Lighting circuits

Claim 2

In a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, and a lamp lead, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lighting circuit, which includes: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected to form a first series combination which is operatively connected to the ballast to provide a first charging current to the first capacitor; (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected to form a second series combination which is operatively connected to the ballast, the closing of the switch being determined by the voltage across the first capacitor and the closure of the switch allowing the second resistive element to be energized; and (c) a sensing circuit, including a reactance, which is operatively connected between the gaseous-discharge lamp and the first capacitor to provide a second charging current to the first capacitor, the vector sum of the first and second charging currents being insufficient to charge the first capacitor to a voltage sufficient to close the switch, as the gaseous-discharge lamp approaches its normal operating condition.

Claim 3

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 1, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 4

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 1, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 5

The auxiliary light circuit of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises an SCR and a diac.

Claim 6

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 4, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 7

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 4, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 8

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a triac and a diac.

Claim 9

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 7, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 10

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 7, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 11

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting circuit, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage and a lamp lead, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected to form a first series combination which is adapted for operative connection to the ballast, such that, in operation, a first charging current is provided to the first capacitor; (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected to form a second series combination which is adapted for operative connection to the ballast, such that, in operation, the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the first capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized; and (c) a sensing circuit, including a reactance, which is adapted for operative connection between the gaseous-discharge lamp and the first capacitor, such that, in operation, the sensing circuit provides a second charging current to the first capacitor, the vector sum of the first and second charging currents being insufficient to charge the first capacitor to a voltage sufficient to close the switch, as the gaseous-discharge lamp approaches its normal operating condition.

Claim 12

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting circuit, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage and a lamp lead, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected to form a first series combination which is adapted for operative connection to the ballast, such that, in operation, a first charging current is provided to the first capacitor; (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected to form a second series combination which is adapted for operative connection to the ballast, such that, in operation, the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the first capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized; and (c) a sensing circuit, including a reactance, which is adapted for operative connection between the gaseous-discharge lamp and the first capacitor, such that, in operation, the sensing circuit provides a second charging current to the first capacitor, the vector sum of the first and second charging currents being insufficient to charge the first capacitor to a voltage sufficient to close the switch, as the gaseous-discharge lamp approaches its normal operating condition.

Claim 13

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 10, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 14

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 10, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 15

The auxiliary light circuit of claim 10, wherein the switch comprises an SCR and a diac.

Claim 16

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 13, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 17

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 13, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 18

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a triac and a diac.

Claim 19

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 16, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 20

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 16, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 21

In a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a lead-peaked regulating type ballast having a primary winding with line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, having a voltage tap having secondary winding one end thereof providing the lamp lead of the ballast, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp lead and the common lead of the ballast, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lighting circuit which includes: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the lamp lead and voltage tap of the ballast; and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common of the ballast, the closing of the switch being determined by the voltage across the first capacitor and the closure of the switch allowing the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 22

In a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a lead-peaked regulating type ballast having a primary winding with line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, having a voltage tap having secondary winding one end thereof providing the lamp lead of the ballast, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp lead and the common lead of the ballast, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lighting circuit which includes: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the lamp lead and voltage tap of the ballast; and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common of the ballast, the closing of the switch being determined by the voltage across the first capacitor and the closure of the switch allowing the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 23

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 19, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 24

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 19, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 25

The auxiliary light circuit of claim 19, wherein the switch comprises an SCR and a diac.

Claim 26

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 22, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 27

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 22, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 28

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 19, wherein the switch comprises a triac and a diac.

Claim 29

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 25, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 30

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 25, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 31

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a voltage tap and a lamp lead, and having a non-sinusoidal open circuit voltage, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the lamp lead and voltage tap of the ballast; and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common lead of the ballast, such that, in operation the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the timing capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 32

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a voltage tap and a lamp lead, and having a non-sinusoidal open circuit voltage, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the lamp lead and voltage tap of the ballast; and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common lead of the ballast, such that, in operation the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the timing capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 33

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 28, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 34

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 28, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 35

The auxiliary light circuit of claim 28, wherein the switch comprises an SCR and a diac.

Claim 36

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 31, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 37

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 31, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 38

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 28, wherein the switch comprises a triac and a diac.

Claim 39

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 34, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 40

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 34, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 41

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a lead-peaked regulating type ballast having a primary winding with line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage having a voltage tap, having secondary winding with one end thereof providing the lamp lead of the ballast, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp lead and the common lead of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the voltage tap and lamp lead of the ballast and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common of the ballast, such that, in operation the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the timing capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 42

An auxiliary lighting circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a lead-peaked regulating type ballast having a primary winding with line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage having a voltage tap, having secondary winding with one end thereof providing the lamp lead of the ballast, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp lead and the common lead of the ballast, said auxiliary lighting circuit comprising: (a) a first resistive element and a first capacitor operatively connected in series to sense the voltage between the voltage tap and lamp lead of the ballast and (b) a second resistive element and a switch operatively connected in series between the voltage tap and the common of the ballast, such that, in operation the closing of the switch is determined by the voltage across the timing capacitor and the closure of the switch allows the second resistive element to be energized.

Claim 43

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 37, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 44

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 37, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 45

The auxiliary light circuit of claim 37, wherein the switch comprises an SCR and a diac.

Claim 46

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 40, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 47

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 40, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 48

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 37, wherein the switch comprises a triac and a diac.

Claim 49

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 43, wherein the second resistive element comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 50

The auxiliary lighting circuit of claim 43, wherein the second resistive element comprises the coil of a relay.

Claim 51

In a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a lamp lead, and a starter winding, and a gaseous-discharge lamp operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, the improvement comprising: a starter circuit for generating starting pulses to the gaseous-discharge lamp which terminates the generation of starting pulses once the gaseous-discharge lamp ignites, said starter circuit comprising: (a) a first capacitor and a first resistive element operatively connected in series, said series combination operatively connected to the ballast; (b) a second capacitor and a second resistive element operatively connected in series, the series combination operatively connected to the ballast; and (c) a switch operatively connected between the first capacitor and one end of the starter winding, the closing of the switch being determined by the voltage across the second capacitor and the closure of the switch enabling the first capacitor to discharge through the starter winding.

Claim 52

In a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a lamp lead, and a starter winding, and a gaseous-discharge lamp operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, the improvement comprising: a starter circuit for generating starting pulses to the gaseous-discharge lamp which terminates the generation of starting pulses once the gaseous-discharge lamp ignites, said starter circuit comprising: (a) a first capacitor and a first resistive element operatively connected in series, said series combination operatively connected to the ballast; (b) a second capacitor and a second resistive element operatively connected in series, the series combination operatively connected to the ballast; and (c) a switch operatively connected between the first capacitor and one end of the starter winding, the closing of the switch being determined by the voltage across the second capacitor and the closure of the switch enabling the first capacitor to discharge through the starter winding.

Claim 53

A starter circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a lamp lead, and a starter winding, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, which starter circuit generates starting pulses to the gaseous-discharge lamp until the gaseous-discharge lamp ignities, comprising: (a) a first capacitor and a first resistive element operatively connected to form a first series combination, said first series combination operatively connected to the ballast; (b) a second capacitor and a second resistive element operatively connected in series, the series combination operatively connected to the ballast; and (c) a switch operatively connected between the first capacitor and one end of the starter winding, such that, in operation, the closing of switch is determined by the voltage across the second capacitor and the closure of the switch enables the first capacitor to discharge through the starter winding.

Claim 54

A starter circuit for use in a gaseous-discharge lamp lighting system, said system including a ballast having line and common leads for receiving an AC input voltage, a lamp lead, and a starter winding, and a gaseous-discharge lamp which is operatively connected between the lamp and common leads of the ballast, which starter circuit generates starting pulses to the gaseous-discharge lamp until the gaseous-discharge lamp ignities, comprising: (a) a first capacitor and a first resistive element operatively connected to form a first series combination, said first series combination operatively connected to the ballast; (b) a second capacitor and a second resistive element operatively connected in series, the series combination operatively connected to the ballast; and (c) a switch operatively connected between the first capacitor and one end of the starter winding, such that, in operation, the closing of switch is determined by the voltage across the second capacitor and the closure of the switch enables the first capacitor to discharge through the starter winding.