Patent US3852596A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4350935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4350935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas discharge lamp control
Assignee: Lutron Technology Co LLC
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Filing: 1980-03-28
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Granted: 1982-09-21
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Expires: 2000-03-28
Abstract
Abstract The input energy to a gas discharge lamp is controlled over a given range to obtain output light regulation in a controlled fashion for different kinds of gas discharge lamps, including fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps and others associated with any type ballast, including conventional non-dimming type ballasts. A suitable circuit switches each half wave of an input a-c wave form from some instantaneous value greater than zero to a substantially zero value and then back to a value greater than zero one or more times in each half cycle. The time duration of the substantially zero energy interval is varied to vary the total energy applied to the gas discharge lamps. In a preferred embodiment, a first high speed electronic switch is connected in series with the a-c source and lamp ballast and a high speed electronic shunt switch is connected across the a-c line and ballast input. The series switch is opened to produce the zero energy interval. Simultaneously with the opening of the series switch, the shunt switch is closed to allow discharge of energy stored in the reactive components of the ballast into the lamp. When the series switch is reclosed, the shunt switch is simultaneously opened. Other embodiments are described which include the use of passive energy divertors in place of the shunt switches or across the series switch. Numerous protective circuits protect the control circuit, the lamp and ballast, and the a-c line.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel S. Spira
- 👤 David G. Luchaco
- 👤 Dennis Capewell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:49
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3924; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 103
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
172 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said wave shape has at least one further non-conductive region which includes at least one of the two zero magnitude crossovers associated with each half wave, whereby current does not flow through said circuit means during said at least one further non-conductive region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein said wave shape has at least one further non-conductive region which includes at least one of the zero magnitude crossovers associated with each half wave, whereby current does not flow through said circuit means during said at least one further non-conductive region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the duration of at least one of said two non-conductive regions and the ratio of non-conduction time to conduction time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the duration of at least one of said two non-conductive regions and the ratio of non-conduction time to conduction time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; adjustment means for varying the duration of at least one of said two non-conductive regions and the ratio of non-conduction time to conduction time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; adjustment means for varying the duration of at least one of said two non-conductive regions and the ratio of non-conduction time to conduction time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of the said a-c wave shape; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected directly across said cicuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of the said a-c wave shape; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and energy divertor means connected directly across said cicuit means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control system of claim 2, 4 or 6 wherein said energy divertor means is connected directly across said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 2, 4 or 6 wherein said energy divertor means is connected directly across said circuit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of the said a-c wave shape; said a-c wave shape having a phase control configuration; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and an energy divertor means connected across said a-c ballast means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of the said a-c wave shape; said a-c wave shape having a phase control configuration; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and an energy divertor means connected across said a-c ballast means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and switching means connected directly across said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp; and switching means connected directly across said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system of claim 2, 4, 6 or 10 wherein said energy divertor means includes a passive element selected from the group consisting of capacitors, inductors, resistors and two terminal semiconductor devices.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 2, 4, 6 or 7 wherein said energy divertor means is a passive element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 2, 4, 7 or 10 wherein said energy divertor means is a switch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The control system of claim 13 wherein said passive element is a capacitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control system of claim 1 or 2 wherein said lamp is a fluorescent lamp.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control system of claim 1, 2, 7 or 11 wherein said current has a single non-conductive region in each of said half waves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 17 wherein said single non-conductive region hs the same duration and the same location in each of said half waves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 17 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control system of claim 17 which includes adjustment means for varying the location of said non-conductive region within each of said half waves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 20 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 1, 2, 7 or 11 wherein said current has at least two non-conductive regions in each of said half waves.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control system of claim 21 wherein said non-conductive regions have the same duration and location in each of said half waves.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 22 which includes adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control system of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said non-conductive regions have the same duration and location in each of said half waves.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 which includes adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 26 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The control system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 11 which includes more than two non-conductive regions in each of said half waves.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 28 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control system of claim 2, 4, 6 or 7 which includes multiplicity of said non-conductive regions in each of said half waves; said energy divertor comprising a capacitor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 11 which includes a multiplicity of said non-conductive regions in each of said half waves.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The control system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 11 wherein said circuit means includes a controllably conductive device connected in series with said control circuit input a-c terminals and said control circuit output a-c terminals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control system of claim 32 wherein said controllably conductive device is open during any non-conductive region and closed at all other times.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The control system of claim 33 which further includes bypass switching means connected in parallel with said circuit means and between said control circuit input a-c terminals and said control circuit output a-c terminals and second circuit means for operating said bypass switching means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 33 which further includes input capacitor means connected to said control circuit input a-c terminals to absorb transient voltage pulses including those generated by said circuit means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 32 which further includes input capacitor means connected to said control circuit input a-c terminals to absorb transient voltage pulses including those generated by said circuit means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
The control system of claim 32 which further includes bypass switching means connected in parallel with said circuit means and between said control circuit input a-c terminals and said control circuit output a-c terminals and second circuit means for operating said bypass switching means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control system of claim 32 which further includes voltage responsive means connected to said control circuit input a-c terminals, and connection means connecting said voltage responsive means to said controllably conductive device for controllably varying the conduction of said device in accordance with a predetermined pattern.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
181 words
An illumination control circuit for energizing a gas discharge lamp comprising: an a-c ballast connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a pair of a-c source terminals for connection to an a-c line; a first controllably conductive switching device connected in series between said a-c source terminals and said a-c ballast input terminals; first control means for switching said first controllably conductive switching device on and off to permit energy transfer from said a-c source terminals to said a-c ballast input terminals only when said first controllably conductive switching device is on, and producing at least one off region during each half cycle at a point in said half cycle between, but not including, its zero crossover regions; a second controllably conductive switching device connected across said a-c ballast input terminals; second control means for switching said second controllably conductive switching device on and off when said first controllably conductive device is off and on respectively; and adjustment means for adjusting the duration of each of said off regions to produce dimming of the output of a lamp.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
181 words
An illumination control circuit for energizing a gas discharge lamp comprising: an a-c ballast connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a pair of a-c source terminals for connection to an a-c line; a first controllably conductive switching device connected in series between said a-c source terminals and said a-c ballast input terminals; first control means for switching said first controllably conductive switching device on and off to permit energy transfer from said a-c source terminals to said a-c ballast input terminals only when said first controllably conductive switching device is on, and producing at least one off region during each half cycle at a point in said half cycle between, but not including, its zero crossover regions; a second controllably conductive switching device connected across said a-c ballast input terminals; second control means for switching said second controllably conductive switching device on and off when said first controllably conductive device is off and on respectively; and adjustment means for adjusting the duration of each of said off regions to produce dimming of the output of a lamp.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit of claim 40 wherein said first switching device has only a single off operation during each half cycle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
62 words
The circuit of claim 40 wherein said first switching device comprises a high power transistor and a single phase, full wave, bridge-connected rectifier circuit; the emitter and collector terminals of said transistor connected to the d-c terminals of said bridge circuit; the a-c terminals of said bridge circuit connected in series with said a-c source terminals and said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
The circuit of claim 40 which includes normally closed relay means in parallel with said first switching device and time delay means for opening said relay means a predetermined time after rated a-c voltage appears at said a-c source terminals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit of claim 43 wherein all off regions for said first switching device occur at identical angles in each half cycle and have identical durations.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit of claim 40 or 41 wherein said off region in each of said off periods begins at the same angle and ends at a variable angle in each half cycle.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
39 words
The circuit of claim 40 or 42 wherein said second switching device includes first and second oppositely poled thyristors; said second control means including gate drive circuits connected directly to said a-c source terminals to operate in proper sequence.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
193 words
An illumination control circuit for energizing a gas discharge lamp comprising: an a-c ballast connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a pair of a-c source terminals for connection to an a-c line; a first controllably conductive switching device connected in series between said a-c source terminals and said a-c ballast input terminals; first control means for switching said first controllably conductive switching device on and off to permit energy transfer from said a-c source terminals to said a-c ballast input terminals only when said first controllably conductive switching device is on, and producing at least one off region during each half cycle at a point in said half cycle between, but not including, its zero crossover regions; a second controllably conductive switching device connected across said a-c ballast input terminals; second control means for switching said second controllably conductive switching device on and off when said first controllably conductive device is off and on respectively; and normally closed relay means in parallel with said first switching device and time delay means for opening said relay means a predetermined time after rated a-c voltage appears at said a-c source terminals.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
193 words
An illumination control circuit for energizing a gas discharge lamp comprising: an a-c ballast connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a pair of a-c source terminals for connection to an a-c line; a first controllably conductive switching device connected in series between said a-c source terminals and said a-c ballast input terminals; first control means for switching said first controllably conductive switching device on and off to permit energy transfer from said a-c source terminals to said a-c ballast input terminals only when said first controllably conductive switching device is on, and producing at least one off region during each half cycle at a point in said half cycle between, but not including, its zero crossover regions; a second controllably conductive switching device connected across said a-c ballast input terminals; second control means for switching said second controllably conductive switching device on and off when said first controllably conductive device is off and on respectively; and normally closed relay means in parallel with said first switching device and time delay means for opening said relay means a predetermined time after rated a-c voltage appears at said a-c source terminals.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit of claim 47 wherein the durations of each of said off regions are adjustable to produce dimming of the output of said lamp.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit of claim 40 or 47 which further includes an input capacitor connected across said a-c source terminals to absorb voltage surges produced by the operation of said first switching device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
58 words
The circuit of claim 40 or 47 which further includes power supply means for providing operating power for said first control means; said power supply means including a full wave rectifier having a-c terminals connected to respective terminals of said a-c source terminals and providing symmetry for operating said first switching device on positive and negative half cycles.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
102 words
The circuit of claim 40 or 47 wherein said first control circuit includes fixed timing circuit means for producing an output signal at the end of a first time following any zero crossover of the voltage of said a-c source terminals and variable timing circuit means producing an output for a variable time following the end of said first time connected to said first switching device and applying a signal to said first switching device for said variable time to turn said first switching device off for said variable time; and input control signal means connected to said variable timing circuit means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
69 words
The circuit of claim 51 which further includes power supply means for providing operating power for said first control means; said power supply means including a full wave rectifier having a-c terminals connected to respective terminals of said a-c source terminals and providing symmetry for operating said first switching device on positive and negative half cycles; said full wave rectifier connected to and operating said fixed timing circuit means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 52 wherein said fixed and variable time delay circuit means each comprise one-shot circuits.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
91 words
The circuit of claim 40, 43 or 47 which further includes a-c line voltage monitor means connected to said a-c source terminals and cutoff circuit means connected thereto and connected to said first switching device; said line voltage monitor means producing an output signal to operate said cutoff circuit means when the voltage at said a-c source terminals varies beyond predetermined limits for a fixed given time; said cutoff circuit means thereafter preventing the closing of said first switching device for a second given time longer than said first given time.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
63 words
The circuit of claim 54 which includes normally closed relay means in parallel with said first switching device and time delay means for opening said relay means a predetermined time after rated a-c voltage appears at said a-c source terminals; said voltage monitor means further connected to said relay means and closing said relay means when said voltage varies beyond said predetermined limits.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
210 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source in a manner whereby the total power applied to its said group is unaffected by a power reduction due to any given state of said control circuits; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source, whereby said group will be initially operated by said power source and unaffected by the power regulation due to said control circuit, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
210 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source in a manner whereby the total power applied to its said group is unaffected by a power reduction due to any given state of said control circuits; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source, whereby said group will be initially operated by said power source and unaffected by the power regulation due to said control circuit, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
53 words
The lighting system of claim 56 which further includes time delay means coupling each of said first and second switching means of each of said groups to one another; said time delay means being operable to automatically close said first switching means a given time after the closing of said second switching means.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lighting system of claim 56 or 57 wherein said second switching means is a local manually operable switch.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
209 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means including respective voltage step-up means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit in a manner whereby the voltage applied to its said group is increased; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means operable to energize said step-up means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source through said voltage step-up means and said control circuit, whereby said group will be initially operated from an increased voltage, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
209 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means including respective voltage step-up means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit in a manner whereby the voltage applied to its said group is increased; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means operable to energize said step-up means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source through said voltage step-up means and said control circuit, whereby said group will be initially operated from an increased voltage, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 59 wherein said voltage step-up means is a voltage transformer.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
53 words
The lighting system of claim 59 which further includes time delay means coupling each of said first and second switching means of each of said groups to one another; said time delay means being operable to automatically close said first switching means a given time after the closing of said second switching means.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lighting system of claim 59 or 61 wherein said second switching means is a local manually operable switch.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
234 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means including an energy storage means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit in a manner whereby the voltage wave shape applied to its said group is modified to be relatively unaffected by power reduction due to any given state of said control circuit; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means operable to connect said energy storage means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source, through said control circuit and said energy storage means, whereby said group will be initially relatively unaffected by the power regulation due to said control circuit, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
234 words
A gas discharge lamp lighting system comprising, in combination: a plurality of separate groups of gas discharge lamps and ballasts therefor; a main power source for energizing each of said plurality of groups; a control circuit for modifying the power applied to said plurality of said groups; first circuit means for each of said groups connecting its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit; each of said first circuit means including a respective first switching means; second circuit means including an energy storage means for each of said groups coupling its respective group to said main power source through said control circuit in a manner whereby the voltage wave shape applied to its said group is modified to be relatively unaffected by power reduction due to any given state of said control circuit; each of said second circuit means including a respective second switching means operable to connect said energy storage means; said second circuit means being operable before said first circuit means to effect initial connection of their respective group of said plurality of groups to power from said power source, through said control circuit and said energy storage means, whereby said group will be initially relatively unaffected by the power regulation due to said control circuit, and whereby said first switching means of each of said groups is operated after said lamps have reached a desired operating temperature.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 63 wherein said energy storage means is a capacitor.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
53 words
The lighting system of claim 63 which further includes time delay means coupling each of said first and second switching means of each of said groups to one another; said time delay means being operable to automatically close said first switching means a given time after the closing of said second switching means.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lighting system of claim 63 or 65 wherein said second switching means is a local manually operable switch.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
136 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half-waves of the said a-c wave shape; and adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
136 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half-waves of the said a-c wave shape; and adjustment means for varying the duration of said non-conductive region and the ratio of non-conductive time to conductive time during any half-cycle in order to control the intensity of the illumination output of said gas discharge lamp.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
42 words
The control system of claim 67 wherein said current has at least two non-conductive regions in each of said half waves; and adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 68 which further includes energy divertor means connected directly across said circuit means.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system of claim 69 wherein said at least one region is located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltages applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control system of claim 68 wherein said a-c ballast has a high power factor, and wherein said at least one region is located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltages applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 68 which further includes switching means connected directly across said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
121 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has a single non-conductive region; said single non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; energy divertor means connected directly across said circuit means; and adjustment means for varying the location of said non-conductive region within each of said half waves.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
121 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has a single non-conductive region; said single non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; energy divertor means connected directly across said circuit means; and adjustment means for varying the location of said non-conductive region within each of said half waves.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 73 which further includes energy divertor means connected directly across said circuit means.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system of claim 74 wherein said at least one region is located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltages applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control system of claim 73 wherein said a-c ballast has a high power factor, and wherein said at least one region is located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltages applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 73 which further includes switching means connected directly across said a-c ballast input terminals.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
52 words
The control system of claim 75 or 76 wherein said wave shape has at least one further non-conductive region which includes at least one of the two zero magnitude crossovers associated with each half wave, whereby current does not flow through said circuit means during said at least one further non-conductive region.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 78 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system of claim 73, 74, 75, 76 or 77 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control system of claim 1 which further includes rate-of-change control means to cause the rate of change of said adjustment means not to exceed a suitable value.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
143 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
143 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means having a high power factor connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; and adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
149 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means; and adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
149 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals; a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least two non-conductive regions in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least two non-conductive regions including both zero magnitude crossovers of each half cycle of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means; and adjustment means for varying the location of at least one of said non-conductive regions within each of said half waves.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
23 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals;
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
23 words
An illumination control system comprising: a gas discharge lamp; an a-c ballast means connected to said lamp and having a-c ballast input terminals;
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
118 words
a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means; said energy divertor means including a capacitor.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
118 words
a control circuit having input a-c terminals and output a-c terminals; said output a-c terminals connected to said a-c ballast input terminals; said control circuit including circuit means for modifying the a-c wave shape of the voltage applied to said a-c ballast input terminals, whereby the current through said circuit means has at least one non-conductive region; said at least one non-conductive region disposed in each of the half waves of said a-c wave shape; said at least one region located between but not including adjacent zero magnitude crossovers of the voltage applied to said control circuit input a-c terminals; energy divertor means connected in closed series with said circuit means; said energy divertor means including a capacitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-09-20 | 1986-03-22 | 1986-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-20 | 1990-03-22 | 1990-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-20 | 1994-03-22 | 1994-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |