Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/56)
  • Patent number: 7327093
    Abstract: An external electrode surface emission fluorescent lamp for LCD backlighting includes (a) a serpentine-shaped upper sheet having a section for maximizing brightness uniformity within a predetermined distance from its surface; (b) a plate-shaped lower sheet combined with the upper sheet to form mutually connected channels; (c) external electrodes installed on surfaces of both ends of the upper sheet; and (d) auxiliary electrodes installed along the surface of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignees: Mirae Corporation, Math Bright Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Wook Hur, Jong-Lee Park, Hwan-Woong Lee, Sung-Kyoo Lim
  • Patent number: 7298088
    Abstract: This invention aims at providing a low-pressure mercury lamp having an improved luminous efficiency while maintaining the compactness and long life of the arc tube. This lamp comprises an arc tube formed by bending a glass tube. This arc tube is formed into a double-spiral structure comprising: a turning part located in substantially the midsection from both ends of the glass tube; a first spiral part starting from one of the ends and spiraling around the pivotal axis to reach the turning part; and a second spiral part starting from the turning part and spiraling around the pivotal axis to the other end. The glass tube has a circular shape in cross section with 7.4 mm inner diameter. This low-pressure mercury lamp is a 12 W lamp alternative to a 60 W incandescent lamp, and the bulb wall loading under steady state illumination is set at 0.103 W/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Iida, Akiko Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20070262721
    Abstract: A composite ignition device includes a positive electrode having a tip formed thereon that is bonded to a first insulator to form a firing cone assembly. A second insulator having a negative capacitive element embedded therein is attached to the firing cone assembly. A positive capacitive element is disposed in the second insulator and is separated from the negative capacitive element by the second insulator. The positive capacitive element is coupled to the positive electrode. The positive and negative capacitive elements form a capacitor. A resistor is coupled to the positive capacitive element. An electrical connector is coupled to the resistor and attached to the second insulator. A shell includign a negative electrode having a tip is attached to the second insulator and the firing core assembly and coupled to the negative capacitive element. The negative electrode tip is spaced apart from the positive electrode tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: ENERPULSE, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Louis S. Camilli
  • Patent number: 7279843
    Abstract: An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Stephen J. McPhilliamy, Christopher Houghton
  • Patent number: 7262554
    Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a lamp voltage conversion circuit within the lamp and connected to a lamp terminal, where the voltage conversion circuit converts a first line voltage at the lamp terminal to a second RMS load voltage usable by a light emitting element of the lamp. The voltage conversion circuit includes a triac phase-controlled dimming circuit, which in turn includes a hysteresis control network. The voltage conversion circuit may be an integrated circuit that is in the lamp base and connected between the lamp terminal and the light emitting element. The triac phase-controlled dimming circuit may be built for a specific line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ballenger, George B. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 7256547
    Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor and a ballast choke of a lighting circuit, are disposed on a first face of a circuit board facing a base, and a one-package switch of the lighting circuit is disposed on a second face, facing a fluorescent lamp. The one-package switch comprises field effect transistors contained in a single package and serve as two inverter switches for driving the fluorescent lamp. The one-package switch is a generally rectangular SMD with dimensions of not more than 6 mm respectively in length and width and mounted on the second face of the circuit board by means of terminals of the one-package switch. The one-package switch enhances heat dissipation properties of the circuit, enables the reduction of its dimensions, and increases the mounting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Toshiyuki Hiraoka, Shinya Hakuta, Tsutomu Araki, Shinichiro Matsumoto, Mari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7227309
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal halide lamp in which the change of the color temperature is suppressed regardless of the orientation of the light emitting bulb in use. The metal halide lamp includes a light emitting bulb of translucent ceramics that includes a light emitting portion and tubular portions that are connected to the light emitting portion. The light emitting portion includes a liquid holding portion on the inner surface of the light emitting portion so as to hold a liquefied substance that moves on the inner surface toward one of the tubular portions. The internal diameter d of the light emitting bulb at the liquid holding portion satisfies 0.4D<d<0.7D, where D is an internal diameter of the light emitting bulb at the maximum internal diameter portion of the light emitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Horibe, Yoshiharu Nishiura, Shunsuke Kakisaka
  • Patent number: 7224130
    Abstract: A method of operating a lamp that has a power controller connected between a terminal and a light emitting element that converts the line voltage to an RMS load voltage. An input to an analog control block is provided in the controller that is independent of a change in magnitude of the line voltage. A trigger signal from the analog control block is provided at a first frequency by charging and discharging a capacitor in the analog control block that receives the input. An initial condition of the analog control block is resetted periodically. A sync signal synchronizes the trigger signal with a waveform of the line voltage. A load voltage is clipped based on the synchronized trigger signal to define the RMS load voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ballenger, Ernest C. Weyhrauch
  • Patent number: 7218054
    Abstract: A lamp which includes a fixed phase power controller connected between a terminal and a light emitting element converts line voltage to an RMS load voltage. The controller has an analog control block that receives an input that is independent of a change in magnitude of the line voltage and that charges and discharges to provide a trigger signal at a first frequency, a reset circuit that periodically resets an initial condition of said analog control block, a synchronization connection that provides a sync signal that synchronizes the trigger signal with a waveform of the line voltage, and a control circuit that is connected to said terminal and to said analog control block and that clips a load voltage based on the synchronized trigger signal to define the RMS load voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ballenger, Ernest C. Weyhrauch
  • Patent number: 7202614
    Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for a handheld fluorescent task lamp, comprising a self-starting electronic driver circuit operated by a power supply and operable to start and run at least first and second compact fluorescent bulbs from a single output; first and second receptacles for connecting the first and second bulbs to the single output; and a bulb accommodation circuit in the electronic driver circuit that enables operation of the electronic ballast circuit with either starter or non-starter type fluorescent bulbs and with either one or both bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bayco Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Newton, Robert Lee Ellis
  • Patent number: 7193374
    Abstract: An LCD apparatus includes a light source generating light, a driver circuit and an LCD panel. The driver circuit includes a driving voltage control section and a driving voltage generating section. The driving voltage control section senses an environmental temperature and outputs a control signal having a level which is adjusted based on a comparison of the environmental temperature to a reference temperature. The driving voltage generating section is electrically connected to the driving voltage control and generates a driving voltage based on the control signal. The LCD panel displays an image by using the light generated from the light source. Channeling that induces deterioration of display quality is prevented by adjusting an operating frequency of the light source according to the environmental temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeon-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 7161302
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a fluorescent lamp 4 and a main body 1 for attaching the fluorescent lamp 4 thereto. The main body 1 is provided with a socket assembly 6 for the attachment of the fluorescent lamp 4, and an electronic ballast 7 for operating the fluorescent lamp 4 at dimmed levels (as well as at the full light level). The fluorescent lamp 4 is composed of a discharge tube formed of four U-shaped glass tubes that are connected together to form a square in plan view. Each glass tube has an inner diameter of 13.5 mm, and the discharge tube is filled with a rare gas containing neon and argon (at 50:50 ratio by volume).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Myojo, Akio Kitada, Tadashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7131742
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of lamps alternately arranged on at least two regions of a light emission surface, wherein each lamp has a length substantially shorter than that of the light emission surface, first, second, and third supports spaced apart from one another, wherein each support has a matching shape for mounting the lamps, a bottom support supporting the first, second, and third supports, and first, second, and third common electrodes respectively attached on the first, second, and third supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Min Moon
  • Patent number: 7109664
    Abstract: This invention concerns a LED light which emits blaze-like radiance comprising a negative prop stand, with one end extending to a negative receiver which can connect to the negative power supply, a positive prop stand with one end extending to a positive receiver which can connect to the positive power supply, a first chip and a second chip established on the negative prop stand, and the first chip is linked to the positive prop stand by a first gold wire, a flicker IC chip established on the positive prop stand, and has the function of continuous linking and breaking of the circuit, the said flicker IC chip is linked to the negative prop stand and the second chip each by a second gold wire and a third gold wire, a plastic sealing cover which covers the interior of the negative prop stand, the positive prop stand, the first chip, the second chip, and the flicker IC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Tsu-Yeh Wu
  • Patent number: 7095163
    Abstract: A lamp capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation (9), for example visible, IR or UV radiation, exploiting the activation of substances (4) triggered with an antenna (6) irradiating microwaves (8) located inside and insulated, in focal position. Advantageously, the substances (4) are put into a chamber (3) obtained by introduction of a first bulb (1) in a second bulb, in order to form the chamber (3) closed between the walls of the first (1) and of the second bulb (2), the walls of the first bulb defining the recess (5) which houses the antenna (6). A better energy efficiency and a better economy is obtained with respect to the conventional techniques which require introduction of the lamp in a metal vessel crossed by microwaves, or under external microwaves beams. It belongs to the category of lamps without electrodes, because the atoms or the other particles that emit the radiation (8) are neither in contact with the antenna nor with other metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: CNR Cosiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
    Inventor: Iginio Longo
  • Patent number: 7067981
    Abstract: A compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp which is equivalent to a typical light bulb is provided. The self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes a cover, a lighting circuit, an arc tube, a base and a globe and formed into a shape whose outline dimensions are nearly identical to the standard dimensions of a typical light bulb. The arc tube is comprised of a plurality of U-shaped bent bulbs which have an inner tube diameter ranging from 6 to 9 mm and arranged in parallel with one another. Having a bulb height ranging from 50 to 60 mm and a discharge path from 200 to 300 mm long, the arc tube is designed such that the total luminous flux is not less than 700 lm with a lamp efficiency of not less than 60 lm/W when the lamp is lit at the lamp power of 7 to 15 W. An envelope comprising the cover and the globe has a height ranging from 110 to 125 mm including the height of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishio, Toshiya Tanaka, Takayuki Fujita, Takeo Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7064490
    Abstract: A bulb type electrodeless discharge lamp, comprising a recessed part (102), wherein the maximum diameter of a light emitting tube (101) is 60 to 90 mm and the tube wall load of the light emitting tube (101) is 0.07 to 0.11 W/cm2, and a relation between the diameter Dc of the recessed part (102) and an interval ?h between the top of the recessed part (102) and the top part of the light emitting tube (101) meets the requirement of ?h?1.15×Dc+1.25 [mm].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Takeshi Arakawa, Akira Hochi, Koichi Katase, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7053554
    Abstract: A bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp with an emission bulb having a bent tube and a lighting device having a circuit board and electronic parts mounted on the circuit board. The lighting device has a cover member with a cap and a holder for holding the emission bulb and the circuit board has a great part of its electronic parts disposed on the cap side. The lighting device has a fine tube that extends from the end of a portion of the bent tube toward the cap side within the cover member, and protrudes so that the surface temperature of a portion of said fine tube is kept in the range between 40–70°C. at the time of normal lighting and/or the fine tube extending from the end of the bent tube toward the cap side within the cover member protrudes from the end of said bent tube by 25–70 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Yasuda, Kunihiko Ikada, Toshiyuki Ikeda, Yuichiro Takahara, Tetsuya Oono, Nobuhiro Tamura, Masahiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 7042158
    Abstract: A compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp which is equivalent to a typical light bulb is provided. The self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes a cover, a lighting circuit, an arc tube-a base and a globe and formed into a shape whose outline dimensions are nearly identical to the standard dimensions of a typical light bulb. The arc tube is comprised of a plurality of U-shaped bent bulbs which have an inner tube diameter ranging from 6 to 9 mm and arranged in parallel with one another. Having a bulb height ranging from 50 to 60 mm and a discharge path from 200 to 300 mm long, the arc tube is designed such that the total luminous flux is not less than 700 lm with a lamp efficiency of not less than 60 lm/W when the lamp is lit at the lamp power of 7 to 15 W. An envelope comprising the cover and the globe has a height ranging from 110 to 125 mm, including the height of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishio, Toshiya Tanaka, Takayuki Fujita, Takeo Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7005803
    Abstract: An illuminator capable of increasing the service life of discharge tubes, includes a pair of an ultraviolet light-emitting discharge tube and a white visible light-emitting discharge tube that are alternately and periodically placed in a lighted state and an unlighted state, such that a state of illumination using only one of the discharge tubes is realized in at least part of a time domain during the repetition period. The illuminator includes a hot-cathode tube used for at least one of the discharge tubes, the hot-cathode tube being arranged in a state where a heating power supply for heating filaments, and an illuminating power supply for enabling motion of thermoelectrons within the hot-cathode tube and at the same time periodic repetition of the lighted state and unlighted state, are capable of executing and interrupting application of voltage, independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Digital Alliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Abiko
  • Patent number: 7005802
    Abstract: Kits and methods and apparatus are provided for retrofitting a lamp for use with a modular lamp controller. In a representative embodiment, a kit includes a port connector, a first portion of a port adapter, a second portion of a port adapter, and a lock nut. The port connector is configured to accept a plug of the modular lamp controller. The first portion of a port adapter has a threaded section. The second portion of the port adapter has a threaded section. The first and second portions are configured to be placed in opposing relation about the port connector to securely surround the port connector while fitting into an opening within a fixture of the lamp. The lock nut screws onto the threaded sections of the first and second portions of the port adapter while placed in opposing relation surrounding the port connector to secure the port adapter and port connector within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas D. Myron, Jonathan D. Williams, R. Kurt Bender, Robert A. Martin
  • Patent number: 6984932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge lamp having a base plate and a cover which is arranged in an essentially parallel manner thereto and which is corrugated in order to enable light to exit in a homogeneous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Lothar Hitzschke, Frank Vollkommer
  • Patent number: 6927539
    Abstract: An ultra-high pressure high pressure discharge lamp device in which the lamp voltage and the distance between the lamp electrodes can be kept stable is achieved by an operating device supplying an alternating current with rectangular waves to the discharge lamp and control is exercised such that a lower boundary value is set and the operating voltage is increased by reducing the operating frequency of the discharge lamp by a given amount, when the operating voltage of the discharge lamp is below the set lower boundary value. Furthermore, control can also be exercised in such a way that an upper boundary value is set and the operating voltage is reduced by increasing the operating frequency of the discharge lamp by a given amount when the operating voltage of the discharge lamp exceeds the set upper boundary value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Arimoto, Yoshikazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6924599
    Abstract: In order to improve the starting of a dielectric barrier discharge lamp it is proposed to provide elements for igniting an auxiliary discharge inside the exhaust tube (5) of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhaud-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Döll, Wolfgang Kumpf, Joseph-A. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6922018
    Abstract: A high intensity light source arrangement, which can prolong the service life span of the high intensity light source arrangement by better dissipating and reducing the heat generated, includes a luminary unit comprising a luminary circuit, at least a terminal electrically connected to the luminary circuit, and at least a luminary element adapted for electrifying with the terminal to emit light; a heat dissipation unit supporting the luminary unit and dissipating heat generated from the luminary unit; and a base housing for supporting the heat dissipation unit thereon including an electric input connector electrically connecting to the luminary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventors: Long Bao Zhang, Hai Liao
  • Patent number: 6906465
    Abstract: A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp (10) that comprises a housing (12) formed to contain a ballast. The housing (12) has a top surface (14) with openings (16) leading from the exterior of the housing (12) to the interior. The openings (16) can be in the form of raised bosses having upstanding walls (16a). A restricted portion (18), which can take the form of a flange, is formed with the opening (16) and a safe end-of-life enabling device (20) is positioned in the opening (16) and in contact with the restricted portion (18). The safe end-of-life device (20) is tubular, has low thermal conductivity and in preferred forms of the invention is a glass such as quartz or a ceramic such as aluminum oxide. The ends (22) of a fluorescent lamp (24) penetrate the tubular end-of-life device (20) and extend into the interior of the housing for suitable connection to an enclosed electronic ballast. A retainer (26) is positioned opposite the restricted portion for maintaining the end-of-life device within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Cavallaro
  • Patent number: 6888315
    Abstract: A lamp, comprising a base of the lamp configured with a wireless transmission component. The wireless transmission component is adapted to having an electric circuit enabled to implement wireless signal reception\transmission. A power cord is connected to a power supply circuit of the electric circuit. An aerial circuit of the electric circuit is connected to a metal stand of the lamp or to a metal frame of a lampshade, therewith enabling a connection to be made between a signal transmission port of the wireless transmission component and wired network equipment. Furthermore, the lamp is structured such to implement wireless signal transmission through linking the wireless transmission component with equipment having a wireless network card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Po-Sen Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6883941
    Abstract: A landscape light fixture to illuminate aesthetically desirable lighting. The landscape light fixture includes a ballast housing, a shroud, a light bulb, a lens, and a power cord with a connector. The landscape light fixture may also include a neck, a pivot, at least one mounting element, and at least one spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Steven B. Cutting
  • Patent number: 6867548
    Abstract: A discharge device is described that contains an anode, a cathode, and an insulating layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. A cavity is extends entirely through at least one of the anode or cathode and penetrates the dielectric layer. At least one of the anode or cathode may include a screen or the dielectric layer may have a plurality of films with at least two different dielectric constants. The voltage differences between the anode and cathode in each of multiple devices electrically connected together may be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: J. Gary Eden, Sung-Jin Park, Clark J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6864635
    Abstract: A ballast socket for compact fluorescent lamp is disclosed. The ballast socket includes: a case having an upper case, which has a receiving space for receiving a lamp and a connection terminal connected with the lamp at a side of the receiving space, and a lower case, which has a through hole at a lower center of the upper case; a controller mounted inside the case for controlling lighting of the lamp; pins for connecting PCB and the connection terminal; and a printed circuit board on which various circuit components are mounted. The ballast socket looks similar to an incandescent lamp socket in outward form, but the compact fluorescent lamp, which does not have ballast, is used in the ballast socket. Therefore, the ballast socket prevents waste of resources and environmental pollution by saving electricity, and improves productivity of the lamp by manufacturing the lamp not adhering ballast thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Dai Sung Moon
  • Publication number: 20040251838
    Abstract: A rapid assembled and detached structure of a lamp comprises a retaining seat, a lamp seat and a connector. The receiving hole is formed in the retaining seat. A bottom end of the receiving hole is mounted with a conductive receptacle. An outer side of the retaining seat is installed with an embedding hole. A lamp seat at a lower end of the retaining seat. A center of the lamp seat has a locating hole. After the retaining seat is installed in the locating hole of the lamp seat. The embedding hole of the retaining seat is communicable to the through hole of the lamp seat. A connector is received in the retaining seat. A bottom end of the connector has a conductive plug capable of being inserted into the receptacle. A receiving groove is formed on the connector and a reed is locked to the receiving groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 6812645
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 6802627
    Abstract: A directional luminaire having a door frame, a lamp shroud, and a lampholder socket attached to a luminaire structure. The luminaire is wired, either directly or indirectly, to provide an electrical connection to a lampholder socket configured to receive a lamp. The lamp shroud has an opening from which the light output is directed. Further, the rim edge of the lamp shroud and retaining lip of the door frame interact to permit substantially complete rotation of the lamp shroud and lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jerry F. Fischer, Larry A. Akers
  • Patent number: 6796688
    Abstract: A waterproof Christmas light bulb includes a connection tube formed on top of the socket and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the socket so that a step is formed at a joint between the socket and the connection tube. A bulb is partially received in the connection tube. Two wires are oppositely formed on a side of the bulb, and a dividing plate is integrally formed on a bottom of the bulb. An O ring rests on and is supported by the step. An enclosure is securely connected to the connection tube by a securing device so that the O ring is securely clamped between the enclosure and the step of the socket to complete a waterproof engagement between the enclosure and the socket. A plug is received in the socket to have a waterproof engagement with the cables and the inner periphery of the hollow socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Shining Blick Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Hao Huang
  • Publication number: 20040178733
    Abstract: An emission device for an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp which maintains an electrode tip shape by which a stable discharge can always be carried out is achieved for a short arc ultra-high pressure mercury lamp with silica glass arc tube containing a pair of opposed electrodes spaced apart a distance of at most 2 mm and in which the arc tube is filled with at least 0.15 mg/mm3 of mercury, a rare gas and a halogen in the range from 1×10−6 &mgr;mole/mm3 to 1×10−2 &mgr;mole/mm3; by providing an operating device which produces a current feed by which the surface of the tip of at least one of the electrodes is shifted into a molten state during lamp operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Tukamoto, Yoshikazu Suzuki, Tomoyoshi Arimoto
  • Patent number: 6791271
    Abstract: The present invention provides a long-life discharge lamp by removing the causes of lowering the service life of the discharge lamp owing to quartz glass constituting the discharge lamp and a gas sealed therein, and also provides a discharge lamp production method wherein the mixing of impurities affecting the service life of the discharge lamp is prevented. In the discharge lamp the content of hydrogen, oxygen and their compounds existing in the light-emitting portion is such that the maximum intensity of the light-emitting spectral intensities of the above impurities is {fraction (1/1000)} or less of the intensity of the main light-emitting spectrum of the noble gas when glow discharge occurs by supplying a current of 3 mA, and also the content of OH groups included in the quartz glass of the sealing portions is 5 ppm or less by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Horiuchi, Makoto Kai, Mamoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 6791272
    Abstract: A bent fluorescent lamp for backlighting a display providing uniform illumination. A fluorescent lamp is made from a tubular glass envelope having right angles. The right angles provide improved illumination of a plane surface for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The right angles eliminate dark regions in the illuminated surface. An electrode is positioned sufficiently far from a central portion of the lamp so that any dark spaces in the gas discharge of the fluorescent lamp, such as the Faraday dark space associated with a cathode of a lamp are not formed within the central portion. The central portion of the fluorescent lamp has a uniform brightness or intensity for backlighting a liquid crystal display. A method of forming a right-angled bend in a glass tube is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: LCD Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Sauska, Arpad Pirovic
  • Patent number: 6781315
    Abstract: A compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp (10) which is equivalent to a typical light bulb is provided The self-ballasted fluorescent lamp (10) includes a cover (14), a lighting circuit (16), an arc tube (18), a base (12) and a globe (17) and formed into a shape whose outline dimensions are nearly identical to the standard dimensions of a typical light bulb. The arc tube (18) is comprised of a plurality of U-shaped bent bulbs (31) which have an inner tube diameter ranging from 6 to 9 mm and arranged in parallel with one another. Having a bulb height ranging from 50 to 60 mm and a discharge path from 200 to 300 mm long, the arc tube (18) is designed such that the total luminous flux is not less than 700 lm with a lamp efficiency of not less than 60 lm/W when the lamp is lit at the lamp power of 7 to 15 W. An envelope (19) comprising the cover (14) and the globe (17) has a height ranging from 110 to 125 mm, including the height of the base (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nishio, Toshiya Tanaka, Takayuki Fujita, Takeo Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20040155598
    Abstract: A discharge units comprises a transparent envelope filled with a discharge gas containing mercury, and electrodes for exciting the gases by applying an electric field. It has been found that if, apart from the mercury vapour, the gas is about 99% argon and of the order of 0.1-1% krypton then the proportion of near-visible UV lines is increased, in relation to the 254-nm line, particularly if pulsed excitation is used. This increases the efficiency of the lamp when used to excite visible phosphors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robin Devonshire, Spyridon Kitsinelis
  • Publication number: 20040155590
    Abstract: An image projection lighting device is disclosed comprising a base housing, a yoke, and a lamp housing. The base housing may include or have located therein, a processing system and a communications port. The lamp housing may include or have located therein, a video projector, an antireflective aperture, a cooling system, and an air filter system. The image projection lighting device may further include a multicolor video display device, which may display a signal indicating a service alert, such as a filter service alert. Service information, concerning the image projection lighting device, may be transmitted by the image projection lighting device from the communications port to a central controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 6774563
    Abstract: A support device is provided for use with an electric lamp having a sealed outer envelope that encloses an environment, and a lamp capsule and end-of-life device positioned within such environment. The support device serves to support the lamp capsule and the end-of-life device within the outer envelope. The end-of-life device is electrically connected in series with the lamp circuit through the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Kling
  • Patent number: 6771024
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes two glass outer tubes (6, 7), a bridge junction (8), and first glass inner tubes (9, 10). One end of each of the glass outer tubes is closed, and the other end is sealed with stems (4, 5) for supporting electrodes (13). A phosphor is applied to the inside surface of each of the glass outer tubes. The bridge junction connects the glass outer tubes at the other end portion to form a discharge space inside the glass outer tubes. The first glass inner tubes are provided in the glass outer tubes, respectively. A phosphor is applied to the surface of each of the first glass inner tubes. One end of each of the first glass inner tubes is open and disposed at the closed ends of the glass outer tubes, and the other end is sealed with the tips of the stems so that the electrodes are positioned in the first glass inner tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric-Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sudou, Toshiyoshi Oga, Masaru Saitoh, Toshifumi Kondoh
  • Patent number: 6767108
    Abstract: A non-lethal flash grenade includes a transparent, generally cylindrical housing; a layer of flash lamps disposed in the housing; an ignition circuit connected to a first centrally located flash lamp in the layer of flash lamps; a battery connected to the ignition circuit; and a variable time delay switch connected to the ignition circuit; whereby the first centrally located flash lamp is activated by the ignition circuit and remaining flash lamps are sympathetically activated by a flash of the first centrally located flash lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas J. Blachowski, Phillip R. Sturgill, David A. Culhane, Peter P. Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 6762558
    Abstract: Low-pressure gas discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel (1) enclosing a discharge space provided with a gas filling in a gastight manner, the discharge vessel (1) having tubular end portions each with a capacitive coupling element (2) made from an electrically insulating material for producing and maintaining a discharge in the discharge space. The lamp is structurally confined to prevent the occurrence of (hair) cracks in a wall of the discharge vessel as a result of piezoelectric properties of the electrically insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Bauke Jacob Roelevink
  • Patent number: 6750613
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a fluorescent lamp 4 and a main body 1 for attaching the fluorescent lamp 4 thereto. The main body 1 is provided with a socket assembly 6 for the attachment of the fluorescent lamp 4, and an electronic ballast 7 for operating the fluorescent lamp 4 at dimmed levels (as well as at the full light level). The fluorescent lamp 4 is composed of a discharge tube formed of four U-shaped glass tubes that are connected together to form a square in plan view. Each glass tube has an inner diameter of 13.5 mm, and the discharge tube is filled with a rare gas containing neon and argon (at 50:50 ratio by volume). When operating the fluorescent lamp 4 at the full light level, the electronic ballast 7 applies the nominal lamp current of 0.43 A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Myojo, Akio Kitada, Tadashi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20040108821
    Abstract: A compound color LED comprises a light-and-off controller IC, a plurality of different colored mini-LEDs, and a variable resistor; each of the components is installed into a transparent light body of a LED of regular size, and the light-and-off controller IC is driven by using a direct current of low voltage between 3˜4.5V, and the output of the light-and-off controller IC controls each mini-LED to produce the on and off lighting effect, so that the lamp of the present invention emits colorful light with glistering variation to attain the effect of producing a variety of colored light by means of a single common LED lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Ning Tang
  • Publication number: 20040108822
    Abstract: A light emitting device for optic fiber decoration, comprising a flash control IC, a plurality of different colored LED's, a variable resistor and a light-sensitive resistor, driven by 4.5V DC voltage to control the flash control IC, with output from the flash control IC controlling each LED to produce alternated and gradually changing flashing lights. Each LED projects lights into the optic fiber, producing romantic light changes to the optic fiber decoration. The invention can be used to replace the light-emitting device, including light bulbs, a motor, color discs and such sophisticated structures in a conventional optic fiber decoration, for the effects of safer use, more energy saving and higher efficiency than conventional types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Ning Tang
  • Patent number: 6744210
    Abstract: A system for enabling successful use of HID lamps in aircraft, including in particular high power lamps for use as landing lights and taxi lights, utilizes a sealed beam HID lamp which during normal operation has an external temperature considerably lower than the external temperature of a quartz halogen or incandescent sealed beam lamp of equivalent light output. The lower external temperature arises in part from the use of a gas fill in the sealed beam. A detector is provided to monitor the seal integrity of the sealed beam HID lamp and further to provide a response to seal failure resulting in disablement of the lamp. Exemplary ways for accomplishing seal failure detection include radioactive detection, pressure monitoring, and chemical sensing, or other ways wherein detection of a failed seal is followed by an electrical output used to terminate or preclude lamp operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Petrick
  • Patent number: 6741034
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that comprises a hollow arc discharge light source having a center arc chamber containing an arc generating and sustaining medium and first and second ends with an electrode receiving capillary extending from each end and arrayed along a longitudinal axis. The ends are cylindrical in cross-section. An electrode structure is positioned in each of the capillaries and each of these electrode structures comprises a proximal electrode end projecting into the interior of the center arc chamber, a distal end projecting exteriorly of said capillary and an intermediate section therebetween. A first area of the intermediate section is sealed to the capillary in an hermetic manner and a second area of the intermediate section is exposed to the medium. A tubular shroud surrounds the light source and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The shroud has two ends. A pair of spring clips, one at each end of said shroud, mount the light source within the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Scholz
  • Patent number: 6736526
    Abstract: To provide a bulb-type lamp in which a globe is fixed to a case without a tilt, and a manufacturing method for the bulb-type lamp. The globe is bonded to a connector using a thermosetting resin, in a state where a neck part of the globe is inserted in a groove of the connector without contacting the bottom of the groove. The connector is then fixed to the case by means of a fitting construction. This makes it unnecessary to perform a heating process to cure an adhesive after an envelope is formed by the globe and the case. Hence the tilting of the globe caused by the thermal expansion of air in the envelope can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Matsuba, Yoshinori Kakuno