Automatic Shunt Circuit Closing Or Cut-out Switch Patents (Class 315/74)
  • Patent number: 11466825
    Abstract: A recessed luminaire includes a trim, a junction box, and a light source socket. The trim includes a trim body, a flange, and a cover section. The flange extends out from the trim body at an opening of the trim. The junction box and the light source socket are attached to the trim. The light source socket is positioned inside a cavity of the trim. The light source socket may be attached to a cover section of the trim or to a bracket that is attached to the trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: B. Glenn Siegel, Jyoti Kumar, Jared Davis
  • Patent number: 11019698
    Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, lighting device for connection to an electronic ballast, wherein said retrofit LED lighting device comprising an LED array for emitting light, an alternating current, AC, LED driver arranged for receiving an AC supply voltage or an AC supply current, from said electronic ballast and for driving said LED array based on said received AC supply voltage or said AC supply current, at least one switch, wherein in a closed position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides a closed loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device and in an open position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides an open loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device thereby simulating an absence of said LED lighting device to said electronic ballast, an auxiliary power supply and a stand-alone external trigger circuit, connected to said auxiliary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Signify Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Matthias Wendt, Priya Ranjan Mishra, Goutam Maji
  • Patent number: 8928224
    Abstract: There is provided a lamp capable of informing a user that the LED lamp is at the end of its productive life and urging the user to replace the lamp reliably with a simple configuration. The lamp includes: a light emitting diode (1) as a light source; and a driving circuit (3) that turns on the light emitting diode (1) by an alternating-current or direct-current power source. The lamp further includes a life detecting element (2) that turns off the light emitting diode (1) following the occurrence of insulation deterioration in a resin material when the light emitting diode (1) has been operated for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Sugita, Tamotsu Ando
  • Patent number: 8917020
    Abstract: An electric lamp (1) has two pairs of external connection pins (5) adapted for connecting the lamp to a voltage source for powering an internal lighting module (3). Each pair of pins is disconnected from the lighting module by an open switch (6) unless a non-zero electric voltage is applied to the pair and causes the switch to close. The lamp is therefore safe to handle even in a condition where one pair of pins is connected and the other is not. The lamp may be fitted in a switch-start fixture, providing an ohmic connection between two pins in different pairs, as well as a rapid-start fixture, with a capacitive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: William Peter Mechtildis Marie Jans
  • Patent number: 8698398
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a fuse for a light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp, the fuse including a first electrical fuse connecting element for the electrical connection to an electric socket connecting element of a socket of the light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp; and a second electrical fuse connecting element for the electrical connection to a driver of the light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp; wherein the first fuse connecting element is designed as a connecting pin which is provided and equipped for a rigid connection to the socket connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventor: Harald Dellian
  • Publication number: 20140055029
    Abstract: An electric lamp (1) has two pairs of external connection pins (5) adapted for connecting the lamp to a voltage source for powering an internal lighting module (3). Each pair of pins is disconnected from the lighting module by an open switch (6) unless a non-zero electric voltage is applied to the pair and causes the switch to close. The lamp is therefore safe to handle even in a condition where one pair of pins is connected and the other is not. The lamp may be fitted in a switch-start fixture, providing an ohmic connection between two pins in different pairs, as well as a rapid-start fixture, with a capacitive connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: William Peter Mechtildis Marie Jans
  • Patent number: 8476848
    Abstract: For providing a lamp lighting device and a filament lamp wherein a wire breakage of the filament lamp can be detected without an excessive consumption of power while the device as a whole is not enlarged, a filament lamp is provided comprising a light emission tube having at least one sealing portion and in the interior of which at least one filament is arranged, internal leads connected to both ends of said filament, metal foils for power supply provided in said at least one sealing portion of the light emission tube and connected to said internal leads, and external leads connected to said metal foils for power supply; wherein a metal foil for detection is provided in said sealing portion and is connected to one of a said internal lead and a said metal foil for power supply, and an external detection lead is provided at said metal foil for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20130057147
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a fuse for a light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp, the fuse including a first electrical fuse connecting element for the electrical connection to an electric socket connecting element of a socket of the light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp; and a second electrical fuse connecting element for the electrical connection to a driver of the light emitting diode fluorescent lamp retrofit lamp; wherein the first fuse connecting element is designed as a connecting pin which is provided and equipped for a rigid connection to the socket connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM AG
    Inventor: Harald Dellian
  • Publication number: 20110198996
    Abstract: A lighting lamp apparatus with replaceable fuse element is provided, including a light base having a light source, a light focusing shade engaged to top of the light base, and a light head, engaged to bottom of the light base as an electrical connection interface of the entire apparatus to a light bulb installation part, a circuit set being placed between said light head and said light base, where the circuit set further includes a fuse. The fuse is placed inside a fuse base, and one end of said fuse base is exposed outside of surface of said light head for easy replacement of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Lai
  • Publication number: 20100308727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (10) adapted to fit into a corresponding socket (1). The lighting device (10) has a base or housing (12) that at least partially embeds an OLED (11) and an electronic circuit (13a, 13b) which affects the flow of electrical power from an external terminal (15a, 15b) to the OLED. The electronic circuit may comprise a memory module, a communication module, a sensor etc. for allowing an intelligent control of the OLED and for making the lighting device (10) adaptable to possible changes in driving standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Conrad Wilhelmus Adriaan Verjans, Dietrich Bertram
  • Patent number: 7832900
    Abstract: A safety lightbulb includes a base, a glass envelope connected to the base, and electrical contacts extending from the base into the glass envelope and electrically connected to a filament for producing light in the glass envelope when current is supplied to the electrical contacts from a power source to which the base is connected. A safety arrangement in the base automatically electrically disconnects the electrical contacts from the power source when the glass envelope is broken, and includes an electrical contact member in the base and a moving/restraining arrangement in the base for moving the electrical contact members out of electrical contact with the power source and the electrical contacts, when the glass envelope is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Simon Avitan
  • Patent number: 7535180
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting circuits include semiconductor light emitting diodes that are serially connected between a pair of input terminals. Four layer semiconductor devices, such as Shockley diodes and/or thyristors are also provided, a respective one of which is connected across a respective one of the semiconductor light emitting diodes. The four layer semiconductor devices can allow a string of light emitting diodes to continue to be lit if one light emitting diode fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Antony P. van de Ven
  • Patent number: 7298098
    Abstract: An intellectual lamp unit able to be installed on a conventional lamp socket controlled by a wall switch includes a bypass connected in parallel with a wall switch and provided with a resistance or a diode for producing potential difference or power phase difference when the wall switch is turned off. An intellectual lamp to be installed on a conventional lamp socket consists of a lamp main body disposed therein with a power processing circuit, a detecting switch, a charging circuit, a charging battery, a driving circuit, a microprocessor and a lamplight source. When the wall switch is turned on or off under the condition of normal power supply, the lamplight source can be controlled to produce or extinguish lighting, and during blackout, the lamplight source can be started to produce emergency lighting immediately, supplied with power by the charging battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ceramate Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Wang
  • Patent number: 7242141
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention pertains to an electroluminescent lighting device for area illumination. The lighting device is fault tolerant due, in part, to the patterning of one or both of the electrodes into strips, and each of one or more of these strips has a fuse formed on it. The fuses are integrated on the substrate. By using the integrated fuses, the number of external contacts that are used is minimized. The fuse material is deposited using one of the deposition techniques that is used to deposit the thin layers of the electroluminescent lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Pschenitzka
  • Patent number: 7191510
    Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) lamp having at least two integral fusible links and a method of manufacturing such a lamp are disclosed. The present invention provides for a fusible link between the front electrode input power contact area and the transparent electrode. In addition, the present invention provides a second fusible link between the back electrode input power contact area and the transparent electrode. The fusible links are designed to become non-conductive (open) if a certain current level is exceeded. The EL lamp fails in a controlled way, without signs of combustion. The EL lamp is therefore protected from self-destruction when subject to an anomaly or manufacturing defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen Jay Sanderson, Stephen Ray Stiles
  • Patent number: 7053557
    Abstract: An LED light tube for replacement for fluorescent light tubes includes an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope, a base cap at each end of the envelope, and at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base cap. The LED light tube is adapted for use in troffer light fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Porter Cross, Robert Hartwell Cross, Jeffrey Parker Cross
  • Patent number: 6936968
    Abstract: An LED light tube for replacement for fluorescent light tubes includes an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope, a base cap at each end of the envelope, and at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base cap. The LED light tube is adapted for use in troffer light fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Mule Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Porter Cross, Robert Hartwell Cross, Jeffery Parker Cross
  • Publication number: 20040108817
    Abstract: A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp (10) that comprises a housing (12) formed to contain a ballast. The housing (12) has a top surface (14) with openings (16) leading from the exterior of the housing (12) to the interior. The openings (16) can be in the form of raised bosses having upstanding walls (16a). A restricted portion (18), which can take the form of a flange, is formed with the opening (16) and a safe end-of-life enabling device (20) is positioned in the opening (16) and in contact with the restricted portion (18). The safe end-of-life device (20) is tubular, has low thermal conductivity and in preferred forms of the invention is a glass such as quartz or a ceramic such as aluminum oxide. The ends (22) of a fluorescent lamp (24) penetrate the tubular end-of-life device (20) and extend into the interior of the housing for suitable connection to an enclosed electronic ballast. A retainer (26) is positioned opposite the restricted portion for maintaining the end-of-life device within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Albert Cavallaro
  • Patent number: 6720718
    Abstract: An efficient and safe lamp with a tungsten halogen capsule may be formed by using a two stage pyrophoric fuse as part of the electrical path to the capsule. The thin walled lamp with tungsten halogen capsule and two stage pyrophoric fuse yields a more efficient, less expensive and yet still safe tungsten halogen lamp. The thin walled lamp with tungsten halogen capsule and pyrophoric fuse provides a safe, thin walled outer envelope tungsten halogen lamp, provide a lamp with an oxygen sensitive fuse operable in low wattage lamps, provides a method manufacturing a pyrophoric fuse sensitive to moderate temperatures, provides an inexpensive and practical, low wattage, thin walled tungsten halogen lamp with a pyrophoric fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Douglas Trent, Jeffrey Paul Buschmann, Michael R. Kling
  • Patent number: 6653784
    Abstract: A new type of light includes a casing used for containing an emitting device. Further, the emitting device includes a couple of wires, an insulator ball, a filament and a fuse. The couple of wires are connected with a power supply via the casing, wherein the contact points of wires and casing are defined as the bottom of the light. Moreover, the insulator is posited above the bottom of light. Subsequently, the filament is posited above the insulator ball, and the fuse is posited on the top of wires. Particularly, the tops of wires are wound to form hooks to hold the fuse. The hooks are flattened for increasing the adhesion of connection between wires and fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Li-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 6590323
    Abstract: A photo diode lamp includes lamp head, receiving body, outer shell, cover and photo sensor. There are projections and indents provided on the inner circumference of the receiving body, which receives base and circuit block. The lamp-tube is fixed on the base, its circumference provides screw thread and wire opening. The photo sensor is provided from the end of the wire, the respective projections are provided at lower end of its screw thread. The base of the circuit block is the circuit of the energy-saving type lamps and lanterns, the photocell is provided thereon through an IC. The end with larger diameter of the outer shell provides inner screw thread. Between the outer shell and the cover is clipping connection. The circuit is controlled by means of photo sensor responding to the brightness of outer circumference the lamps and lanterns can be automatically in switch-on/switch-off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: All-Time Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Stekelenburg
  • Publication number: 20030102810
    Abstract: An LED light tube for replacement for fluorescent light tubes includes an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope, a base cap at each end of the envelope, and at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base cap. The LED light tube is adapted for use in troffer light fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Mule Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Peter Cross, Robert Hartwell Cross, Jeffery Parker Cross
  • Patent number: 6570327
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric lamp (100) whose light source reaches a very high temperature during operation. It mainly relates to a lamp provided with a double envelope such that a fracture or a crack of the outer envelope (2) does not prevent the lamp (100) from functioning. The lamp is therefore provided with a safety cut-out wire (5) which allows the opening of the conduction path of the lamp in case of a fracture. To this end a safety-switch portion (6) is inserted in the safety cut-out wire (5). This portion is made of a material which opens the conduction path as soon as the safety-switch portion (6) comes into contact with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gervais Pinot, Stéphane Coffigny
  • Patent number: 6525479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and ballast for operating a lamp (3) fitted with a fluorescent tube (2), whereby the operating data of certain recognizable lamp types (T1, T2, Tn−1, Tn), at least the lamp voltage (UL), lamp current (IL) and preheating currents (Ivorh1, Ivorh2, Ivorhn−1, Ivorhn) is stored in a register (R) for the heating of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Trilux-Lenze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Keggenhoff, Ferdinand Mertens
  • Publication number: 20020101165
    Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp includes an arc tube having a pair of main electrodes, a starting circuit having a thermally-actuated switch for disconnecting the starting circuit, and an outer tube for containing the arc tube and the starting circuit, and the lamp is lighted by means of a reactance ballast. The thermally-actuated switch includes an envelope bulb that covers contacts of the thermally-actuated switch. Thereby, occurrence of sustained arc discharge in the outer tube is prevented in the case of a starting failure or a break-off of the arc tube at the end of the lamp's life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Yoshida, Kenji Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 6326728
    Abstract: A new type of light comprises a casing used for containing an emitting device. Further, the emitting device comprises a couple of wires, an insulator ball, a filament and a fuse. The couple of wires are connected with a power supply via the casing, wherein the contact ponts of wires and casing are defined as the bottom of the light. Moreoever, the insulator is positioned above the bottom of the light. Subsequently, the filament is position above the insulator ball, and the fuse is posted on the top of wires. Particularly, the tops of the wires are wound to form hooks to hold the fuse. The hooks are flattened for increasing the adhesion of connection between the wires and the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventors: Lu Li Cheng, Chen Yu Chien
  • Patent number: 6316878
    Abstract: The electric-light bulb is capable of limiting an inrush current and automatically periodically changing brightness. In the electric-light bulb, a filament is provided in a bulb body. A resistance is provided in the bulb body and connected to the filament in series. A thermoswitch is provided in the bulb body and connected to the resistance in parallel. The thermoswitch includes a bimetal element and contact points. The bimetal element is deformed by heat radiated from the filament and closes the contact points when temperature of the bimetal element reaches prescribed temperature so as to short the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Nagafumi Tsukada
  • Patent number: 6037854
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp thermal fuse arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement in a preferred embodiment comprises a fluorescent glass tube lamp, a thermal fuse wrapped externally around an end of the lamp, electrically insulated mechanical means, lead portions of the thermal fuse and strain relief, and a thermally and electrically insulating protective cover placed over the thermal fuse to concentrate heat around the fuse and to electrically isolate the lamp end from the surrounding environment. The lamp has a maximum normal operating temperature, a coating of emissive material on a cathode of the lamp, a plurality of lamp cathode leads, and a termination electrically connected to a fluorescent lamp power source. The thermal fuse is electrically connected in series between at least one lamp cathode lead and the termination. The protective cover provides electrical insulation to the surrounding environment and a small space for melted fuse material to flow regardless of lamp orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Aerospace Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Baker, Glenn T. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5684366
    Abstract: A lamp protection device includes a circuit to prevent a lamp from being switched on at full line voltage and which provides for the gradual heating of the filament to reduce the expansion rate of the filament. The circuit is connected to a switched alternating current power source and to an incandescent bulb. The circuit includes two silicon controlled rectifiers which are connected in reverse parallel configuration. One of the silicon controlled rectifiers being connected to a capacitor to prevent the full sinusoidal AC current from reaching the lamp until a time delay has expired after the lamp is turned on. A reference switch is connected to the other silicon controlled rectifier to permit the bulb to be turned on only when the AC voltage crosses zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: W.W. Magee, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexei Bogdan, Emil Sagal
  • Patent number: 5646484
    Abstract: A high reliability portable incandescent illumination system for use in applications which require a reliable, high output light source such as heliport markers, runway lights, warning lights, road hazard and obstruction lights. The required elements of the invention are a battery to provide an energy source, a DC/DC converter to step up the battery voltage to a level required to drive a high output light source. The DC/DC converter is driven by a controller which generates a pulse stream to the DC/DC converter based upon inputs from a soft start circuit, a filament temperature sensor, an optical spectrum sensor, a power sensor and a filament break sensor. The optical spectrum sensor is coupled to the light source by a fiber optical element. An improvement in results in the performance of portable beacons by using high voltage lamps with low voltage batteries via voltage step-up electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Litebeams, Inc.
    Inventors: Madan Sharma, Ronald M. Schmidt, Alfred T. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5565736
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel which is enclosed with intervening space by an outer bulb. The lamp is provided with a starter circuit constructed as a starter unit comprising a bimetal switch and glow switch starter. The bimetal switch has a bimetal element which is fastened with a fastening point to a conductor, and rests in the cold state against a break contact point of a break contact. The fastening point and the break contact point form part of an insulating rigid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Winand H. A. M. Friederichs
  • Patent number: 5545952
    Abstract: An incandescent bulb for use in a submerged swimming pool light fixture is disclosed, which includes a filament, at least one spring-biased filament support, and a grounding device. The filament support includes an exposed current-conducting portion and is moveable in response to the spring bias. The current-conducting portion of the filament support is arranged to allow it to come into electrical contact with the grounding device when the filament support moves in response to the bias of the spring. The filament is disposed to prevent movement of the filament support when the filament is intact and the lamp is in normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventor: Dana Mortensen
  • Patent number: 5532557
    Abstract: Light socket improvements include a thermal conductor which removes heat by inducing a flow of air within the socket and/or which acts as heat sink that more efficiently transfers heat to the socket support thereby enabling use of higher wattage light bulbs. The conductor may, if desired, also function as a control signal input. Other improvements simplify wiring procedures and assure safety by providing a lockable internal chamber for power terminals within the socket housing. Some embodiments of the invention include electronic control circuits and enable selection of any of a variety of modes of controlling the light sockets by touch or by other forms of signal input including remote control and optional joint or independent control of individual sockets in a light fixture which has a plurality of sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jacob Saidian
  • Patent number: 5530318
    Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp includes at least one bus bar attached to an electrode of the lamp. The bus bar has a gap and a conductive trace bridges the gap. The trace is preferably an isolated segment of the front electrode of the lamp and is made when the front electrode is patterned. The bus bar includes at least one pair of holes extending through the bus bar. The holes each have a diameter less than the width of the bus bar and are spaced along the length of the bus bar. The segment of the bus bar between the holes can be curved to define a path through the holes adjacent the bus bar. A conductive pin through the holes makes electrical contact with the bus bar and is held in place by the holes and the curved segment. The bus bar is an integral connector and the conductive trace is an integral fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Durel Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr., Ramona R. Fechter, Rodney T. Eckersley, Donald H. Savery
  • Patent number: 5355053
    Abstract: A starting aid for high pressure sodium vapor lamps eliminates the need to mechanically connect an ignition wire to the lamp frame. The starting aid employs an ignition wire which is slidably clipped directly to the arc tube at one end and which is connected to a bi-metallic switch at the other end. The bi-metallic switch is mechanically and electrically connected to one power lead of the arc tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Huiling Zhu
  • Patent number: 5336974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp including a discharge vessel and an outer envelope which encloses a space. The lamp has an igniter circuit which has a voltage-dependent capacitor and a resistor which are integrated so as to form a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardus M. J. F. Luijks, Hubertus A. M. Coenen
  • Patent number: 5325017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp (2) provided with a discharge vessel (3) with a ceramic wall (3a) and provided with a bimetal element (11) which rests against the discharge vessel wall in the cold state of the lamp, and which is removed from the discharge vessel wall during lamp operation. The discharge vessel is surrounded by an outer bulb (30) with intervening space (6), in which space a solid-state getter (15) is provided. According to the invention, the solid-state getter is provided on the bimetal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes A. T. Schellen, Gerardus M. J. F. Luijks
  • Patent number: 5117156
    Abstract: A rapid start fluorescent lamp having an improved hot restarting time. The lamp includes the standard envelope and end cap through which electrical connection is made by conductive feedthroughs which extend through the lamp stem to the interior of the lamp. One of the feedthroughs is connected to the cathode, and the other is connected to the leads of a fuse element which is contained within an envelope to isolate the fusible element from the lamp environment. A thermally activated bimetallic element is disposed across the leads of the fuse. The other lead of the fusible element is connected to the other end of the cathode. When the bimetal element is cold, it will bridge the connection between the other feedthrough to the other end of the cathode to permit rapid starting. When the bimetal heats up, the connection of both ends of the cathode to the heating current is broken. The location of the bimetallic element within the lamp envelope but not in the fuse container permits it to open and close more rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: North American Philips Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Leyh, Walter A. Boyce
  • Patent number: 5109183
    Abstract: A high pressure sodium discharge lamp having an arc tube mounted within a lamp envelope and having a resistor connected electrically in series with the arc tube. An insulative body is provided between the arc tube feed-through closest to the stem and a rigid conductor for axially supporting the arc tube and electrically insulating the feed-through from the rigid conductor. The series flicker-elimination resistor is mounted adjacent the lamp stem and electrically shunts the insulative body. An integral thick film resistor which includes the series resistor and a starting resistor for a starting circuit has optimized terminal placement for simplifying mount construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald T. Robertson, Kenneth E. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5051657
    Abstract: An electric lamp assembly includes a sealed outer envelope, an arc discharge tube mounted within the outer envelope, a safety filament connected in series with the arc discharge tube for extinguishing the arc tube within a predetermined time after the outer envelope is broken, and an electrically-insulating sleeve disposed around the safety filament. The insulating sleeve suppresses emission of electrons from the safety filament and thereby prevents a reduction in frame potential which would increase sodium loss from the arc tube. The insulating sleeve includes openings which permit air to reach the safety filament when the outer envelope is broken. A mounting arrangement includes a pair of mounting tabs which provide electrical connections for the safety filament and which approximately centers the safety filament in the insulating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corp.
    Inventors: Simone P. Bazin, Martin E. Muzeroll
  • Patent number: 4992703
    Abstract: A metal halide high intensity discharge lamp having an arc tube assembly including a pair of discharge electrodes and a pair of starting electrodes. Each starting electrode is adjacent a respective discharge electrode. During starting, the lamp makes the glow discharge to arc discharge transition in a substantially shorter time than a lamp with a single starting electrode, and exhibits a substantially improved lumen maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: North American Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Raghu Ramaiah
  • Patent number: 4973881
    Abstract: An electric lamp is provided having an outer envelope or jacket with a lamp base attached thereto, the lamp base having an aperture extending therethrough. A sealed inner capsule is supported within the outer envelope and electrically connected to the lamp base and to an electrically conductive elongated member one end of which engages an inner wall of the outer envelope and an opposite end of which extends through the aperture in the lamp base. A spring is provided which urges the one end of the elongated member against the inner wall and which will urge the opposite end of the elongated member out of the aperture if the envelope is broken thereby disconnecting voltage to a lead of the inner capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Haraden, Harold L. Hough
  • Patent number: 4963793
    Abstract: The present invention provides a very low actuation force touch control switch for use in brightness control of illumination devices. The control switch comprises a flexible membrane having a plurality of conductors disposed on one surface and secured to a rigid support surface. The conductors are interwoven in a present pattern with portions of the conductors being exposed. A conductive surface is formed in an area under the exposed conductors. The membrane is fastened to the rigid support surface so that a very small spacing is maintained between the exposed conductors and the fixed conductive surface, allowing a very light touch to cause one or more exposed conductors to be shorted to the conductive surface. A microprocessor periodically polls the leads of the membrane to determine which are shorted together and causes an output power level to be adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Westek Associates
    Inventor: John F. DePauli
  • Patent number: 4922155
    Abstract: A fail safe feature for long life reduced voltage lamps including diodes id disclosed. As known, a low wattage lamp may designed for longer life by using a lower root mean square design voltage. The root means square voltage of the alternating source current may be lowered by including a rectifying element, and a fuse may be included in series with the lamp to safely interrupt the circuit. By further including a one-way shunt oriented oppositely to the rectifier, in parallel with the lamp, and intermediate the rectifier and fuse, on failure of rectifier, unrectified current blows the fuse. If the rectifying diode fails, substantially all of the current is shunted to the fuse during the failed half of the current cycle, thereby blowing the fuse, and safely failing the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Merle E. Morris, George B. Kendrick, John M. Boyd
  • Patent number: 4752718
    Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp having an inner tube in which a discharge takes place to produce visible light and ultraviolet radiation and an outer envelope which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation. A mechanical switching element is provided to extinguish the discharge when the outer envelope is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Duro-Test Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert S. Strauss, Lawrence Sheinberg
  • Patent number: 4751623
    Abstract: An illumination device according to the present invention generally includes a housing, electrical plug prongs, a connector portion associated with the housing for receiving and electrically contacting a light bulb, and a heat sensitive electrical circuit for conducting electrical current from an electrical outlet or other electrical power source to a light bulb received within through the connector portion of the illumination device. Preferably, the heat sensitive electrical circuit includes a bimetallic strip or other heat sensitive mechanism that automatically interrupts the flow of electrical current through the connector portion of the night light when the temperature sensed by the bimetallic strip exceeds a predetermined temperature level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Novo Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Gaines, William T. Piett
  • Patent number: 4751432
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp comprising an outer bulb accommodating a first and a second discharge vessel, these discharge vessels being connected electrically in series. According to the invention, the second discharge vessel is electrically shunted by a bimetal switch which is closed at a temperature of at least 300 K. The lamp thus starts in two steps, which facilitates the starting process and renders it more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Marc G. A. M. Van Delm
  • Patent number: 4742275
    Abstract: A high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp comprises a light-emitting tube in which a pair of electrodes is enclosed, a starting element including a normally closed-type thermal switch and a resistive member, the starting element generating a pulse by closing and opening switch operations, a connecting element for electrically connecting the starting element to the electrodes, the pulse being applied to the electrodes through the connecting element, and a member including an insulating body provided in vicinity of the thermal switch for causing a conductive portion to be formed on the body, the conductive portion being sufficient to bypass a current supplied to the starting element by repetitions of the switch operations, thereby lowering the pulse voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Ito, Kouzou Kawashima
  • Patent number: 4725760
    Abstract: A flasher bulb and method of making same by mass production techniques are disclosed. The flasher bulb has first and second nickel wires connected by a tungsten wire to form a loop and a bimetallic strip one end of which is connected to one of the nickel wires, the strip being bent towards the other nickel wire. When the strip is heated by passage of current through the tungsten wire, it makes contact with the other nickel wire to take the tungsten wire out of circuit but retain current flow through the nickel wires. Accordingly in a string of flasher bulbs, extinction of one bulb will not necessary cut off current to the others. The conductive wires and bimetallic strip are assembled in position in a mold and held in place by an insulating disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Cheng P. Fang
  • Patent number: 4709187
    Abstract: A rapid-start fluorescent lamp has a tubular envelope with a phosphor-coated inner wall, a pair of spaced electrodes and a pair of electrical leads sealed into the ends of the envelope with one electrical lead directly connected to the electrode and the other electrical lead connected through a bi-metal circuit breaker to the electrode with the circuit breaker formed to open-circuit at a given range of temperatures. Also, the discharge lamp is fabricated by preparing a phosphor coated envelope, forming a pair of end members having a pair of electrical leads, a bi-metal circuit breaker and electrode, sealing the end members into the envelope, heating and exhausting the envelope, heating the electrodes, dispensing a fill gas and mercury into the envelope, pinching off the exhaust tubes of the envelope and severing the fuse member of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Roche