US3873910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballast control device
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-10-18
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Ballast control device for varying the brightness of a lamp includes a closed magnetic core having a main gap therein and a gapped shunt across the core window. A main winding arranged on the core on one side of the shunt is connected in series with the alternating current supply and the lamp, and a control winding arranged on the core on the opposite side of the shunt has a series connected switch such as a triac which operates to vary the wattage supplied to the lamp for providing the desired amount of brightness.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Candler A Willis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:28
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3924; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
Electrical ballast control device comprising, in combination, a magnetic core forming a closed magnetic circuit and having spaced leg portions, magnetic shunt means extending between said spaced leg portions and spaced from at least one of said leg portions by non-magnetic gap means, a main winding arranged on said core on one side of said magnetic shunt means, means for connecting said main winding in series with an alternating current source and a gaseous discharge lamp for forming a single series loop thereof, and control means for controlling the power applied to the gaseous discharge lamp comprising a control winding on said core on the opposite side of said magnetic shunt means and having current induced therein when current passes through said main winding, and switch means connected in series with said control winding, whereby operation of said switch means controls the current in said control winding and thereby the reactance of the ballast control device and the power supplied to the gaseous discharge lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
Electrical ballast control device comprising, in combination, a magnetic core forming a closed magnetic circuit and having spaced leg portions, magnetic shunt means extending between said spaced leg portions and spaced from at least one of said leg portions by non-magnetic gap means, a main winding arranged on said core on one side of said magnetic shunt means, means for connecting said main winding in series with an alternating current source and a gaseous discharge lamp for forming a single series loop thereof, and control means for controlling the power applied to the gaseous discharge lamp comprising a control winding on said core on the opposite side of said magnetic shunt means and having current induced therein when current passes through said main winding, and switch means connected in series with said control winding, whereby operation of said switch means controls the current in said control winding and thereby the reactance of the ballast control device and the power supplied to the gaseous discharge lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 1, said switch means comprising a controlled bi-lateral semiconductor device, and actuating means for actuating said controlled device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 1, said main winding and said control winding each comprising winding portions arranged on said spaced core leg portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 1, said magnetic core comprising a U-shaped portion and a yoke member at the open end of said U-shaped portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 4, said yoke member spaced from said U-shaped portion by non-magnetic gap means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 1, said magnetic core comprising an E-shaped portion and a yoke member at the open end of said E-shaped portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as defined in claim 6, said E-shaped portion comprising a central leg and a pair of outer legs, said magnetic shunt means comprising shunt members extending between each of said outer legs and said central leg, said yoke member arranged in contact with said outer legs and spaced from said central leg by non-magnetic gap means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 7, said main winding and said control winding being arranged on said central core leg.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 1, said control winding being connected in series with said main winding.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |