US3676735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resonator ballast for arc discharge lamps
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-25
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1989-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An alternating current electronic ballast for an arc discharge lamp has two sets of capacitors and diodes arranged so that each set of capacitors can be charged and discharged only during opposite polarities of an AC supply. The ballast can develop a high voltage for starting the lamp and also can efficiently regulate the current flow through the lamp.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Roche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:23
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A ballast circuit for operating an arc discharge lamp from an AC power supply, said circuit comprising: a first capacitive means; means coupLing said AC power supply to said first capacitive means for charging said first capacitive means with energy in half cycles of a first polarity of said AC supply; first rectifying means shunting said first capacitive means for restricting the charging thereof to one direction of said first polarity; a second capacitive means; means coupling said AC power supply to said second capacitive means for charging said second capacitive means with energy in half cycles of a second polarity of said AC supply; second rectifying means shunting said second capacitive means for restricting the charging thereof to one direction of said second polarity; a first inductor connected in series with each of said first and second capacitive means and said AC supply; a second inductor connected in series with said lamp; and means coupling each of said first and second capacitive means across the series combination of said lamp and second inductor for discharging said first and second capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor in half cycles of said first and second polarity, respectively, of said AC supply during normal lamp operation; said lamp, second inductor and first capacitive means comprising a resonant circuit operative during each discharge of said first capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor to produce a signal having a resonant frequency greater than twice the frequency of said AC supply; and said lamp, second inductor and second capacitive means comprising a resonant circuit operative during each discharge of said second capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor to produce a signal having said resonant frequency greater than twice the frequency of said AC supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
A ballast circuit for operating an arc discharge lamp from an AC power supply, said circuit comprising: a first capacitive means; means coupLing said AC power supply to said first capacitive means for charging said first capacitive means with energy in half cycles of a first polarity of said AC supply; first rectifying means shunting said first capacitive means for restricting the charging thereof to one direction of said first polarity; a second capacitive means; means coupling said AC power supply to said second capacitive means for charging said second capacitive means with energy in half cycles of a second polarity of said AC supply; second rectifying means shunting said second capacitive means for restricting the charging thereof to one direction of said second polarity; a first inductor connected in series with each of said first and second capacitive means and said AC supply; a second inductor connected in series with said lamp; and means coupling each of said first and second capacitive means across the series combination of said lamp and second inductor for discharging said first and second capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor in half cycles of said first and second polarity, respectively, of said AC supply during normal lamp operation; said lamp, second inductor and first capacitive means comprising a resonant circuit operative during each discharge of said first capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor to produce a signal having a resonant frequency greater than twice the frequency of said AC supply; and said lamp, second inductor and second capacitive means comprising a resonant circuit operative during each discharge of said second capacitive means through the conducting lamp and second inductor to produce a signal having said resonant frequency greater than twice the frequency of said AC supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ballast circuit of claim 1 further including means interconnecting said first and second capacitive means for transferring a portion of the stored energy charge from said second capacitive means to said first capacitive means during each charging period of said first capacitive means prior to the starting of said lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
The ballast circuit of claim 1 wherein said means coupling said supply to said first capacitive means includes at least a first rectifier in series with said first capacitive means, said means coupling said supply to said second capacitive means includes at least a second rectifier in series with said second capacitive means, and said means coupling each of said first and second capacitive means across the series combination of said lamp and second inductor includes means for providing unidirectional current flow through said lamp and second inductor during half cycles of both said first and second polarity of said supply during normal lamp operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |