US3828221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballast circuit for a plurality of lamps
Assignee: REM RES INC US
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Filing: 1972-08-29
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for lighting a plurality of lamps requiring a temporary starting voltage and an operating voltage of a different value than the starting voltage. The starting voltage source is switched completely out of the line during operation. An impedance device is provided in series with the lamps which is preferably a capacitor. Since the starting voltage is turned on for only a short period of time, the starting voltage source may be of a small power output requirement compared with the main power source.
Inventors
- 👤 J Spiteri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:28
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/16; H05B41/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A circuit for starting lamps requiring an initial voltage and an operating voltage of a different voltage than the initial voltage comprising at least a first fluorescent lamp having heater terminals and cathode terminals and a second fluorescent lamp having heater terminals and cathode terminals, a first source of starting voltage, a second source of operating voltage, means for temporarily connecting said first source of starting voltage to said cathode terminals, and means for temporarily connecting said heater terminals together, and means for connecting said second source of operating voltage to said cathode terminals of said first lamp and for disconnecting said first source of starting voltage from said cathode terminals, and means for connecting said first source of starting voltage to said cathode terminals of said second fluorescent lamp and means for connecting said heater terminals of said second fluorescent lamp together whereby said first source of starting voltage directs a current through said heater terminals of said fluorescent lamps, and means for disconnecting said first source of starting voltage from said cathode terminals and for connecting said second source of operating voltage to said cathode terminals of said second fluorescent lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A circuit for starting lamps requiring an initial voltage and an operating voltage of a different voltage than the initial voltage comprising at least a first fluorescent lamp having heater terminals and cathode terminals and a second fluorescent lamp having heater terminals and cathode terminals, a first source of starting voltage, a second source of operating voltage, means for temporarily connecting said first source of starting voltage to said cathode terminals, and means for temporarily connecting said heater terminals together, and means for connecting said second source of operating voltage to said cathode terminals of said first lamp and for disconnecting said first source of starting voltage from said cathode terminals, and means for connecting said first source of starting voltage to said cathode terminals of said second fluorescent lamp and means for connecting said heater terminals of said second fluorescent lamp together whereby said first source of starting voltage directs a current through said heater terminals of said fluorescent lamps, and means for disconnecting said first source of starting voltage from said cathode terminals and for connecting said second source of operating voltage to said cathode terminals of said second fluorescent lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein an impedance is connected in series with each said lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit recited in claim 2 wherein said impedance is a capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said first voltage source and said second voltage source are connected to said lamps through a first selector switch and a second selector switch having common terminals, said first source of power is connected to the common terminals of said selector switches and said second source of voltage is connected to said first selector switch common terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said first voltage source comprises an autotransformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit recited in claim 1 wherein said first source of starting voltage comprises an autotransformer, said autotransformer has primary windings connected to said second source of operating voltage through a first relay.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB850961A
Cited
US3365648A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |