battery connection (30, 40) for connecting both cable conductors (11, 12) to respective battery terminals. The lamp also includes an electronic HF ignition (22) for igniting the bulb. The ignition (22) is adapted for both AC and DC mains voltages and is connected directly to terminal clip (30) that has a converter (18) which converts the battery low-voltage to DC mains voltage. The converter (18) is encapsulated in a radiation impervious housing (322, 323, 324) which forms on the one hand a high-frequency transformer component of the converter (18) and a converter cooling element on the other hand.

Abstract: An energy emission system is provided having both multiple laser outputs and multiple light or lamp outputs. The laser outputs may be aligned so that once they are active, they are directed to strike targets located distal from the lamps and lasers. By configuring the lasers at known positions relative to the lights, the lights can subsequently be activated so that their outputs are aligned with the laser beams. The laser beams therefore serve to aim the lights and specifically, the light outputs upon an isolated target area. Using the lasers to align the lights avoids having to activate the lights to effectuate their alignment, resulting in increased light longevity and providing more accurate alignments in lighted ambient conditions. A controller can be used to control multiple lasers and lights. Data from the lasers can be used to control colors, shapes, and positions of lights using a memory coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A dimmer apparatus for adjusting the brightness of a display section for displaying time and the like. In the dimmer apparatus, a control section including a microcomputer and the like operates to decide which one of the keys has been pressed by decoding the contents of a code signal generated by pressing one of the keys in an operating section and a remotely controlled transmitting section. When “AUTO” on the menu screen for selectively setting the execution or non-execution of dimming control to be displayed on a monitor screen is selected, the control section functions as what executes the dimming control of the FL tube of the display section interlocked with a reproducing mode by controlling the display section so as to have the FL tube dimmed during the reproducing mode in which a reproduced image is displayed on the monitor screen upon deciding that either reproducing key of the operating section or reproducing key of the remotely controlled transmitting section has been pressed.

Abstract: In order to code its light intensity class, a light-emitting diode (1) has a number of contact elements (3-8) which are connected to series resistors (13-16) situated outside a physical unit comprising the contact elements (3-8), a connection element (2) and the light-emitting diode (1). Depending on the code, series resistors (13-16) are combined and thus compensate for the fluctuations in light intensity which are unavoidable in light-emitting diode manufacture. The light-emitting diode (1) is therefore automatically connected to the requisite series resistor (13-16) by connecting the connection element (2).

Abstract: A visual information system includes an array of light emitting elements located at the side of a train track. The elements are individually energizable by a controller in response to a predetermined program stored in a memory and representative of a predetermined visual image. The controller causes selected elements to be turned ON and OFF, some repetitively, in a predetermined sequence as dictated by the program with a time span of 0.015 seconds. A sensor activates the controller upon the approach of a train so that a passenger gazing at the array as the train passes will perceive the image apparently extending over an area substantially greater than the area of said array.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system which permits refitting of lamp sockets which utilize incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps. The present system provides for a ballast which is remote from the lamp itself, thus being non-restrictive in regards to the size or wattage of the lamps used. The system is universal in that any existing incandescent lamp may be replaced with a fluorescent lamp, including compact fluorescent lamps, of any wattage desired by the user. The systems herein provide an increased degree of safety, as the socket profile can be matched to the ballast connector to preclude the use of an incorrect ballast with a given fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass envelope for an illuminating device, the glass envelope comprising a gas channel, a pair of electrodes in communication with the gas channel and a glow-discharge lamp as a source of free electrons coupled to the glass envelope to assist the starting of the illuminating device in dark conditions, for example at night. Preferably, the glass envelope has a front and back surface laminated and integrated together to form a unitary body essentially free of any sealing materials.

Abstract: Lighting system, comprising a mercury-free metal halide lamp with a light yield of at least 75 lm/W and a color rendition index of at least 75 and an electronic ballast, the electronic ballast impressing a square-wave power supply on the lamp and keeping the power constant. The filling comprises the following components:a buffer gas which also acts as starting gas to start the lamp,a voltage gradient generator, comprising at least one metal halide which vaporizes readily and which is chiefly (by more than 50%) responsible for generating a voltage gradient which corresponds approximately to that of mercury, anda light generator comprising one metal and/or one metal halide.

Abstract: In a pool lighting system, each illuminator (10) comprises a color wheel 26, a driver mechanism (24) for rotating the color wheel, and a synchronization circuit (42). The synchronization circuit is responsive to an alternating-current source of power applied to the illuminator to control the driver mechanism to place the color wheel at a predetermined position after a predetermined time subsequent to the alternating-current source of power being initially applied to the illuminator.

Abstract: The device disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for obtaining energy from an electric field. The apparatus has a floating electrode connected to a series gap device. The floating electrode is adapted to convert the energy found in an electric field into usable electric energy. The usable electric energy can be stored in an electric storage device.

Abstract: An incandescent bulb luminance matching LED circuit for causing the luminance of an LED to match the luminance of an incandescent bulb is disclosed. The incandescent bulb luminance matching LED circuit includes an input port (26, 56 or 82), an output port (28, 58 or 98), one or more light emitting diodes (22, 24, . . . or 88, 90 . . .), and a voltage (20 or 89) and/or current (50 or 86) compensation block. The compensation block(s) is connected in circuit with the light emitting diode(s) between the input port and the output port and compensates for voltage and/or current changes in the power applied to the input port such that the luminance of the LED is approximately the same as that of an incandescent bulb. In one embodiment, the compensation block comprises a zener diode (30) connected in series with the light emitting diode(s) (22, 24, . . .) between the input port (26) and the output port (28). In an alternate embodiment, the compensation block comprises one or more current diode(s) (60, 62, . . .

Abstract: This invention relates to an impulse generator which utilizes the properties of floating electrodes. An exemplary impulse generator comprises a floating electrode with a corona source, a series gap, an output terminal for connecting to a device undergoing electric impulse testing and a ground connection. The present invention generates an electric impulse signal for use in testing the impulse response or static electricity impulse response of an electronic circuit.

Abstract: A lighting circuit device of a discharge lamp for an automobile, has: a first circuit device for controlling lighting of the discharge lamp, the first circuit device including a microcomputer and an IC; and a second circuit device which is electrically connected to the first circuit device. At least one of the microcomputer and the IC controls the lighting of the discharge lamp according to a signal indicating a current and voltage intended for the discharge lamp, and the microcomputer generates information for driving the second circuit device on receiving internal or external information on the first circuit device.

Abstract: A discharge lamp driver is configured so that it can be operationally tested using a substitute impedance instead of a discharge lamp. The time required to functionally test the driver circuit with such a substituted non-discharge lamp load is considerably less than if an actual discharge lamp is used for such testing.

Abstract: A plurality of LEDs are divided into multiple groups with the LEDs in each group being connected in series and being driven by a single current source. A region to be illuminated is divided into many areas with no spacing between adjacent ones of the areas. The LEDs in each group are positioned in different areas such that each area includes many LEDs from different groups. If one of the current sources and/or one of the LEDs of one group breaks down, the broken current source and/or LED does not affect the current sources and/or LEDs of the other groups.

Abstract: A material such as a gas at an initial pressure below atmospheric is treated with RF energy at a frequency greater than 1 MHz to transition to a glow discharge state and then at increased pressure to a new state at which the average internal temperature is at least an order of magnitude higher than in the glow discharge state but the rate or radiating heat is at least an order of magnitude lower than in the glow discharge state. The new state can be maintained for a period of the order of at least tens of seconds and energy can be extracted through contacting the gas in the new state with a heat conducting body. In variations, the gas pressure need not be below atmospheric, materials in liquid and solid phases can be used in place of the gas, and energizers other than RF energy can be used, such as high-voltage discharges and high-energy particle beams.

Abstract: A power supply is plugged into an ordinary household electrical outlet and conditionally provides a high frequency current at a power receptacle operative to receive the power plug of an ordinary table lamp; which table lamp has a special fluorescent lamp screwed into its lamp socket. Provided the special fluorescent lamp is indeed screwed into the lamp socket, and provided the lamp'switch is in its ON position, the power supply does in fact supply high frequency current from its power receptacle; which high frequency current powers the special fluorescent lamp at a nominal power level, thereby to provide for high-efficacy luminous output. A storage battery contained within the power supply is kept fully charged by current derived from the power line voltage normally present at the electrical outlet and functions such as to cause high frequency current to be supplied from the output receptacle even if the power line voltage were to be disrupted.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of appliances in distributed arrangement, in particular lighting fittings, having a command generator (1), a receiver (10) associated with each appliance (40), a control line (2) which connects the command generator (1) to each receiver (10), and a first memory (20, 23) in each receiver (10) in which an operational address (A2) for the associated appliance (40) can be stored. A control part (30, 50) is provided in each receiver (10) by means of which the appliance (40) associated therewith (30, 50) can be controlled by the command generator (1) if it (30, 50) has first been activated by selection of the operational address (A2) of the appliance (40) associated therewith. The control system for appliances that are to be in distributed arrangement is intended to make a particularly simple initiation of operations possible.

Abstract: An insulator is applied to the ends of a fluorescent lamp which operates in a cold environment. The insulator retains the heat generated by the fluorescent lamp in order to reduce the energy which must be applied to cause the lamp to fire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved three-dimensional printed circuit board and a plastic housing for power conditioning electronics such as fluorescent lamp ballasts. The novel printed circuit board of the invention is a molded printed circuit board which is generally a rectangular parallelepiped having an upper relatively plain surface and a lower relatively plain surface but in addition having integral components thereon which extend for example above the upper relatively plain surface. Such integral components extending in this direction can be used for wire receptacles, module connectors and stand-offs. Suitable materials for the printed circuit board are thermoplastics such as polyarylate, polyethylene, terephthalate, polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyphenylene sulfone, polyether sulfur, polyether imide and modified polyphenylene oxide.

Abstract: An improved non-lighting fluorescent lamp substitute to replace one lamp in a two-lamp series connected circuit so that the circuit is completed through the remaining lamp allowing it to light, whereas without the lamp substitute, the circuit is incomplete if one lamp is removed and then the other lamp is unable to light. In one form, the device is wired into a light fixture, while in another form, it looks like a conventional fluorescent lamp and fits into the sockets of the fixture. Either form cuts power consumption substantially in half with a corresponding reduction in light output. The improvement is a triac in the device that limits the magnitude of the effective arc current by phase angle control to the original design current of the lamp and ballast in order to achieve the normally expected life of the lamp and ballast.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a display device having n display elements, where n is a positive integer greater than one, comprises a device for poviding a repetitive digital signal having a predetermined sequence of n digital values. The digital signal is converted to analog form in accordance with a predetermined transfer function and the resulting analog signal is compared with a second signal. A display enable signal is generated in the event that the magnitude of the analog signal bears a predetermined relationship to the magnitude of the second signal. A decoder circuit has a plurality of output terminals at which n distinct output signals, corresponding respectively to the n digital values, can be provided. The decoder circuit is responsive to the display enable signal for providing one of the n output signals when it receives the corresponding one of the n digital values.

Abstract: A liquid metal ion source is disclosed, wherein it comprises an ion emitter tip, ion source material holder means holding ion source material for supplying liquid metal ion source material to said ion emitter tip, ion extracting means for extracting ions from said ion emitter tip, when a voltage is applied between the ion extracting means and the ion emitter tip, the pulsing means for pulsing the relative voltage applied between the ion extracting means and the ion emitter tip. A DC voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage V.sub.th for ion beam extraction is applied between the ion emitter tip and the extracting electrode, what permits to extract an ion beam having a high current density by superposing a pulsed voltage on the DC voltage.

Abstract: A light source, which has a time varying chromatic output, back lights or front lights a plurality of liquid crystal displays disposed in a desired arrangement. Two different colors can be produced at two different times by using a fluorescent light as the light source. The fluorescent light is a sealed tube having a high vacuum with an insert gas therein for energization of the gas and a low pressure mercury vapor. The tube has a coating on the inner surface of the tube of at least one phosphor. Energization of the inert gas causes the low pressure mercury vapor to arc to produce light of a first color during a first time period with the light of the second color being produced solely from the phosphor coating upon the gas being deenergized during the second time period. Each of the liquid crystal displays can be activated during the first time period, the second time period, both time periods, or remain inactivated during both time periods.

Abstract: A touch-responsive socket for receiving an electric light bulb and controlling the power delivered to the bulb in response to the touching of an electrically-conductive member includes a housing with a touch-responsive electrical circuit disposed in it between a light socket shell and a mounting base. The mounting base is assembled from electrically dissimilar base portions. An electrically-nonconductive base portion provides support for power conductors and means for connecting the circuit to the conductors. An electrically-conductive base portion, which fits to the nonconductive base portion, provides electrical conductivity between a touch-control signal input to the touch-control circuit and an electrically-conductive member that is touched to control the illumination of an electric light bulb in the socket shell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for analyzing chemical substances and monitoring chemical reactions in which cuvettes on a turntable are rapidly scanned by light at test and reference wavelengths and intensity of the light after passage through the cuvettes monitored by a photodetector. The output of the photodetector is logically processed so that measurements can be made of the varying optical densities in the samples scanned.

Abstract: This light emitting element (24) constitutes a pixel a plurality of which when arranged in rows and columns may form a matrix display board.The element comprises one or more discharge tubes (10, 11, 12). For a board displaying images (textual or video) in color the internal wall of each tube is coated with a fluorescent substance which responds respectively to the red, green and blue portions of the spectrum. By independently varying the intensity of the light emitted by each tube light is obtained at the element output the resultant wavelength of which may extend over the entire visible spectrum.The invention finds use in a display board employed to convey information to crowds of people as for example in a sports stadium.

Abstract: A light adjustment and switch structure for artistic table lamps, applicable to a touch induction surface of the artistic table lamp socket, as the entire external surface of this socket is set as a touch induction surface made of a material having a good external appearance but with a low induction coefficient such as of ceramics, pottery, marble, glass, wood, plastics, acrylics, etc. . . . in order to make the design of the external appearance of the artistic table lamps not involve any serious considerations over factors such as the position and size of this switch.

Abstract: A switching circuit provides multi-way control of the connection of a relatively high current load to a source of power by the momentary closing of any one of a number of switches at remote locations. A control current in the milliampere range is fed to the remote switches at a voltage having either one of two levels, depending on whether the load is connected or not. An indicator which is sensitive to the voltage levels at each remote location shows the on/off status of the load connection.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus which is inserted in an electrical circuit, such as, for example, between an incandescent lamp and the socket therefor, to provide automatic disconnection or opening of the circuit after a predetermined time period and which includes an acoustically activated abort means to interrupt the disconnect cycles and means to reset the cycle for another predetermined time period. The apparatus may be installed, as mentioned, between an incandescent lamp and the socket therefor, installed in a common wall switch, incorporated into a common appliance receptacle or plugged into a common electrical outlet between the outlet and an electrical appliance or a lighting system.

Abstract: A thermionic fault current limiter utilizes either a vacuum or plasma environment for a plurality of spaced conduction electrodes. The electrode can be supported by insulative spacers with the electrode providing shadow shields for the supporting spacers. Electrode spacing, power density, temperature gradients, and control grids can be utilized for optimum operation and in establishing self-absorption of energy for a desired operating environment. Cesium desorption from the electrode surfaces can be utilized to enhance current termination.