US4645974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle
Assignee: Denso Corp
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Filing: 1984-08-10
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Granted: 1987-02-24
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Expires: 2004-08-10
Abstract
Abstract In a discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle, a heat generating element, which is made of metal material, is formed on an outer surface of a tube element of the discharge tube along the longitudinal direction of the tube element, and a temperature detecting element is provided on a surface of the heat generating element. The heat generating element is electrically driven to heat the discharge tube at a starting period of lighting the discharge tube when a temperature of the heat generating element detected by the temperature detecting element is lower than a predetermined temperature. The heat generating element is formed in a rectangular shape and conformally disposed on a portion of the tube. The heater element has first and second ends which are disposed with respect to the electrodes of the tube to cause an electric field to be provided between each electrode and the corresponding end of the heater element.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyasu Asai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/54; H01J61/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle comprising: a battery having a grounded terminal; a tube driving circuit connected to said battery for generating an A.C. voltage; a tube element having a pair of electrodes at opposite ends thereof for receiving said A.C. voltage thereacross and enclosing inactive gas therein for emitting light when electrically driven by said A.C. voltage: a heat generating element having a grounded terminal and being made of electrically conductive material and being provided longitudinally on an outer surface of said tube element, for heating said inactive gas, said heat generating element being shaped in a rectangular film form and spaced apart from said electrodes of said tube element so that electric fields are provided between the heat generating element and said electrodes; and a heater driving circuit connected to said battery for generating a D.C. voltage, and for electrically driving said heat generating element by said D.C. voltage to heat said inactive gas at a starting period of electrically driving said tube element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A discharge tube lighting system for use in a vehicle comprising: a battery having a grounded terminal; a tube driving circuit connected to said battery for generating an A.C. voltage; a tube element having a pair of electrodes at opposite ends thereof for receiving said A.C. voltage thereacross and enclosing inactive gas therein for emitting light when electrically driven by said A.C. voltage: a heat generating element having a grounded terminal and being made of electrically conductive material and being provided longitudinally on an outer surface of said tube element, for heating said inactive gas, said heat generating element being shaped in a rectangular film form and spaced apart from said electrodes of said tube element so that electric fields are provided between the heat generating element and said electrodes; and a heater driving circuit connected to said battery for generating a D.C. voltage, and for electrically driving said heat generating element by said D.C. voltage to heat said inactive gas at a starting period of electrically driving said tube element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A discharge tube lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature detecting element for detecting a surrounding temperature of said inactive gas; and wherein said heater driving circuit drives said heat generating element only when the temperature of said inactive gas detected by said temperature detecting element is lower than a predetermined temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A discharge tube lighting system according to claim 2, wherein said temperature detecting element is provided on a surface of said heat generating element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
Discharge tube lighting apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical tube having first and second ends with first and second electrodes respectively disposed therein, said tube enclosing an inactive gas for emitting light when charged; heater means, formed in a rectangular shape and conformally disposed on a portion of said tube, for (a) heating said inactive gas, and (b) generating electric fields between ends of said heater element and said first and second electrodes, respectively, when said tube electrodes are energized; first driver means for driving said tube electrodes; and second driver means for driving said heater means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Discharge tube lighting apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical tube having first and second ends with first and second electrodes respectively disposed therein, said tube enclosing an inactive gas for emitting light when charged; heater means, formed in a rectangular shape and conformally disposed on a portion of said tube, for (a) heating said inactive gas, and (b) generating electric fields between ends of said heater element and said first and second electrodes, respectively, when said tube electrodes are energized; first driver means for driving said tube electrodes; and second driver means for driving said heater means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said heater element includes a heating element which is translucent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said heating element includes a rectangular polyester film with a vapor-deposited electrically conductive material disposed uniformly thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first driver means includes a tube driving circuit for providing A.C. voltage to the tube electrodes, and wherein said second driver means includes a heater driving circuit for providing D.C voltage to said heater element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus a-cording to claim 7 further including thermistor means, coupled to said heater element, for driving said heater driving circuit when a temperature of said heater element falls below a predetermined temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-23 | 1990-08-25 | 1991-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-23 | 1994-08-25 | 1995-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-23 | 1998-08-25 | 1999-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |