Filament, Electric Heater, Or Resistance In Shunt With The Discharge Electrodes Of A Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/46)
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Patent number: 11324081Abstract: An inductive heating cooker includes a main body and a power-receiver device. The main body includes a top plate on which a heating target is placed, a heating coil provided under the top plate and configured to inductively heat the heating target, a drive circuit configured to supply electric power to the heating coil, a power transmission coil configured to transmit the electric power by magnetic resonance, and a power transmission circuit configured to supply the electric power to the power transmission coil. The power-receiver device includes a power reception coil configured to receive the electric power from the power transmission coil by the magnetic resonance, and a load circuit configured to operate by the electric power received by the power reception coil.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hayato Yoshino, Ikuro Suga, Jun Bunya, Yuichiro Ito, Takeshi Iida
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Patent number: 11108198Abstract: A coaxial connector and a method for manufacturing such a coaxial connector. The coaxial connector includes: a conductive core; a metal shielding surrounding the core; a dielectric arranged between the core and the shielding to insulate them electrically with respect to one another; and a shunt to supply a resistive bridge between the core and the shielding. The shunt includes: a graphite element positioned between the core and the shielding; and a first and a second metal deposit to supply an electrical and mechanical connection between the graphite element and respectively the core and the shielding. A coaxial cable and an electrical device can both include such a coaxial connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Jean-Luc Dubois, Bruno Cassany, Jerome Ribolzi
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Patent number: 9265091Abstract: Disclosed herein are a filament lamp for heating a disk-shaped workpiece in such a way that the filament lamp rotates relative to the workpiece and radiates light thereonto. Further, the present invention provides a structure that enables the filament lamps to uniformly heat the workpiece even with respect to the radial direction of the workpiece. For this, the filament lamp includes an arc-shaped emitting part which extends in a circumferential direction of the relative rotation, and an auxiliary emitting part which is disposed inside a circle extending along the arc-shaped emitting part and extends from the arc-shaped emitting part in a direction crossing the circle. In addition, the present invention is configured such that areas of the workpiece that correspond to spaces between the arc-shaped emitting parts of the adjacent filament lamps pass just below the corresponding auxiliary emitting parts.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: USHIO DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yukio Ueshima
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Patent number: 8541960Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Zilog, Inc.Inventors: Kamlapati Khalsa, Roger Ball
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Patent number: 8502460Abstract: The present Invention provides 2-lamp parallel-type and 2-lamp serial-type fluorescent lamp fixtures, in which 2-lamp lighting and 1-lamp lighting are switchable according to an ON/OFF operation of a power supply switch. In a 2-lamp parallel-type or 2-lamp serial-type fluorescent lamp fixture provided with an inverter-type stabilizer, 2-lamp lighting and 1-lamp lighting are switched by a first control circuit (19, 117) operated according to an ON/OFF operation of a power supply switch (12). In the case of the 2-lamp parallel-type fluorescent lamp fixture, the switching is performed by a switching means (18). In the case of the 2-lamp serial-type fluorescent lamp fixture, the switching is performed by light turning-off circuits (113A, 113B) electrically connecting both terminals of a fluorescent lamp. A second control circuit (20, 131) may be provided to switch the 2-lamp lighting and the 1-lamp lighting of the fluorescent lamps according to an external instruction of a PC or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Nihon Energy Institute Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigemi Hotta
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Patent number: 8441211Abstract: The present invention is to provide an electronic ballast connected in parallel to two filaments of a fluorescent light tube, which comprises a controller for generating two output signals, two power switches being switched according to the output signals, a resonant circuit oscillating according to switching of the power switches and thereby causing a resonant capacitor thereof to generate a voltage, a voltage sensor connected in series to the resonant capacitor and connected in parallel between the two filaments so as to sense an AC voltage proportional to a voltage across the fluorescent light tube, and a regulator connected separately to the voltage sensor and controller so as to convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage and deliver the DC voltage to the controller. Upon determining that the DC voltage exceeds a preset voltage level, the controller generates an interruption control signal for immediately stopping operation of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Skynet Electronic Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jim-Hung Liang
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Patent number: 8410699Abstract: A LED lamp which could directly replace an ordinary tungsten, halogen, or electricity-saving light bulb, includes a LED filament, a lamp base, a thermally conductive electric insulator, and a mask. The thermally conductive electric insulator is filled in a cavity of the lamp base, and includes a first portion mechanically contacting the LED filament and an electrode of the lamp base to provide a first thermal channel from the LED filament to the lamp base, and a second portion adhering the mask to the lamp base to provide a second thermal channel from the lamp base to the mask. By using the mask to enlarge the heat dissipation area, a better heat dissipation effect is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventor: Chih-Ming Yu
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Patent number: 8358072Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for operating a fluorescent lamp with a first and a second filament, the circuit arrangement including a heater for the first and the second filament, wherein the circuit arrangement furthermore includes: an apparatus for storing at least one threshold value for at least one operational parameter of the fluorescent lamp; an apparatus for determining the value of the at least one operational parameter; and a control apparatus, which is configured to activate the heater for the first and the second filament for a predeterminable period of time in the event of the at least one threshold value for the at least one operational parameter being exceeded by the determined value of the at least one operational parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter HaftungInventor: Thomas Mudra
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Patent number: 8212481Abstract: A voltage control apparatus used for an electron tube or a power supply apparatus includes a detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through a helix electrode, a voltage-limiting circuit for controlling a potential difference between the helix electrode and the anode electrode based on a predetermined voltage level; and a switch for switching based on an output from the detecting circuit. The switch connects the helix electrode and the anode electrode through the voltage-limiting circuit, or causes a short circuit between the helix electrode and the anode electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: NEC Microwave Tube, LtdInventor: Yukihira Nakazato
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Patent number: 8138676Abstract: A system for operating a fluorescent light is provided. The system comprises: a fluorescent lamp with at least one electrode having at least one corresponding heating filament; a filament signal power supply for providing a filament current signal having a filament current frequency, the filament signal power supply connected to create a filament current through the at least one filament; and a plasma signal power supply for providing a plasma power signal having a plasma power frequency, the plasma signal power supply connected to create a plasma current between the at least one electrode and a gas contained in the fluorescent lamp. The plasma power frequency is greater than the filament current frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventor: Robert L. Mills
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Patent number: 8125154Abstract: There is provided a method that can detect the lamp type of fluorescent lamps and operate the lamp at the appropriate lamp power. The proposed method involves the classification of lamp characteristics of existing fluorescent lamps and the use of logic detection method such as a fuzzy logic detection and control technique to zoom into the right type of lamp. The information used in the lamp detection includes (1) lamp filament/electrode resistance, (2) lamp voltage and (3) lamp current. These three pieces of information can be used to select the appropriate fluorescent lamp type so that the control gear can operate the lamp at the right rated power. The importance of this invention can lead to a universal electronic ballast that can detect and operate all fluorescent lamps commonly available. It can also be used in a limited capacity to control a limited range of lamps.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: City University of Hong KongInventors: Shu Yuen Ron Hui, Leung Ming Lee
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Publication number: 20110304268Abstract: In various embodiments, a lighting device is provided, which may include at least one semiconductor light source, at least one sensor and evaluation electronics functionally connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the evaluation electronics are arranged to trigger at least one action of the lighting device upon at least one predetermined sensor signal of the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNGInventors: Ralph Bertram, Moritz Engl, Markus Hofmann
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Patent number: 8058806Abstract: A handheld fluorescent task lamp comprising a housing assembly having a housing and a tubular lens body enclosing compact fluorescent bulbs, an elongated spine configured for slidingly supporting the lens body, and a resilient bulkhead for cushioning the compact fluorescent bulbs in the lens body; an electronic ballast circuit within the housing comprising a power supply, a self-starting electronic driver circuit operable to start and run at least first and second CFL bulbs; a bulb accommodation circuit that enables operation of the electronic ballast circuit with either starter type or non-starter type and regardless whether one or both CFL bulbs are connected to the driver circuit; and an illumination assembly, wherein the CFL bulbs are oriented with respect to each other such that an enhanced forward emission field is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Bayco Products, Ltd.Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Newton, Max Alan Probasco
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Patent number: 8014652Abstract: A filament lamp includes multiple filament assemblies having filaments connected to paired leads, arrayed in order within a light emitting tube and following a tube axis thereof. Each lead is electrically connected in a seal area. Each filament is powered independently. The light emitting tube includes insulating walls or inner tubes between the filaments and leads that have openings through which the leads pass, and located along the tube axis in proximity to the inner wall of the light emitting tube. Multiple lead accommodation spaces corresponding to the number of leads are provided in the light emitting tube by the insulating walls with each lead passing through an opening in the insulating wall and placed without short circuits in its lead accommodation space.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Suzuki, Akinobu Nakashima, Kenji Tanino
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Patent number: 7973324Abstract: A lamp type light emitting device for safety fuse, including a substrate, an electrode layer, a chip set, a wire set, two leads and an encapsulator. The electrode layer is arranged on the substrate and includes a first T-shaped electrode, a second T-shaped electrode, a first stripe electrode and a second stripe electrode. The chip set includes a first resistor chip and a first light emitting chip arranged on the first T-shaped electrode and a second resistor chip and a second light emitting chip arranged on the second T-shaped electrode. The wire set has fuse wires electrically connected the first resistor chip, the first light emitting chip, the first stripe electrode, the second resistor chip, second light emitting chip, and the second stripe electrode. The leads are electrically connected to the first and the second T-shaped electrodes. The encapsulator encapsulates the electrode layer, the chip set and the wire set.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventors: Wen-Tsung Cheng, Wen-Ho Cheng
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Patent number: 7683547Abstract: A method for lighting a flat fluorescent lamp for a large-sized backlight unit is disclosed, to prevent a discharge interference (scattering in fluorescent discharge) when lighting a plurality of groups of cylindrical electrodes being adjacent, in which an A.C. voltage is applied to one or two groups of cylindrical electrodes through introduction wires for lighting lamp in state of being not applied to adjacent one or two groups of cylindrical electrodes, so the plurality of groups of cylindrical electrodes are sequentially switched on and off in a time-division method at a speed not to generate the flicker of lamp.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masanobu Aizawa
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Patent number: 7622868Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp including both a power coil and a heating coils associated with each filament. The heating coils enable the filaments to be preheated before the starting voltage is applied through the power coils. The inductive power coils and the inductive heater coils are contained within the lamp envelope, allowing the lamp to be entirely sealed. A method of dimming the lamp also is disclosed. The lamp is dimmed by both decreasing the power applied to the power coils and increasing the power applied to the heating coils so as to prevent the arc from extinguishing under lower voltage conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, John James Lord, Nathan P. Stien, Wesley J. Bachman
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Publication number: 20090256481Abstract: A lamp filament preheating circuit using modified flyback topology which gives pulsating AC in the secondary of the flyback transformer. The circuit may be controller based or implemented by a monoshot and astable multivibrator. A self-oscillation, parallel resonant current fed half bridge inverter circuit may include an arc sensing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.Inventors: Antony Neethi Manickam Kalugumalai, Ashish Kumar Gupta
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Patent number: 7560866Abstract: A ballast module for a fluorescent light comprises an electrolytic capacitance element. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the electrolytic capacitance element. A control module communicates the temperature sensor and adjusts power output to the fluorescent light when the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
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Publication number: 20080203924Abstract: A filament lamp comprising a bulb which has a hermetically sealed portion on at least one end and multiple filament assemblies, each filament assembly comprising a coiled filament and connected leads to supply power to that filament, the filament assemblies being sequentially arranged in the axial direction of the bulb, the leads of each filament assembly being electrically connected to respective multiple conductive parts set in the sealed portions, and power being independently suppliable to each of the filaments. A respective one of the coiled filaments is located in a respective first quadrant formed by intersecting planes that are perpendicular to each other and that are tangent to an outer coil diameter of the respective coiled filament. The leads are positioned in quadrants other than the quadrant in which the coiled filament is located. A light irradiation type heat treatment apparatus uses a plurality of such filament lamps.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: USHIODENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuya KITAGAWA, Yoichi MIZUKAWA, Shinji SUZUKI
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Patent number: 7414369Abstract: A control system comprises a switch and a control module that communicates with the switch and that samples a filament resistance of a fluorescent light when the switch is off and that selectively increases current supplied to the fluorescent light above a nominal current value during turn on based on the filament resistance.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
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Publication number: 20080088240Abstract: A starter for a gas discharge light source is configured to measure an initial resistance of one or more filaments of the gas discharge light source, such as a fluorescent light, each time the gas discharge light source is initially powered via a ballast. The starter may initiate a preheat cycle to heat the one or more filaments. The duration of the preheat cycle may be automatically customized by the starter based on the initial resistance and a target hot resistance that is calculated by the starter based on the initial resistance. The duration of the preheat cycle may be automatically customized by the starter to optimize reliability and the life of the gas discharge light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Access Business Group International, LLCInventors: Joshua K. Schwannecke, Karlis Vecziedins, David W. Baarman
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Publication number: 20070262721Abstract: A composite ignition device includes a positive electrode having a tip formed thereon that is bonded to a first insulator to form a firing cone assembly. A second insulator having a negative capacitive element embedded therein is attached to the firing cone assembly. A positive capacitive element is disposed in the second insulator and is separated from the negative capacitive element by the second insulator. The positive capacitive element is coupled to the positive electrode. The positive and negative capacitive elements form a capacitor. A resistor is coupled to the positive capacitive element. An electrical connector is coupled to the resistor and attached to the second insulator. A shell includign a negative electrode having a tip is attached to the second insulator and the firing core assembly and coupled to the negative capacitive element. The negative electrode tip is spaced apart from the positive electrode tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: ENERPULSE, INCORPORATEDInventor: Louis S. Camilli
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Patent number: 7256549Abstract: A method of operating an arc discharge lamp that has first and second electrodes is described. First, the first electrode is heated with a third electrode with a first arc until the first electrode temperature is sufficiently elevated to allow for thermionic emission. Then, a first voltage is applied between the first and second electrode at a voltage less than 1000 volts to create a second arc.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Donald L. Michael, Matthew Beasley
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Patent number: 7224124Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring cathode fall in fluorescent lamps are disclosed. Together with measurements of cathode temperature, such measurements of cathode fall may inform a determination of cathode heater voltage as a function of discharge current (i.e., a cathode-heating-profile) that avoids both sputtering and excess-evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: John Francis Waymouth, Robert Thomas Nachtrieb, Farheen Khan, Mark Alan Hartfield, Mark Stephen Taipale, Renzo Corrado DeMeo, Russell Lawrence MacAdam
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Patent number: 7012376Abstract: A fluorescent lamp lighting device includes a fluorescent light bulb having an electrode filament and an electronic lighting circuit substrate for lighting the fluorescent light bulb, wherein a capacitor connected in parallel with the fluorescent light bulb, a positive characteristic thermistor connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a negative characteristic thermistor connected in parallel with the electrode filament are mounted on the electronic lighting circuit substrate, and wherein the negative characteristic thermistor, having a mounting surface, is mounted in such a manner that the mounting surface is in abutment with the electronic lighting circuit substrate. The positive characteristic thermistor and the negative characteristic thermistor are preferably mounted on mutually different mounting surfaces among the two mounting surfaces of the obverse and reverse surfaces of the electronic lighting circuit substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamashita, Kingo Ohmura, Atsuo Yokota, Masahiko Kawase, Shuji Tsubaki
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Patent number: 6933676Abstract: A vacuum fluorescence display has a plurality of heating regions and heating inputs corresponding thereto. A driver circuit for the VFD has a driver module with a pulse width-modulatable output connected by way of a distributor to a plurality of heating inputs of the VFD. A switching member is connected between the distributor and one or more of the heating inputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Raunig
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Patent number: 6858987Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a flash lamp unit with a long service life which allows a high radiant efficiency to be obtained and a flash radiation device demonstrating excellent flash radiant performance despite a small size, and the flash lamp unit comprises a flash lamp having mercury sealed in a discharge container, wherein preheating means is provided for preheating the flash lamp, the quantity of contained mercury in the flash lamp is in the range of 0.2 to 55 mg/cm3, and the flash lamp is ignited under the specified conditions, and the flash radiation device comprises the above-described flash lamp as a light source.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki KaisyaInventor: Tatumi Hiramoto
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Patent number: 6841936Abstract: An improved electron multiplier bias network that limits the response of the multiplier when the multiplier is faced with very large input signals, but then permits the multiplier to recover quickly following the large input signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.Inventors: Craig A. Keller, Fiona L. Plows
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Patent number: 6774546Abstract: An improvement to the usable lifetime of a lamp includes the use of a primary filament, a backup filament, and a means to switch portions of the backup filament into the current flow path after a portion of the primary filament open circuits. Using bypass shunts, which do not become electrically conductive until a portion of the primary filament open circuits, an open circuited portion of the primary filament can be electrically replaced with an associated backup filament portion to keep the lamp lit. The shunts in one embodiment are made of oxidized wire and are wrapped around the primary and backup filaments, in a spaced-apart relation, forming filament pairs consisting of a primary filament segment and its associated backup filament segment. In another embodiment, support brackets are used to not only support the primary and backup filaments, but are also used to provide the bypass shunt function as well.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Inventor: James W Gibboney, Jr.
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Patent number: 6765339Abstract: An infrared lamp with a closed-off enveloping tube which encloses an emission source joined with contacts for a power supply in the form of a carbon ribbon which, extending in a direction of a long axis of the enveloping tube, determines an irradiation length of the infrared lamp in the sense of a higher irradiation output. The carbon ribbon has a length which is larger than the irradiation length by a factor of at least 1.5. With a procedure for heating a material to be processed using the infrared lamp, which makes possible short processing times in connection with a simultaneous high degree of energy efficiency, the infrared lamp may be operated such that its maximum emission lies within a wavelength range from 1.8 &mgr;m to 2.9 &mgr;m, and such that its power output comes to at least 15 Watts per cm3 of the volume enclosed by the enveloping tube over the irradiation length.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbHInventors: Walter Dieudonné, Joachim Scherzer, Klaus Schmitz, Siegfried Grob
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Patent number: 6617792Abstract: A lighting system with a digital micromirror device which forms a digital gobo system that is controllable on a pixel level. The device includes a number of sensitive electronic elements. The device is controlled by two different controllers: a digital signal processor which is effectively the number crunching portion, and a controller, which controls the functions of the light. The controller also logs errors into a registry, such as a non-volatile memory. A field programmable gate array is used for a number of purposes, including to form the ports. One of those ports is used to detect status of the light such as faults.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Light and Sound Design Ltd.Inventors: Michael Hughes, William Hewlett, Ian Clarke
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Patent number: 6600272Abstract: A bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp adopting an inexpensive and highly reliable electronic ballast is provided. A fluorescent arc tube, an electronic ballast, and a base are provided. The electronic ballast lights and drives the fluorescent arc tube, and the base provides a power to the electronic ballast. The electronic ballast has an inductor connected in series to the fluorescent arc tube, and at least two capacitors constituting a resonant circuit with the inductor and connected in parallel to the fluorescent arc tube. At least two capacitors are disposed on the surface of a printed board on the base side. At least two capacitors are disposed stepwise in such a manner that bodies thereof are not opposed to each other and the body with a larger capacitance is spaced further from the fluorescent arc tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Matsui, Hiroki Nakagawa, Tetsuya Tahara
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Patent number: 6577065Abstract: An electric lamp is provided which includes a sealed thin-walled outer envelope containing a fill gas having a high thermal conductivity. A lamp capsule is contained within the outer envelope and is in series with an oxidizable fuse also contained within the outer envelope. The fill gas serves to reduce the temperature of the fuse during normal operation of the lamp thereby reducing the power loss in the fuse, increasing overall lamp efficacy and eliminating glow of the fuse. The lamp capsule is quickly extinguished if the outer envelope is broken and the fuse exposed to air. In one embodiment, an incandescent lamp is provided wherein the lamp capsule is a tungsten halogen capsule, the fuse is a tungsten coil wire and the fill gas is helium.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Kling
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Patent number: 6552494Abstract: Herein described is a driver circuit of a fluorescent lamp having a first and a second electrode and igniting when the voltage between the first and second Electrode exceeds a given threshold voltage. The driver circuit comprises an inductance coupled to a supply voltage and to a terminal of the first electrode a first condenser coupled to the other terminal of the first electrode and to a terminal of the second electrode, a control device comprising a first and a second system of switches capable of guaranteeing oscillations of a voltage signal on the inductance and on the first condenser up to the ignition of the lamp. The driver circuit comprises a device associated to the control device and capable of acting on the first system of switches so as to regulate the frequency of the oscillations from a frequency greater than the resonance frequency of the inductance and of the first condenser to the same resonance frequency so as to guarantee a preheating of the first and second electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: STMicroelectronics s.r.l.Inventors: Vincenzo Randazzo, Atanasio La Barbera
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Patent number: 6528955Abstract: A flasher ballast system includes a high frequency instant start ballast and one or more transformers. The high frequency instant start ballast may provide the strike voltage and perform the current limiting functions for a fluorescent lamp. The transformers may be electrically coupled to one or both of the filaments of a fluorescent lamp to provide a low voltage to the filaments.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Q2100, Inc.Inventors: Galen R. Powers, Mathew C. Lattis
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Patent number: 6469447Abstract: A fluorescent lamp lighting apparatus includes a fluorescent light emitting tube; and an electronic lighting circuit for applying an electric current to the fluorescent light emitting tube. The electronic lighting circuit includes a pair of electrode filaments provided in the fluorescent light emitting tube, a pair of capacitors each connected in series to a respective one of the pair of electrode filaments and connected parallel to the fluorescent light emitting tube, and an inductor connected in series to one of the pair of electrode filaments.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Nakagawa, Tetsuya Tahara
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Patent number: 6359387Abstract: A gas discharge lamp has an impedance element such as a capacitor connected to at least one electrode heater, to produce a heater impedance which falls within a range which is unique to lamps of that lamp type. An electronic ballast for operating such lamp has a lamp type detection circuit which measures the cold heater impedance and identifies the corresponding lamp type. The ballast may sample the heater circuit current to determine resistive and reactive components to aid in lamp type identification and to control heater warm-up. The ballast may include a separate inverter for heater power, and control heater power separate from arc power after lamp ignition.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventors: Demetri J. Giannopoulos, Ihor T. Wacyk
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Patent number: 6342764Abstract: A discharge tube is provided inside an outer tube. At least a pair of electrodes is arranged inside the discharge tube, and at least mercury is sealed into the discharge tube. The electrode includes an electrode pin and a metal pipe that surrounds the electrode pin. Because a contact area of the electrode pin and the inner surface of the metal pipe is sufficiently maintained in a stable manner, a tip temperature of the electrode pin can be lowered sufficiently without a variation. As a result, it is possible to obtain a high pressure discharge lamp that has excellent lifetime characteristics and can considerably reduce the variation of the lifetime characteristics between lamps.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., LtdInventors: Yoshiharu Nishiura, Takashi Yamamoto, Kazuo Takeda, Shiki Nakayama, Hiroshi Nohara
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Patent number: 6320317Abstract: A resistor seal composition useful in resistor spark plugs, comprises glass, at least one metal oxide, at least one filler material, and a branched or straight chained zirconium carboxylate. The glass comprises a strontium borate glass and/or a borosilicate glass. Metal oxides include aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. Filler materials include silicon dioxide and mullite.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Michael Keller, Richard Frederick Beckmeyer, William J. LaBarge
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Patent number: 6265835Abstract: A ballast-free energy-efficient ultra-violet material treatment and purification system and method having an ultraviolet (UV) source comprising a gas discharge UV lamp having spaced electrodes, a source of a high-frequency (about 100 kHz to about 1.5 MHz) alternating-current square-wave voltage and connected directly to the spaced electrodes to non-thermionically start and operate the gas discharge UV lamp. Proportionate control of the intensity of UV generation is provided. A plurality of UV lamps are serially connected and started and operated by a high-frequency alternating-current square-wave voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Inventor: Jorge M. Parra
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Patent number: 6215663Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly comprises a printed circuit board and a heat sink that has two surface planes. One surface plane of the heat sink is raised, and provides a surface area for contact with the printed circuit board. The other surface plane is lower than the raised surface plane. The printed circuit board extends over the lower surface plane. The distance between the raised surface plane and the lower surface plane provides space for through-hole pins that extend beneath the printed circuit board, because the underside of the printed circuit board lies on the raised surface plane. The multi-plane heat sink can be formed by an extrusion process, as well as a stamping or other process that allows for more complex patterns of surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventor: Charles B. Mattas
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Patent number: 6184622Abstract: A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes a translucent housing with a chamber within which a fluorescent medium is supported and electrical connections configured to provide an electrical potential across the chamber. An inductive-resistive structure is fixed sufficiently proximate to the housing to induce fluorescence in the fluorescent medium when an electric current is passed through the inductive-resistive structure while an electric potential is applied across the electrical connections of the housing. Preferred inductive structures for use with the present invention include elongate tape structures having a substrate with a conductive-resistive coating. A method of inducing fluorescence comprises passing a current through an inductive structure which is adjacent a fluorescing medium in an amount sufficient to induce fluorescent in the fluorescing medium in the presence of an electrical potential imposed on the fluorescing medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Tapeswitch CorporationInventors: Walter C. Lovell, Edward Duhon, Sheldon B. Brooks, Dana Geiger
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Patent number: 6149279Abstract: A straight cold cathode fluorescent lamp is detachably held at the back of a dial plate by a plurality of fork-shaped holders to illuminate a plurality of scales formed on the front surface of the dial plate and accommodated in the reflector which is also detachably fixed to a casing of the indicator instrument. A circuit board is also detachably fixed to the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hirofumi Ikeuchi, Tsutomu Yoshikawa, Takao Yagami, Hirokazu Shibata
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Patent number: 6081072Abstract: A heating light source for a heat treatment device of the light irradiation type with high temperature uniformity on the wafer surface during heating and a small operating current and a lamp which is used for the heating light source. By using a light source in which several annular lamps are arranged concentrically within the same plane the need for a large device due to large currents is obviated. By arranging nonemission parts distributed over the entire peripheral direction of an annular filament lamp and not only on one side, and by arranging these filament light sources in the radial direction of a lamp in which several of these light sources are used distributed and not on one side, the irradiance on the entire wafer surface is made essentially uniform.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinji Suzuki
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Patent number: 5834899Abstract: A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes a translucent housing with a chamber within which a fluorescent medium is supported. The fluorescent medium and housing may be part of an ordinary fluorescent lightbulb. The housing has electrical connections configured to provide an electrical potential across the chamber. An inductive structure is fixed sufficiently proximate to the housing to induce fluorescence in the fluorescent medium when an electric current is passed through the inductive structure while an electric potential is applied across the electrical connections of the housing. It is believed that the inductive structure induces fluorescence by means of an electromagnetic field interaction with either the fluorescent medium, or the ultraviolet-emitting gaseous material, such as mercury, typically contained in a fluorescent lightbulb, or both.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Tapeswitch Corporation of AmericaInventors: Walter C. Lovell, Edward Duhon
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Patent number: 5629586Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp unit has a phosphor coated bulb of which first and second sealed end portions. A pair of filaments is disposed in the bulb. The filament contains an emitter for enhancing thermionic emission of electrons therefrom and is caused to be cut off by the self-generated heat when the emitter is substantially dissipated. The lamp device has an inverter circuit containing a resonant capacitor disposed between each one end of the filament coils to pass a resonant current through the capacitor during the operation of the lamp. The filament coil is substantially composed of a tungsten wire having a diameter corresponding to 8 MG though 12 MG and is normally operated with a lamp current ranging from 250 mA to 350 mA. The filament coil has a cold resistance ranging from 2 .OMEGA. to 4 .OMEGA. and an output voltage of the inverter circuit exhibits more than 260 volts when the fluorescent lamp is substituted by a resistor having 5 .OMEGA..Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Toshiba Lighting and Technology CorporationInventors: Takeo Yasuda, Kenichi Asami
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Patent number: 5463278Abstract: Radiated emission is reduced in a vacuum fluorescent tube having a pulsed filament current in a variable frequency range above audible frequencies. A driver circuit produces a fixed width pulse of filament current when triggered by a random frequency generator. The frequency generator comprises a shift register and XOR gates intercoupled to generate a random series of logic outputs, a filter to produce a randomly varying voltage from the logic outputs, and a voltage-to-frequency converter responsive to the filter voltage to yield a random frequency in the required range. The random frequency triggers the driver and clocks the shift register.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventor: Craig S. Gray
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Patent number: 5420479Abstract: A built-in igniter type high pressure sodium lamp includes an igniter connected in parallel with an arc tube 1 for a high pressure sodium lamp and composed of a series circuit of a thermally-activated bimetal switch 2 and a nonlinear capacitor 3. The high pressure sodium lamp is so constructed that a heating resistor 11 which can heat the nonlinear capacitor 3 to the Curie point temperature when the igniter operates is connected in parallel with and located close to the nonlinear capacitor 3.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takenobu Iida, Shunichi Sasaki
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Patent number: 5389856Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp (2) provided with a discharge vessel (3) and an outer envelope (30) which encloses a space (6). The lamp is provided with an igniter circuit (10) which comprises a voltage-dependent capacitor (8) and a fuse (7). According to the invention, the voltage-dependent capacitor and the fuse (7) are integrated so as to form a single component (18).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Gerardus M. J. F. Luijks, Hubertus A. M. Coenen