Abstract: A lamp with a light-emitting unit, at least two separate contact modules and an electrical connection between the light-emitting unit and the contact modules, wherein each contact module has at least one electrical contact for connecting to a corresponding lampholder, is presented and described. So that other lamps can be operated safely as gas-discharge lamps in lampholders provided for them, it is envisaged that at least one protective device for prevention of electric shock is provided on at least one of the electrical contacts in a partially assembled state of the lamp in a corresponding lampholder, and that the protective device is designed to assume a deactivated position in the assembled state of the lamp and an activated position in the dismantled state of the lamp.

Abstract: A magnetron includes an anode with an anode casing at least partly surrounding the anode. A pair of permanent magnets on each side of the anode define an interaction region and create a magnetic circuit defining a magnetic field through the interaction region. A mass of magnetically permeable material is positioned in a vicinity of the magnetic circuit. The mass is arranged to be slidable over the anode casing. A locking device secures the position of the mass to set the strength of the magnetic field through the interaction region.

Abstract: One embodiment of a compact fluorescent lamp includes a circuit assembly comprising a rectifier, a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of ICs, a plurality of inductors, a transformer for converting AC to DC, a plurality of diodes, and a PCB; a CFL electrically connected to the circuit assembly; a shade for enclosing the CFL; and a housing for mounting the circuit assembly therein. The circuit assembly is operable when voltage variation is between 2.5 and 21 V. Further, the lamp can operate in one of three different power sources (e.g., DC power supply, electronic transformer, and electrical transformer).

Abstract: A replaceable fluorescent lamp starter unit of a fluorescent light fixture has a built-in RF transceiver, and communicates wirelessly with a motion-detecting master unit. The starter unit can be controlled to turn off and turn on the fluorescent lamp of the fixture. The starter unit is registered to the master unit so that the starter unit will not respond to wireless communications from other sources. During registration, registration information is loaded into the starter unit and stored in non-volatile memory. The stored registration information is later usable to determine whether subsequently received wireless communications are for the starter unit. Systems of existing light fixtures are retrofitted with such wireless starter units, and thereby made controllable by a master unit so that the master unit can turn off the lights to conserve energy if room occupancy is not detected. The master unit can control lamp fixtures individually or as a group.

Abstract: A glow starter comprises a discharge vessel, filled with a filling including a rare gas, substantially transmitting ultraviolet rays of about 300 nm or less. A pair of electrodes, which are arranged in the discharge vessel, is adapted and arranged to touch each other by being heated by a glow discharge. The glow starter may be used for a high pressure discharge lamp, a high pressure discharge lamp apparatus, or a lighting fixture.

Abstract: A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp 50 includes a fluorescent lamp 1 and a ballast circuit 2 for operating the fluorescent lamp. The ballast circuit 2 includes: a printed circuit board 6; a heat generating component 7 disposed on a first face 6a of the printed circuit board, which generates heat when the fluorescent lamp 1 is operated; and a semiconductor component 17 disposed on a second face 6b opposite to the first face 6a of the printed circuit board 6, and wherein the semiconductor component 17 is disposed in an area other than an area on the second face 6b corresponding to an area of the first face 6a where the heat generating component 7 is disposed.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp assembly that has a planar configuration with an open area defined within the lamp tube. A low profile, integral common housing encloses a ballast and a portion of the lamp structure within the open area of the lamp tube. The housing mechanically secures the lamp tube and contains an electrical connector allow the lamp electronics to plug into an electrical main. The electronics and the lamp are contained in a common structure so they can be used, handled, and discarded as a single unit.

Abstract: An assembly especially suitable for aquarium and desk lighting or other such arrangement requiring lighting of only a limited area is disclosed herein. This lighting assembly is composed of one or more miniature fluorescent lamps, reflector arrangement and cylindrical lens to provide lighting with a controllable degree of collimation. This lighting system can illuminate a desired area with light of multiple colors. Applications of this compact and energy efficient lighting system in aquarium and desk lighting are described. 1 Cross Reference to Related Applications U.S. Pat. No. Documents 3069579 December, 1962 Berg et al. 313/511. 3609343 September, 1971 Howlett 362/562. 3749901 July, 1973 Clough 362/562. 3819973 June, 1974 Hosford 313/498. 3908598 September, 1975 Jewson 119/267. 4516529 May, 1985 Lotito et al. 119/253. 5067059 November, 1991 Hwang 362/101. 5211469 May, 1993 Matthias et al. 362/101. 5353746 October, 1994 Del Rosario 119/266.

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 in the inside of 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 is similar with an incandescent lamp socket in outward form but the compact fluorescent lamp not having 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 having the ballast.

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.

Abstract: The system contains a quartz arc tube surrounding a gas tight envelope containing mercury, a metal halide, a rare earth gas and a pair of end to end spaced apart tungsten electrodes attached at a distal end to a molybdenum foil seal. A circuit is provided to generate an initial ignition voltage of 30,000 volts and thereafter, a circuit of 100-2,000 watts with a timer to automatically break and reconnect the circuit to provide a strobe light. A single driver actuates multiple lamps.

Abstract: A display includes a substrate and an emitter formed on the substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate to have a thickness slightly less than a height of the emitter above the planar surface and includes an opening formed about the emitter. The display also includes a conductive extraction grid formed on the first dielectric layer. The extraction grid includes an opening surrounding the emitter. The display further includes a second dielectric layer formed on the extraction grid and a focusing electrode formed on the second dielectric layer. The focusing electrode is electrically coupled to the emitter through an impedance element. The focusing electrode includes an opening formed above the apex. The focusing electrode provides enhanced focusing performance together with reduced circuit complexity, resulting in a superior display.

Abstract: In an electronic ballast comprising a fusistor for switching off the ballast if the mains supply current becomes too high, an NTC is arranged between the mains supply lines. A very reliable functioning of the fusistor is obtained thereby.

Abstract: A printed wiring board assembly for a compact fluorescent lamp unit that has a lamp portion and a base portion includes a first generally planar wiring board containing a first group of electronic components electrically connected to the lamp portion and a second generally planar wiring board containing a second group of electronic components electrically connected to the base portion. The first board is attached generally perpendicular to the second board and is in electrical communication with the second board.

Abstract: A discharge-lamp illumination circuit has a DC power supply circuit, a DC-AC conversion circuit, and a control circuit for controlling a voltage from the DC power supply circuit. The DC power supply circuit has a transformer and a first switching element connected in series with a primary coil of the transformer. The activation/deactivation of the first switching element is controlled by the control signal from the control circuit. The transformer is equipped with secondary coils equal in number with the discharge lamps. Each secondary coil is equipped with a second switching element whose activation or deactivation is controlled by a signal from the control circuit. The secondary coils provide different voltages by means of control of the second switching elements.

Abstract: This invention is for an improved high intensity discharge lighting fixture. The lighting fixture includes a ballast which is adapted to be connected to a source of electric power. A first high intensity discharge socket is electrically connected to the ballast. A second high intensity discharge socket is electrically connected in parallel to the first high intensity socket and the second high intensity discharge socket is connected to the ballast in parallel with the first high intensity discharge socket.

Abstract: A ballast for a compact fluorescent lamp includes a down-converter for operating the lamp with a DC current during stable operation and a charge pump for igniting the lamp. The converter includes an inductor and a first series circuit of a first diodie and a first switching element. An output capacitor shunts the lap terminals. The charge pump includes a second series circuit of second diodie and a second switching element coupled to the lamp terminals with the second diode polarized to prevent the discharge of the output capacitor when the second switching element is conductive. The inductor cooperates with the first and second diodes and the second switching element to build up the voltage across the outpout capacitor to the ignition voltage level of the lamp.

Abstract: An one-piece plastic protective enclosure is provided for a glow bulb used as a starter for a fluorescent lamp. The enclosure has a latching hinged lid, a partition wall to isolate the glow bulb leads, and integral strain relief. The glow bulb enclosure is mounted inside a ballast assembly and the glow bulb leads are ultrasonically welded to the ballast power supply wires.

Abstract: A protective device for a neutron tube including an ion source having an anode (2) which is brought to a positive potential relative to a cathode (3) by means of a source supply. An ion beam accelerated by means of an acceleration electrode (5) strikes a target (6) disposed on an insulating support (9) and brought to a negative potential supplied by an HT supply. The protective device includes electric elements (11, 12) limiting the tube current and/or the target voltage, which are made unalterable by enclosing them inside the neutron tube, so that any attempt to modify the electrical parameters determining the normal operating conditions of the tube necessitates the opening of the tube.

Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp, a circuit board assembly is provided within the base of the lamp. The circuit board assembly includes a circuit board having a plurality of conductive runs thereon, a lamp starter circuit and device electrically coupling the pins of the lamp base to the circuit board. The conductive runs have a concave cut-out portion located immediately adjacent the location where an electrical coupling lead is coupled (e.g. by soldering) to the runs. The concave cut-out portion prevents the circuit runs from lifting off from the circuit board when the electrical coupling lead is bent after being coupled to the circuit runs.

Abstract: In a fluorescent lamp, a starter assembly is disposed in a base of the lamp. The starter assembly includes a circuit board having conductive runs thereon and adapted to support therefrom lamp starter circuit components that are connected to these circuit runs. One or more electrodes of the lamp couple to the printed circuit board conductive runs. The circuit board assembly is supported in the base of the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp in which a rare gas and mercury are provided in an outer bulb, which in turn contains therein a plurality of bent inner tubes, each having an opening at an end and an electrode at the other end thereof. A starting probe is provided between the openings in the outer bulb. An operating circuit or starter is connected to the electrodes. Further, a starting probe circuit is connected to the starting probe to apply a high voltage to the starting probe at the time of ignition.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the initiation of plasma discharge inside a gaseous discharge tube, some form of pre-ionizing the gas is required. This invention describes a technique whereby a small but intense discharge region is created near the cathode of a d.c. discharge in order to generate the necessary electrons to initiate the formation of the main electrical discharge. It makes use of the high negative voltage that is applied on the discharge cathode with respect to the discharge anode. A third auxiliary pin electrode near the cathode is introduced into the discharge tube. It is connected on the outside to the anode through a resistor of a suitable value. In the presence of a high voltage across the main electrodes, corona discharge occurs near the auxiliary electrode. This leads to the formation of a small region of intense discharge between it and the cathode. The electron generated in this small discharge region would drift towards the anode under the high electric field between the main electrodes.

Abstract: A discharge lamp is provided with a starting aid in the form of a loop of conductive wire arranged around the discharge lamp arc tube and a novel spark gap. A conductive element is electrically connected between the loop and an insulating sleeve adapted to form a spark gap by means of the conductive element wrapped around an opening in the insulating sleeve. The opening can be in the form of a drilled hole or slot and the arrangement is particularly useful in the restricted confines of a sealed beam reflector lamp.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp in which a rare gas and mercury are provided in an outer bulb, which in turn contains therein a plurality of bent inner tubes, each having an opening at an end and an electrode at the other end thereof. A starting probe is provided between the openings in the outer bulb. An operating circuit or starter is connected to the electrodes. Further, a starting probe circuit is connected to the starting probe to apply a high voltage to the starting probe at the time of ignition.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp, for example a high pressure sodium or sodium halide lamp, which utilizes a refractory metal spiral with positive electric potential applied to it positioned around the arc tube to aid in starting and inhibit sodium migration through the arc tube during operation.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge tube disposed in an outer jacket; said discharge tube having electrodes and containing a filling comprising a starting rare gas composed primarily of xenon at a pressure from 40 to 200 Torr; means for starting said discharge tube comprising a glow starter comprising a pair of contacts spaced apart not more than 2.5 mm from each other, and containing a gas composed primarily of argon at a pressure of at least 7 Torr; the pressure in said glow starter (P.sub.g) being related to the pressure in the discharge tube (P.sub.i), according to the expression ##EQU1## and a starting electric conductor adapted to contact the discharge tube on starting thereof and to separate from the discharge tube after starting.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting device which includes a preheating type fluorescent discharge tube and as the ballast thereof an incandescent bulb. The fluorescent lighting device is ignited by the use of a pulse transformer and a neon tube. A semiconductor element may be used in place of the neon tube.

Abstract: A high-pressure sodium vapor discharge lamp which is provided with a discharge tube and an outer envelope which envelopes this tube.In accordance with the improvement there are disposed in the space between the discharge tube and the outer envelope both a capacitor and a glow discharge starter which are both in parallel with the discharge tube. Consequently an external lamp starter is superfluous. In addition the lamp base may be relatively small.