Patent US3876908A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3876908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low-voltage starting means for arc lamp
Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Illumination Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-01
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A low-voltage power supply can be used to start a gas-filled arc lamp having a movable electrode. To initiate the arc, a solenoid is energized by the low-voltage power supply to drive the movable electrode into contact with another electrode. An inductor is provided in series with the movable electrode. When the solenoid is deenergized, the movable electrode withdraws from contact with the other electrode, and a voltage which is larger than that of the power supply develops across the two electrodes. This difference of potential is attributable to the energy stored in the inductor, and is sufficient to ionize the gas in the gap between the two electrodes. In one embodiment the movable electrode is retractable into an anode electrode structure from which it is electrically insulated. The arc generated in the gap follows the movable electrode until the movable electrode is withdrawn into the anode structure, whereupon the arc jumps to the anode.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin T Chan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:22
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B31/00; H05B31/02; H05B31/30; H05B31/305; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/98
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An arc lamp comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a portion of said envelope comprising an optical window, a first stationary electrode and a second stationary electrode mounted in fixed positions in said envelope, said first and second stationary electrodes being spaced apart to form an arc gap therebetween, a stinger electrode movably mounted in said envelope, a contact portion of said stinger electrode being movable between a first position in contact with one of said stationary electrodes and a second position adjacent the surface of the other of said stationary electrodes, said first and second stationary electrodes and said stinger electrode all being mounted to said envelope in electrical isolation from each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An arc lamp comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a portion of said envelope comprising an optical window, a first stationary electrode and a second stationary electrode mounted in fixed positions in said envelope, said first and second stationary electrodes being spaced apart to form an arc gap therebetween, a stinger electrode movably mounted in said envelope, a contact portion of said stinger electrode being movable between a first position in contact with one of said stationary electrodes and a second position adjacent the surface of the other of said stationary electrodes, said first and second stationary electrodes and said stinger electrode all being mounted to said envelope in electrical isolation from each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arc lamp of claim 1 wherein one of said stationary electrodes comprises a hollow structure and wherein said stinger electrode is mounted within said hollow structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The arc lamp of claim 2 wherein said first stationary electrode is elongate, said second stationary electrode comprises a howllow cylindrical structure, and said stinger electrode is an elongate structure receivable within said hollow cylindrical structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arc lamp of claim 3 wherein said first and second stationary electrodes are electrically isolated from each other by a hollow cylindrical ceramic member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arc lamp of claim 4 wherein said first and second stationary electrodes are substantially coaxial with said cylindrical ceramic member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The arc lamp of claim 3 wherein said second stationary electrode and said stinger electrode are electrically isolated from each other by an insulating sleeve member disposed therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arc lamp of claim 3 wherein said first stationary electrode is mounted adjacent said optical window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
An arc lamp system comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a portion of said envelope comprising an optical window, a first stationary electrode and a second stationary electrode mounted in fixed positions in said envelope, said first and second stationary electrodes being spaced apart to form an arc gap therebetween, a stinger electrode movably mounted in said envelope, means for moving said stinger electrode from a first position in contact with one of said stationary electrodes to a second position adjacent the surface of the other of said stationary electrodes, a power supply, first means for electrically connecting one terminal of said power supply to said one of said stationary electrodes, second means for electrically connecting the other terminal of said power supply to said other stationary electrode, and third means for electrically connecting said other terminal of said power supply to said stinger electrode, said third means comprising an inductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
An arc lamp system comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a portion of said envelope comprising an optical window, a first stationary electrode and a second stationary electrode mounted in fixed positions in said envelope, said first and second stationary electrodes being spaced apart to form an arc gap therebetween, a stinger electrode movably mounted in said envelope, means for moving said stinger electrode from a first position in contact with one of said stationary electrodes to a second position adjacent the surface of the other of said stationary electrodes, a power supply, first means for electrically connecting one terminal of said power supply to said one of said stationary electrodes, second means for electrically connecting the other terminal of said power supply to said other stationary electrode, and third means for electrically connecting said other terminal of said power supply to said stinger electrode, said third means comprising an inductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said menas for moving said stinger comprises electromagnetic means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said electromagnetic stinger moving means comprises a solenoid coil electrically connectable to said power supply.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 further comprising switch means in series with said power supply, and a capacitor connected in parallel across said power supply and said switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said first stationary electrode is a cathode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said second stationary electrode comprises a hollow structure, and wherein said stinger electrode is mounted within and electrically isolated from said hollow structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 8 wherein a first electrical circuit from said one terminal to said other terminal of said power supply can be completed via said third means when said stinger electrode is in said first position, and wherein a second electrical circuit from said one terminal to said other terminal can be completed via said second means when said stinger electrode is in said second position, the movement of said stinger electrode from said first position to said second position causing said power supply to be switched from said first electrical circuit to said second electrical circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
A circuit network for a gas discharge device, said network comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, said first and second electrodes being spaced apart to form a discharge gap therebetween, a stinger electrode, means for moving said stinger electrode from a first position in contact with said first electrode to a second position adjacent said second electrode, a power supply, a first lead for electrically connecting one terminal of said power supply to said first electrode, a second lead for electrically connecting the other terminal of said power supply to said second electrode, and a third lead for electrically connecting said other terminal of said power supply to said stinger electrode, said second electrode and said stinger electrode being electrically isolated from each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
A circuit network for a gas discharge device, said network comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, said first and second electrodes being spaced apart to form a discharge gap therebetween, a stinger electrode, means for moving said stinger electrode from a first position in contact with said first electrode to a second position adjacent said second electrode, a power supply, a first lead for electrically connecting one terminal of said power supply to said first electrode, a second lead for electrically connecting the other terminal of said power supply to said second electrode, and a third lead for electrically connecting said other terminal of said power supply to said stinger electrode, said second electrode and said stinger electrode being electrically isolated from each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 15 further comprising an inductor connected in series between said power supply and said stinger electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network of claim 16 further comprising switch means in series with said power supply, and capacitor connected in parallel across said power supply and said switch means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network of claim 15 wherein said means for moving said stinger electrode comprises a solenoid coil and switch means for connecting said coil to said power supply.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
An arc lamp system comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a plurality of electrodes mounted within said envelope, means for moving a first one of said electrodes from a first position in contact with a second one of said electrodes to a second position spaced apart from said second electrode, means for initiating an electric arc within said envelope in an electric arc circuit, said arc initiating means comprising a direct current power supply and an inductor, and means for electrically removing said inductor from said arc circuit after said arc has been created and is being maintained by said power supply.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
An arc lamp system comprising a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas, a plurality of electrodes mounted within said envelope, means for moving a first one of said electrodes from a first position in contact with a second one of said electrodes to a second position spaced apart from said second electrode, means for initiating an electric arc within said envelope in an electric arc circuit, said arc initiating means comprising a direct current power supply and an inductor, and means for electrically removing said inductor from said arc circuit after said arc has been created and is being maintained by said power supply.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said means for removing said inductor from said arc circuit comprises switch means in shunt with said inductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said means for removing said inductor from said arc circuit comprises a third electrode, said third electrode being disposed so that said arc circuit comprises said third electrode after said arc has been created and is being maintained.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said third electrode comprises a hollow structure, and wherein said first electrode is mounted within and is electrically isolated from said third electrode.
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |