US3764848A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric starter and ballast for gaseous discharge lamps
Assignee: VENITRON CORP
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Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1992-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A gaseous discharge lamp lighting system in which a monolithic piezoelectric element is energized by means of a frequency changer or oscillator to operate at a frequency corresponding to a predetermined extensional mode of mechanical resonance. The element is polarized to be responsive to the resonance and electroded for connection to the aforesaid power input source and for connection to electrodes of a lamp envelope containing ionizable gas.
Inventors
- 👤 D Berlincourt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:11
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A gaseous discharge lamp lighting system comprising: an envelope containing an ionizable gas, a pair of electrodes within said envelope for establishing an electrical path through said gas; piezoelectric means effective to provide a relatively high starting voltage and a limitation upon the operating current of said lamp, said piezoelectric means consisting of a monolithic piezoelectric plate having at least three physically separate electrodes on the major faces of said plate with two of said at least three electrodes being connected to an AC electrical power source and two of said at least three electrodes connected to said pair of electrodes within said envelope, said plate being polarized parallel to the thickness dimension, and having a lateral dimension selected to provide an extensional mode resonance coinciding substantially with the frequency of said electrical power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A gaseous discharge lamp lighting system comprising: an envelope containing an ionizable gas, a pair of electrodes within said envelope for establishing an electrical path through said gas; piezoelectric means effective to provide a relatively high starting voltage and a limitation upon the operating current of said lamp, said piezoelectric means consisting of a monolithic piezoelectric plate having at least three physically separate electrodes on the major faces of said plate with two of said at least three electrodes being connected to an AC electrical power source and two of said at least three electrodes connected to said pair of electrodes within said envelope, said plate being polarized parallel to the thickness dimension, and having a lateral dimension selected to provide an extensional mode resonance coinciding substantially with the frequency of said electrical power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the major strain in said piezoelectric element occurs perpendicular to one of the minor surfaces thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said power input source includes a frequency changer, and a plurality of elements and lamps all electrically connected to said frequency changer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said power input source includes an oscillator circuit electrically connected to said element, with said element being effective to control the frequency of the oscillator circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said element comprises input and output sectIons, at least one section having a plurality of electrode pairs connected in series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lighting system according to claim 1, and resilient mounting means for arranging said element on a support, wherein said mounting means bears upon said element at the nodal point or points.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |