Abstract:
A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
Abstract:
A low-wattage mercury vapor discharge fluorescent lamp is provided. The lamp has a discharge sustaining fill of mercury vapor and an inert gas having 1-100 mole % xenon, balance comprising a rare gas or rare gas mixture, such as krypton or argon. The fill gas has a total pressure of 0.5-4 torr, and the lamp being adapted to operate below 10 watts per foot of arc length.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a high temperature material modified to exhibit enhanced IR emittance in the wavelength range where a black body operating at the same high temperature exhibits peak emittance, to a light-transmissive body comprising the high temperature material, to a high intensity lamp comprising the high temperature material, and to a method of preparing the same.
Abstract:
A high intensity discharge lamp, the lamp including a light emitting vessel having a wall made of ceramic material that defines an inner space with a first end portion having a respective first opening formed therein and a second end portion having a respective second opening formed therein, two discharge electrodes, with a first electrode extending therethrough the first opening of the first end portion of the vessel and a second electrode extending therethrough the second opening of the second end portion of the vessel, together forming a gap between ends of the discharge electrodes positioned within the vessel, wherein the light emitting vessel defines an inner space characterized by an inner diameter ranging from and including 1 millimeters to 3 millimeters and an inner length between and including 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters, wherein the wall of the vessel has a thickness ranging between and including 0.3 millimeters to 0.8 millimeters, wherein each tip of the electrodes within the vessel have a shank diameter ranging between and including 0.2 millimeters to 0.55 millimeters, and wherein the gap between the ends of the electrodes positioned within the vessel is smaller than 4 millimeters.
Abstract:
A light source includes an integral reflective coating on a portion of its envelope for reflecting light back through the source. The light from the source is directed by a reflector toward a focus thereof at which is located an input end of a light guide. The integral reflective coating allows a half ellipsoidal reflector to be used in one embodiment without depreciable loss of light. Accordingly, a pair of light sources can be arranged with a common focus to substantially double the brightness in the light guide. Alternatively, the light sources can provide a primary and redundant arrangement, or used to provide two levels of light in another arrangement. According to another embodiment, a hemispherical reflector is used to obtain unit magnification and increase the angular range through which light may enter the light guide.
Abstract:
This headlamp comprises a reflector and a discharge lamp comprising an inner envelope having a longitudinal axis coinciding with the optical axis of the reflector. The inner envelope includes a bulbous portion, a front leg extending along the optical axis from the bulbous portion toward the front of the headlamp, and a back leg extending along the optical axis from the bulbous portion toward the reflector. The discharge lamp further comprises a tubular shroud comprising a first hollow portion surrounding the front leg of the inner envelope, a second hollow portion surrounding the back leg of the inner envelope, and a bulbous portion between the two hollow portions. The bulbous portion of the shroud has a central longitudinal axis, and this central axis is upwardly offset by a small distance (e.g., at least about 0.5 mm) from the longitudinal axis of the inner envelope on which the discharge is located. The presence of this offset has been found to substantially increase the ratio of the seeing light to the glare light (i.e., the SGR) in the headlamp beam as compared to that present when there is no offset between these axes.
Abstract:
Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The xenon aggravates convection which causes arc-bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamps on unidirectional current upon which a frequency-modulated high frequency ripple has been imposed, acoustic resonance is used to straighten out the arc. The use of unidirectional current permits a reduction in cost and size of the ballast control circuits operated from auto storage battery. Frequency modulation of the ripple broadens the band allowing acoustic straightening of the arc. Additional control of the arc plus reduction of cataphoresis may be achieved through a horizontal magnetic field at the arc, transverse to current flow.
Abstract:
A method and a ballast circuit are disclosed for operating a xenon-metal halide lamp particularly suited for automotive applications with a direct curernt (DC) levels having selectable amount of ripple imposed thereon. The ripple provides for acoustically straightening the arc between the electrodes of the xenon-metal halide lamp. The DC acoustic operation has the capability of utilizing cataphoresis effect so as to provide a less distracting forward beam illumination for a vehicle.
Abstract:
An arc discharge headlamp system employs a single continuously operating arc discharge source to provide both high and low beam patterns. The continuously operating arc discharge increases lamp life and eliminates the problem in arc light source headlamp systems of momentary dimming when switching to high beam operation due to mercury condensing within source. The headlamp has an arc light source mounted horizontally within a reflector. Light from an arc light source is reflected by the reflector through a lens to form a low beam pattern. A mirror within the reflector is positioned to form a virtual image of the light source and which is directed towards a second lens concentric with the first lens to form a high beam pattern when combined with the low beam pattern. Switching between the high beam and low beam patterns is accomplished in a variety of ways. In the preferred embodiment, the second lens incorporates an electrically responsive light valve which either passes or blocks the virtual image of the arc light source. Alternatively, the mirror may be moved between a position that directs the virtual image through the lens to a position where the virtual image is not directed through the lens. Rather than moving the mirror, it may be blocked with a mask during low beam operation.
Abstract:
An apparatus to compensate for refraction of radiation passing through a curved wall of an article is provided. The apparatus of a preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous for use in arc tube discharge diagnostics. The apparatus of the preferred embodiment includes means for pre-refracting radiation on a predetermined path by an amount equal and inverse to refraction which occurs when radiation passes through a first wall of the arc tube such that, when the radiation passes through the first wall of the arc tube and into the cavity thereof, the radiation passes through the cavity approximately on the predetermined path; means for releasably holding the article such that the radiation passes through the cavity thereof; and means for post-refracting radiation emerging from a point of the arc tube opposite its point of entry by an amount equal and inverse to refraction which occurs when radiation emerges from the arc tube. In one embodiment the means for pre-refracting radiation includes a first half tube comprising a longitudinally bisected tube obtained from a tube which is approximately identical to the arc tube's cylindrical portion and a first cylindrical lens, the first half tube being mounted with its concave side facing the radiation source and the first cylindrical lens being mounted between the first half tube and the arc tube and the means for post-refracting radiation includes a second half tube comprising a longitudinally bisected tube obtained from a tube which is approximately identical to the arc tube's cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical lens, the second half tube being mounted with its convex side facing the radiation source and the second cylindrical lens being mounted between the arc tube and the second half tube. Methods to compensate for refraction of radiation passing into and out of an arc tube is also provided.