US4005331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High intensity discharge lamp with auxiliary light
Assignee: CURRENT IND Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-08
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1994-10-08
Abstract
Abstract An emergency lighting system, employing a mercury lamp and an incandescent lamp, and relay circuits for turning on the incandescent lamp in substitution for the mercury lamp, when the light output of the latter is limited, during either cold start or hot start, and for turning off the incandescent lamp without chatter.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Horowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:34
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/02; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A lighting system comprising, in combination, a high intensity discharge lamp, a first means to provide power to said high intensity discharge lamp, ballast means connected between said discharge lamp and said first power means, an auxiliary lamp, a second means to provide power to said auxiliary lamp, said second power means being electrically isolated from said first power means, and control means automatically responsive to hot and cold starting conditions for turning on said auxiliary lamp during and only during both hot and cold starts; said control means comprising first and second switching means; said first switching means comprising a first relay having a first coil and normally open pair of first contacts, said coil being connected in series with said discharge lamp and said ballast, said pair of contacts having a closed state when the current through said discharge lamp is greater than a first predetermined value and an open state when said current is less than said first predetermined value; said second switching means connected in series with said auxiliary lamp and said second power means; said second switching means being in a normally closed state and including additional means responsive to said first switching means to open said second switching means to place it into its open state; said auxiliary lamp being lit solely when said second switching means is in said closed state; said additional means being disabled by said open state of said relay contacts and enabled by said closed state of said relay contacts; when enabled by said relay contacts, said additional means being responsively coupled to the voltage across said high intensity discharge lamp and said second switching means having said closed state when said voltage is less than a second predetermined value and having said open state when said voltage is greater than said second predetermined value; when disabled by said relay contacts, said additional means being electrically decoupled from said high intensity discharge lamp, said second switching means being in said closed state when said additional means is so decoupled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A lighting system comprising, in combination, a high intensity discharge lamp, a first means to provide power to said high intensity discharge lamp, ballast means connected between said discharge lamp and said first power means, an auxiliary lamp, a second means to provide power to said auxiliary lamp, said second power means being electrically isolated from said first power means, and control means automatically responsive to hot and cold starting conditions for turning on said auxiliary lamp during and only during both hot and cold starts; said control means comprising first and second switching means; said first switching means comprising a first relay having a first coil and normally open pair of first contacts, said coil being connected in series with said discharge lamp and said ballast, said pair of contacts having a closed state when the current through said discharge lamp is greater than a first predetermined value and an open state when said current is less than said first predetermined value; said second switching means connected in series with said auxiliary lamp and said second power means; said second switching means being in a normally closed state and including additional means responsive to said first switching means to open said second switching means to place it into its open state; said auxiliary lamp being lit solely when said second switching means is in said closed state; said additional means being disabled by said open state of said relay contacts and enabled by said closed state of said relay contacts; when enabled by said relay contacts, said additional means being responsively coupled to the voltage across said high intensity discharge lamp and said second switching means having said closed state when said voltage is less than a second predetermined value and having said open state when said voltage is greater than said second predetermined value; when disabled by said relay contacts, said additional means being electrically decoupled from said high intensity discharge lamp, said second switching means being in said closed state when said additional means is so decoupled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second switching means is a second relay, and said additional means is a second coil; said second relay including a normally closed second pair of contacts; said second relay contacts being connected in series between said second power means and said auxiliary lamp, and said second coil being connected in series with said first relay contacts across said discharge lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said second relay is a low chatter relay.
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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) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |