Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a box or other viewer that accommodates one or more glass-inclusive samples and that is usable in a plurality of different configurations to facilitate evaluation of the sample(s) from indoor and outdoor viewing perspectives. The sample viewer is “convertible” between a transportation configuration and the indoor and outdoor viewing perspective configurations. For example, certain example embodiments may be used as glass-inclusive sample shipping and storage containers that transform into miniature mockup walls with little manual effort and with little risk of human viewers looking at glass the wrong way (e.g., a manner that would lead to a false impression of the visual aesthetic of the sample(s) therein). The glass-inclusive sample(s) may include one or more uncoated or coated glass sheets, insulated glass (IG) units, vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, laminated products, and/or the like.

Abstract: A plasma lamp system is described with the capability to tune the resonant frequency of the resonator of the plasma lamp system after the manufacturing process has been completed. The tuning method developed allows a simple low-cost approach to continuously tune the resonant frequency and set the desired frequency to an ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band or set the resonant frequency to optimize the performance of the system. The tuning ability of the resonator relaxes the tolerance required for the dimensions of the resonator reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the manufacturing yield of the plasma lamp.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method of switching more than one bias voltage within an electron beam tube in order to achieve electron beam cutoff. The invention is particularly useful for high-perveance electron tubes in which a large change in focus-electrode-to-cathode or anode-cathode voltage might otherwise be needed to achieve cutoff. In one embodiment of the invention, the cathode and anode bias voltages are both switched by magnitudes well within the capabilities of standard high-voltage switches to achieve beam cutoff.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for operating a fluorescent lamp with a first and a second filament, the circuit arrangement including a heater for the first and the second filament, wherein the circuit arrangement furthermore includes: an apparatus for storing at least one threshold value for at least one operational parameter of the fluorescent lamp; an apparatus for determining the value of the at least one operational parameter; and a control apparatus, which is configured to activate the heater for the first and the second filament for a predeterminable period of time in the event of the at least one threshold value for the at least one operational parameter being exceeded by the determined value of the at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: An electronic ballast has control circuitry to provide a pre-heating signal to the filaments of a gas discharge lamp for a predetermined length of time before the lamp is ignited and, further, cease providing the pre-heating signal after the lamp has been ignited.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp has an impedance element such as a capacitor connected to at least one electrode heater, to produce a heater impedance which falls within a range which is unique to lamps of that lamp type. An electronic ballast for operating such lamp has a lamp type detection circuit which measures the cold heater impedance and identifies the corresponding lamp type. The ballast may sample the heater circuit current to determine resistive and reactive components to aid in lamp type identification and to control heater warm-up. The ballast may include a separate inverter for heater power, and control heater power separate from arc power after lamp ignition.

Abstract: In a metal halide lamp having a ceramic, tubular discharge vessel (1), there is fitted outside on the discharge vessel an electrically conducting starting aid (11) which provides an inhomogeneous electric field strength. It comprises a metal wire which extends transverse to the axis and from the frame (8) out to the outer wall of the discharge vessel. It ends there approximately at the level of an electrode (2).

Abstract: A power supply system for an automobile vehicle headlight discharge lamp, the system including a DC/DC converter with a capacitor at its output, a DC/AC converter powered by the voltage across said capacitor, and a module for generating a high-voltage breakdown pulse designed to be connected in series with said discharge lamp to the output of the DC/AC converter, wherein it further includes a module for heating the electrodes of the discharge lamp design to be connected in series with the discharge lamp and the high-voltage pulse generator module and adapted to deliver, after the high-voltage breakdown pulse, a decreasing voltage which, at the terminals of said discharge lamp, is added to the voltage across the capacitor at the output of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-power control system for scanners. The method of the present invention has a mode of warm up time, which is controlled by a software that is embeded in a computer. Users can choose a mode of warm up time to control the warm up duration when a cathode ray tube needs. After scanning, users can determine whether the scanner is to operate or in standby status. When the user chooses the latter, the luminosity of the cathode ray tube is according to the user's pre-set. This multi-power control system not only can reduce the warm up time but also can be in harmony with the concept of enviromental protection.

Abstract: A solar lamp drive circuit is arranged to delay start-up while a current is supplied to the lamp filament to warm up the filament. During operation, the back e.m.f. induced in the lamp is sampled, and, if operating conditions deteriorate, the current to the filament is reapplied automatically and the power supply to the lamp increased.

Abstract: A variable color lighting device employs two gases having different ionization potentials and sealed in a lamp tube. A cathode and anode are disposed inside the lamp tube opposed to each other and connected to a power supply source for varying applied voltages thereto to vary light emitting ratio of the two gases for different color light generation, in accordance with the applied voltages. A variable color lighting can be realized at relatively low voltages with a simple and economical control circuit, and an increased light emission output can be attained to render the device utilizable as a main lighting source.

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: A short arc fluorescent lamp comprises an envelope having dimensions compatible with existing incandescent lamp luminaires. A radio frequency power supply, enclosed within the lamp base structure, reduces anode voltage drop to increase lamp efficacy. Cathode voltage drop and sputtering are reduced by compact hollow cathode assemblies, including centrally disposed filaments, which are positioned at opposite ends of a tubular envelope assembly having a large ratio of diameter to length. Diffuse cathode emission allows operation with low pressure, low atomic weight fill gas which further increases luminous efficiency.