US5828185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High frequency HID lamp system with lamp driven at a frequency above the audible and below the lowest lamp resonant frequency
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1996-05-09
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2016-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A high pressure gas discharge lamp system includes a high pressure discharge lamp selected to have a lowest lamp resonant frequency above the audible, on a current basis above about 19 kHz and on a power basis of above about 38 kHz. The ballast circuit energizes the discharge device so as to have a fundamental frequency below the lowest lamp resonant frequency and above the audible, while keeping the magnitude of any harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency sufficiently small so as to avoid acoustic resonance. By operating below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, greatly simplifying ballast construction and cost. According to one embodiment, the discharge vessel encloses a discharge space which is circular cylindrical and having a L:ID ratio of about 1:1 to maximize the lowest lamp resonant frequency. According to another embodiment, two or more discharge devices are operated concurrently by the ballast, each having a lowest lamp resonant frequency of above the audible, and the ballast operating frequency so as to increase light output while still avoiding acoustic resonance.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Fellows
- 👤 Gregory Nelson
- 👤 Robertus A. J. Keyser
- 👤 Dale E. Work
- 👤 Josephus C. M. Hendricx
- 👤 Oscar J. Deurloo
- 👤 Aswin J. G. Linden
- 👤 Peter A. Seinen
- 👤 Andrew Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/12; H01J61/125; H01J61/025; H01J61/30; H01J61/34; H01J61/56; H01J61/82; H01J61/827; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/26; H05B41/28; H05B41/295; H05B41/298; H05B41/2988
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A high frequency, high pressure discharge lamp system, comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge device sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling, and means for maintaining a discharge within said discharge space during lamp operation; and a ballast circuit coupleable to said discharge device for energizing said discharge lamp to maintain a gas discharge within said discharge space, characterized in that: the discharge device during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at alternating lamp currents below a lowest lamp resonant frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have an alternating lamp current having a fundamental frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency, the lamp resonant frequency being greater than about 19 kHz, the fundamental frequency during nominal lamp operation being maintained only in a window between (i) about 19 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A high frequency, high pressure discharge lamp system, comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge device sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling, and means for maintaining a discharge within said discharge space during lamp operation; and a ballast circuit coupleable to said discharge device for energizing said discharge lamp to maintain a gas discharge within said discharge space, characterized in that: the discharge device during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at alternating lamp currents below a lowest lamp resonant frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have an alternating lamp current having a fundamental frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency, the lamp resonant frequency being greater than about 19 kHz, the fundamental frequency during nominal lamp operation being maintained only in a window between (i) about 19 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, wherein said ballast maintains said fundamental frequency substantially constant during lamp operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lamp system according to claim 2, wherein said discharge vessel comprises a ceramic and includes a central cylindrical zone with end walls, said end walls being spaced by an axial distance "L" and said central zone having an inner diameter "ID", and the ratio L:ID is about 1:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp system according to claim 3, wherein said discharge lamp is a metal halide lamp and said discharge sustaining filling includes a buffer, a rare gas and a metal halide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A lamp system according to claim 4, wherein said discharge lamp comprises an outer lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp system according to claim 2, wherein said discharge lamp is a metal halide lamp and said discharge sustaining filling includes a buffer, a rare gas and a metal halide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp system according to claim 2, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, wherein said discharge lamp is a metal halide lamp and said discharge sustaining filling includes a buffer, a rare gas and a metal halide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast to concurrently emit light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, further comprising a housing enclosing said ballast circuit and an outer lamp envelope enclosing said discharge device, said housing and said envelope forming an integral structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a screw base for being received by a screw-type socket, said screw base having base contacts connected to said ballast circuit for supplying electric power to said ballast when said base is received in a screw-type socket connected to an electric utility line voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
210 words
A high frequency metal halide lamp system, comprising: a) a metal halide lamp comprising a ceramic discharge vessel sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling within said discharge space including mercury, a metal halide, and a rare gas, a pair of discharge electrodes within said discharge space between which a gas discharge is maintained during lamp operation, and current conductors extending from said discharge electrodes to the exterior of said discharge vessel; and b) a ballast circuit connected to said metal halide lamp for igniting and maintaining a gas discharge between said discharge electrodes, characterized in that: the discharge lamp during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at alternating lamp currents below a lowest lamp resonant frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have an alternating lamp current having a fundamental frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency, the lowest lamp resonant frequency being greater than about 19 kHz, the fundamental frequency during nominal lamp operation being maintained only in a window between (i) about 19 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
A high frequency metal halide lamp system, comprising: a) a metal halide lamp comprising a ceramic discharge vessel sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling within said discharge space including mercury, a metal halide, and a rare gas, a pair of discharge electrodes within said discharge space between which a gas discharge is maintained during lamp operation, and current conductors extending from said discharge electrodes to the exterior of said discharge vessel; and b) a ballast circuit connected to said metal halide lamp for igniting and maintaining a gas discharge between said discharge electrodes, characterized in that: the discharge lamp during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at alternating lamp currents below a lowest lamp resonant frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have an alternating lamp current having a fundamental frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency, the lowest lamp resonant frequency being greater than about 19 kHz, the fundamental frequency during nominal lamp operation being maintained only in a window between (i) about 19 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lamp system according to claim 12, wherein said discharge space enclosed by said discharge vessel is circular cylindrical between said electrodes and has planar end walls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lamp system according to claim 13, wherein said end walls are spaced by an axial distance "L" and said central zone has an inner diameter "ID", and the ratio L:ID is about 1:1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp system according to claim 14, wherein said ballast maintains said fundamental frequency substantially constant during lamp operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp system according to claim 15, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp system according to claim 14, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp system according to claim 13, wherein said ballast maintains said fundamental frequency substantially constant during lamp operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp system according to claim 13, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp system according to claim 12, wherein said ballast maintains said fundamental frequency substantially constant during lamp operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp system according to claim 12, wherein said discharge lamp comprises a lamp envelope and a plurality of said discharge devices within said lamp envelope each energized by said ballast circuit to concurrently emit light.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
177 words
A high frequency, high pressure discharge lamp system, comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge device sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling, and means for maintaining a discharge within said discharge space during lamp operation; and a ballast circuit coupleable to said discharge device for energizing said discharge device to maintain a gas discharge within said discharge space, characterized in that: the discharge device during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at lamp power frequencies below a lowest lamp resonant power frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have a fundamental power frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental power frequency, the lowest lamp resonant power frequency being greater than about 38 kHz, the fundamental power frequency being maintained during nominal operation in a window between (i) about 38 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant power frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant power frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
177 words
A high frequency, high pressure discharge lamp system, comprising: a high pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge device sealed in a gas-tight manner and enclosing a discharge space, a discharge sustaining filling, and means for maintaining a discharge within said discharge space during lamp operation; and a ballast circuit coupleable to said discharge device for energizing said discharge device to maintain a gas discharge within said discharge space, characterized in that: the discharge device during normal lamp operation is free of acoustic resonances at lamp power frequencies below a lowest lamp resonant power frequency, the ballast circuit energizes the discharge lamp so as to have a fundamental power frequency and harmonics which are integral multiples of the fundamental power frequency, the lowest lamp resonant power frequency being greater than about 38 kHz, the fundamental power frequency being maintained during nominal operation in a window between (i) about 38 kHz and (ii) below the lowest lamp resonant power frequency, and the harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant power frequency have amplitudes which are insufficient to induce acoustic resonance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
85 words
A high frequency metal halide lamp system according to claim 12, further comprising a starting aid for said discharge device, said starting aid comprising a length of conductive material extending from one said current conductor to the area of the other said current conductor and terminating adjacent the discharge vessel wall of the other said current conductor, said discharge vessel wall of the said other current conductor enclosing a narrow gap with the said other current conductor in which said discharge sustaining fill is present.
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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) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |