Abstract: An aiming post light for artillery and mortar operations at night wherein an ordinary GI flashlight may be used, without modification, as a post light when mounted on a support and wherein its original ordinary lightbulb is replaced with a novel bulb of same base outer configuration in which the bulb has encapsulated solid state circuitry to provide a blinking and/or steady light emitting diode (LED) as the light source. Depending upon the particular LED and circuitry selected, the light may be continuous or intermittent and may be a selected color. In one embodiment several options are available when using a single bulb.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp having a plurality of columns positioned in a generally uniform manner within the lamp envelope, each column having an electron emissive cathode mounted therein connected to a cathode leadwire. An anode member connected to an anode leadwire extends to the upper portions of each column. A conductive starter member is mounted within each column so as to provide a first gap between one of its ends and the cathode and a second gap between the other of its ends and the associated anode extension. A D.C. voltage is applied to the anode and cathode leadwires, the D.C. voltage being obtainable from an external A.C. source via a suitable voltage rectifier/multiplier circuit which is positioned within the re-entrant stem member of the lamp.

Abstract: High-pressure-discharge (HID) sodium lamp has a starting aid comprising a plug-like ceramic member extending through the longitudinal wall of the arc tube proximate one of the lamp electrodes. The plug-like ceramic member is fused to the alumina arc tube and is electrically conductive by virtue of having embedded therein a small percentage of finely divided refractory metal. At least during lamp starting, the plug-like ceramic starting aid is electrically connected through a resistor to the opposite lamp electrode and, as a result, on application of energizing potential, a glow discharge is established between the interior surface of the plug-like ceramic member and the proximate lamp electrode to ionize the atmosphere within the arc tube to facilitate lamp starting.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug comprising a casing, a center electrode, a connector pin for the center electrode, and a plunger adapted to be axially displaced within the spark plug by the compression pressure as pressure builds in the cylinder, the plunger first closes a set of contacts in the spark plug causing current to flow in the primary side of an ignition coil, then closes a second set of contacts in the spark plug connecting the center electrode to the secondary side of the ignition coil, and finally opens the first set of contacts causing a large voltage to be induced in the secondary side which voltage is applied to the center electrode.

Abstract: In one preferred form of calculators, a multi-digit fluorescent display tube and an LSI semiconductor chip together are disposed on a printed circuit flexible film. More particularly, individual components of the multi-digit fluorescent display tube (that is, segmented anode electrodes, grid or accelerator electrodes and a directly heated type filament) and the LSI semiconductor chip are housed within a common package which in turn is disposed directly on the printed circuit flexible film. Connection between the fluorescent display tube and the LSI chip is accomplished by conductor leaves carried on the printed circuit flexible film. In addition, the printed circuit flexible film carries a plurality of stationary key contacts which constitute the keyboard of the calculators.

Abstract: A large area integrated solid-state flat panel display is detailed in which thin film transistor addressing and drive circuitry is provided at each individual picture point with a display medium. The preferred display medium is an electroluminescent phosphor layer. An insulating layer of laminated photoresist is disposed over all electrical circuit elements except the electroluminescent drive electrodes.

Abstract: A discharge lamp for connection to an associated alternating current power supply. The lamp is provided with two main electrodes and a starting electrode. Two diodes are connected in series, in cathode to anode relationship, between one associated AC power conductor and the starting electrode. In parallel with the diodes is a first capacitor. Connected to the junction between the diodes is a second capacitor which is connected on the other side thereof to a conductor from the other AC power conductor to the main lamp electrode remote from the starting electrode. In operation the second capacitor substantially changes its capacitance responsive to the temperature present with the lamp to effectively make the voltage doubler inoperative.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp where the arc tube has main electrodes and a starter electrode, there is provided a voltage doubling circuit comprising a diode and a capacitor connected in series across the input terminals. The circuit is poled to generate a positive potential at the junction of diode and capacitor which is coupled through a resistor to the starter electrode. Voltage doubling may be provided across the gap from starter to adjacent main electrode or from starter to remote main electrode to improve starting. Where the arc tube contains sodium, the positive potential may also be applied to the arc tube frame to reduce sodium loss by electrolysis.

Abstract: An improved electroluminescent display panel having an X-Y array of display elements upon a planar insulating substrate. Integral thin film transistor circuit elements and drive signal buses are interconnected on the panel with individual electroluminescent electrodes covering a large area of the panel to increase the active display area. The electroluminescent electrode is a multilevel electrode with a first level portion disposed on the insulated substrate, a second level electrode portion disposed over an insulative polymerized layer which covers the thin film circuit areas and the drive signal buses, and a connecting electrode portion which extends between the first and second level electrode portions.

Abstract: A jacketed high intensity discharge lamp utilizes a starter electrode voltage doubling circuit comprising a diode and a mica-dielectric capacitor which is electrically interposed between an inlead into the jacket and the frame side rod and forms an integral structural part of the frame which supports the arc tube. The starter electrode is resistively connected to the side rod to facilitate starting and the arrangement maintains a positive D.C. bias on the frame which reduces electrolysis of sodium through the arc tube walls.