Patent US5834903A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5834903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double resonant driver ballast for gas lamps
Assignee: Marshall Electric Corp
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Filing: 1997-02-18
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2017-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A power supply device for a gas filled arc-type lamp having a transformer with a core with a primary coil and a secondary coil, a power source coupled to the primary coil of the transformer core and providing a generally sinusoidal signal, a connector for joining the secondary coil of the transformer to the gas-filled arch-type lamp, and an unbalanced capacitance for introducing even-order harmonic distortion on the generally sinusoidal signal on the primary coil of the transformer and generating a generally sinusoidal signal on the secondary coil of the transformer such that a flow of ionized gas is created within the gas-filled arch-type lamp for dispersing any bubbles and standing waves in the lamp and so as to avoid adjustment of the power supply. The distorted signal has one-half cycle longer with a lower peak voltage than the other half-cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Christian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:03
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/26; H05B41/28; H05B41/282; H05B41/285; H05B41/2851; H05B41/2858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A power supply device for a gas-filled arc-type lamp comprising: a transformer having a core with a primary side and a secondary side; a power source coupled to said primary side of said transformer core; oscillating means for generating a full-wave generally sinusoidal signal, said oscillating means coupled to said primary side of said transformer; means for connecting said secondary side of said transformer to the gas-filled arc-type lamp; means for introducing even order harmonic distortion on said generally sinusoidal signal on said primary side of said transformer and generating a generally sinusoidal distorted signal on said secondary side of said transformer whereby a flow of ionized gas is created within the gas-filled arc-type lamp to disperse any bubbles and standing waves in the lamp, the distorted signal having one half-cycle longer with a lower peak voltage than another half-cycle, said another half-cycle having one half-cycle shorter with a higher peak voltage than said one half-cycle; control means for controlling said oscillating means, said control means comprises switching transistors and an op-amp network including a set/reset flip-flop, adapted to drive said switching transistors toward their respective conducting states, said op-amp network includes current imbalance monitoring means for monitoring output load current imbalances, said current imbalance monitoring means including a resistive element coupled between a center tap of said secondary winding of said transformer and circuit around, said resistive element being coupled to said flip-flop and generating a voltage signal sufficient to set said flip-flop and thereby de-energize said power supply upon the occurrence of a major current imbalance; current choking means for coupling said primary side of said transformer to said power source; and secondary choking means for providing power to said control means, said secondary choking means being operatively associated with said current choking means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A power supply device for a gas-filled arc-type lamp comprising: a transformer having a core with a primary side and a secondary side; a power source coupled to said primary side of said transformer core; oscillating means for generating a full-wave generally sinusoidal signal, said oscillating means coupled to said primary side of said transformer; means for connecting said secondary side of said transformer to the gas-filled arc-type lamp; means for introducing even order harmonic distortion on said generally sinusoidal signal on said primary side of said transformer and generating a generally sinusoidal distorted signal on said secondary side of said transformer whereby a flow of ionized gas is created within the gas-filled arc-type lamp to disperse any bubbles and standing waves in the lamp, the distorted signal having one half-cycle longer with a lower peak voltage than another half-cycle, said another half-cycle having one half-cycle shorter with a higher peak voltage than said one half-cycle; control means for controlling said oscillating means, said control means comprises switching transistors and an op-amp network including a set/reset flip-flop, adapted to drive said switching transistors toward their respective conducting states, said op-amp network includes current imbalance monitoring means for monitoring output load current imbalances, said current imbalance monitoring means including a resistive element coupled between a center tap of said secondary winding of said transformer and circuit around, said resistive element being coupled to said flip-flop and generating a voltage signal sufficient to set said flip-flop and thereby de-energize said power supply upon the occurrence of a major current imbalance; current choking means for coupling said primary side of said transformer to said power source; and secondary choking means for providing power to said control means, said secondary choking means being operatively associated with said current choking means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said secondary choking means comprises an inductor coil arranged to provide a stepped down bias power to said control means whereby said secondary choking means powers said control means resulting in reduced temperature rise and reduced power consumption within said control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said op-amp network includes undervoltage lockout means for monitoring said power source and deactivating said oscillating means upon sensing insufficient power being supplied to said transformer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said op amp network includes underload limiting means for sensing current passing through said primary side of said transformer, said underload limiting means including a resistive element connected to the input of said op amp network such that the output of said op amp network sets said flip-flop and thereby deactivates said oscillating means upon the occurrence of insufficient primary winding current flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said control means selectively biases said switching transistors bases toward their respective conducting states thereby permitting current flow through said oscillating means and said transformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power supply of claim 1 further comprising feedback means for generating feedback signals to alternately activate said oscillating means, said feedback means being coupled to said transformer and comprising a center tapped feedback winding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply of claim 6 wherein said oscillating means comprises power transistors, and said power transistors are alternately driven to their respective conducting states by said feedback signals in a push/pull manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power supply of claim 7 further comprising second means for introducing feedback to said power transistor bases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
232 words
A power supply device for a gas-filled arc-type lamp comprising: a transformer having a core with a primary side and a secondary side; a power source coupled to said primary side of said transformer core; oscillating means for generating a full-wave generally sinusoidal signal, said oscillating means coupled to said primary side of said transformer; means for connecting said secondary side of said transformer to the gas-filled arc-type lamp; means for introducing even order harmonic distortion on said generally sinusoidal signal on said primary side of said transformer and generating a generally sinusoidal distorted signal on said secondary side of said transformer whereby a flow of ionized gas is created within the gas-filled arc-type lamp to disperse any bubbles and standing waves in the lamp, the distorted signal having one half-cycle longer with a lower peak voltage than another half-cycle, said another half-cycle having one half-cycle shorter with a higher peak voltage than said one half-cycle; feedback means for generating feedback signals to alternately activate said oscillating means, said feedback means being coupled to said transformer and comprising a center tapped feedback winding, said oscillating means comprises power transistors alternately driven to their respective conducting states by said feedback signals in a push/pull manner; and second means for introducing feedback to said power transistor bases, said feedback means includes two resonating capacitors coupled to the gas discharge lamp and said secondary side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
232 words
A power supply device for a gas-filled arc-type lamp comprising: a transformer having a core with a primary side and a secondary side; a power source coupled to said primary side of said transformer core; oscillating means for generating a full-wave generally sinusoidal signal, said oscillating means coupled to said primary side of said transformer; means for connecting said secondary side of said transformer to the gas-filled arc-type lamp; means for introducing even order harmonic distortion on said generally sinusoidal signal on said primary side of said transformer and generating a generally sinusoidal distorted signal on said secondary side of said transformer whereby a flow of ionized gas is created within the gas-filled arc-type lamp to disperse any bubbles and standing waves in the lamp, the distorted signal having one half-cycle longer with a lower peak voltage than another half-cycle, said another half-cycle having one half-cycle shorter with a higher peak voltage than said one half-cycle; feedback means for generating feedback signals to alternately activate said oscillating means, said feedback means being coupled to said transformer and comprising a center tapped feedback winding, said oscillating means comprises power transistors alternately driven to their respective conducting states by said feedback signals in a push/pull manner; and second means for introducing feedback to said power transistor bases, said feedback means includes two resonating capacitors coupled to the gas discharge lamp and said secondary side.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |