Ballast modifying device and lead-type ballast for programming and controlling the operating performance of an hid sodium lamp

Claim 2

In combination with a lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge lamp, a device for modifying said ballast apparatus in order to program and control the operating performance of the high-intensity-discharge lamp as operated by said modified ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus having apparatus input terminals adapted to be coupled to a source of AC energizing potential and apparatus output terminals across which said lamp to be operated is adapted to be coupled; and said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising an inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said inductive reactance portion comprising a current-limiting high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means coupled to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means coupled to the secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means coupled between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals; said modifying device comprising: additional inductance means coupled in circuit in one of (1) a parallel coupling with said capacitor means, and (2) a coupling across said secondary winding means output terminals, controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means being coupled in circuit with said additional inductance means so that when said switching means is open, said modified ballast apparatus delivers a first level of current to an operating lamp, and when said switching means is closed, said modified ballast apparatus delivers a second and different level of current to an operating lamp; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and said sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 3

The combination as specified in claim 1, wherein said lamp to be operated is an HID sodium lamp and wherein the total inductive reactance and the total capacitive reactance of said modified ballast apparatus are predetermined in order to deliver two levels of electrical current to an operating lamp, depending upon the open or closed position of said switching means, one level of said current being greater than the average current desired for an operating lamp, and the other level of said current being less than the average current desired for an operating lamp.

Claim 4

The combination as specified in claim 2, wherein said switching means is a bilateral switching means.

Claim 5

The combination as specified in claim 3, wherein said switching means is connected in series circuit with said additional inductance means.

Claim 6

The combination as specified in claim 3, wherein said additional inductance means comprises a magnetic structure, a primary winding means and a control winding means both of which are carried on said magnetic structure, said switching means being connected in series circuit with said control winding means, and closing of said switching means decreases by a predetermined amount the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means.

Claim 7

The combination as specified in claim 2, wherein said switching means is a bilateral switching means, and said additional inductance means is connected across said secondary winding means output terminals.

Claim 8

The combination as specified in claim 6, wherein said bilateral switching means is connected in series circuit with said additional inductance means.

Claim 9

The combination as specified in claim 6, wherein said additional inductance means comprises a magnetic structure, a primary winding means and a control winding means both carried on said magnetic structure, said switching means being connected in series circuit with said control winding means, and closing of said switching means decreases by a predetermined amount the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means.

Claim 10

The combination as specified in claim 2, wherein said modifying device incorporates additional capacitor means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said lead-type ballast capacitor means and (2) a connection across said secondary winding means output terminals, said additional capacitor means being one of (1) a small additional capacitor and (2) an additional capacitor having a capacitance which is a predetermined amount greater than the capacitance of said capacitive reactance portion of said lead-type ballast apparatus and which is used to replace said lead-type ballast capacitor means.

Claim 11

In combination with a lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, a device for modifying said ballast apparatus in order to program and control the operating performance of the sodium lamp as operated by said modified ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus having apparatus input terminals adapted to be connected across a source of AC energizing potential and apparatus output terminals across which said lamp to be operated is adapted to be connected; and said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising an inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said inductive reactance portion comprising a current-limiting high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the sodium lamp to be operated; said modifying device comprising: additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means and (2) connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means and depending upon the interconnection between said switching means and said additional inductance means, opening and closing said switching means either varies the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means between predetermined values or includes or removes said additional inductance means from circuit; when said additional inductance means displays a minimum of inductive reactance or is not removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said modified ballast apparatus has a first value, when said additional inductance means displays a maximum of inductive reactance or is removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said modified ballast apparatus has a second value which is greater than said first value; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and said sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 12

In combination with a lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, a device for modifying said ballast apparatus in order to program and control the operating performance of the sodium lamp as operated by said modified ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus having apparatus input terminals adapted to be connected across a source of AC energizing potential and apparatus output terminals across which said lamp to be operated is adapted to be connected; and said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising an inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said inductive reactance portion comprising a current-limiting high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the sodium lamp to be operated; said modifying device comprising: additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means and (2) connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means and depending upon the interconnection between said switching means and said additional inductance means, opening and closing said switching means either varies the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means between predetermined values or includes or removes said additional inductance means from circuit; when said additional inductance means displays a minimum of inductive reactance or is not removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said modified ballast apparatus has a first value, when said additional inductance means displays a maximum of inductive reactance or is removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said modified ballast apparatus has a second value which is greater than said first value; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and said sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 13

The combination as specified in claim 10, wherein the total inductive reactance and the total capacitive reactance of said modified ballast apparatus are predetermined in order to deliver two levels of electrical current to an operating lamp, depending upon the open or closed position of said switching means, one level of said current being greater than the average current desired for an operating lamp, and the other level of said current being less than the average current desired for an operating lamp.

Claim 14

The combination as specified in claim 11, wherein said switching means is a bilateral switching means, and said additional inductance means is connected in parallel connection with said capacitor means.

Claim 15

The combination as specified in claim 12, wherein said bilateral switching means is connected in series circuit with said additional inductance means.

Claim 16

The combination as specified in claim 12, wherein said additional inductance means comprises a magnetic structure, a primary winding means and a control winding means both of which are carried on said magnetic structure, said switching means being connected in series circuit with said control winding means, and closing of said switching means decreases by a predetermined amount the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means.

Claim 17

The combination as specified in claim 11, wherein said switching means is a bilateral switching means, and said additional inductance means is connected across said secondary winding means output terminals.

Claim 18

The combination as specified in claim 15, wherein said switching means is connected in series circuit with said additional inductance means.

Claim 19

The combination as specified in claim 15, wherein said additional inductance means comprises a magnetic structure, a primary winding means and a control winding means both of which are carried on said magnetic structure, said switching means being connected in series circuit with said control winding means, and closing of said switching means decreases by a predetermined amount the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means.

Claim 20

The combination as specified in claim 11, wherein said modifying device incorporates additional capacitor means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said lead-type ballast capacitor means and (2) a connection across said secondary winding means output terminals, said additional capacitor means being one of (1) a small additional capacitor and (2) an additional capacitor having a capacitance which is a predetermined amount greater than the capacitance of said capacitive reactance portion of said lead-type ballast apparatus and which is used to replace said lead-type ballast capacitor means, and a relatively small second additional inductance means is included in series circuit with said additional capacitor means when said additional capacitor means is connected in circuit across said secondary winding means output terminals.

Claim 21

The combination as specified in claim 11, wherein said sensing and programming means senses both operating lamp voltage and line voltage to generate a control signal which is indicative of the operating lamp wattage desired for said operating lamp, and said control signal is applied to the output terminal means of said switching means to control the operating wattage of said lamp at about a predetermined desired value.

Claim 22

A lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, said lead-type ballast apparatus being programmed in order to control in predetermined fashion the operating performance of the high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp as operated by said lead-type ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus having apparatus input terminals adapted to be connected across a source of AC energizing potential and apparatus output terminals across which said lamp to be operated is adapted to be connected; and said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising a current-limiting inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said inductive reactance portion comprising a high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the lamp to be operated; additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means, and (2) a connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means, when said switching means is open said lead-type ballast apparatus delivers a first level of current to an operating lamp, and when said switching means is closed said lead-type ballast apparatus delivers a second and different level of current to an operating lamp; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 23

A lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, said lead-type ballast apparatus being programmed in order to control in predetermined fashion the operating performance of the high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp as operated by said lead-type ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus having apparatus input terminals adapted to be connected across a source of AC energizing potential and apparatus output terminals across which said lamp to be operated is adapted to be connected; and said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising a current-limiting inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said inductive reactance portion comprising a high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the lamp to be operated; additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means, and (2) a connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means, when said switching means is open said lead-type ballast apparatus delivers a first level of current to an operating lamp, and when said switching means is closed said lead-type ballast apparatus delivers a second and different level of current to an operating lamp; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 24

The lead-type ballast apparatus as specified in claim 20, wherein the total inductive reactance and the total capacitive reactance of said lead-type ballast apparatus are predetermined in order to deliver two levels of electrical current to an operating lamp depending upon the open or closed position of said switching means, one level of said current being greater than the average current desired for an operating lamp, and the other level of said current being less than the average current desired for an operating lamp.

Claim 25

A lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, said lead-type ballast apparatus being programmed in order to control in predetermined fashion the operating performance of the sodium lamp as operated by said lead-type ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising a current-limiting inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said current-limiting inductive reactance portion comprising a high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the lamp to be operated; additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means and (2) connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means and depending upon the interconnection between said switching means and said additional inductance means, opening and closing said switching means either varies the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means between predetermined values or includes or removes said additional inductance means from circuit; when said additional inductance means displays a minimum of inductive reactance or is not removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said lead-type ballast apparatus has a first value, when said additional inductance means displays a maximum of inductive reactance or is removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said lead-type ballast apparatus has a second value which is greater than said first value; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and said sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 26

A lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge sodium lamp, said lead-type ballast apparatus being programmed in order to control in predetermined fashion the operating performance of the sodium lamp as operated by said lead-type ballast apparatus; said lead-type ballast apparatus comprising a current-limiting inductive reactance portion and a capacitive reactance portion, said current-limiting inductive reactance portion comprising a high-reactance transformer means having primary winding means connected to said apparatus input terminals and secondary winding means terminating in secondary winding means output terminals, said capacitive reactance portion comprising capacitor means connected between said secondary winding means output terminals and said apparatus output terminals, and pulse-generating means associated with said secondary winding means and operable to generate high-voltage pulses when said apparatus is initially energized which are applied through said capacitor means to initiate a discharge within the lamp to be operated; additional inductance means connected in circuit in one of (1) a parallel connection with said capacitor means and (2) connection across said secondary winding means output terminals; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and control terminal means, said switching means connected in circuit with said additional inductance means and depending upon the interconnection between said switching means and said additional inductance means, opening and closing said switching means either varies the inductive reactance of said additional inductance means between predetermined values or includes or removes said additional inductance means from circuit; when said additional inductance means displays a minimum of inductive reactance or is not removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said lead-type ballast apparatus has a first value, when said additional inductance means displays a maximum of inductive reactance or is removed from circuit as determined by the position of said switching means, the current delivered to said operating lamp by said lead-type ballast apparatus has a second value which is greater than said first value; and sensing and programming means operable to sense at least one predetermined lamp operating parameter and to generate an output control signal which is indicative of a predetermined parameter desired for said operating lamp, and said sensing and programming means having an output connected to the control terminal means of said switching means to control the relative proportion of time said switching means is open and closed in order to control in programmed fashion the predetermined lamp operating parameter desired for said operating lamp.

Claim 27

The ballast apparatus as specified in claim 22, wherein the total inductive reactance of said ballast apparatus and the total capacitive reactance of said ballast apparatus are predetermined in order to deliver two levels of electrical current to an operating lamp depending upon the open or closed position of said switching means, one level of said current being greater than the average current desired for an operating lamp, and the other level of current being less than the average current desired for an operating lamp.

Claim 28

In combination with a lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge lamp, a device for modifying the operation of said ballast apparatus in order to control the operating performance of the high-intensity-discharge lamp, wherein the lead-type ballast apparatus has a primary winding coupled to apparatus input terminals, a secondary winding and a capacitor coupled to the secondary winding and adapted to be coupled to the lamp, wherein the impedance of ballast apparatus is predominantly capacitive, said modifying device comprising: an additional inductor coupled in circuit in one of (1) a parallel coupling with said capacitor and (2) a coupling across said secondary winding; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and a control input, said switching means being coupled in circuit with said additional inductor so that when said switching means is in the open position, the modified ballast apparatus delivers a first level of current to a lamp, and when the switching means is in the closed position, the modified ballast apparatus delivers a second and different level of current to a lamp; and control means coupled to the control input of the controlled switching means, for providing a control signal to the controlled switching means to control the relative proportion of time the switching means is in the open and closed positions in order to control the operation of the lamp.

Claim 29

In combination with a lead-type ballast apparatus for operating a high-intensity-discharge lamp, a device for modifying the operation of said ballast apparatus in order to control the operating performance of the high-intensity-discharge lamp, wherein the lead-type ballast apparatus has a primary winding coupled to apparatus input terminals, a secondary winding and a capacitor coupled to the secondary winding and adapted to be coupled to the lamp, wherein the impedance of ballast apparatus is predominantly capacitive, said modifying device comprising: an additional inductor coupled in circuit in one of (1) a parallel coupling with said capacitor and (2) a coupling across said secondary winding; controlled switching means having a high impedance open position and a low impedance closed position and a control input, said switching means being coupled in circuit with said additional inductor so that when said switching means is in the open position, the modified ballast apparatus delivers a first level of current to a lamp, and when the switching means is in the closed position, the modified ballast apparatus delivers a second and different level of current to a lamp; and control means coupled to the control input of the controlled switching means, for providing a control signal to the controlled switching means to control the relative proportion of time the switching means is in the open and closed positions in order to control the operation of the lamp.