US3801867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct current energization of gaseous discharge
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-11-01
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-11-01
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a solid-state circuit for starting and regulating a gaseous discharge lamp which is operated by direct current. An input transformer connected to a full wave rectifier and smoothing filter provides direct current for lamp operation. A series arrangement including a controlled rectifier (SCR) and a capacitor is connected across this DC power supply and the lamp. A charge path is provided for the capacitor through a pair of resistors and an autotransformer primary winding. A separate actuation means is provided to gate on the SCR. When the SCR is gated on the capacitor discharges back through the primary winding inducing a voltage in a secondary winding causing the lamp to start. A transistor has its collector and emitter connected in series with the DC power supply and the lamp to provide regulation or ballasting of the lamp. The base of the transistor is connected to the actuation means. A Zener diode is connected in a circuit arrangement with the transistor to provide a constant voltage. A variable resistor is connected to the transistor and to the Zener diode and utilizes a portion of this constant voltage to bias the base-emitter junction of the transistor.
Inventors
- 👤 T West
- 👤 J Collins
- 👤 T Broski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:05
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/042; H05B41/044; H05B41/046; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/05; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising: input means for applying a D.C. voltage across the lamp; starting means for applying a starting pulse to the lamp; solid state ballasting means having a pair of conduction electrodes and a control electrode for regulating the current through the lamp; current sensing means connected to one of said conduction electrodes for applying a bias signal to said one of said conduction electrodes and to said control electrode; actuation means for applying a D.C. control signal to said starting means and said ballasting means, the D.C. control signal being independent of said input means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising: input means for applying a D.C. voltage across the lamp; starting means for applying a starting pulse to the lamp; solid state ballasting means having a pair of conduction electrodes and a control electrode for regulating the current through the lamp; current sensing means connected to one of said conduction electrodes for applying a bias signal to said one of said conduction electrodes and to said control electrode; actuation means for applying a D.C. control signal to said starting means and said ballasting means, the D.C. control signal being independent of said input means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ballasting means includes a transistor with its emitter-collector path connected in series with said input means and the lamp, and a control means, the base of said transistor connected to said control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 2 further including constant voltage means to provide a preselected bias at the base-emitter junction of said transistor, said current sensing means including a dropping resistor connected between said emitter of said transistor and said constant voltage means whereby regulation of the lamp is achieved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 2 further including a constant voltage means, a potentiometer connected across said constant voltage means, the wiper of said potentiometer connected to the base of said transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 4 further including a resistor connected between said emitter of said transistor and said potentiometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 2 including a constant voltage means connected to the base of said transistor, and a variable resistor connected between said emitter of said transistor and said constant voltage means whereby regulation of the lamp is achieved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said starting means includes: a capacitor; a thyristor connected between said input means and said capacitor; and a pulse transformer connected to said thyristor, said capacitor, and the lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising input means for connecting the circuit to a source of input voltage, said input means including a transformer, a full wave rectifier connected to said transformer, a smoothing filter connected across said full wave rectifier; starting means including a capacitor, a thyristor connected to said capacitor and said input mEans, and a pulsed transformer connected to said thyristor, said capacitor and the lamp; regulating means including a transistor having its emitter and collector connected in series with said input means of the lamp, constant voltage means to provide a pre-selected bias at the base-emitter junction of said transistor, and a resistor connected between said emitter of said transistor and said constant voltage means; actuation means for applying a D.C. signal to the gate of said thyristor and to the base of said transistor, the D.C. signal being independent of the source of input voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising input means for connecting the circuit to a source of input voltage, said input means including a transformer, a full wave rectifier connected to said transformer, a smoothing filter connected across said full wave rectifier; starting means including a capacitor, a thyristor connected to said capacitor and said input mEans, and a pulsed transformer connected to said thyristor, said capacitor and the lamp; regulating means including a transistor having its emitter and collector connected in series with said input means of the lamp, constant voltage means to provide a pre-selected bias at the base-emitter junction of said transistor, and a resistor connected between said emitter of said transistor and said constant voltage means; actuation means for applying a D.C. signal to the gate of said thyristor and to the base of said transistor, the D.C. signal being independent of the source of input voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising: input means for applying a D.C. voltage across the lamp; starting means including a solid state device for pulse starting the lamp connected to said input means; solid state ballasting means connected between said input means and the lamp; said solid state ballasting means having a pair of conduction electrodes and a control electrode; current sensing means connected to one of said conduction electrodes for applying a bias signal to said one of said conduction electrodes and to said control electrode; actuation means connected to said ballast means for regulating the current through the lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A circuit for operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp comprising: input means for applying a D.C. voltage across the lamp; starting means including a solid state device for pulse starting the lamp connected to said input means; solid state ballasting means connected between said input means and the lamp; said solid state ballasting means having a pair of conduction electrodes and a control electrode; current sensing means connected to one of said conduction electrodes for applying a bias signal to said one of said conduction electrodes and to said control electrode; actuation means connected to said ballast means for regulating the current through the lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein the DC voltage is of an insufficient magnitude to start the lamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said starting means includes: a thyristor having anode, cathode, and gate electrodes; a first capacitor connected to said anode electrode; a pulse transformer connected to said cathode and said first capacitor; a second capacitor connected to said gate electrode, said second capacitor having a longer charge time than said first capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said ballasting means includes a transistor having base, emitter, and collector electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 12 wherein said transistor has its emitter and collector connected in series with the lamp and said input means; said control means includes a second transistor having base, emitter, and collector electrodes; said collector a said second transistor connected to said base of said transistor, and said base of said second transistor connected to said emitter of said transistor; a resistance connected between said base and said emitter of said second transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 12 wherein said base of said transistor is connected to said input means; a Zener diode is connected to said base of said transistor; a resistance is connected between said emitter of said transistor and said Zener diode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 14 further including a switch means connected between said input means and said base of said transistor.
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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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |