Series regulated power supply for arc discharge lamps utilizing incandescent lamps

Claim 2

A circuit for operating an arc discharge lamp, from a source of potential, said arc discharge lamp passing a first level of current conduction during one condition and a second level of current conduction during a second condition, said circuit comprising: at least one incandescent lamp connected in series with said arc discharge lamp for establishing said first current conduction level; at least one other incandescent lamp; first means for connecting said at least one other incandescent lamp in shunt with said at least one incandescent lamp for establishing said second current conduction level; and second means, operatively coupled to said first means, for substantially blocking the light from said arc discharge lamp during said first level of current conduction and for substantially passing the light from said arc discharge lamp during said second level of current conduction.

Claim 3

The circuit according to claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a movable shutter means in proximity with said arc discharge lamp, said shutter means being positioned to substantially block the light from said arc discharge lamp when the current through said discharge lamp is at said first level of current conduction and said shutter means being positioned to substantially pass the light from said arc discharge lamp when the current through said arc discharge lamp is at said second level of conduction.

Claim 4

The circuit according to claim 2 further comprising means for operatively coupling said shutter means and said connecting means for simultaneously passing the light from said arc discharge lamp and establishing said second current level.

Claim 5

The circuit according to claim 3 wherein said means for coupling the shutter means and said connecting means includes a timing means for maintaining said second current level through said arc discharge lamp for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 6

The circuit comprising: a pair of input terminals adapted for connection to a source of alternating potential; An arc discharge lamp connected in series circuit with said input terminals; a first plurality of parallel connected incandescent lamps connected in series with said arc discharge lamp for establishing a first level of current conduction through said arc discharge lamp; a second plurality of parallel connected incandescent lamps; first means for selectively connecting said second plurality of lamps in parallel with said first plurality of lamps for establishing a second level of current conduction, greater than said first current conduction level, through said arc discharge lamp; and second means, operatively coupled to said first means, for substantially blocking the light from said arc discharge lamp during said first level of current conduction and for substantially passing the light from said arc discharge lamp during said second level of current conduction.

Claim 7

The circuit comprising: a pair of input terminals adapted for connection to a source of alternating potential; An arc discharge lamp connected in series circuit with said input terminals; a first plurality of parallel connected incandescent lamps connected in series with said arc discharge lamp for establishing a first level of current conduction through said arc discharge lamp; a second plurality of parallel connected incandescent lamps; first means for selectively connecting said second plurality of lamps in parallel with said first plurality of lamps for establishing a second level of current conduction, greater than said first current conduction level, through said arc discharge lamp; and second means, operatively coupled to said first means, for substantially blocking the light from said arc discharge lamp during said first level of current conduction and for substantially passing the light from said arc discharge lamp during said second level of current conduction.

Claim 8

The circuit according to claim 5 wherein said second means comprises a shutter means in proximity with said arc discharge lamp and being arranged to block the light from said arc discharge lamp when the current through the arc discharge lamp is at said first level of current conduction and said shutter means being positioned to pass the light from said arc discharge lamp when the current through said arc discharge lamp is at a said second level of conduction.

Claim 9

The circuit according to claim 6 further comprising means for operatively coupling said shutter means and said connecting means for simultaneously passing the light from said arc discharge lamp and establishing said second current level.

Claim 10

The circuit according to claim 7 wherein said means for operatively coupling said shutter means and said connecting means includes a timing means for maintaining said second current level for a predetermined period of time.