Power supply for arc discharge devices

Claim 2

A power supply circuit for arc discharge devices including a first relatively low voltage source having means for connection to an arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in an arc discharge device until ionization has occurred in the device and having a power capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the device, and a second relatively high voltage power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device.

Claim 3

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first source is D.C. and the second source is A.C.

Claim 4

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first source is A.C. and the second source is A.C. of a higher frequency.

Claim 5

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first source is D.C. and the second source is a D.C. repetitive wave form.

Claim 6

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first source is A.C. and the second source is a D.C. repetitive wave form of a higher frequency including means to reverse the polarity of the second source with each half cycle of the first source.

Claim 7

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for controlling the initiation and/or termination of said second source.

Claim 8

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for controlling the initiation of said second source includes for delaying and/or advancing such initiations and/or terminations for adjustable time intervals after the initiation of said first source.

Claim 9

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for isolating the outputs of each source from the other source.

Claim 10

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first source is isolated from said second power supply by an inductor connected between their outputs providing a high impedance to the output of said second source, and wherein said first source is isolated from said power supply by a capacitor providing a high impedance to the output of said first source.

Claim 11

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of said second source is coupled to the arc discharge device by a capacitor.

Claim 12

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 10, including a plurality of capacitors and arc devices.

Claim 13

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of said second source is coupled to an arc discharge device through transforming means.

Claim 14

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for controlling the duration of the output of said second source.

Claim 15

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for adjusting the frequency of said second source.

Claim 16

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for providing a varying frequency from said second source.

Claim 17

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 15 with means for adjusting the varying frequency of said second source.

Claim 18

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 15, including means of controlling the duration of the output of said second source.

Claim 19

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for varying the voltage amplitude of said second source.

Claim 20

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means of varying the pulse width of the said second source.

Claim 21

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including means for connection to more than one arc discharge device.

Claim 22

A power supply circuit as set forth in claim 1, including switch means normally connecting said second source to an A.C. line and operative in the event the termination of voltage in the A.C. line to connect said second power supply to an alternative power source.

Claim 23

A power control circuit comprising an arc discharge device having a pair of spaced electrodes, a first relatively low voltage source connected to said arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in said device until ionization has occured and having a power output capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to said device, and a second relatively high voltage power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device.

Claim 24

A power control circuit comprising an arc discharge device having a pair of spaced electrodes, a first relatively low voltage source connected to said arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in said device until ionization has occured and having a power output capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to said device, and a second relatively high voltage power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device.

Claim 25

A power supply circuit for arc discharge devices including a first relatively low voltage source having means for connection to an arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in an arc discharge device until ionization has occurred in the device and having a power capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the device, a second relatively high voltage A.C. power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device, and wherein said last mentioned means comprises circuit elements selected to resonate at the frequency of said second source.

Claim 26

A power supply circuit for arc discharge devices including a first relatively low voltage source having means for connection to an arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in an arc discharge device until ionization has occurred in the device and having a power capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the device, a second relatively high voltage A.C. power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device, and wherein said last mentioned means comprises circuit elements selected to resonate at the frequency of said second source.

Claim 27

A circuit for turning on a discharge lamp means and maintaining said discharge lamp means on for a selected period, said discharge lamp means having a characteristic negative impedance, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a low frequency alternating current voltage commensurate with commercial power amplitude whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the discharge lamp and frequency values; means for applying the alternating current voltage from said first mentioned means across the discharge lamp; oscillator means for generating a high frequency alternating current voltage; means for superposing said high frequency alternating current voltage on said low frequency alternating current voltage across the discharge lamp during the entire on period of the discharge lamp, the duration of the on period being shorter than a half period of the low frequency alternating current voltage; and impedance means connected between said first supplying mentioned means and the discharge lamp for blocking high frequency voltages but passing the low frequency alternating current voltage of said first supplying mentioned means to the discharge lamp whereby the discharge lamp is maintained on by the superposed alternating current voltages of said first supplying mentioned means and said oscillator means.

Claim 28

A circuit for turning on a discharge lamp means and maintaining said discharge lamp means on for a selected period, said discharge lamp means having a characteristic negative impedance, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a low frequency alternating current voltage commensurate with commercial power amplitude whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the discharge lamp and frequency values; means for applying the alternating current voltage from said first mentioned means across the discharge lamp; oscillator means for generating a high frequency alternating current voltage; means for superposing said high frequency alternating current voltage on said low frequency alternating current voltage across the discharge lamp during the entire on period of the discharge lamp, the duration of the on period being shorter than a half period of the low frequency alternating current voltage; and impedance means connected between said first supplying mentioned means and the discharge lamp for blocking high frequency voltages but passing the low frequency alternating current voltage of said first supplying mentioned means to the discharge lamp whereby the discharge lamp is maintained on by the superposed alternating current voltages of said first supplying mentioned means and said oscillator means.