US4051412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Discharge lamp operating circuit
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1976-09-02
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Color properties of high pressure sodium vapor discharge lamps are improved by disclosed operating circuit for applying pulsed direct current to the lamp. The circuit comprises a direct current supply circuit, a transistor switch in series with the lamp and the primary of a transformer connected across the supply circuit, a diode in series with the secondary of the transformer connected across the supply circuit, and a control circuit connected to the transistor switch for applying DC pulses to the lamp at a predetermined repetition rate and duty cycle. The circuit produces pulse waveforms which provide substantial color improvement in the lamp and makes efficient use of the energy supplied from the power source.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Knoble
- 👤 Daniel V. Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3924; H05B41/30; H05B41/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A lamp operating circuit comprising, in combination, a direct current power source, controlled switch means across said power source, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding in series with said controlled switch means, unidirectional conducting means in series with said secondary winding across said power source, means for connecting a gaseous discharge lamp in series with said controlled switch means and said primary winding, and control means coupled to said controlled switch means for repetitively operating the same at predetermined intervals, whereby DC pulses may be applied to the gaseous discharge lamp for operation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A lamp operating circuit comprising, in combination, a direct current power source, controlled switch means across said power source, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, said primary winding in series with said controlled switch means, unidirectional conducting means in series with said secondary winding across said power source, means for connecting a gaseous discharge lamp in series with said controlled switch means and said primary winding, and control means coupled to said controlled switch means for repetitively operating the same at predetermined intervals, whereby DC pulses may be applied to the gaseous discharge lamp for operation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit as defined in claim 1, said primary winding being connected between said controlled switch means and said lamp connecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit as defined in claim 1, said serially connected controlled switch means, lamp connecting means and primary winding forming a first branch across said power source, said serially connected unidirectional conducting means and secondary winding forming a second branch in parallel with said first branch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A circuit as defined in claim 3, said unidirectional conducting means and said secondary winding being arranged such that when said controlled switch means is on, the current flows in one direction from said power source toward said first branch, and when said controlled switch means is off, the current flows in the opposite direction toward said power source from said second branch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as defined in claim 1, said control means having timing network means comprising a multivibrator circuit connected to said controlled switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A circuit as defined in claim 1, said controlled switch means comprising a transistor having a base and an emitter, said control means connected to said base and said emitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A circuit as defined in claim 4, said unidirectional conducting means comprising a diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A circuit as defined in claim 4, including a gaseous discharge lamp connected in said first branch in series with said controlled switch means and said primary winding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit as defined in claim 8, wherein said gaseous discharge lamp is a high pressure sodium vapor lamp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit as defined in claim 8, said gaseous discharge lamp comprising mixed metal vapors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit as defined in claim 8, said primary winding being connected between said gaseous discharge lamp and said controlled switch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit as defined in claim 3, said primary winding and said secondary winding being arranged so as to be out of phase relative to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A lamp operating circuit comprising, in combination, a direct current power source, a first branch including controlled switch means across said power source, a second branch including unidirectional conducting means across said power source, a transformer having a primary winding in said first branch in series with said controlled switch means and a secondary winding in said second branch in series with said unidirectional conducting means, means for connecting a gaseous discharge lamp to said power source in series with at least one of said branches, and control means coupled to said controlled switch means for repetitively operating the same at predetermined intervals, whereby DC pulses may be applied to the gaseous discharge lamp for operation thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A lamp operating circuit comprising, in combination, a direct current power source, a first branch including controlled switch means across said power source, a second branch including unidirectional conducting means across said power source, a transformer having a primary winding in said first branch in series with said controlled switch means and a secondary winding in said second branch in series with said unidirectional conducting means, means for connecting a gaseous discharge lamp to said power source in series with at least one of said branches, and control means coupled to said controlled switch means for repetitively operating the same at predetermined intervals, whereby DC pulses may be applied to the gaseous discharge lamp for operation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit as defined in claim 13, said lamp connecting means being in said first branch in series with said controlled switch means and said primary winding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A circuit as defined in claim 13, said lamp connecting means being in said second branch in series with said unidirectional conducting means and said secondary winding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit as defined in claim 13, said lamp connecting means being connected in series between said power source and the junction of said first and said second branches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3906302A
Cited
US3890537A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |