US3866087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballast circuit with integral time delay relay
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-03-20
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A ballast circuit for starting and operating gaseous discharge devices includes a transformer which has a primary winding and a secondary winding. There are auxiliary windings electrically coupled to the primary winding, including electrode heating windings for providing energy to heat the electrodes of the gaseous discharage devices. There is a relay including a heater and a switch. The switch is normally open and closes in response to energization of the heater. The heater is connected to an auxiliary winding for energization when the primary winding is energized. The switch is connected in series with the secondary winding for providing operating energy to the gaseous discharge devices only when the switch is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A ballast circuit for starting and operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp having spaced apart electrodes, each electrode further comprising a heating element; said circuit including: a. a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding inductively coupled therewith; b. input leads for connecting the primary winding to a source of electric energy, and Output leads connecting the secondary winding to said spaced apart lamp electrodes; c. auxiliary windings inductively coupled to the primary winding, said auxiliary windings including electrode heating windings connected to said electrode heating elements for providing electric energy to the elements; d. a time delay relay including a heater and a normally open switch which closes responsive to thermal energy developed upon energization of the heater, said switch being connected in series with the secondary winding and said lamp electrodes; e. means connecting the relay heater to an auxiliary winding, said winding providing electric energy to the heater concurrent with application of electric energy to said electrode heating elements by the electrode heating windings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A ballast circuit for starting and operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp having spaced apart electrodes, each electrode further comprising a heating element; said circuit including: a. a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding inductively coupled therewith; b. input leads for connecting the primary winding to a source of electric energy, and Output leads connecting the secondary winding to said spaced apart lamp electrodes; c. auxiliary windings inductively coupled to the primary winding, said auxiliary windings including electrode heating windings connected to said electrode heating elements for providing electric energy to the elements; d. a time delay relay including a heater and a normally open switch which closes responsive to thermal energy developed upon energization of the heater, said switch being connected in series with the secondary winding and said lamp electrodes; e. means connecting the relay heater to an auxiliary winding, said winding providing electric energy to the heater concurrent with application of electric energy to said electrode heating elements by the electrode heating windings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said auxiliary windings include a separate relay heating winding inductively coupled to said primary winding; said heater being connected to said relay heating winding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said heater is connected across at least a portion of said electrode heating winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: one of said output leads is at essentially ground potential and the other of said output leads is at a voltage removed from ground potential; said switch being connected to said lead at essentially ground potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said heater and switch are electrically interconnected to form a three terminal network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
189 words
A ballast circuit for starting and operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp having spaced apart electrodes, each electrode further comprising a heating element; said circuit including: a. a primary winding and a secondary winding connected in an autotransformer relationship and having a loose inductive coupling therebetween; b. input leads for connecting the primary winding to a source of electric energy, and output leads connecting the secondary winding to said spaced apart lamp electrodes; c. auxiliary windings inductively coupled to the primary winding, said auxiliary windings including electrode heating windings connected to said electrode heating elements for providing electric energy to the elements; d. a time delay relay including a heater and a normally open switch which closes responsive to thermal energy developed upon energization of the heater, said switch and said heater being interconnected in a three terminal network, said switch also being connected in series with the secondary winding and said lamp electrodes; e. means connecting the relay heater to an auxiliary winding, said winding providing electric energy to the heater concurrent with application of electric energy to said electrode heating elements by the electrode heating windings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
189 words
A ballast circuit for starting and operating at least one gaseous discharge lamp having spaced apart electrodes, each electrode further comprising a heating element; said circuit including: a. a primary winding and a secondary winding connected in an autotransformer relationship and having a loose inductive coupling therebetween; b. input leads for connecting the primary winding to a source of electric energy, and output leads connecting the secondary winding to said spaced apart lamp electrodes; c. auxiliary windings inductively coupled to the primary winding, said auxiliary windings including electrode heating windings connected to said electrode heating elements for providing electric energy to the elements; d. a time delay relay including a heater and a normally open switch which closes responsive to thermal energy developed upon energization of the heater, said switch and said heater being interconnected in a three terminal network, said switch also being connected in series with the secondary winding and said lamp electrodes; e. means connecting the relay heater to an auxiliary winding, said winding providing electric energy to the heater concurrent with application of electric energy to said electrode heating elements by the electrode heating windings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said heater is connected across at least a portion of one of said electrode heating windings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said auxiliary windings include a separate relay heating winding; said heater being connected across said separate winding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: one of said output leads is at essentially ground potential and the other of said output leads is at a voltage removed from ground potential; said switch being connected to said lead at essentially ground potential.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A ballast circuit as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said switch is connected between said primary winding and said secondary winding.
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) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |