US4894589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starting means, with piezoelectrically-located capacitive starting electrodes, for HID lamps
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-08-08
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Granted: 1990-01-16
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Expires: 2008-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A pair of starting electrodes are provided for an electrodeless high-intensity-discharge lamp of the type having an arc tube situated within the bore of an excitation coil and in the interior of which tube is to be provided a plasma arc discharge driven by the excitation coil. Each of the starting electrodes is a conductive ring actuated by a piezoelectric bender to move from a normal rest position away from the arc tube to a starting portion disposed adjacent to an associated one of an opposed pair of envelope surfaces. A high-voltage pulse coupled between the starting electrodes causes an electric field to be produced sufficient to create a glow discharge in the arc tube, and cause an almost instantaneous transition to a high-current solenoidal discharge to form the discharge plasma responsive to the normal field provided by the excitation coil; thereafter, the benders are de-activated and the starting electrodes move back to the rest positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Borowiec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/04; H01J65/042; H01J65/048; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/26; H05B41/28; H05B41/2806; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/382; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Means for aiding starting of a plasma arc discharge within an arc tube of an electrodeless high-intensity-discharge (HID) lamp of the type having said arc tube situated within the bore of an excitation coil and within which arc tube said plasma arc discharge is to be formed and driven by the excitation coil, comprising: a pair of starting electrodes; means for positioning each of the starting electrodes, at least during commencement of the plasma arc discharge, to a first location adjacent to the exterior surface of an associated one of a pair of opposed surfaces of the arc tube, responsive to the presence of a stimulus, and for repositioning each starting electrode to a second location different from said first location, with respect to said arc tube, responsive to the absence of said stimulus; and means for coupling an externally-provided high-voltage signal between the pair of starting electrodes to cause creation, at least at said plasma arc discharge commencement, of a glow discharge within the arc tube due to capacitive current flow therethrough from said starting electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Means for aiding starting of a plasma arc discharge within an arc tube of an electrodeless high-intensity-discharge (HID) lamp of the type having said arc tube situated within the bore of an excitation coil and within which arc tube said plasma arc discharge is to be formed and driven by the excitation coil, comprising: a pair of starting electrodes; means for positioning each of the starting electrodes, at least during commencement of the plasma arc discharge, to a first location adjacent to the exterior surface of an associated one of a pair of opposed surfaces of the arc tube, responsive to the presence of a stimulus, and for repositioning each starting electrode to a second location different from said first location, with respect to said arc tube, responsive to the absence of said stimulus; and means for coupling an externally-provided high-voltage signal between the pair of starting electrodes to cause creation, at least at said plasma arc discharge commencement, of a glow discharge within the arc tube due to capacitive current flow therethrough from said starting electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The start-aiding means of claim 1, wherein said positioning means comprises first and second piezoelectric means, each for moving an associated one of said starting electrodes toward an associated arc tube surface when activated and for returning the associated starting electrode to a normal-rest position removed from said arc tube when de-activated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The start-aiding means of claim 2, wherein at least one of said electrodes is a substantially ring-shaped conductive member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The start-aiding means of claim 3, wherein each ring-shaped electrode has a gap portion therein, devoid of conductive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The start-aiding means of claim 2, wherein said coupling means comprises a flexible conductive member connecting a selected portion of the electrode to an adjacent portion of the excitation coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The start-aiding means of claim 5, wherein the conductive member connects the electrode to an adjacent end portion of the excitation coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The start-aiding means of claim 6, wherein at least one of said electrodes is a substantially ring-shaped conductive member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The start-aiding means of claim 7, wherein each ring-shaped electrode has a gap portion therein, devoid of conductive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The start-aiding means of claim 2, wherein said moving means comprises bender elements for moving the starting electrodes responsive to receipt of a voltage stimulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The start-aiding means of claim 9, wherein the moving means further comprises a substantially rigid member for insulatively connecting a selected portion of each electrode to a portion of the associated bender element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The start-aiding means of claim 9, further comprising a support member for substantially fixedly positioned the bender elements with respect to the arc tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4812702A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-15 | 1993-07-17 | 1994-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-15 | 1997-07-17 | 1998-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-15 | 2001-07-17 | 2002-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |