Abstract: A compact, inexpensive and mass-producible optical display system for an automobile creates a highly visible and sharp, high contrast and pleasing, multi-color magnified virtual image of a primary instrument cluster at a viewing distance which is greater than the actual optical distance between the dashboard and the driver's eyes in order to enhance instrument readability, minimize driver eye strain, and reduce eye focus problems which are associated with transitioning between the far range viewing used for watching the road ahead and the near range viewing used for glancing at the instruments A non-pupil forming display system uses a single off-axis asphericle mirror with power to create a virtual image of a miniaturized, multi-color passive image source, such as a segmented LCD panel, which is backlighted by a small filament incandescent light bulb The aspheric surface is optimized to minimize aberrations and reduce vertical disparity and field curvature The image source is pre-distorted to compensate for distortion in the off-axis configuration A holographic diffusing screen element laminated onto the image source provides uniform high brightness and uniform contrast over the entire field-of-view which is visible from an eyellipse sufficient to accommodate most of the driver population, minimizes the visual impact of any optical aberrations near the edge of the viewing area, and provides the non-pupil forming system with some of the desirable optical properties of a pupil forming system The incandescent bulb is positioned at a remote location selected to minimize heat in the region of the image source and to facilitate replacement of the bulb in case of failure The light emitted by the bulb is collected and focused into the aperture of a fiber optic bundle which splits into a number of ends behind the LCD panel Ambient reflections are reduced and controlled by a curved and tilted glare shield and a black surface light trap

Abstract: An adjustable neck is provided for adjusting a lamp, in particular a lamp plugged onto a low-voltage rail, in as many alternative directions as possible. The adjustable neck is mounted between a clamping socket of the lamp and the replaceable incandescent body or bulb. The adjustable neck includes several joint members, each consisting of a ball portion that can be plugged into a corresponding joint seat portion of a next adjacent joint member and held there by a friction fit. The incendescent body can be surrounded by a lamp shade provided with ventilating slots. The clamping socket is embodied such that a positive anchoring is achievable even in the case of larger, heavier lamps.

Abstract: A regulation and intensity controller for prolonging the life of an incandescent lamp controls the root mean square voltage across the lamp by converting AC voltage to a DC voltage and by applying the DC voltage to the lamp through a switch and an inductor in series connection with the lamp. The switch is opened and closed according to a duty cycle that will produce a constant average voltage across the lamp. The switch is closed at fixed intervals and is opened by a circuit that is responsive to the instantaneous current through the lamp and to a voltage signal produced by integrating an error signal that represents the difference between the lamp voltage and a reference voltage. In this manner, the average voltage across the lamp is regulated and ripple is kept within a level such that the average voltage is a close representation of root mean square voltage. Additionally, the cycle-by-cycle current through the lamp is closely regulated.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system of an advanced type which, through the use of an appropriate microprocessor, can be used to check the recharging current and voltage of the batteries and detect faults in the circuit and the fluorescent or incandescent lamps, with the programming and performance of a functional test over a programmable period, with a visual display and the programming and performance of an independence test at programmable intervals. The results of the periodical fault tests and the independence test are communicated to a centralized control and monitoring unit which can be activated remotely and is also capable of receiving and transmitting operating orders to the individual emergency units. A microprocessor circuit for performing the periodical functional test on the connected lamps, and for programming and performance of the independence test at programmable intervals, providing an indication of defective lamps and deactivating one or more lamps, is included in the battery unit.

Abstract: An illumination device for a front panel with illuminated areas, the lattereing illuminated by an incandescent lamp sitting in a connection base located behind the front panel through at least one light guide. The connection base is placed behind the front panel so that the incandescent lamp points away from the cover member. The lamp extends behind the front panel to the light guides. To make the incandescent lamp easily replaceable without loss of light, a cover member is removably attached to the illumination device such that removal of the cover member permits ready access to the incandescent lamp/connection base.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming pre-moistened towellettes in a variety of pre-packaged dispensers as presented. The apparatus accommodates both rectangular and cylindrical towellette dispensers and additionally serves as a night light utilizing an incandescent light bulb heating source and translucent body. The apparatus provides a hygienic way to warm pre-moistened towellettes in their pre-packaged dispensers since no part of the apparatus interferes with the access or removal of towellettes from the towellette dispenser opening.

Abstract: A low voltage heating element for portable tools includes a low voltage, low current light bulb wrapped with a thin layer of metal darkened on its bulb-facing surface. Apertures in the metal layer allow the light from the bulb to be utilized in addition to its heating characteristics. Rechargeable batteries are installed in the handle of the tool to power the light bulb. An electrical jack in the tool housing may be plugged into an external power source for providing power for a greater length of time. A cordless soldering iron includes a low voltage, low current light bulb affixed to the tip of a conventional soldering iron, the conventional heating element having been removed from the housing. The bulb is wrapped with a layer of metal darkened on the bulb-facing surface, and is electrically connected to rechargeable batteries mounted either in the housing of the soldering iron, or within an external pack. A cordless curling iron includes a low voltage, low current light bulb removably mounted within the housing of the curling iron, the conventional heating element having been removed therefrom. The portable tools, soldering iron, hot glue gun and curling iron, are provided with an electrical jack for selectively receiving electric power from a power pack to recharge the batteries therein and to selectively supply power to the low voltage light bulb. The power pack is electrically connected to a conventional 110 V. a.c. power source and transforms this to low voltage, low current D.C. electricity.

Abstract: Flush and pump flush processes yielding light sources for incandescent and metal vapor discharge lamps are disclosed. The flush and pump flush processes also yield lamps that are particularly suitable for deposition of a reflective coating on its outer surface. For such reflective coated light sources, the associated lamp leads are encased in glass and therefore are protected against any deleterious reactions that may otherwise result from the deposition of the reflective coating process. The light sources yielded by the flush and pump flush processes of the present invention are advantageous in reducing the mounting arrangement of the lamps in which the light sources are housed.

Abstract: An electric space heater includes an exterior case (10) which encloses an insulated heater core housing (12). Heat is generated in the heater core (14) by elongated incandescent ultraviolet lamps (64) mounted in a frame (60) inside the core housing (12). A porous aluminum sheet heat exchanger (68) surrounds the lamps (64) on three sides and extends the length of the lamps. A fan (34) mounted in an inlet opening (27) of a rear wall (22) of the case (10) forces air through an opening (52) in the core housing (12) through the heat exchanger (68) and around the lamps, and through outlet openings (28, 54) to the space to be heated. The core housing (12) is U-shaped with curved portions (46, 48) to laminate the air flow.

Abstract: An electric incandescent lamp having an improved coiled refractory metal filament construction is disclosed which enables the lamp to provide a more precise light source. Various lamp and coiled filament configurations are disclosed to include employment of a reflective film for improved efficiency of lamp operation while a halogen substance can also be included in the inert gas filling for this purpose. A method to manufacture the disclosed lamp improvement is also provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric circuit (10, 70, 100) is provided which can be employed in a wide variety of applications. The circuit (10) can be used to test the bulbs in a string (14) of Christmas Tree lights and, in a modified circuit (200) can use any suitable high voltage source (202) as a substitute for the piezoelectric crystal. The circuit (100) can also be mounted in a shoe (64), fishing lure (46), toy (56) or any other suitable application to light a light source (19). In another circuit (70) by positioning a capacitor (72) in parallel with the crystal (16) and light source (62), and positioning a normally open switch (74) between the capacitor and light source, the capacitor can be charged by repeated striking of the crystal. The circuit (70) can be used in the pedal (30) of a bicycle to generate a flashing light easily visible at night. The circuit (70) can also be mounted in a camera (90) or emergency light (36) or any other suitable application.

Abstract: Electrical heating apparatus comprising a photon-emitting device consisting of incandescent lamps (12). Each lamp is surrounded by a metal cylinder (13) serving as a shield, the face of this shield turned towards the photon emitter having a hard surface such as to brake the photons emitted and ionise the air. The invention also relates to a method of conditioning the ambient air contained in a room as well as the use of the heating apparatus in question to dry out the walls of the room in which the apparatus is located.

Abstract: Apparatus for flashing incandescent and fluorescent lamps in response to audio signals such as speech or music, together or individually Apparatus employs an automatic level control to insure uniform input level to each active filter which filters the audio information by selected components into certain preferred bands of frequencies The outputs of these active filters are thus rectified and fed into integrators These integrators are recycled 120 times per second by transistors across the integrating capacitor The output of the integrators are fed into transistor comparators where individual comparators compare the input signal with a reference signal and changes state also at 120 cycles per second The outputs of the comparators are fed into triac drivers which drive the control gates of the triacs at 60 cycles per second, thus turning the load lamps on and off at such a rate eliminates any discernabale lag in light display to audio beat sounds

Abstract: A light assembly having a magnetized base for attachment to a support surface. A reflector and an incandescent lamp are coupled to the magnetized base through a gooseneck and is maniputable to a wide range of lighting positions. The reflector includes cooling openings and a curved configuration to intensify lighting from the lamp. The magnet is positioned at the bottom of the base for maximum attraction to the support surface.

Abstract: A multiple lamp shade system for a light bulb in which one of the lamp shades is rotatable and powered by heat given off by the light bulb. A multiply apertured base is held against a light bulb socket by surface contact with the light bulb. A light transmissible stationary inner lamp shade is attached at one end to the base. The other end of the inner lamp shade is partially occluded by a thrust plate on which is located an axially positioned upstanding pointed member. A peripheral annular gap is provided between the wall of the inner lamp shade and the thrust plate. A light transmissible rotatable lamp shade is co-axially mounted over the inner lamp shade and is bearingly supported via a bearing plate, at one end on the upstanding pointed member. A plurality of air vent chutes are annularly arranged adjacent the bearing plate. In operation, the light bulb heats the air within the lamp shades, causing an air convection current which upwells within the lamp shades. The air convection current inside the inner lamp shade is throttled through the annular gap, causing its flow rate to speed up considerably. The air convention current then enters the air vent chutes and exits therefrom in a substantially horizontal direction to cause the outer lamp shade to rotate as a reaction thereto.

Abstract: A heating assembly including at least one infra-red emissive tungsten halogen lamp supported beneath a glass ceramic cooktop which allows useful quantities of the infra-red radiation, as emitted by the lamp (or lamps) and directly incident on the undersurface of the cooktop, to emerge from the assembly and above non-metallic, thermally insulating material contained as a layer in the base of a shallow tray. The layer contains, or supports at its surface, material which efficiently reflects the infra-red radiation emitted from the lamp (or lamps) substantially unchanged in spectral content so that useful quantities of the radiation so reflected and then incident on the undersurface of the cooktop emerge from the assembly to supplement the directly incident radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a xenon lamp used for lighting applications and which is particularly suitable for automobile applications such as headlamps. The benefits of such usage, relative to incandescent lamps commonly employed for automotive forward lighting applications along with discharge lamps for lighting application, are primarily related to the size, shape, quality and concentration of the light generated by the xenon lamp and the ability to selectively move the position of the generated light relative to the reflector in which the xenon lamp is housed. The xenon lamp also provides the ability for the light to be generated by excitation of a D.C. source so as to be first positioned relative to the reflector to serve as the light source for low beam applications and then moved to a second position relative to the reflector to serve as the light source for high beam applications.

Abstract: A small current is supplied to an incandescent light bulb before it is fully switched on. This avoids the very high currents which arise with completely cold filaments and thus extends the life of the bulb. The small current may be a permanent steady current, Figure 1, or a current which rises from zero or other small value at switch-on to full value shortly thereafter Figures 2, 3. These methods of control may be implemented by applying current pulses to the bulb with the pulse width and/or amplitude being varied, (Figures 4 to 6). The methods may be applied to lamps in a vehicle lighting system which may incorporate a multiplexed control system with microcontroller (20), (Figure 8), adjacent the headlight units.

Abstract: 1. An electric incandescent lamp (1), particularly a halogen incandescent lamp having a tubular bulb (2) made of high-melting glass quartz glass, for example, the ends of which are closed by deformations (4, 5) and having a coiled filament (3) which is retained in the axis of the bulb (2) by one or more holders (8) made of tungsten wire, where the holders (8) comprise a smaller-diameter coiled section (9) which surrounds the filament (3) and a larger-diameter coiled section (10) which contacts the bulb (2) internally, characterized in that the individual holders (8) are fixed by bosses (11) in each case between two turns of the holder section (10) in contact with the bulb, whilst the bosses consist of local deformations of the bulb wall projecting radially inwards.

Abstract: The display device which is installed in the housing of an interior light is inserted into the roof of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The display device consists essentially of incandescent lamps and a lighting strip. The rear broad longitudinal side of the lighting strip is provided with a reflective film which is applied using the hot press method. The carrier layer for signs such as symbols and lettering is bonded onto the front wide longitudinal side of the lighting strip. The incandescent lamps are arranged on a narrow longitudinal side of the lighting strip in recesses. The two wide longitudinal sides of the lighting strip run together starting from these recesses in a wedge shape. The light beams of the incandescent lamps which penetrate the interior of the lighting strip are reflected concentrated in the direction of the cutting edge of the wedge-shaped lighting strip since the narrow longitudinal side has sections which are at an angle to one another and describe a raised arc with respect to the longitudinal direction. The rear wide longitudinal side of the lighting strip is covered on all sides by a non-translucent cap so that no interfering light beam can brighten the inner roof lining.

Abstract: An optical device (36) for use in traffic signals has a plurality of light bulbs (50, 52, 54, 56), in which each bulb is used in turn until it burns out, at which time power is switched to another operable bulb. By means of lenses (60, 62, 64, 66, 70, 72, 74, 76) and mirrors (20, 22, 24, 26) in the device, a substantially identical pattern of light rays is produced thereby regardless of which bulb is lit.

Abstract: A holder for a small incandescent light bulb for the removable insertion in a plate opening, the holder being mounted mechanically and electrical contact with the contact areas of the plate being produced by two electrically conducting contacting parts that are connected to the light bulb connection wires, with the proviso that the electrically conducting contacting parts comprise an electrically conductive plastic, especially a polyester with embedded carbon fibers.

Abstract: A high pressure sodium arc tube assembly includes a light-transmitting arc tube containing a fill material including sodium and mercury, a pair of electrodes sealed in opposite ends of the arc tube, and a filament or other resisitive member located within the arc tube and extending between opposite ends thereof. The filament is electrically connected to the electrodes. The filament provides a sufficient electric field and an abundance of electrons dispersed throughout the discharge region to initiate an arc discharge when the electrodes are energized. The filament is selected to produce an electric field in the discharge region prior to initiation of arc discharge of at least 20 volts per centimeter. After an arc discharge is initiated, the voltage between the electrodes drops, and the filament is partially short-circuited by the arc discharge. The filament provides fast initial starting and fast hot restarting, while eliminating the requirement for high voltage starting pulses.

Abstract: A color-corrected vision testing apparatus and method are provided, such having a blue filtered incandescent illuminating source in a light-occluding housing for high contrast translumination of test patterns also in said housing to obtain improved testing of acuity levels.

Abstract: The electric incandescent lamp has a blown glass lamp vessel (1) having a neck-shaped wall portion (4), a parabolically curved wall portion (8,8ʹ) which extends substantially transversely and a wall portion (7,7ʹ) curved in accordance with an arc of a circle which extends substantially in the axial direction. A filament (11) is arranged in a plane through the foci (14,14ʹ) of the wall portion (8,8ʹ) and at least partly coincides therewith. The electric incandescent lamp has the advantage that, independent of its finish (19) it has a lamp vessel (1) of the same shape and the same mounting means (12) for the filament (11). The manufacture of incandescent lamps of different types is thereby simplified considerably.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide a device itself with an image holding function by converting a light irradiation part on a liquid crystal layer a transmitted state by light irradiation and irradiating a photoconductive layer with reading light passed through the liquid crystal layer to hold the image. CONSTITUTION: When the photoconductive layer 103 is irradiated with writing light 107, the impedance of the layer 103 is reduced, the voltage dividing ratio of an electric field applied from a power supply 109 to a liquid crystal layer 106 and the layer 103 is changed, the electric field is applied to the layer 106 corresponding to the light irradiation part, and the liquid crystal is converted into a state different from a dark state not irradiated with light 107. Thereby, reading light 108 can be passed through the layer 106 and reached to the layer 103. Consequently, an image formed on the layer 106 can be held. Since the liquid crystal light bulb itself can be provided with an image holding mechanism in said constitution, the device can be applied also to a field requiring the bistability of input light. COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO&Japio

Abstract: A plastic lamp housing is molded in one piece with two cantilevers extending forwardly from its rear wall for supporting a metal made reflector and a light bulb out of direct contact with all the inside surfaces of the lamp housing. The reflector thermally covers at least the top and bottom and rear sides of the light source for the reduction of heat transmission to the lamp housing. Depending from the lamp housing, a lamp standard has a hollow extending therethrough in communication with the interior of the lamp housing through a heat release opening formed in the bottom of the lamp housing. The lamp standard is for use in mounting the lamp on a hollow structural part of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of its rear window. Therefore, by creasing an opening in the hollow vehicle part, the heated air within the lamp housing can be vented into the hollow lamp standard and thence into the hollow vehicle part, instead of into the interior of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A heavy duty flasher for incandescent lamps for a motor coach or the like incorporates a pair of power MOSFETs in parallel for efficient, cool operation and includes a pair of timers, one for flash rate control and the other for producing AC for operating a voltage multiplier to provide gate voltage for the MOSFETs. Protective circuitry senses current overload and terminates current flow to protect the power devices while allowing inrush current to the lamps at the beginning of each cycle. A circuit sensitive to the presence of load supplies power to the timers only under load conditions.

Abstract: In a scanning apparatus, a scanned transverse region of a moving web is illuminated by focused illumination from an elongate incandescent lamp with a long filament maintained in tension and supported only at its ends to prevent shadows or other luminance variations along the length of the lamp.