US4523130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Four lamp modular lighting control
Assignee: Cornell Dubilier Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1984-03-28
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Granted: 1985-06-11
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Expires: 2004-03-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to a circuit and a method for efficiently controlling the output illumination level of a gas discharge lighting arrangement having four or more gas discharge lamps with multiple ballasts. Load side control of each ballast is provided by a timed interval controlled impedance, serially coupled between the particular ballast and its associated lamps. A circulating inductor, coupled in parallel with each controlled impedance, provides a current path between the power source and the lamps at least during that portion of the AC waveform when the controlled impedances are non-conducting. The invention is equally operable at both 120 volt and 277 volt AC levels without major component changes.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira J. Pitel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:05
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3922; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a lighting installation of the type incorporating multiple magnetic ballasts driven by a source of power signal, each said ballast having an output for providing power to at least one gas discharge lamp, a method for controlling the illumination of said lamps comprising the steps of: supplying a constant cathode heating power to the gas discharge lamps; providing a controlled impedance at the output side of each said ballast and in series with each said lamp, each said controlled impedance having predefined conductive and non-conductive states; during each cycle of said power signal, controlling the length of time which each said controlled impedance remains in its conductive state in relationship to the desired illumination of said lamps; and providing a current conduction path during the length of time which each said controlled impedance is in a non-conductive state by interposing an inductor between said source of power signal and said gas discharge lamps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a lighting installation of the type incorporating multiple magnetic ballasts driven by a source of power signal, each said ballast having an output for providing power to at least one gas discharge lamp, a method for controlling the illumination of said lamps comprising the steps of: supplying a constant cathode heating power to the gas discharge lamps; providing a controlled impedance at the output side of each said ballast and in series with each said lamp, each said controlled impedance having predefined conductive and non-conductive states; during each cycle of said power signal, controlling the length of time which each said controlled impedance remains in its conductive state in relationship to the desired illumination of said lamps; and providing a current conduction path during the length of time which each said controlled impedance is in a non-conductive state by interposing an inductor between said source of power signal and said gas discharge lamps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sensing the overall illumination in an area lighted by said installation and adjusting the conduction time of each said controlled impedance to maintain said overall illumination constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the length of time of conduction is adjusted during each half-cycle of said power signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit for controlling output illumination of a multiple magnetic ballast, gas discharge lamp lighting system, said circuit comprising: multiple controlled impedances having substantially conducting and non-conducting states, each said impedance having its main current conduction path coupled between at least one said gas discharge lamp and an output of one of said magnetic ballasts; means for controlling a period of conduction of each said controlled impedance; and an inductor providing a current path between the output of at least one of said ballasts and at least one gas discharge lamp during the non-conducting state of each said controlled impedance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit for controlling output illumination of a multiple magnetic ballast, gas discharge lamp lighting system, said circuit comprising: multiple controlled impedances having substantially conducting and non-conducting states, each said impedance having its main current conduction path coupled between at least one said gas discharge lamp and an output of one of said magnetic ballasts; means for controlling a period of conduction of each said controlled impedance; and an inductor providing a current path between the output of at least one of said ballasts and at least one gas discharge lamp during the non-conducting state of each said controlled impedance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein said means for controlling the conduction period comprises a timing means initiated by the start of each half-cycle of said power input signal and adjustable to indicate a selected delay beyond the start of each said half-cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit of claim 5 wherein each said controlled impedance comprises a TRIAC.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein the lighting system comprises two pairs of series connected gas discharge lamps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuit of claim 7 wherein each said ballast includes a plurality of windings adapted to be connected to cathodes of each pair of said lamps, said windings providing heating power to each said lamp.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4463287A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-06-10 | 1988-12-10 | 1989-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-10 | 1992-12-10 | 1993-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-10 | 1996-12-10 | 1997-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |