Patent US4661745A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4661745A
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US
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Rapid-start fluorescent lamp power reducer
Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1985-04-15
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2005-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A rapid-start fluorescent lamp system includes a ballast circuit, rapid-start fluorescent lamps and power reducing means for controlling the application of energy to the lamps. The power-reducing means controls the energy to N/O switches from the energy source upon ionization of the rapid-start fluorescent lamps.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Citino
- 👤 Carlo S. Bessone
- 👤 William J. Roche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:40
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/02; H05B41/04; H05B41/048; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A rapid-start fluorescent lamp power-reducing system comprising: a plurality of rapid-start fluorescent lamps each having a pair of spaced filaments; a ballast formed for connection to an energizing source and including a plurality of filament windings for energizing said filaments of said lamps; and a power-reducing means shunting one of said filament windings and including a relay having a plurality of N/O switches each coupled to a respective one of said filament windings, said power-reducing means responsive to energization from said source for operating said relay closing said N/O switches and connecting said filament windings to aid filaments of said lamps for a given period of time sufficient to effect ionization of said lamps and de-energizing said relay, opening said N/O switches and disconnecting said filament windings from said filaments of said lamps after said given period of time required to effect ionization of said lamps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A rapid-start fluorescent lamp power-reducing system comprising: a plurality of rapid-start fluorescent lamps each having a pair of spaced filaments; a ballast formed for connection to an energizing source and including a plurality of filament windings for energizing said filaments of said lamps; and a power-reducing means shunting one of said filament windings and including a relay having a plurality of N/O switches each coupled to a respective one of said filament windings, said power-reducing means responsive to energization from said source for operating said relay closing said N/O switches and connecting said filament windings to aid filaments of said lamps for a given period of time sufficient to effect ionization of said lamps and de-energizing said relay, opening said N/O switches and disconnecting said filament windings from said filaments of said lamps after said given period of time required to effect ionization of said lamps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power-reducing system of claim 1 said plurality of rapid-start fluorescent lamps includes a pair of lamps each having a pair of spaced filaments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The power-reducing system of claim 2 wherein said power-reducing means includes a relay having a N/O switch coupling a filament of each of said pair of lamps to a filament winding of said ballast and a N/O switch coupling a filament of both of said pair of lamps to a filament winding of said ballast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power-reducing system of claim 2 wherein said power-reducing means including a charging circuit for controlling the time period said filaments are connected to and disconnected from said filaments windings of said ballast.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A power-reducing system for rapid-start fluorescent lamps comprising: a pair of fluorescent lamps each having a pair of spaced filaments; a ballast connectable to an energizing source and having a plurality of filament windings; and a power-reducing means shunting one of said plurality of filament windings and including a relay having a plurality of normally-open (N/O) switch contacts each coupled to a respective one of said plurality of filament windings of said ballast, said relay formed for activating said N/O switches contacts to couple said filament windings to said lamp filaments for a period of time sufficient to effect ionization of said lamps and for decoupling said filament windings from said filaments upon ionization of said lamps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A power-reducing system for rapid-start fluorescent lamps comprising: a pair of fluorescent lamps each having a pair of spaced filaments; a ballast connectable to an energizing source and having a plurality of filament windings; and a power-reducing means shunting one of said plurality of filament windings and including a relay having a plurality of normally-open (N/O) switch contacts each coupled to a respective one of said plurality of filament windings of said ballast, said relay formed for activating said N/O switches contacts to couple said filament windings to said lamp filaments for a period of time sufficient to effect ionization of said lamps and for decoupling said filament windings from said filaments upon ionization of said lamps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The power-reducing system of claim 5 wherein said ballast includes a first and third filament winding each connectable by a N/O switch to a filament of one of said pair of fluorescent lamps and a second filament winding connectable by a N/O switch to a pair of parallel connected filaments of both of said pair of fluorescent lamps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power-reducing system of claim 5 wherein said power-reducing means includes a charging circuit for controlling said time period of said coupling and decoupling of said filament windings and filaments.
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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) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |