US5729097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for controlling electric discharge lamps with electronic fluorescent lamp ballasts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-06-17
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2013-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for controlling electric discharge lamps with electronic fluorescent lamp ballasts, using a bistable reverse switch system in the electric circuit in such manner that in turning the lamp on to a first switching condition, and after a short period of interruption of the electric circuit to the current supply of the lamp, the bistable reverse switch system acquires a second switching condition. It is thereby possible to reduce the lamp from a first level of brightness to a second lower level of brightness. It has the effect of a "dimmer" used with fluorescent lamps.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Holzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:28
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/40; H05B41/42; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/175; H05B47/185; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04; Y10S315/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An electronic switching apparatus to control the brightness of at least one gas discharge lamp which is connected to an electric current source via an on/off switch and an electronic ballast, said switching apparatus being interposed between the gas discharge lamp and the electric current source and comprising: means for introducing a short interruption in the electric current source of less than one second such that the gas discharge lamp is not extinguished; means for reducing the level of current delivered to the gas discharge lamp; and a bistable changeover system having a first and a second switching state and being sensitive to said interrupting means, whereby with the on/off switch in an on position for activating the gas discharge lamp said bistable changeover system is at said first switching state wherein the electric current is delivered to the gas discharge lamp via the ballast, upon sensing a short interruption in the electric current, as introduced by said interrupting means, said bistable changeover system changing state to said second switching state wherein a reduced level of electric current, as provided by said current reducing means, is delivered to the gas discharge lamp via the ballast, said bistable changeover system switching between said first and second switching states upon sensing each subsequent short interruption in electric current thereby effectuating brightness control over the gas discharge lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An electronic switching apparatus to control the brightness of at least one gas discharge lamp which is connected to an electric current source via an on/off switch and an electronic ballast, said switching apparatus being interposed between the gas discharge lamp and the electric current source and comprising: means for introducing a short interruption in the electric current source of less than one second such that the gas discharge lamp is not extinguished; means for reducing the level of current delivered to the gas discharge lamp; and a bistable changeover system having a first and a second switching state and being sensitive to said interrupting means, whereby with the on/off switch in an on position for activating the gas discharge lamp said bistable changeover system is at said first switching state wherein the electric current is delivered to the gas discharge lamp via the ballast, upon sensing a short interruption in the electric current, as introduced by said interrupting means, said bistable changeover system changing state to said second switching state wherein a reduced level of electric current, as provided by said current reducing means, is delivered to the gas discharge lamp via the ballast, said bistable changeover system switching between said first and second switching states upon sensing each subsequent short interruption in electric current thereby effectuating brightness control over the gas discharge lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bistable changeover system is part of the ballast.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for introducing a short interruption in the electric current is a circuit breaker.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the on/off switch is also the means for introducing a short interruption in the electric current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for reducing the level of electric current delivered to the gas discharge lamp comprises a choke coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ballast comprises a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the secondary winding being connected to the gas discharge lamp, said choke coil being shunted across the primary winding by said bistable changeover system thereby resulting in a reduced level of electric current delivered to the gas discharge lamp and a reduced level of brightness generated thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the inductive value associated with said choke coil is capable of being manipulated such that the level of reduction in the electric current is adjustable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for reducing the level of electric current delivered to the gas discharge lamp comprises a dimmer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ballast comprises a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the secondary winding being connected to the gas discharge lamp, said dimmer being shunted across the primary winding by said bistable changeover system thereby resulting in a reduced level of electric current delivered to the gas discharge lamp and a reduced level of brightness generated thereby.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 9, wherein said dimmer is capable of being manipulated such that the level of reduction in electric current is adjustable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bistable changeover system initially is in said second switching state with the on/off switch in the on position, and changing to said first state upon sensing a short interruption in the electric current such that gas discharge lamp brightness is affected in an opposite manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bistable changeover system is capable of controlling multiple ballasts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bistable changeover system is capable of controlling multiple ballasts in groups and wherein the level of reduced electric current being delivered to each gas discharge lamps is capable of being set individually or in groups by said reducing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a timer which is connected to said interrupting means whereby a short interruption may be introduced after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bistable changeover system comprises a bistable flip-flop switch which is driven between said first and second switching states.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic switching apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interrupting means produces a long interruption in electric current of more than one second, whereby said bistable changeover system is reinitialized to said first switching state.
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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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |