US3737719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting system with auxiliary lamp control circuit and protective means therefor
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract Electrical ballast circuit for operating a gaseous discharge lamp is combined with an incandescent lamp circuit having relay control means for automatically turning the incandescent lamp on when the discharge lamp goes off. The arrangement provides for the auxiliary incandescent lamp to remain on until the discharge lamp is re-started and reaches substantially normal illumination level, after which the incandescent lamp is automatically turned off. The control circuit is particularly adapted for use with gaseous discharge lamps requiring high voltage pulses for ignition and incorporates capacitors for protecting the relay control means from such high voltage pulses.
Inventors
- 👤 C Nodurft
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:17
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
Lighting systems comprising, in combination, voltage supply means, electrical ballast means connected to said voltage supply means, a gaseous discharge lamp connected to said ballast means for energization by said voltage supply means, said gaseous discharge lamp having a low voltage during its starting period, an intermediate voltage during its normal operation period, and a high voltage during its non-operating period, said gaseous discharge lamp being of high breakdown-potential type requiring an ignition voltage in the kilovolt range, ignition means electrically connected to said gaseous discharge lamp for producing such kilovolt ignition voltage thereon, an auxiliary lamp serving as a stand-by lamp for said gaseous discharge lamp, means for connecting said auxiliary lamp to a source of electrical current, control means selectively responsive to said low, intermediate, and high voltages for turning on said auxiliary lamp during said high voltage non-operating and low voltage starting periods of said gaseous discharge lamp and for turning off said auxiliary lamp during said intermediate voltage normal operation period of said gaseous discharge lamp, said control means comprising first and second relays, said first relay having a first coil connected across said gaseous discharge lamp and normally closed first switch contacts connected in series with said auxiliary lamp, said second relay having a second coil connected in parallel with said first coil and normally closed second switch contacts connected in series with said first coil, said first coil operating during said intermediate voltage period to open said first switch contacts for turning off said auxiliary lamp, said second coil operating during said high voltage period to open said second switch contacts for turning on said auxiliary lamp, both said first and second coils being non-responsive to said low voltage for maintaining said auxiliary lamp on during said starting period, and protective means connected to said control means for protecting the same against said kilovolt ignition voltage produced by said ignition means, said protective means comprising by-pass capacitor means connected across said second coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
Lighting systems comprising, in combination, voltage supply means, electrical ballast means connected to said voltage supply means, a gaseous discharge lamp connected to said ballast means for energization by said voltage supply means, said gaseous discharge lamp having a low voltage during its starting period, an intermediate voltage during its normal operation period, and a high voltage during its non-operating period, said gaseous discharge lamp being of high breakdown-potential type requiring an ignition voltage in the kilovolt range, ignition means electrically connected to said gaseous discharge lamp for producing such kilovolt ignition voltage thereon, an auxiliary lamp serving as a stand-by lamp for said gaseous discharge lamp, means for connecting said auxiliary lamp to a source of electrical current, control means selectively responsive to said low, intermediate, and high voltages for turning on said auxiliary lamp during said high voltage non-operating and low voltage starting periods of said gaseous discharge lamp and for turning off said auxiliary lamp during said intermediate voltage normal operation period of said gaseous discharge lamp, said control means comprising first and second relays, said first relay having a first coil connected across said gaseous discharge lamp and normally closed first switch contacts connected in series with said auxiliary lamp, said second relay having a second coil connected in parallel with said first coil and normally closed second switch contacts connected in series with said first coil, said first coil operating during said intermediate voltage period to open said first switch contacts for turning off said auxiliary lamp, said second coil operating during said high voltage period to open said second switch contacts for turning on said auxiliary lamp, both said first and second coils being non-responsive to said low voltage for maintaining said auxiliary lamp on during said starting period, and protective means connected to said control means for protecting the same against said kilovolt ignition voltage produced by said ignition means, said protective means comprising by-pass capacitor means connected across said second coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lighting system as defined in claim 1, and second by-pass capacitor means connected across said first coil for protecting the same against said ignition voltage pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lighting system as defined in claim 2, including first resistance means in series with said first coil and said second switch contacts, and second resistance means in series with said second coil, said first resistance means having a lower resistance than said second resistance means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |