Abstract: A light emitting diode driving integrated circuit with a multi-step current setting function includes a regulator circuit, a variable resistor circuit, and a current generation unit. The regulator circuit provides a supply voltage to a first terminal of at least one series of light emitting diodes to drive the at least one series of light emitting diodes, and regulates a second terminal voltage of the at least one series of light emitting diodes to a target voltage. The variable resistor circuit is used for changing a resistance of the variable resistor circuit in a plurality of steps according to a switching signal. The current generation unit is coupled to the variable resistor circuit for changing current flowing through the at least one series of light emitting diodes in a plurality of steps according to a reference voltage and variation of the resistance of the variable resistor circuit.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an incandescent lighting system and a method. A described system includes a gas filled and sealed glass envelope. The system includes at least two filaments enclosed within the glass envelope. Each filament of the at least two filaments is configured to generate light in response to a flow of electric current. The system includes a controller circuit configured to manage the at least two filaments in response to a filament management schedule. The filament management schedule includes managing the respective flow of electric current through each filament of the at least two filaments. In an embodiment, the schedule includes managing the respective flow of electric current through each filament of the at least two filaments so that not all of the at least two filaments generate light at any one time.

Abstract: A LED lamp that includes a LED lamp controller with delayed startup after a fault condition is detected. The type of the fault condition is used in determining a length of the startup delay, such as a number of power cycles during which the LED lamp controller is prevented from completing its configuration. Examples of different types of fault conditions include faults in a supply voltage or faults in a feedback voltage to the LED lamp controller. Fault type information can also be stored in circuitry that retains data and is not reset across the power cycles.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an incandescent lighting system and a method. A described system includes a gas filled and sealed glass envelope. The system includes a gas filled glass envelope. The system includes at least two filaments enclosed within the glass envelope. Each filament of the at least two filaments is configured to generate visible light in response to a flow of electric current. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an aspect of a filament of the at least two filaments and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the aspect. The system includes a controller circuit configured to manage the at least two filaments in response to a filament management schedule. The filament management schedule includes adjusting a flow of electric current through a filament of the at least two filaments in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an incandescent lighting system and a method. A described system includes a gas filled and sealed glass envelope. The system includes at least two filaments enclosed within the glass envelope. Each filament of the at least two filaments is configured to generate light in response to a flow of electric current. The system includes a controller circuit configured to manage the at least two filaments in response to a filament management schedule. The filament management schedule includes managing the respective flow of electric current through each filament of the at least two filaments. In an embodiment, the schedule includes managing the respective flow of electric current through each filament of the at least two filaments so that not all of the at least two filaments generate light at any one time.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an incandescent lighting system and a method. A described system includes a gas filled and sealed glass envelope. The system includes a gas filled glass envelope. The system includes at least two filaments enclosed within the glass envelope. Each filament of the at least two filaments is configured to generate visible light in response to a flow of electric current. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an aspect of a filament of the at least two filaments and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the aspect. The system includes a controller circuit configured to manage the at least two filaments in response to a filament management schedule. The filament management schedule includes adjusting a flow of electric current through a filament of the at least two filaments in response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: A uniform voltage is applied to loads even to other than a multiple of three loads made of heating lamps connected in parallel to each other, without causing any burden on a primary side. The number of loads is divided into a multiple of three and a multiple of two. A three-phase AC voltage is applied to three primary windings, which are connected as a Y-connection or a ?-connection. Secondary windings, which are each magnetically coupled to a primary winding of a plurality of three-phase transformers and have the same number of turns, are connected with the multiple of three loads.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided and a method for operating one or more lamps. The ballast and method provide for true parallel lamp operation, with preheating of lamp filaments during a dimming operation. Switching losses are reduced by ensured soft switching operation. An inverter switch driver is arranged to provide first drive signals to a shared line branch having a first switch shared among a plurality of decoupled inverter drive modules and to provide second drive signals to a plurality of independent line branches each having a switch and associated with one of the decoupled inverter drive modules. A soft switching control circuit is coupled to the first switch and configured so as to maintain a soft switching operation for the first switch.

Abstract: A system for operating a fluorescent light is provided. The system comprises: a fluorescent lamp with at least one electrode having at least one corresponding heating filament; a filament signal power supply for providing a filament current signal having a filament current frequency, the filament signal power supply connected to create a filament current through the at least one filament; and a plasma signal power supply for providing a plasma power signal having a plasma power frequency, the plasma signal power supply connected to create a plasma current between the at least one electrode and a gas contained in the fluorescent lamp. The plasma power frequency is greater than the filament current frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a lamp assembly having a novel design for fitting two or more tube-shaped lamps end-to-end. Such an end-to-end structure may be constructed for use inside a single protective sleeve, such as one constructed of transparent quartz in embodiments where the assembly is used in a decontamination reactor equipment. In exemplary embodiments, the lamps are securely coupled, or otherwise fastened or linked, together end-to-end using any appropriate means for ensuring the integrity and longevity of the connection between the ends of the lamps. The integrity of this end-to-end connection would prevail under any and all circumstances, such as shipping or otherwise moving the assembly, or under normal or abnormal operating conditions, or even in the event that any equipment in which the lamp assembly is used fails during its operation.

Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp including both a power coil and a heating coils associated with each filament. The heating coils enable the filaments to be preheated before the starting voltage is applied through the power coils. The inductive power coils and the inductive heater coils are contained within the lamp envelope, allowing the lamp to be entirely sealed. A method of dimming the lamp also is disclosed. The lamp is dimmed by both decreasing the power applied to the power coils and increasing the power applied to the heating coils so as to prevent the arc from extinguishing under lower voltage conditions.

Abstract: A electric discharge light regulation matching circuit that operates with filaments includes a resonance unit, a converter unit, a charge circuit, a half-bridge output unit and a lamp. The converter unit is connected to the resonance unit to convert an AC current to a DC current. The charge circuit, which has a charge capacity, is connected to the converter unit. The half-bridge output unit includes two electric control switches in series connection. The lamp, which is connected to the charge circuit, includes a first filament and a second filament therein. The first filament has an end connected to the charge capacity to heat the first filament directly that may prevent a flicker problem of the lamp connecting the electric control switch and may provide functions of recycling power and preventing temperature rising.

Abstract: A device for operating a plurality of discharge lamps is to be fashioned cost-effectively. Consequently, two discharge lamps (71, 72) are operated with the aid of one ballast in whose load circuit the heating current for the individual incandescent filaments (711, 712, 721, 722) is transmitted via a heating transformer with three secondary windings (Lhs1, Lhs2, Lhs3). The associated primary winding (Lhp) is located in a coupling-out circuit (30) with the aid of which the required heating energy is coupled out via an inductor (Lres). The heating current can be controlled by a temperature-sensitive thermistor (PTC).

Abstract: An improvement to the usable lifetime of a lamp includes the use of a primary filament, a backup filament, and a means to switch portions of the backup filament into the current flow path after a portion of the primary filament open circuits. Using bypass shunts, which do not become electrically conductive until a portion of the primary filament open circuits, an open circuited portion of the primary filament can be electrically replaced with an associated backup filament portion to keep the lamp lit. The shunts in one embodiment are made of oxidized wire and are wrapped around the primary and backup filaments, in a spaced-apart relation, forming filament pairs consisting of a primary filament segment and its associated backup filament segment. In another embodiment, support brackets are used to not only support the primary and backup filaments, but are also used to provide the bypass shunt function as well.

Abstract: A four-electrode fluorescent, lamp having four filaments in a fluorescent lamp; each of the filament having two leads for being connected to a positive and a negative electrodes of a power source. A resistor is serially connected between a lead of one selective filament and a lead of another selective filaments. Each of the filaments is controlled by a transistor. A pair of capacitors are used to adjust the switching current of a pair of two transistors. The base of the transistor is connected to a respective diode set through a current limiting resistor. Each of the transistor is connected to a diode set. The four diodes are serially connected as a loop with two ends of the loop being connected to two ends of an AC power source. Thereby, a circuit for an alternative lighting four-electrode fluorescent lamp is formed.

Abstract: A power supply system has a battery for supplying power and a lamp having a plurality of filaments therein. Each of the filaments is connected to the battery through a filament power feed line, respectively. A switch is provided on each of the filament power feed line. A fault detection circuit measures a current that flows in a non-active filament and generates a fault signal that shuts off the switch for the filament when the current flows in the non-active filament.

Abstract: An electric bulb structure includes a housing, a base post extended into an inside of the housing from one end of the housing, a shade mounted on an opening of the housing, a first conductive wire and a second conductive wire each extended into the inside of the housing from an outside of the housing and each extended through the base post, a first filament having a first end connected to the first conductive wire, a second filament having a first end connected to the second conductive wire, and a third conductive wire having a first end connected to a second end of the first filament, and a second end connected to a second end of the second filament.

Abstract: A light source of a liquid crystal panel employed in a head up display for a vehicle has an embedded filament for emitting a light with high luminance and another embedded filament for emitting a light with low luminance. The embedded filament for emitting a light with low luminance is used for a first luminance range. On the other hand, the embedded filament for emitting a light with high luminance is used for a second luminance range. In addition, both the elements may be used at the same time for emitting a light with maximum luminance of the first range and the second range.

Abstract: An improvement to the current-carrying components of a lamp includes two filaments connected to two different electrodes and one common electrode, and a switch for directing current through the secondary filament upon the failure of the primary filament. Normally, the current flows through the primary filament. The switch in one embodiment is a wire that does not conduct when the primary filament is operational but conducts on the failure of the primary filament to shunt the current to the secondary filament. The wire is an oxide metal wrapped around two of the three electrodes inside the glass envelop of the lamp. When the primary filament fails, the open circuit voltage breaks across the oxide layer to weld the wire to the electrodes and bypass the primary filament.

Abstract: There is provided an electric current utilising facility conventionally connectable to an electric current supply outlet for causing the diversion of current along a desired circuit in response to manipulation of the facility. One embodiment of an electric current utilising facility is in the form of a re-usable light bulb (10). The bulb (10) comprises a circuit carrying device in the form of a globe (12) fitted with a number of independent filament circuits (14), and a circuit selecting mechanism providing a swivellable member firmly securable to a matchingly formed current supply outlet as provided by a sleeve (16) which snugly but freely swivellably in the direction of arrow (17) sits onto the stem (18) of the globe (12) while being retained against slipping owing to the stem (18) providing a ridge (20) on its socket engaging side. The sleeve (16) is fitted with pins (22) enabling the bayonet coupling engagement of the bulb (10) to a conventional light bulb socket outlet.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp has an attachment for connection to a two-wire electrical power line and a bulb containing a radiating element. At least two filaments are housed in the bulb and constitute the radiating element, and circuitry has an input connected to the electrical power line and an output connected to filaments. When a selection signal indicating the desired brightness is passed to circuitry, preferably along the electrical power line, and acts in such a way that circuitry selectively provides a feed to filaments on the basis of the selection signal, a change in brightness is obtained without deterioration of the color characteristics because the filaments operate under their rated operating conditions. The change in brightness will not be continuous, but discrete, but is more than acceptable for domestic requirements even with a small number of filaments.

Abstract: A light bulb having a program disc interposed between a base and bulb components, the program disc having sockets on either side adapted to receive base and bulb pins. The program disc can be installed in various rotated positions to electrically connect one or more filaments in various ways to provide differing functions, such as successive filament energization, energizing combinations of filament or to supply varying power levels to a single filament.

Abstract: An improved dimmable dual filament fluorescent lamp including a first filament and a second filament with automatic current switching between the first element and the second element when the first element opens due to a failure and further having a separating cold cathode getter plate disposed between the first filament and the second filament.

Abstract: An extended life incandescent lamp which employs thermal, voltage, or radiation activated differential switching to substitute a series-connected reserve filament for an inoperative primary filament without increasing the normal in-rush current.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp bulb assembly having three or four lead wires led out of the bottom of a pinched sealing neck of an envelope or bulb containing two filaments (double filament structure), said lead wires are disposed in line longitudinally of the pinched sealing neck. Each of three supports connected to these lead wires comprises a connecting arm section extending parallelly with a plane defined by the line of lead wires and lead-out direction of them and also in a direction intersecting the lead-out direction, and a stem section extending from the connecting arm section and having one end thereof fixed. Since the connecting arm section of each support is so formed as to be welded to a corresponding lead wire from a direction perpendicular to said plane, all the supports are welded to the lead wires from a same direction.

Abstract: An improved structure for mounting minor and major filaments of a three-way incandescent lamp is disclosed. The improved mounting structure orients the major filament in either an axial or transverse manner and the minor filament in a transverse manner. The transverse mounting of the major and minor filaments is established by the selection of the respective parameters of the inner lead wires connected to the minor and major filaments so as to improve the ability of each transverse mounted filament to withstand mechanical shock.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an electrical lamp to control the electrical energy from a source of electrical power to the lamp to simulate the emission of a flame, the apparatus including an intensity controller section having first and second manually adjustable signal generating devices, the first being settable to the desired average brightness of the lamp, and the second being settable to a desired "flicker intensity". The flicker is effected by means of circuitry effectively providing a modulation about the value of the first signal. The magnitude of "flickering" may be reduced to zero permitting un-modulated full range light dimming control. A phase-angle controllable switching device in circuit relation with the lamp is actuated by a gate circuit within the circuitry. One or more lamps may be employed.

Abstract: A multiple intensity lamp controller and lighting system utilizing a multiple filament lamp having a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with a power source and having a variable impedance coupled across the secondary filament. The intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively bright when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively low. Conversely, the intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively dim when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively high.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp having a bead mount and a filament which extends transversely to the lamp axis. Current supply wires in the pinch seal lie in a plane which encloses an angle of at least 45.degree. with the axis of the filament.

Abstract: The filaments for high beam and low beam are in respectively parallel planes, and the axis of the low beam filament forms an angle .alpha. which is less than 90.degree. with the lamp axis, or seal beam headlamp axis, respectively, the angle being suitably between about 30.degree. and 60.degree., and preferably about 45.degree., upon projection of the lamp axis, in parallel, in the plane which includes the axis of the filament. The inclination of the low beam filament facilitates adjustment of the headlamp to provide, reliably, glare-free road illumination in accordance with SAE standards.

Abstract: A bright, economical, flat panel television/display is fabricated by laser welding incandescent metal particles together to form light emitting micro-beads, the ends of which are simultaneously welded to driving electrodes. The small physical mass and dimensions of each bead permit it to be fired to an incandescent state at high rates, becoming a controllable, bright, point source of light suitable as a picture element to create moving images. The beads are suspended between a heat resistant substrate and faceplate, both of which contain depressions proximate to each bead to provide thermal spacing and optical and thermal reflectivity to direct visible light out of the panel, and heat back to the bead, conserving power. Color filters provide full color image display in a system operating at approximately five volts, and which can be built to any size and shape. Three dimensional display capability is inherent when a plurality of transparent display panels are laminated.

Abstract: An improved mounting structure for a three-way incandescent lamp is disclosed. The improved mounting structure has a three-pillar stem in which the conductive leads rigidly dispose a minor and major filament within the three-way incandescent lamp. The improved mounting structure has a conductive support member in common with both the minor and the major filaments which achieves improved mounting stability of the minor and major filaments relative to prior three-way incandescent lamps. Also disclosed is a method for the improved mounting structure which simplifies the manufacturing process of the three-way incandescent lamp. Further disclosed in one embodiment is an improved mounting structure which achieves simultaneous burnout of minor and major filaments of the three-way incandescent lamp.

Abstract: In one form of the present preferred embodiment of the present invention it relates to a two-position feed-thru electric line cord piercing switching combination, of the rotary and even the rocker type, which saves electric energy by use of a half-wave diode rectifying means. The electric energy saving, two-position, combination switching means having only two electrical passing switching positions and thereby having no electrical "off" position. The switch will alternatingly provide either an electrical half-wave "dim" or an electrical full-wave "on" illumination to a single filament lamp, string of Christmas tree lamps and the like, and will even provide eight separate combinations, of one OFF and three separate illuminations, when electrically connected ahead of a, for example, conventional LEVITON rotary 4-position lamp socket switching means which uses a conventional 3-way incandescent lamp member which is removable inserted into the lamp socket portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved incandescent light bulb which is capable of affording increased light efficiency without a resultant increase in either cost or energy consumption. In one embodiment of the bulb, said bulb includes a refractory stiff supporting element, at least one elongated helical resistive filament, two terminals which are each capable of being physically and electrically connected to a different socket and an elongated light transmissive envelope. In another embodiment the bulb additionally includes a reflector bonded to the envelope which reflects light and conducts heat away from said envelope. The stiff supporting element is formed to have a hollow interior. In said hollow interior a magnetizable elongated slug and two holding magnets may be contained. The slug and holding magnets cooperate with a switching means in the interior of the envelope to allow the bulb to selectively emit either a bright or a dim light.

Abstract: A fault detection apparatus for use with a double-filament lamp utilizes the temperature-related changes in resistance of the non-energized filament to indicate a break in the energized filament. The circuit of the apparatus includes, for each filament, a first voltage dividing network in parallel with the filament and which includes the other filament as a voltage dividing resistance and a second voltage dividing network including the filament which establishes a reference voltage. A comparator is activated to energize a warning lamp when the sensed voltage at a specific voltage dividing point in the network is changed due to the temperature-related changes in the resistance value of the non-energized filament when the energized filament is broken.

Abstract: A multiple filament incandescent lightbulb automatically places an unused alternate filament in a closed electric circuit upon rupture of an active filament. The alternate filament is placed in a closed circuit by release of an elastically deformed switching member originally held in place by the active filament.

Abstract: A light source includes a high pressure discharge lamp and incandescent filaments which provide illumination during the warm-up and hot restart periods associated with the discharge lamp. A current regulator, which provides dc power to the discharge lamp, draws sufficient current through one filament to energize the filament only during discharge lamp warm-up. A second filament provides illumination during the period after the occurrence of a momentary power failure or power transient which is required by the discharge lamp to cool down to its maximum starting temperature. A bimetal switch permits current flow through the second filament when the discharge lamp is above the maximum starting temperature. An electronic switch permits current flow through the second filament when a current sensing resistor senses a lack of current through the discharge lamp.

Abstract: An incandescent light bulb is provided with a plurality of filaments, the first of which is mounted between a first and a second current supply member to emit light upon passage of current therethrough. The remainder of the filaments comprise reserve filaments and are mounted between the first and the second current supply members with electrical connection being established only between the first current supply member and the reserve filaments. Biasing means are provided for urging the second current supply member in the direction of a longitudinal axis defined by the filaments, a biasing force generated by the biasing means being counteracted by the first filament and in later stages of the life of the light bulb by one of the reserve filaments. As a filament burns out and partially disintegrates the biasing force creates electrical contact between a reserve filament and the second current supply member and thereby renders operative a successive reserve filament.

Abstract: A multiple filament lamp has one set of ends of all filaments connected to a common conductor and the end of another set individually connected to separate conductors. The conductors are mounted in a non-conducting lamp base with the common conductor projecting centrally beyond the bottom of the base, and the separate conductors recessed into the side of the base and equally spaced around its circumference. The base is slidable into a socket-adapter having an outer conducting shell defining standard electric socket screw threads fixed to an inner non-conducting cylinder that is recessed interiorly at the top to receive a retainer ring for engaging a similar recess around the top of the lamp base, and recessed exteriorly to receive a conductor contact spring for biasing a spring end extending through the non-conducting cylinder inwardly into separate engagement with the respective conductors recessed in the lamp base as the lamp and its base are turned in the socket-adapter.

Abstract: An improved electric energy saving incandescent lamp socket combination having in one embodiment a two-position electric "off-on" switching means, and in another embodiment having a four-position electric "off", low, medium and high switching means for a 1-way and a 3-way incandescent lamp respectively. The lamp socket houses therein a subcombination means that comprises a conventional two-position switching means having at least one single throw "off-on" electrical switching position and a half-wave, electric rectifying, diode which is electrically short-circuitingly connected to any two of generally three electrical terminals which project from at least one surface portion of the conventional two-position switching means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a beam of X-radiation having an intensity value which is rapidly switchable between nonzero levels. An X-ray tube having one or more electron-emitting thermionic filaments is provided with cathode bias control circuitry for limiting electron flow between the tube's cathode and anode structures. The bias control circuitry applies one of a plurality of predetermined values of negative potential to a cathode cup structure for allowing predetermined quanta of electrons emitted from an energized filament to reach the anode.One value of the negative potential bias is a relatively large value for cutting off all flow of electrons; a second or intermediate value of negative voltage bias allows a predetermined fraction of the total quanta of emitted electrons to flow; and a third potential value allows a greater number of electrons to flow.

Abstract: A lamp is described having an internal switch for keeping at least one filament incandescent for a predetermined time after an external switch indicates the user wishes to turn the lamp off.

Abstract: A lighting system provided with a plurality of filaments, the wattage ratings of which differ in a predetermined relationship. The filaments are selectively energized so that the light intensity of the lamp may be varied in steps, without a change in color temperature which otherwise results when the intensity is varied in response to a varying voltage applied to a single filament.

Abstract: A switch, and a dual lamp and switch combination comprising two conductive strips spaced from each other and each having a contact point adjacent an upper end. The conductive strips contacting filament wires of the lamp or electrical conductors of a power line. A handle including a base is pivotably mounted relative to the contact points, and a conductive member operated by the handle, selectively contacts at least one of the contact points. The conductive member is integral with at least a portion of the conductive member and engages a metallic screw-on section of the lamp or electrical conductors of the power line.