US4950963A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic light dimmer for gas discharge lamps
Assignee: INTELLISWITCH SA de CV ("INTELLISWITCH")
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Filing: 1988-05-05
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2008-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A power saving dimming apparatus for gas discharge lamps is disclosed. The apparatus provides a means for applying full power to the lamp for a preselected time whenever the lamp is turned on. After the preselected time has passed, the lamp is maintained in an adjustable dimmed state.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Sievers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:50
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A power-saving dimming apparatus for a gas discharge lamp comprising: means for conducting a portion of the voltage waveform of an AC supply voltage to the lamp wherein the waveform portion conducting means comprises a triac connecting the lamp to the AC supply voltage, a diac connected to the gate of the triac, and a timing capacitor connected to the diac and to the AC supply voltage through a resistor network; means for adjusting the portion of the waveform so conducted to the lamp; and means for conducting the entire waveform of the AC supply voltage to the lamp for a preselected time upon initial application of power to the apparatus and conducting an adjustable portion of the waveform thereafter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A power-saving dimming apparatus for a gas discharge lamp comprising: means for conducting a portion of the voltage waveform of an AC supply voltage to the lamp wherein the waveform portion conducting means comprises a triac connecting the lamp to the AC supply voltage, a diac connected to the gate of the triac, and a timing capacitor connected to the diac and to the AC supply voltage through a resistor network; means for adjusting the portion of the waveform so conducted to the lamp; and means for conducting the entire waveform of the AC supply voltage to the lamp for a preselected time upon initial application of power to the apparatus and conducting an adjustable portion of the waveform thereafter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting the portion of the waveform conducted to the lamp comprises a potentiometer in the resistor network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for conducting the entire waveform of the AC supply voltage to the lamp for a preselected time comprises: a phototriac connected to the gate of the triac; a light emitting diode coupled to the phototriac; means for driving the light emitting diode upon initial application of power to the apparatus; and means for blocking current flow through the light emitting diode after a preselected time period measured from the initial application of power to the apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the preselected time for which the entire waveform of the AC supply voltage is conducted to the lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A power-saving dimming apparatus for a gas discharge lamp comprising: means for controlling the phase of an AC supply voltage transmitted to a lamp wherein the phase control means comprises a triac connecting the lamp to the AC supply voltage, a diac connected to the gate of the triac, and a timing capacitor connected to the AC supply voltage which discharges into the gate of the triac through the diac when the breakover voltage of the diac is reached; means for measuring the time from which the AC supply voltage is initially applied to the apparatus; and means for applying the entire phase of the AC supply voltage to the lamp for a preselected time and a controllable phase of the AC supply voltage to the lamp thereafter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A power-saving dimming apparatus for a gas discharge lamp comprising: means for controlling the phase of an AC supply voltage transmitted to a lamp wherein the phase control means comprises a triac connecting the lamp to the AC supply voltage, a diac connected to the gate of the triac, and a timing capacitor connected to the AC supply voltage which discharges into the gate of the triac through the diac when the breakover voltage of the diac is reached; means for measuring the time from which the AC supply voltage is initially applied to the apparatus; and means for applying the entire phase of the AC supply voltage to the lamp for a preselected time and a controllable phase of the AC supply voltage to the lamp thereafter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for applying the entire phase of the supply voltage to the lamp comprises a voltage source also connected the diac and triggered by the time measuring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the voltage source is a phototriac coupled to a light emitting diode and further wherein the current to the light emitting diode is controlled by the time measuring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4287455A
Cited
US4791338A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |