US4033263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide range power control for electric discharge lamp and press using the same
Assignee: Harris Graphics Corp
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Filing: 1975-10-20
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Granted: 1977-07-05
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Expires: 1995-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A mercury vapor electric discharge lamp is supplied with AC electric power, which is variable over a wide range, to control the lamp output power in the form of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted over a correspondingly wide range of from approximately 5% to 100% or better of rated output power without lamp extinction. An AC phase modulation control circuit controls the AC electric power supplied to the lamp such that applied voltage remains relatively constant while the current is controllably varied determined by the phase angle of conduction in the control circuit. Control of the AC phase modulation control circuit is effected in response to the actual output power of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the lamp, the speed of a printing press or conveyor line with which the lamp may be used to cure ultraviolet sensitive inks, paints, plastics and the like on some form of substrate. Moreover, the actual lamp intensity, when below a called for intensity, may be used to control the speed of the press conveyor, process line and the like. Means also are disclosed to indicate, for example, lamp aging, press or process slow down and the like, and a lamp cooling blower is automatically controlled to vary the amount of cooling proportional to lamp output power.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham W. Richmond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:00
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F23/00; B41F23/04; B41F23/0403; B41F23/0406; B41F23/0409; H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
In a printing press for printing electromagnetic radiation curable printed matter on sheet material and an arc discharge lamp for emitting electromagnetic radiation to effect curing of the printed matter, apparatus for controlling the energization of said lamp comprising: a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; means for connecting said secondary winding to said lamp; A.c. power supply control means for connecting said primary winding to A.C. power supply lines for supplying A.C. voltage to said lamp through said transformer of sufficient amplitude to ionize the gas in said lamp so that said lamp fires to emit electromagnetic radiation and controlling the level of A.C. power supplied to said lamp from said A.C. power supply lines, said control means being responsive to a control signal for varying the amount of power supplied to said lamp in dependence upon the value of said control signal; feedback means for providing said control signal and including detection means for detecting the amount of power supplied to said lamp to provide an output signal, and means for comparing said output signal with a reference signal indicative of desired lamp output intensity and providing said control signal having a value in dependence upon any difference therebetween; and, said feedback means also including means for further varying said control signal so as to have a value dependent upon the speed of said printing press so that the intensity of radiation emitted by said lamp varies in dependence upon the speed of said printing press.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a printing press for printing electromagnetic radiation curable printed matter on sheet material and an arc discharge lamp for emitting electromagnetic radiation to effect curing of the printed matter, apparatus for controlling the energization of said lamp comprising: a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; means for connecting said secondary winding to said lamp; A.c. power supply control means for connecting said primary winding to A.C. power supply lines for supplying A.C. voltage to said lamp through said transformer of sufficient amplitude to ionize the gas in said lamp so that said lamp fires to emit electromagnetic radiation and controlling the level of A.C. power supplied to said lamp from said A.C. power supply lines, said control means being responsive to a control signal for varying the amount of power supplied to said lamp in dependence upon the value of said control signal; feedback means for providing said control signal and including detection means for detecting the amount of power supplied to said lamp to provide an output signal, and means for comparing said output signal with a reference signal indicative of desired lamp output intensity and providing said control signal having a value in dependence upon any difference therebetween; and, said feedback means also including means for further varying said control signal so as to have a value dependent upon the speed of said printing press so that the intensity of radiation emitted by said lamp varies in dependence upon the speed of said printing press.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 1, including means for varying said reference signal for controlling the A.C. power supplied to said lamp in such a manner that the output intensity of said lamp is adjustable over a substantial portion of its range of output intensity without extinguishing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 1 including means for electrically isolating said A.C. power control means from said feedback means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feedback means includes differential amplifier means responsive to both said output signal and to said reference signal for providing an amplified error signal having a value dependent upon, but greater than, the difference between the reference and output signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for supplying said control signal includes radiation source means connected to said comparing means and responsive to said error signal for providing a radiation signal as said control signal in accordance therewith, and radiation sensor means connected to said power supply control means responsive to said radiation signal to control the level of said A.C. power supplied by said power supply control means in accordance therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for further varying said control signal includes a tachometer-generator for generating a speed signal dependent upon the speed of said printing press.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a printing press as set forth in claim 1 further including blower means for cooling said arc discharge lamp, said blower means being coupled across said primary winding for cooling the arc discharge lamp at a rate directly proportional to the level of power supplied to said lamp.
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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) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |