US3746919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control device for luminescent lamps
Assignee: Novanex Automation NV
•
Filing: 1971-04-16
•
Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A light output control device which includes a controllable bidirectional semiconductor which with its mains current path is connected across the two filaments of a luminescent lamp. The firing moment of the semiconductor can be selectively set, so that the average lamp current in each half cycle of the a.c. voltage across the lamp can be controlled. During the intervals in which the semi-conductor is fired, a compensation current is flowing through the lamp filaments, by which proper ignition of the lamp during each half cycle of power source a.c. voltage is ensured.
Inventors
- 👤 R Laupman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:07
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/042; H05B41/044; H05B41/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An electrical circuit for use in combination with an ionized arc discharge illuminating device, said device including power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level, a pair of electrodes between which the arc may be drawn during successive half cycles of the supply voltage, and inductive means for kicking the supply voltage above a high voltage arc-starting level and for limiting the current of the arc, said electrical circuit comprising: bilateral semiconductor means connected across said electrodes, said bilateral semiconductor means having a gate electrode for switching the semiconductor means between a non-conductive state during which ignition pulses exceeding said high voltage are applied from said inductive means to said electrodes of the illuminating device and a conductive state during which heating current is allowed to flow through said electrodes of the illuminating device; and timing circuit means connected across said filaments in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means and to said gate electrode thereof for controlling the state of said bilateral semiconductor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrical circuit for use in combination with an ionized arc discharge illuminating device, said device including power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level, a pair of electrodes between which the arc may be drawn during successive half cycles of the supply voltage, and inductive means for kicking the supply voltage above a high voltage arc-starting level and for limiting the current of the arc, said electrical circuit comprising: bilateral semiconductor means connected across said electrodes, said bilateral semiconductor means having a gate electrode for switching the semiconductor means between a non-conductive state during which ignition pulses exceeding said high voltage are applied from said inductive means to said electrodes of the illuminating device and a conductive state during which heating current is allowed to flow through said electrodes of the illuminating device; and timing circuit means connected across said filaments in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means and to said gate electrode thereof for controlling the state of said bilateral semiconductor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing circuit means includes an adjustable element whereby the illumination intensity of said illuminating device may be varied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical circuit as defined in claim 1 including means for varying said supply voltage whereby the illumination intensity of said illuminating device may be varied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
A starter and illumination intensity control circuit for ionized arc discharge illuminating devices of the type having a pair of electrodes between which the arc is drawn, power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level, and inductive means for kicking the supply voltage above a high voltage arc-starting level and for limiting the current of the arc, said control circuit comprising: bilateral semiconductor means connected across said electrodes, said bilateral semiconductor means having a gate electrode for switching the semiconductor means between a non-conductive state during which ignition pulses exceeding said high voltage are applied from said inductive means to said electrodes of the illuminating device and a conductive state during which heating current is allowed to flow through said electrodes of the illuminating device; and timing circuit means connected across said filaments in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means and to said gate electrode thereof for controlling the state of said bilateral semiconductor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A starter and illumination intensity control circuit for ionized arc discharge illuminating devices of the type having a pair of electrodes between which the arc is drawn, power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level, and inductive means for kicking the supply voltage above a high voltage arc-starting level and for limiting the current of the arc, said control circuit comprising: bilateral semiconductor means connected across said electrodes, said bilateral semiconductor means having a gate electrode for switching the semiconductor means between a non-conductive state during which ignition pulses exceeding said high voltage are applied from said inductive means to said electrodes of the illuminating device and a conductive state during which heating current is allowed to flow through said electrodes of the illuminating device; and timing circuit means connected across said filaments in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means and to said gate electrode thereof for controlling the state of said bilateral semiconductor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control circuit for ionized arc discharge illuminating devices comprising, in combination: a pair of power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level; ballast means and gate-controlled bilateral semiconductor means connected in series across said power terminals; and timing circuit means connected in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means for switching the latter between non-conductive and conductive states.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control circuit for ionized arc discharge illuminating devices comprising, in combination: a pair of power terminals for connection to a supply of alternating voltage less than a selected arc-starting level; ballast means and gate-controlled bilateral semiconductor means connected in series across said power terminals; and timing circuit means connected in parallel with said bilateral semiconductor means for switching the latter between non-conductive and conductive states.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein said timing circuit means includes an adjustable element for varying the time constant of such timing circuit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control circuit as defined in claim 6 including means for varying the supply voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control circuit as Defined in claim 5 including means for varying the supply voltage.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |