US4209730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starting circuit for gaseous discharge lamps
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-14
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1998-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A starting circuit suitable for sodium vapor street lamps is disclosed. The circuit includes a voltage doubler which periodically fires pulses through the lamp ballast. The pulsing is controlled by a neon lamp connected to a gate anode of a triac. When the triac fires the capacitors which form the voltage doubler are shorted across to produce the starting pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Pasik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:30
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A starting circuit for gaseous discharge lamps having associated therewith a lamp ballast in series between a voltage supply and said lamp, said starting circuit comprising: (a) a voltage doubler circuit connected in circuit with said ballast and said lamp for storing a voltage approximately twice the peak value of the voltage supply when said lamp is nonconducting, said voltage doubler including: (i) a first circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in a first direction, (ii) a second circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in the opposite direction to the first diode, (iii) said first and second circuit arms being connected to the supply voltage at their diode ends and connected to the ballast at their capacitor ends, whereby one of said capacitors will charge to the value of said voltage supply during each half cycle of the AC supply voltage, (b) trigger means connected in shorting relation across said voltage doubler for selectively discharging the charge stored in said doubler circuit through a portion of said ballast to produce a high voltage starting pulse to initiate conduction in said lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A starting circuit for gaseous discharge lamps having associated therewith a lamp ballast in series between a voltage supply and said lamp, said starting circuit comprising: (a) a voltage doubler circuit connected in circuit with said ballast and said lamp for storing a voltage approximately twice the peak value of the voltage supply when said lamp is nonconducting, said voltage doubler including: (i) a first circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in a first direction, (ii) a second circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in the opposite direction to the first diode, (iii) said first and second circuit arms being connected to the supply voltage at their diode ends and connected to the ballast at their capacitor ends, whereby one of said capacitors will charge to the value of said voltage supply during each half cycle of the AC supply voltage, (b) trigger means connected in shorting relation across said voltage doubler for selectively discharging the charge stored in said doubler circuit through a portion of said ballast to produce a high voltage starting pulse to initiate conduction in said lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said starting circuit includes impedance means for preventing the high voltage pulse from getting into the starting circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said voltage doubler is connected to the high voltage portion of the lamp ballast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The starting circuit according to claim 3 wherein said starting circuit includes impedance means for preventing the high voltage pulse from getting into the starting circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said ballast is an auto transformer and said voltage doubler is connected to said ballast between the supply terminal and the center tap terminal of said ballast, whereby the starting circuit is not present in the high voltage pulse path and impedance means is not required to protect the starting circuit against damage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said trigger means includes means for visually observing when triggering occurs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said trigger means is connected to the mid-point of the capacitor and diode in each of said first and second circuit arms, and triggering is effective for shorting the mid-points together to place said capacitors in series to produce said high voltage pulse through said ballast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The starting circuit according to claim 1 wherein said trigger means includes: (a) an RC timing network, (b) a triac having a gate electrode, (c) a neon tube connected between said RC network and the gate electrode of said triac, whereby the triac is operated to short said voltage doubler and produce said high voltage pulse when the RC network charges up to the flash-over value of the neon tube thereby enabling the triac and visually signalling that triggering has occurred.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
A starting circuit for gaseous discharge lamps having associated therewith a lamp ballast in series between said lamp and a voltage supply, said circuit comprising: (a) a voltage doubling circuit including: (i) a first circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in a first direction, (ii) a second circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in the opposite direction to the first diode, said first and second circuit arms being connected to the supply voltage at their diode ends and connected to the ballast at their capacitor ends, (b) trigger means for discharging said doubler circuit through a portion of said ballast to produce a high voltage starting pulse connected to the mid-point of the capacitor and diode in each of said first and second circuit arms, and triggering is effective for shorting the mid-points together to place said capacitors in series to produce said high voltage pulse through said ballast.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A starting circuit for gaseous discharge lamps having associated therewith a lamp ballast in series between said lamp and a voltage supply, said circuit comprising: (a) a voltage doubling circuit including: (i) a first circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in a first direction, (ii) a second circuit arm having a capacitor and diode in series, said diode conducting in the opposite direction to the first diode, said first and second circuit arms being connected to the supply voltage at their diode ends and connected to the ballast at their capacitor ends, (b) trigger means for discharging said doubler circuit through a portion of said ballast to produce a high voltage starting pulse connected to the mid-point of the capacitor and diode in each of said first and second circuit arms, and triggering is effective for shorting the mid-points together to place said capacitors in series to produce said high voltage pulse through said ballast.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The starting circuit according to claim 9 wherein said trigger means includes: (a) an RC timing circuit, (b) a triac having a gate electrode, (c) a neon tube connected between said RC network and the gate electrode of said triac, whereby the triac is operated to short said voltage doubler and produce said high voltage pulse when the RC network charges up to the flash-over value of the neon tube thereby enabling the triac and visually signalling that triggering has occurred.
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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) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |