US5814947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp with lamp segments that are turned on at or near an AC zero crossing
Assignee: SEG Corp
•
Filing: 1995-03-30
•
Granted: 1998-09-29
•
Expires: 2015-03-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to and is limited by a multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp with lamp segments that are turned on at or near a AC current zero crossing. The electroluminescent lamp is also powered by an inverter.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg A. Brownell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:41
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B44/00; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A circuit for powering a multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp, comprising: a voltage supply for providing a direct current voltage; a multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp having a plurality of individual lamp segments; an inverter coupled to the voltage supply and the multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp for converting the direct current voltage of the voltage supply into a sinusoidal voltage to supply power to the multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp; and a controller coupled to the inverter and the electroluminescent lamp for separately enabling the inverter and the lamp so that the lamp segments are turned on at or near an AC zero crossing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A circuit for powering a multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp, comprising: a voltage supply for providing a direct current voltage; a multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp having a plurality of individual lamp segments; an inverter coupled to the voltage supply and the multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp for converting the direct current voltage of the voltage supply into a sinusoidal voltage to supply power to the multi-segmented electroluminescent lamp; and a controller coupled to the inverter and the electroluminescent lamp for separately enabling the inverter and the lamp so that the lamp segments are turned on at or near an AC zero crossing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein the controller is associated with the electroluminescent lamp such that a frequency of the sinusoidal voltage of the invertor is dependent upon an impedance of the lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The circuit of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a microcontroller operatively associated with the invertor and the lamp, and a read-only memory, and further wherein the microcontroller reads data from the read only memory which provides information as to the sequence of illumination of the lamp segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit of claim 3, wherein the read only memory is erasable so that the program stored within the memory can be altered to change the sequence of illumination of the lamp segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit of claim 1, further comprising means associated with the lamp segments for maintaining substantially equal illumination of each segment for combinations of lamp segments that are illuminated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2698915A
Cited
US2953776A
Cited
US4510491A
Cited
US4617195A
Cited
US4626742A
Cited
US4752717A
Cited
US4859911A
Cited
US5142388A
Cited
US4999936A
Cited
US4982314A
Cited
US5144203A
Cited
US5066893A
Cited
US5293098A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |