Plural Load Device Systems Patents (Class 315/228)
  • Patent number: 8274242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power supply apparatus for an LED lamp, which mainly uses an isolation transformer to convert a high voltage AC input signal into a low voltage AC signal and thus generate a driving voltage for driving an LED lamp, comprising: a waveform and frequency modulation module disposed on the primary side of the isolation transformer for modulating an input waveform and a frequency f; and a secondary rectifier filter module disposed on the secondary side of the isolation transformer for converting the low voltage AC signal after passing through the isolation transformer into the driving voltage. In this way, the power supply apparatus for an LED lamp utilizes the principle of persistence of vision of human eyes to modulate the waveforms and frequencies of voltages for driving LEDs and can still maintain the normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Solytech Enterprise Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Hsing Chen, Sheng-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20120119667
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a first pixel circuit which is disposed so as to correspond to each intersection between a scanning line and a first data line, a second pixel circuit which is disposed so as to correspond to each intersection between a scanning line and a second data line, a signal line, a selection section, a driving circuit. In a first selection period, the selection section is operated such that the first data line and the second data line are electrically connected to the signal line. In the second selection period, the selection section is operated such that the second data line is electrically connected to the signal line. In a writing period, the first data potential is supplied to the first pixel circuit and the second data potential is supplied to the second pixel circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki KITAZAWA, Takehiko KUBOTA, Toshiyuki KASAI
  • Publication number: 20120104962
    Abstract: The invention provides integrated power supplies, circuit drivers, and control methods for relatively high-current drivers, usable with common battery power sources. Preferred embodiments include one or more high series resistance super-capacitors electrically connected with a power. A low resistance driver circuit regulates power supplied from the super-capacitors to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Triune IP LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Jonathan Knight, Ross Teggatz, Brett Smith, Narasimhan Trichy Rajagopal
  • Publication number: 20120098874
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a first light emitting element having a first opposite electrode connected to a first power line, a common electrode and a parasitic capacitance C1; and a second light emitting element having a second opposite electrode connected to a second power line, a common electrode and a parasitic capacitance C2. A first power potential is supplied to the first power line, and a second power potential is supplied to the second power line. The first and second power potentials change by increasing with a constant gradient from a low first potential to a high second potential in turns, and the first and second light emitting elements emit light in turns by flowing current from the parasitic capacitance C1 or C2 to the other light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takehiko KUBOTA
  • Publication number: 20120056550
    Abstract: The invention provides an active matrix EL display device which can perform a clear multi-gray scale color display. In particular, the invention provides a large active matrix EL display device at low cost by a manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern. Power supply lines in a pixel portion are arranged in matrix by the manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern. Further, capacitance between wirings is reduced by providing a longer distance between adjacent wirings by the manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori YOSHIDA, Hajime Kimura, Shinji Maekawa, Osamu Nakamura, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120043892
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED tube system for driving at least one LED assembly comprising: an LED tube housing for containing the at least one LED assembly, two pairs of mains input terminals (A, B) provided at ends of the LED tube housing for receiving a mains supply voltage (Vmns) and for supplying the mains supply voltage (Vmns) to an internal part of the LED tube system for driving the at least one LED assembly, and further comprising a switching circuit being electrically connected with all mains input terminals (A, B, C, D) and being arranged for electrically connecting the pairs of mains input terminals together in a first state (2/ON) and electrically separating the pairs in a second state (1/OFF) of the switching circuit. The switching circuit being further arranged for providing a coupling capacitor (C10, C11) between the first pair and the second pair of input terminals in the first state (2/ON) and removing the coupling capacitor (C10, C11) in the second state (1/OFF) of the switching circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: LEDNED HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Jurjen Hilwert Visser, Guang Zhi Yu, Shuang He Zeng, Michael Friedrich Albert Staudt, Shu Kei Shea, Carl Rudolf Eduard Staudt
  • Publication number: 20110309760
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a power supply having a boost converter operating in the discontinuous conduction mode, a flyback converter operating in the critical conduction mode, and a switch coupled to the flyback converter. Several light emitting diodes receive power from the power supply. The boost converter may include a boost inductor (LB) and a boost diode (DB), constructed to perform the boost power factor correction (PFC) function. The flyback converter may includes a flyback inductor (LFB) and a flyback diode (DFB) and the power supply may be constructed to turn on the switch around the point where the current flowing in the flyback inductor reaches zero value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Beland, Giampaolo Carli
  • Patent number: 8063573
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes: a plurality of lamp units; and an inverter which includes a plurality of pattern capacitors, wherein each of the pattern capacitors is electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of lamp units, wherein each of the pattern capacitors comprises a printed circuit board, and a conductive layer formed on one side of the printed circuit board, and at least one of the plurality of pattern capacitors has a different electric capacity than another of the pattern capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Gun Lee, Moon-Shik Kang
  • Publication number: 20110279051
    Abstract: A lighting device for a display device includes: a plurality of discharge tubes 17 disposed in parallel arrangement; a support member 151 supporting the ends of the discharge tubes 17; a plurality of connecting terminals 152 arranged on the support member 151 and in the arrangement direction in which the discharge tubes 17 are disposed, the connecting terminals 152 holding the discharge tubes 17 individually and configured to function as a drive-power supply terminal for the respective discharge tubes 17; and a plurality of balancing components 56 configured to balance current quantities of the drive power to be fed to the connecting terminals 152. The balancing components 56 are connected between a power source 170 and the respective connecting terminals 152. The balancing components 56 are disposed on the support member 151, adjacent to the respective connecting terminals 152, and closer to the center in the arrangement direction than the respective connecting terminals 152.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasumori Kuromizu
  • Publication number: 20110279050
    Abstract: A lighting device 12 includes: discharge tubes 17; a support member 151 supporting the discharge tubes 17; connecting terminals 152 arranged on the support member 151, the connecting terminals 152 holding the discharge tubes 17 and configured to function as terminals to supply drive power; and balancing components 56 configured to balance currents to be fed to the connecting terminals 152. The balancing components 56 are disposed adjacent to the respective connecting terminals 152 in an area on the support member 151. The area is closer to the center in the arrangement direction than outermost one of the connecting terminals 152. Two of the balancing components 56 are disposed in at least one of areas. Each of the areas is between adjacent two of the connecting terminals 152 in the array. The two of the balancing components 56 correspond to the two of the connecting terminals 152.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasumori Kuromizu
  • Publication number: 20110279047
    Abstract: An AC light emitting device, a driving device thereof and a driving method are disclosed. The driving device includes a sub-driving part turned on corresponding to each of positive and negative voltage regions of an AC voltage source to provide current paths for operating at least two LEDs, and a free-charge part charging with a voltage to be supplied to one of the at least two LEDs which is not operated while the other LED is operated by the sub-driving part. The AC light emitting device, the driving device thereof and the driving method thereby can solve problems, such as a decrease in power factor, severe total harmonic distortion, excessive flickering, and the like, due to operating characteristics of the AC light emitting device by application of an AC voltage source thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Hoon Choi, In Kyu Park, Do Hyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20110279049
    Abstract: In order to efficiently execute threshold value compensation for a driving transistor, a coupling capacitor has one end connected to a data line. Another end of the coupling capacitor is connected to a selection transistor and one end of a reset transistor. A control terminal of a driving transistor is connected to the other end of the selection transistor, and an organic EL element is connected to this driving transistor via a light emission control transistor. A data voltage, corresponding to a gradation signal supplied to the data line, is written to a storage capacitor via the coupling capacitor, and with the selection transistor and the light emission control transistor in an off state and the reset transistor turned on, a compensation voltage corresponding to a degree of mobility of the driving transistor is written to the coupling capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GLOBAL OLED TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20110031890
    Abstract: A lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes a first lighting module and a second lighting module connected parallel to the first lighting module. The first lighting module generates light at a first color temperature and the second lighting module generates light at a second color temperature. The first lighting module has a first activation voltage and the second lighting module has a second activation voltage. The two lighting modules generate light when the current flow through them. When input voltage is changed, not only does the amount of current flowing through the two modules change, but also ratio of the amount of current flowing through the two lighting modules changes. The change in the ratio changes the color temperature of the light produced by the lighting system which is a combination of the light produced by the two modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas E. STACK
  • Publication number: 20100327762
    Abstract: The present invention relies on polyphase alternating current power with phase difference or direct current power rectified from polyphase alternating current power to drive a common electric energy-driven luminous body; or to separately drive proximately installed individual electric energy-driven luminous bodies so that the pulsation of the outwardly projected light is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20100225728
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: a board; plural light-emitting chips that are one-dimensionally arrayed in a longitudinal direction of the board and that are connected to a first potential and a second potential; and plural capacitors that each include a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a short-side direction of the board, and that are arrayed in the longitudinal direction of the board so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately positioned between each adjacent two of the capacitors. The first electrode is connected to the first potential for the light-emitting chips, and the second electrode is connected to the second potential for the light-emitting chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sachiya Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20100060182
    Abstract: A low THD lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes a first lighting module and a second lighting module connected parallel to the first lighting module. During each AC cycle the first lighting module conducts current for a first portion of the cycle and the second lighting module conducts current for a second portion of the cycle. When combined, the total current drawn from the power source substantially tracks the shape of the applied AC voltage. Accordingly, there is minimal distortion, and low total harmonic distortion level is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Stack
  • Publication number: 20090091267
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes: a plurality of lamp units; and an inverter which includes a plurality of pattern capacitors, wherein each of the pattern capacitors is electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of lamp units, wherein each of the pattern capacitors comprises a printed circuit board, and a conductive layer formed on one side of the printed circuit board, and at least one of the plurality of pattern capacitors has a different electric capacity than another of the pattern capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Yun-Gun Lee, Moon-Shik Kang
  • Patent number: 6803731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel operating circuit for a low-pressure discharge lamp 1 with early EOL detection via a measurement of the DC voltage between the electrodes 2, 3. In this case, the DC voltage can be modified by an offset voltage 10 such that only one polarity has to be taken into account during measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fur elektrische Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventors: Martin Grabner, Markus Heckmann
  • Patent number: 6646390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel operating circuit for a low-pressure discharge lamp 1 with early EOL detection via a measurement of the DC voltage between the electrodes 2, 3. In this case, an electrode interrogation can be carried out by checking a respective connection via the electrodes 2, 3 to a respective reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fur Elektrische Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventors: Martin Grabner, Markus Heckmann
  • Patent number: 6326738
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an electronic display such as an LCD. A single hot wire is connected to multiple capacitors each dedicated to a cold cathode fluorescent tube, and multiple tubes are incorporated to illuminate the electronic display. Multiple hot wires are eliminated to eliminate excessive electrical losses and to reduce manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Innova Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charlie McAndrew
  • Patent number: 6232724
    Abstract: An LED array composed of a plurality of LEDs is disposed on either side of a signal interconnection board, while metal plates are disposed on the other side of the signal interconnection board as positive and negative power source lines for driving the LEDs, respectively, and a capacitor is provided between the positive metal plate for power supply and the negative metal plate for power supply. As a result, the LED array in which an output light is not lowered in power, no variations in light output arises in every LEDs, and all the LEDs can be turned on simultaneously is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Onimoto, Hideo Tanaka, Tamotsu Nishiura
  • Patent number: 5434476
    Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed for operating with no stroboscopic effects at least three fluorescent lamps connected to a single source of single phase alternating voltage. In order to suppress the stroboscopic effects, the first lamp circuit (1) is connected in the usual way to both conductors (S;Mp) of the source of single phase alternating voltage; a series oscillating circuit (4) composed of an inductive resistor (L) and a capacitor(C) is arranged in parallel to the first lamp circuit; the second lamp circuit (2) is connected between a conductor (S) of the source of single phase alternating voltage the point of connection (Vp) between the inductive resistor (L) and the capacitor of the series oscillating circuit (4); and the third lamp circuit (3) is connected between said point of connection (Vp) and the other conductor (Mp) of the source of single phase voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Harald Franke
  • Patent number: 5247228
    Abstract: An adaptor circuit used to enable stable, flicker-free operation of T8-type fluorescent lamps in a lighting fixture which already has a standard two-lamp, series-sequence, 40 watt, rapid-start type ballast installed therein. The adaptor circuit contains an isolation transformer for controlling the voltage supplied by the ballast to the T8-type fluorescent lamps and a frequency selective impedance modifier circuit for controlling the operating current supplied by the ballast to the T8-type fluorescent lamps at preselected frequencies. In one embodiment, the frequency selective impedance modifier circuit substantially eliminates the third harmonic component of the fundamental frequency of the operating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Roche
  • Patent number: 5220247
    Abstract: For driving gas discharge lamps (102, 104) having heatable filaments (102A, 102B, 104A, 104B), a circuit (100) has an inverter (132, 134) and a series-resonant LC oscillator (150, 158, 170) forming a self-oscillating inverter. The oscillator output provides filament-heating current through the filaments in series, and drives arc current serially through the lamps. A feedback transformer (174) with a winding (172) connected serially in the filament-heating current path controls the operation of the inverter. A voltage clamp (180, 182) limits the voltage applied to the lamps. The circuit does not require an output-coupling transformer to couple the output of the self-oscillating inverter to lamps, thus avoiding the added cost that the use of such a transformer would bring, while providing efficient, substantially fixed frequency operation of a wide variety of lamp loads, together with the ability to address a number of lamp fault modes. Alternatively, the lamps may be driven in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: Mihail S. Moisin
  • Patent number: 5214355
    Abstract: A half-bridge inverter is powered from a constant-magnitude DC supply voltage and provides at the inverter's output a first AC output voltage that is describable as a modified squarewave voltage. This first AC voltage is applied across a series-combination of a tank inductor and a tank capacitor, the junction between which is clamped to the DC supply voltage. As a result, a second AC voltage gets established across the tank capacitor; which second AC voltage is also describable as a modified squarewave voltage. However, the phasing of the second AC voltage is delayed by roughly 90.degree. degrees with respect to the first AC voltage; which results in the voltage across the tank inductor being of approximately sinusoidal waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Ole K. Nilssen
  • Patent number: 5081401
    Abstract: A circuit (100) for driving a plurality of gas discharge lamps (102, 104), and having: input terminals (126, 130) for connection to a source of voltage supply; output terminals (134, 136, 140) for connection to the lamps in series; an oscillator (124, 132) connected between the input terminals and the output terminals for producing a high-frequency drive voltage at the output terminals; a transformer (106) having a primary winding (108) coupled to the input terminals and having a secondary winding (114) coupled to the output terminals, the transformer secondary winding being coupled at its ends (116, 118) and at an intermediate point (120) to respective ones of the output terminals and the intermediate point (120) of the transformer secondary winding being coupled to its respective output terminal (140) by a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Mihail S. Moisin
  • Patent number: 5049783
    Abstract: In an electronic ballast for at least one fluorescent lamp equipped with heatable electrodes, the heatable electrodes must be adequately preheated before the actual ignition of the fluorescent lamp. Given a high-frequency preheating of the heating electrodes that is usually employed and given the utilization of a frequency shift of the high-frequency of the D.C.-A.C. converter, relatively long preheating times on the order of magnitude of >1.2 second result. In order to be able to significantly reduce the preheating tifme below 1 second, it is proposed that a D.C. path be provided wherein the heating electrtodes are connected in series with the secondary winding at the secondary side of a transformer and to connect this D.C. path to the operating D.C. voltage during the preheating phase via controlled switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Kroening
  • Patent number: 4912371
    Abstract: An improved non-lighting fluorescent lamp substitute to replace one lamp in a two-lamp series connected circuit so that the circuit is completed through the remaining lamp allowing it to light, whereas without the lamp substitute, the circuit is incomplete if one lamp is removed and then the other lamp is unable to light. In one form, the device is wired into a light fixture, while in another form, it looks like a conventional fluorescent lamp and fits into the sockets of the fixture. Either form cuts power consumption substantially in half with a corresponding reduction in light output. The improvement is a triac in the device that limits the magnitude of the effective arc current by phase angle control to the original design current of the lamp and ballast in order to achieve the normally expected life of the lamp and ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: William L. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 4818918
    Abstract: A high frequency system for gas discharge lamps includes a method of, and apparatus for, controlling the operation of a plurality of gas discharge lamps and provides; a reduction in starting and operating voltage and current; an increased range of dimming; and improved efficiency and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Pierce M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4757238
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved low voltage fluorescent lighting system having two elongated fluorescent lamps. The invention provides an improved simple switching system which allows one or both lamps to be turned on. The improved switching system includes a high capacitance by-pass circuit parallel to one of the fluorescent lamps which, when closed, by-passes sufficient current so that the lamp in parallel will not be lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Thin-Lite Corporation
    Inventor: Shin W. Rhee
  • Patent number: 4661745
    Abstract: A rapid-start fluorescent lamp system includes a ballast circuit, rapid-start fluorescent lamps and power reducing means for controlling the application of energy to the lamps. The power-reducing means controls the energy to N/O switches from the energy source upon ionization of the rapid-start fluorescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Citino, Carlo S. Bessone, William J. Roche
  • Patent number: 4649322
    Abstract: The arrangement of the invention enables control of a light emitting element comprising at least one discharge tube. Firing of the tube is effected by a generator which provides voltage pulses at predetermined periodic intervals (T.sub.r). The luminous intensity of the tube is controlled by a D.C. source which enables application of a discharge maintenance current to the tube, the duration of application (T.sub.c) of which depends on an instruction signal. A circuit is provided to assure synchronism between the application of the voltage pulse and the maintenance current. The arrangement may be applied in matrix displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Omega Electronics S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Tellan, Pierre Desarzens, Philippe Deglon
  • Patent number: 4496880
    Abstract: A ballast for energizing a pair of fluorescent lamps in response to power supplied by an AC line, includes a capacitor connected between one of a pair of heater winding leads which connect to a filament contained in one of the fluorescent lamps, and one of a pair of leads associated with a primary winding of the ballast, the primary winding leads being connected to the AC line. The present ballast realizes a substantial reduction in the amount of power consumed from the AC line when compared to operation of the ballast without the added capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Harald Luck
  • Patent number: 4348614
    Abstract: A non-light producing substitute apparatus for use as a replacement for a phosphor energizable lamp in an arrangement where a plurality of such lamps are connected in a series electrical circuit. Typically, two or more phosphor energizable lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, are connected to pairs of spaced apart sockets in a fixture and if one of the lamps is burned out or is removed, there is ineffective operation of the remaining lamp. The substitute apparatus permits one of the series connected lamps to be removed with the other to operate without substantially affecting lumen output of the remaining lamp and power factor loss. The substitute apparatus of the present invention is effective in that it does not necessarily create a connection between the two terminals in the pair of spaced apart sockets from which the lamp was removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Inventor: David Burgess
  • Patent number: 4339690
    Abstract: Energy-saving circuitry for a rapid-start fluorescent lighting system includes a reactance-modifying capacitor coupled in series with first and second fluorescent lamps and includes a filament switch which is operative to conduct filament heating current during starting of the first lamp. The filament switch is coupled between filaments at opposite ends of the first fluorescent lamp and triggers to a low impedance state in response to the lamp starting voltage. A capacitor bypass switch can be coupled in parallel with the reactance-modifying capacitor to reduce the impedance of the series circuit during lamp starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: GTE Laboratories Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Regan, Adrian Cogan, Carl F. Buhrer
  • Patent number: 4286194
    Abstract: A generator for the starting and thereafter maintaining energization and operation of a load which has a relatively high impedance during starting and a substantially lower impedance after starting and during operation thereof. The load may be an ionic conduction lamp including a phosphor excitable lamp in the nature of a fluorescent lamp, or electroluminescent lamp, or vapor lamp. The generator includes a mechanism for generating electrical power with a relatively high voltage and impedance so as to match the relatively high impedance of the load before starting and generization of electrical power of a substantially lower voltage and impedance so as to match the lower impedance of the load during the energizing and operation of the load. The mechanism for generating the electrical power may be an inductive member, such as a coil, and a solid state element, such as a transistor, to develop a voltage over the coil. The coil may be coupled to the lamp through some agent developing a capacitance, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Eli H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 4256993
    Abstract: Add-on device for connection in series with one lamp of a two-lamp rapid-start fluorescent light system to reduce by a predetermined amount the nominal power consumption and light output of the system. The device has normally closed relay contacts which are in circuit with one of the electrodes of one of the lamps and a power-reducing capacitor is in shunt with one of the relay contacts. Upon turning on the system, a solid-state time-delay and relay-coil-energizing circuit is actuated which opens the relay contacts only after the lamps have been started and are operating with nominal power consumption. This places the shunt capacitor in series with the operating lamps and reduces the nominal power consumption by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Edward W. Morton
  • Patent number: 4255692
    Abstract: A lamp simulator for use as a replacement for a phosphor excitable lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp in a plural lamp fixture. The fixture is typically one with socket-type connectors adapted to have at least two or more phosphor excitable lamps mounted therein. The lamp simulator replaces one or more of the illuminatable lamps in the fixture. The simulator comprises a lamp body or housing having end caps on each of the transverse ends and generally has a size approximately equal to a lamp it replaces. In one embodiment, a capacitor may be physically mounted on one of the end caps and is electrically connected to one of the terminals on the end cap and electrically connected to a terminal on the other of the end caps. Further, the caps may have a diametral size at least slightly greater than the lamp tube such that a plurality of lamps can be packed in a single container without a separate jacket for each lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventor: David Burgess
  • Patent number: 4132925
    Abstract: Direct current ballasting and starting circuitry for efficiently operating a gaseous discharge lamp on direct current. A series-pass switching transistor in one of a pair of input lines alternately switches between on and off states to periodically supply pulses of energy from a source of direct current voltage. During steady-state operation, current sensing circuitry limits the maximum current conductable by the transistor such that the output of the circuitry is current regulated. A filter, in series with the transistor, smoothes the pulses of energy delivered by the transistor into direct current with a comparatively small alternating current component. Starting circuitry in series connection between the filter and an output terminal, senses the nonionized state of the lamp and provides a voltage pulse of sufficient magnitude and duration to initiate ionization in the lamp, but permits uninterfered passage of current through the filter to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Forest Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel J. Schmutzer, George D. Elkerton
  • Patent number: 3956665
    Abstract: A device for replacing a fluorescent lamp in a two lamp serially connected fluorescent fixture either of the type which includes a rapid-start type transformer for every two rapid-start fluorescent lamps or an instant start fixture for every two instant start lamps. By placing the device in the fixture in place of one of the two lamps the remaining lamp is energizable to provide illumination, whereas without the device the remaining lamp is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: James A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 3954316
    Abstract: An attachment is provided for inclusion in a two-lamp rapid-start type fluorescent lamp and encapsulated ballast transformer combination to reduce the electrical power consumption thereof, comprising an isolation transformer and a capacitor. The isolation transformer is connected in circuit between the secondary heater winding at the electrical leads that extend from the encapsulated ballast and the first heater terminals of the first lamp, and the capacitor is connected in circuit between the primary and secondary of the isolation transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius Frank Luchetta