Patent US4325004A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4325004A
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Method and apparatus for starting high intensity discharge lamps
Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1980-10-02
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Granted: 1982-04-13
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Expires: 2000-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for starting high intensity discharge lamps utilizing a spiral line pulse generator to generate high voltage, short duration starting pulses. The spiral line pulse generator includes two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns. A high voltage, short duration pulse is provided upon closure of a low inductance switch coupled between the conductors. The pulse is coupled to the discharge lamp by an elongated conductor located in close proximity to the discharge tube. The spiral line pulse generator can be included within the outer jacket of the light source.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Proud
- 👤 Leslie A. Riseberg
- 👤 Charles N. Fallier, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/54; H01J61/547; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/05; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A light source comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp including a discharge tube having electrodes sealed therein at opposite ends for receiving operating power and enclosing a fill material which emits light during discharge; pulse generating means including a spiral line pulse generator including two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating and overlapping arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns, said spiral line pulse generator further including an output taken between an innermost turn and an outermost turn of said spiral configuration and means for switching said conductors from a first predetermined low voltage therebetween to a second predetermined low voltage therebetween in a time interval which is much shorter than the transit time of electromagnetic waves between said innermost turn and said outermost turn of said spiral line pulse generator; and means for coupling the output of said spiral line pulse generator to said discharge lamp, whereby said spiral line pulse generator, after operation of said switching means, provides at said output a high voltage, short duration pulse of sufficient energy to initiate discharge in said high pressure discharge lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A light source comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp including a discharge tube having electrodes sealed therein at opposite ends for receiving operating power and enclosing a fill material which emits light during discharge; pulse generating means including a spiral line pulse generator including two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating and overlapping arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns, said spiral line pulse generator further including an output taken between an innermost turn and an outermost turn of said spiral configuration and means for switching said conductors from a first predetermined low voltage therebetween to a second predetermined low voltage therebetween in a time interval which is much shorter than the transit time of electromagnetic waves between said innermost turn and said outermost turn of said spiral line pulse generator; and means for coupling the output of said spiral line pulse generator to said discharge lamp, whereby said spiral line pulse generator, after operation of said switching means, provides at said output a high voltage, short duration pulse of sufficient energy to initiate discharge in said high pressure discharge lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The light source as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductors are adapted for coupling to a source of voltage and to a point of reference potential, respectively, and said means for switching includes a low inductance switch coupled between said conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light source as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for switching includes means for repeatedly closing and opening said switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The light source as defined in claim 3 further including means responsive to the operational condition of said discharge lamp for disabling said means for switching when said discharge lamp contains an arc discharge therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for switching includes a self-heated thermal switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The light source as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for disabling includes a thermally activated switch located so as to switch states and disable said means for switching when said discharge lamp is above a predetermined temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light source as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for coupling includes a conductor located in close proximity to an outer surface of said discharge tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light source as defined in claim 2 wherein said switch is coupled between said conductors at said outermost turn of said spiral configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light source as defined in claim 2 wherein said discharge lamp is a high pressure sodium lamp including a noble gas at a pressure of up to 300 torr.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The light source as defined in claim 9 further including a light transmitting envelope enclosing said discharge lamp, said means for switching and said spiral line pulse generator and means for coupling power through said envelope to said discharge lamp and said spiral line pulse generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The light source as defined in claim 10 wherein said spiral line pulse generator and said means for switching are located in a base region of said envelope to avoid blockage of light from said discharge lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light source as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for switching includes a spark gap coupled between said conductors of said spiral line pulse generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The light source as defined in claim 12 further including a light transmitting envelope enclosing said discharge lamp, said means for switching and said spiral line pulse generator and means for coupling power through said envelope to said discharge lamp and said spiral line pulse generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The light source as defined in claim 13 wherein said spiral line pulse generator and said means for switching are located in a base region of said envelope to avoid blockage of light from said discharge lamp.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for starting a high pressure discharge lamp of the type including a discharge tube having electrodes sealed therein at opposite ends for receiving ac power from a lamp ballast and enclosing a fill material which emits light during discharge, said method comprising the steps of: applying a first predetermined low voltage between two conductors of a spiral line pulse generator including said two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating and overlapping arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns, said spiral line pulse generator further including an output taken between an innermost turn and an outermost turn of said spiral configuration; switching said conductors from said first low voltage therebetween to a second predetermined low voltage therebetween in a time interval which is much shorter than the transit time of electromagnetic waves between said innermost turn and said outermost turn of said spiral line pulse generator; and coupling to said discharge lamp a high voltage, short duration pulse appearing at said output of said spiral line pulse generator after said step of switching said spiral line pulse generator, whereby said high voltage pulse initiates discharge in said high pressure discharge lamp.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for starting a high pressure discharge lamp of the type including a discharge tube having electrodes sealed therein at opposite ends for receiving ac power from a lamp ballast and enclosing a fill material which emits light during discharge, said method comprising the steps of: applying a first predetermined low voltage between two conductors of a spiral line pulse generator including said two conductors and two insulators, each in the form of an elongated sheet, in an alternating and overlapping arrangement which is rolled together in a spiral configuration having a plurality of turns, said spiral line pulse generator further including an output taken between an innermost turn and an outermost turn of said spiral configuration; switching said conductors from said first low voltage therebetween to a second predetermined low voltage therebetween in a time interval which is much shorter than the transit time of electromagnetic waves between said innermost turn and said outermost turn of said spiral line pulse generator; and coupling to said discharge lamp a high voltage, short duration pulse appearing at said output of said spiral line pulse generator after said step of switching said spiral line pulse generator, whereby said high voltage pulse initiates discharge in said high pressure discharge lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as defined in claim 15 wherein said step of applying said first low voltage between said conductors includes the step of coupling said conductors to a source of voltage and to a point of reference potential, respectively, and said step of switching said conductors includes the step of closing a low inductance switch coupled between said conductors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 16 wherein said step of switching said conductors includes the steps of repeatedly closing and opening said low inductance switch until initiation of a discharge in said discharge lamp.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 17 wherein said high voltage pulse is coupled to said discharge lamp by a conductor located in close proximity to an outer surface of said discharge tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined by claim 18 further including the steps of enclosing said discharge lamp, said spiral line pulse generator and said low inductance switch in a light transmitting envelope and locating said pulse generator and said switch in a base region of said envelope.
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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) | 1985-04-12 | 1985-10-12 | 1986-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-12 | 1989-10-12 | 1990-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-12 | 1993-10-12 | 1994-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |