Abstract: An aspirating smoke sensing device, method, and apparatus for fire detection are provided, and the device is provided with a charger (2), a charge collector (3), a controller (4), an air intake structure (1), and a negative pressure source for air path detection (9). The air intake structure (1) is communicated with an input port of the charger (2), an output port of the charger (2) is communicated with the charge collector (3), an output port of the charge collector (3) is communicated with the negative pressure source for air path detection (9), and the controller (4) is electrically connected to the charge collector (3).

Abstract: System and method for temperature-calibration of a crystal oscillator (XO) in a mobile device. A temperature-calibration status of the XO is determined and a trigger condition related to temperature-calibration of the XO is detected. If the temperature-calibration status of the XO is not fully temperature-calibrated or if the XO has not been previously temperature-calibrated, a temperature-calibration session is initiated by an XO manager based on the condition, wherein a receiver is configured to receive signals and temperature-calibration of the XO is performed in a background mode based on the received signals. The condition based triggering ensures that the XO is temperature-calibrated prior to launch of any position based or global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) based applications on the mobile device.

Abstract: The invention describes a metal container that comprises a cathode containing an insulated anode with gases at pressures less than a fraction (0.1-0.9) of a mmHg. Metallic normal glow discharge diode and triode devices with large cold cathode area as efficient charge generator to function as a power cell. A metallic glow discharge device comprising a cylindrical cathode and a coaxial insulated anode containing gas at very low pressure utilizing radial electric field. A metallic normal glow discharge diode device containing a planar geometry, with an insulated metallic plate parallel to the broad side of the container forms the anode, while the container acts as the cathode.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments described herein enable an energy conversion system comprising a radioactive element for generating conduction-band electrons in an avalanche cell and generating heat, wherein the conduction-band electrons are provided to an anode to generate avalanche cell power, and the heat is provided to a thermoelectric generator to generate thermoelectric power. In an embodiment, the avalanche cell is irradiated with gamma rays, which excite electrons within the avalanche cell, generating a current. In an additional embodiment, the thermoelectric power and avalanche cell power can comprise a dual power system.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp includes an electrically insulating arc tube. A sealed shroud encloses the arc tube. An electrically conductive frame member is disposed inside the shroud and is electrically connected to an electrical conductor that extends in the arc tube. Electrically conductive foil is fastened to the frame member and forms a closed loop that encircles a leg of the arc tube by an angle in a range of at least 270 degrees to 360 degrees. The foil can be connected to the frame member and to itself. A distance from an outer surface of a flange of the arc tube leg to a proximal edge of the foil can range from 1.5 to 8 mm. A width of the foil can range from 1 mm to 4 mm.

Abstract: This disclosure features a high intensity discharge lamp comprising an electrically insulating arc tube comprised of light transmissive material. Electrical conductors or electrodes are each spaced apart from each other inside the arc tube. A shroud comprised of light transmissive material encloses the arc tube. An electrically conductive frame member is disposed in an interior of the shroud and is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors. An ignition aid is electrically attached to the frame member and comprises a coil of electrically conductive wire that is disposed around the arc tube.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp includes an electrically insulating arc tube. A sealed shroud encloses the arc tube. An electrically conductive frame member is disposed inside the shroud and is electrically connected to an electrical conductor that extends in the arc tube. Electrically conductive foil is fastened to the frame member and forms a closed loop that encircles a leg of the arc tube by an angle in a range of at least 270 degrees to 360 degrees. The foil can be connected to the frame member and to itself. A distance from an outer surface of a flange of the arc tube leg to a proximal edge of the foil can range from 1.5 to 8 mm. A width of the foil can range from 1 mm to 4 mm.

Abstract: Alpha particles are directed and focused onto a delta-ray cathode target, where an alpha fusion reaction is generated. Delta radiation or high-energy secondary electrons are generated from the said alpha reaction. The cathode also becomes thermally active generating thermionic electrons. The electrons flow in the direction of an anode that absorbs their energy, generating electrical current in one direction, known in the electrical field as direct current.

Abstract: Alpha particles are directed and focused onto a delta-ray cathode target, where an alpha fusion reaction is generated. Delta radiation or high-energy secondary electrons are generated from the said alpha reaction. The cathode also becomes thermally active generating thermionic electrons. The electrons flow in the direction of an anode that absorbs their energy, generating electrical current in one direction, known in the electrical field as direct current.

Abstract: The present invention are dielectric black particles for use in electrophoretic images displays, electrostatic toner or the like, and the corresponding method of manufacturing the same. The present invention black particles are latex particles formed by a polymerization technique, wherein the latex particles are stained to a high degree of blackness with a metal oxide.

Abstract: A radioluminescent source is provided by a radioactive element entrapped in an amorphous semiconductor. A preferred light source comprises a beta-emitting radioactive element, such as tritium, occluded within a matrix of amorphous semiconductor material, such as amorphous silicon, with or without dopants. The matrix may serve as an intrinsic radioluminescent light source, or as an electron source to irradiate a separate phosphor.

Abstract: An illuminated aerial marker for a high voltage transmission line using a spherical colored opaque capacitor with gas filled lamps electrically connected, exterior to the capacitor with one electrode of the lamps connected to the high voltage source and the other to the conductive area of the capacitor or capacitors. The lamps are spaced and sized to provide illumination with nighttime conspicuity of at least 4,000 feet when the lamps are activated.

Abstract: A light assembly comprises a self-luminescent light source, a wave guide and output optics. The self-luminescent light source takes the form of a luminescent concentrator which is activated by beta radiation from tritium which is immobilized in a matrix in which a luminescent material is distributed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical switch device including a light spot composed of a fluorescent substance in combination with a radioactive element. A switching signal is obtained from an output from a light detector.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a radioluminescent lamp having a glass face plate with a plurality of parallel planar light guides, each preferably having a transparent glass, sapphire or quartz base member, disposed perpendicularly with respect to the glass face plate and coated on both sides with a thin film of radioluminescent phosphor material. The plates are mounted in a sealed envelope filled with tritium gas, the radioactive decay of the tritium causing the phosphor to luminesce. The phosphor material and all but one of the edges of each light guide are overcoated with a reflective material, such as aluminum, to guide the generated light to a single edge of the light guide, which edge is adjacent the glass face plate. The phosphor is preferably a calcium sulfide-based material forming a continuous, binder-free layer on the transparent base member.

Abstract: An illuminated aerial marker for a high voltage transmission line using a spherical colored opaque capacitor with neon lamps in series or series/parallel or parallel, exterior to the capacitor with one electrode of the lamps connected to the high voltage source and the other to the conductive area of the capacitor or capacitors.

Abstract: A metal vapor discharge lamp. The metal vapor discharge lamp includes an enclosed discharge tube having a pair of main electrodes mounted at spaced apart locations therein, the discharge tube including a fill of at least a metal vapor and a starting gas, a radiation source including radioactively impregnated ceramic material having a vitrified radioactive outer protection portion and an outer bulb for enclosing the discharge tube and a circuit for electrically generating an arc between the main electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical switch device including a light spot composed of a fluorescent substance in combination with radioactive elements or a pattern of a plurality of light spots and light detectors each manually moved relative to the light spots to detect a fluorescence from each fluorescent substance. An on-off pattern switching signal or a codified switching signal is obtained from an output from each light detector.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprising a discharge tube with a pair of spaced main electrodes; a filling sealed in the discharge tube comprising a light emitting metal and a starting gas; a radioactive source comprising a radioactive substance entirely covered with an envelope of non-radioactive, heat- and corrosion-resistant material sealed inside the discharge tube, an outer tube enclosing the discharge tube, and circuit means for starting the discharge tube.

Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp arrangement in which the support wire for the arc tube of the lamp has its end which is inserted in the open tubular electrode structure of the lamp expanded so that its external dimension more nearly equals the internal dimension of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope of vitreous material, a seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of electrical conductors extend through the seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. A coating comprising lanthanum, nickel and at least one radioactive dopant is disposed on a surface within the envelope. The coating is sufficient to reduce the dark effect by improving the dark starting of the glow discharge starter.

Abstract: A luminous tube is provided with three color producing inner tubes and is mounted within a clear outer tube. The luminous gas filling the outer tube also fills the open-ended inner tubes. Each of the color-producing tubes has an electrode to enable the current density to be independently controlled, and thus control of the light-intensity emitted from each of the color-producing tubes. A luminous tube may also be constructed with at least one tube mounted inside an outer tube within a common luminous gas, where the inner tube houses an electrode and has a restricted diameter opening to produce a high-intensity luminous discharge.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp including an arc tube having at least a main electrode at each end thereof, a fill sealed in the arc tube, including mercury, metal halide and starting gases selected from the group consisting of Ar, Kr and Xe, a radioactive source material, impregnated with a radioactive substance having a half-life less than 1.times.10.sup.4 years, sealed in the arc tube and a circuit including a conventional low voltage mercury lamp ballast and a glow starter for starting the arc tube.

Abstract: A self-luminous light source is disclosed having a light-permeable shell, a body disposed within the shell, defining a space between the shell and body, a member connecting the shell and body, radioactive gas disposed in the space, and a phosphor coating on at least one surface of the shell and body. The shell and body may be coaxial glass tubes defining an annular space of restricted width, connected to one another by annular end members.

Abstract: A spark gap device for precise switching of an energy storage capacitor into an exploding bridge wire load is disclosed. Niobium electrodes having a melting point of 2,415 degrees centrigrade are spaced apart by an insulating cylinder to define a spark gap. The electrodes are supported by conductive end caps which, together with the insulating cylinder, form a hermetically sealed chamber filled with an inert, ionizable gas, such as pure xenon. A quantity of solid radioactive carbon-14 within the chamber adjacent the spark gap serves as a radiation stabilizer. The sides of the electrodes and the inner wall of the insulating cylinder are spaced apart a sufficient distance to prevent unwanted breakdown initiation. A conductive sleeve may envelop the outside of the insulating member from the midpoint of the spark gap to the cap adjacent the cathode. The outer metallic surfaces of the device may be coated with a hydrogen-impermeable coating to lengthen the shelf life and operating life of the device.

Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp including an arc tube having opposed ends at which are provided respective main electrodes and a fill including mercury and a starting gas, a radioactive source material including a radioactive substance having a half-life less than 1.times.10.sup.4 years sealed in the arc tube, an outer tube enclosing the arc tube and a circuit for starting the arc tube.

Abstract: The detector comprises a first electrode defined by a bolt mounted on an annular insulator which in turn is mounted on a printed circuit board and a second electrode defined by a cup shaped member which is aligned with the bolt and positioned with the interior thereof facing and being spaced from the bolt. A source of radiation is mounted on the head of the bolt and a third electrode is spaced outwardly from and laterally to one side of the head of the bolt. A box-shaped electrostatic shield is fixed to the printed circuit board and has an opening in which is positioned the cup shaped member. The shield serves to enclose the space between the rim of the cup shaped member and the printed circuit board. An annular insulator is mounted on and about the bolt.

Abstract: A neutron accelerator tube having a target section, an ionization section, and a replenisher section for supplying accelerator gas to the ionization section. The ionization section is located between the target and the replenisher section and includes an ionization chamber adapted to receive accelerator gas from the replenisher section. The ionization section further includes spaced cathodes having opposed active surfaces exposed to the interior of the ionization chamber. The active surface of at least one of the cathodes is formulated of a .beta..sup.- emitting material. An anode is located intermediate the cathodes whereby in response to an applied positive voltage, electrons are transmitted between the opposed active surfaces of the cathodes and produce the emission of secondary electrons. The active surface of the other cathode may be formulated of a .beta..sup.- ray emitter or of material having a secondary electron emission factor of at least 2.

Abstract: A self-luminescent light source for a liquid crystal display watch characterized by comprising a fluorescent substance layer which has a light reflectivity and which contains a radioactive substance in at least a part thereof, a reflective layer which is disposed on one surface of the fluorescent substance layer and which serves to reflect and scatter fluorescence from the fluorescent substance layer, a case which is disposed on the side of the reflective layer remote from the fluorescent substance layer and which serves to perform shielding from radiation given out from the radioactive substance, and a cover which is disposed on the side of the fluorescent substance layer remote from the reflective layer and which serves to absorb the radiation given out from the radioactive substance and to transmit the light from the fluorescent substance layer.

Abstract: Radioactive materials are used to assist in starting a discharge in an electrodeless light source. The radioactive emissions predispose on the inner surface of the lamp envelope loosely bound charges which thereafter assist in initiating discharge. The radioactive material can be enclosed within the lamp envelope in gaseous or non-gaseous form. Preferred materials are krypton 85 and americium 241. In addition, the radioactive material can be dispersed in the lamp envelope material or can be a pellet imbedded in the envelope material. Finally, the radioactive material can be located in the termination fixture. Sources of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays are suitable. Because charges accumulate with time on the inner surface of the lamp envelope, activity levels as low as 10.sup.-8 curie are effective as starting aids.

Abstract: The fluid from a breeder nuclear reactor, which may be the sodium cooling fluid or the helium reactor-cover-gas, or the helium coolant of a gas-cooled reactor passes over the portion of the enclosure of a gaseous discharge device which is permeable to hydrogen and its isotopes. The tritium diffused into the discharge device is radioactive producing beta rays which ionize the gas (argon) in the discharge device. The tritium is monitored by measuring the ionization current produced when the sodium phase and the gas phase of the hydrogen isotopes within the enclosure are in equilibrium.

Abstract: In an electronic smoke sensing and alarm device, a dual ionization chamber arrangement comprises a single source of radioactive material and first and second chambers separated by a common electrically conductive electrode. A portion of the radioactive material ionizes the air in the first chamber and another portion of the radioactive material ionizes the air in the second chamber. This arrangement provides an accurate control on the current flow through each chamber.

Abstract: An ionization fire-signal device is provided which is compact in construction so that it has a small axial height. The housing for the device includes an axial extending outer wall and a transversely extending front wall to form a cup shaped housing. An insulator, including an axially extending circular wall which forms an enclosure, is positioned inside the housing and cooperates with the housing to form a measuring chamber. The axial dimension of the circular insulator wall and outer housing wall are approximately equal. In addition, a reference chamber is formed between the circular wall of the insulator and the outer wall of the housing such that the reference chamber is arranged transversely adjacent to the measuring chamber. A radiation source for ionizing the measuring chamber and reference chamber is also provided.

Abstract: An ionization type smoke detector includes an element for giving a visible indication of operativeness of the system together with a component responsive thereto for representing impending failure of the power source. A housing for the system includes a battery-containing well that includes a channel permitting finger-access to the batteries. A pushbutton is located in a wall of the housing. An electrically-conductive probe is positioned within an ionization chamber and is associated with the pushbutton for addressing the probe in a manner that creates a simulation of the existence of combustion. In response to a signal from the ionization chamber, digital processing is employed in order to enable alarm indication as appropriate as well as to monitor continued capability of the battery power source. Special circuitry cooperates advantageously with those features as well as in interrelating the different features so as to minimize complexity.

Abstract: A metallic coating is disposed on the inner surface of a lamp having an envelope made of a light transmitting substance enclosing a fill material which emits light upon breakdown and excitation by a high frequency power source. The metallic coating protects the lamp envelope from degradation caused by the lamp fill material or by products of the discharge and acts as a catalyst for the recombination reaction of molecular lamp fill material. A nickel coating is used in a deuterium discharge lamp. Another suitable metal is gold. The metallic coating is sufficiently thin to permit high frequency power to pass through the coating.

Abstract: A smoke detector of the ionization type is provided with a movable test target or probe for intercepting alpha radiation within the measuring chamber when moved to a particular position. As a result of the interception of alpha particles, the electrical resistance of the chamber between a pair of electrodes is increased. Since the electrical resistance similarly increases when airborne products of combustion enter the measuring chamber, the operative position and size of the test target may be selected such that its movement to its operative position results in electrical simulation of a predetermined level of airborne products of combustion within the measuring chamber.

Abstract: An ionization chamber of the type used in an ionization smoke detector is made adjustable. The chamber has two electrodes and one radioactive source for ionizing the electrode gap. One of the electrodes is laterally displaceable relative to the other. As a result of displacement of this electrode, areas of the electrode with differing geometrical configurations can be brought into the ionization zone of the radioactive source.Several different embodiments of the electrode with different geometrical configurations are described.

Abstract: A reference cell simulating the light amplitude spectrum of an alpha scintillation cell containing radon.sup.222. The cell includes a gas-tight container having a transparent window. The interior of the container, aside from the window, has a coating of a luminescent material. Inside of the container lies an amount of radium.sup.226. The radium radioactively decays to produce alpha particles and radon.sup.222. The radon.sup.222 and its daughter particles also undergo radioactive decay to produce further alpha particles. The 1620-year half life of the radium.sup.226 assures an adequate supply of the radon.sup.222 for a greater time period than radon's 3.825-day half life. The production rate of the alpha particles within the container increases for a period of approximately 22 years after the cell's construction. Although the radium.sup.226 generally has a nonuniform distribution in the cell, the produced radon assumes a gaseous form and uniformly diffuses throughout the entire cell.

Abstract: A smoke detection apparatus is disclosed having a highly efficient ionization chamber. The ionization chamber is primarily formed by a wire mesh collector that readily admits products of combustion such as smoke into the chamber which has therein an alpha emitting, radioactive source and a selectable portion of a tuning screw. Two types of smoke detectors are shown utilizing the ionization chamber with one of the detectors operating from a conventional A.C. power source and the other being battery operated. The smoke detector utilizing the conventional A.C. power source requires no transformer and has the alarm indicating horn connected with the A.C. source with the horn being triggered by a silicon controlled rectifier connected with the radioactive source in the ionization chamber through a field effect transistor switch. A rectified and regulated D.C. voltage is provided to the wire mesh collector and to the field effect transistor switch.

Abstract: An ionization particle detector for indicating the presence of charged particles in a gas includes a single ionization chamber having two defined regions of electrical field intensity. The first region is of small geometric volume and high electric field intensity while the second region is of large geometric volume and low electric field intensity. The radioactive source for generating the ions is located near one electrode while the second electrode forming the walls of the chamber are located such that the walls are incident near the Bragg ionization peak of the detector. A probe is positioned between the two regions for detecting the maximum electric field change when particles enter the chamber.

Abstract: A gas-discharge tube especially adapted for use as an over-voltage arrestor containing a radioactive material for pre-ionizing the gas filling is provided in which a radioactive material is applied to at least a portion of the surface of a pair of spaced electrodes located in the tube.

Abstract: Fire alarm system utilizing an aerosol detector of the type formed by outer and inner interconnected ion chambers with a single particle source located within the inner chamber. The particle source radiates charged particles emitted therefrom into the inner chamber as well as through the path of chamber interconnection into the outer ion chamber. The outer chamber communicates directly with atmosphere to be monitored and operates as a sensing ion chamber. The inner chamber, operates as a reference ion chamber, is only interconnected with the outer chamber, and is otherwise totally isolated from outside atmosphere to avoid contamination of the particle source therein. Two embodiments of aerosol detector are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel form of ionization detector, particularly one operating in the electron capture mode, is described. The detector includes iron-55 as a source of electrons to cause ionization. The detector may be operated in direct current, pulse or frequency modulated modes.

Abstract: The improved incipient fire detector employs an ionization particulate detector in combination with a particulate collector to monitor selectively small particulates in the atmosphere which are indicative of an incipient fire condition. During an incipient fire condition, prior to ignition, a large mass of particulates less than 5 microns in size is generated by combustible material thereby increasing the concentration of such size particulates in the atmosphere. The detector is designed to collect particulates less than 5 microns in size, rejecting those above this size, and channel the collected particulates at a controlled rate of flow into an ionization chamber wherein the concentration of such particulates is measured.

Abstract: A fire alarm system utilizes an ionization type aerosol detector having first and second intercommunicating and electrically in series ionization regions or chambers irradiated by a particle source. Electrodes are provided which operate in conjunction with a DC voltage source to establish a relatively large voltage gradient across the first region and a relatively small voltage gradient in the second region. Also, the location of the ion source and the effective volumes of the regions are arranged to establish a comparatively high ion density in the first region. In operation, the impedance or resistance of the first region to ion current flow is substantially uninfluenced by the presence of combustion or smoke aerosols due to the relatively high field gradient while the impedance or resistance of the second region is measurably changed thereby. The insensitivity of the first region to the presence of smoke is due to the high voltage gradient therein, as well as to the high ion density therein.

Abstract: A fire detector of the type including a smoke chamber and a grid supported in the chamber on an insulating element. In order to prevent the flow of leakage currents from the grid to the body of the chamber an electrically-conductive element is arranged around the insulating element in circumferential contact therewith. The electrically-conductive element is arranged to be at the same potential as the grid so that no leakage currents are able to flow from the grid to the body of the chamber.

Abstract: An alpha emitting isotope is positioned near the tip of a TIG welding electrode so that the alpha radiation can provide an ionized path between the electrode and the workpiece.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector having two ionization chambers with one of said chambers having an electrode at least partially surrounded by a conductive mesh constituting an intermediate electrode and the other of said chambers being formed between the intermediate electrode and an outer surrounding electrode of conductive mesh and a radioactive source carried by said outer electrode. The volume defined by the outer and intermediate electrodes is greater than the volume defined by the intermediate electrode.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector particularly suited to residential use is disclosed. The detector is battery-operated and is connected with a non-latching, pulsating alarm circuit. The detector has a sensing chamber formed by a perforated metallic shell and an electrode within which an insulated radiation source is centrally positioned to generate an ionization current for detecting smoke or other similar aerosols. The alarm circuit provides a pulsating alarm signal when smoke levels above a predetermined value are sensed. The alarm circuit also includes a low voltage detection circuit for sounding the alarm when the end of useful battery life is approaching.

Abstract: A radioactively biased optical power limiter device is described which comprises first and second lenses disposed along an optical axis with a common focal plane therebetween, the first lens disposed for receiving electromagnetic energy input directed along the optical axis and focusing the input at the focal plane of the first and second lenses, a cell of optically nonlinear material disposed along the optical axis at the focal plane of the lenses, and a radioactive source of ionizing radiation disposed near or in the nonlinear material for selectively controlling the electromagnetic field level necessary to cause optical nonlinear effects in the cell.