Discharge Device And Transformer Patents (Class 315/57)
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Patent number: 6734632Abstract: An electric discharge lamp device prevents a temperature rise in the circuit device when an electric discharge lamp (30) is operated without the use of a high voltage wire and a high voltage connector. The electric discharge lamp device includes a reflecting member (20) and a circuit device (40) that is directly connected with the electric discharge lamp (30) without using a high voltage wire. The distance between the reflecting member (20) and the circuit device (40) is set at a value not less than 6 mm. In operation, a beam of light emitted from the electric discharge lamp (30) is reflected forward by a concave reflecting face of the reflecting member (20).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Hironao Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6731071Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventor: David W. Baarman
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High pressure discharge lamp, high pressure discharge lamp lighting apparatus and luminaire therefor
Patent number: 6661176Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp includes a light-transmissive ceramic discharge vessel with an envelope having a maximum outer diameter D1 and open ends, a metal pipe having one end, i.e., a top end fused in the open end of the light-transmissive ceramic discharge vessel and the other end, i.e., a base end protruding from the light-transmissive ceramic discharge vessel, a pair of electrodes each having one end, i.e., a base end connectively supported on the base end of the metal pipe and the other end, i.e., a top end extending within the light-transmissive ceramic discharge vessel, and a discharge agent which is filled in the light-transmissive ceramic discharge vessel, wherein it is also characterized by that the high pressure discharge lamp has an overall length L1, and the overall length L1 and the maximum outer diameter of D1 satisfies a following equation. 1.5≦L1/D1≦4.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology CorporationInventors: Hisashi Honda, Sadao Sakuguchi, Masazumi Ishida, Seiji Ashida, Shigemi Oku, Takahito Kashiwagi -
Patent number: 6639365Abstract: An arc discharge lamp system comprises a third electrode for igniting the arc discharge lamp in addition to first and second electrodes which provide a main discharge current path for sustaining arc discharge after the lamp has been ignited by a high-voltage, high-frequency signal applied to the third electrode. In an embodiment, an igniter circuit is connected to provide the high-voltage, high-frequency signal to the third electrode of the lamp by using a low-voltage DC power supply.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: InFocus CorporationInventor: Henry Frazier Pruett
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Patent number: 6615810Abstract: An apparatus for combustion initiation in an internal combustion engine is provided. A capacitive spark plug boot uses the engine cylinder head as an outer capacitor member. The capacitive spark plug boot contains a transformer, an inner capacitor member and an insulator. The insulator surrounds the inner capacitor member, with an outer surface of the insulator sized to engage a cylinder head cavity surrounding the spark plug. The capacitor stores electrical energy received from the transformer, and delivers it to the spark plug upon formation of a spark.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Nology Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Werner Funk, Travis L. Eiler
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Patent number: 6586891Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp includes an arc tube including a pair of electrodes opposed to each other therein; and a trigger wire made of a conductive material provided in an outer circumference of the arc tube. The trigger wire is turned to be in a conductive state with one electrode of the pair of electrodes when a start-up voltage is applied across the pair of electrodes, and discharge is started between the pair of electrodes in a state where an electrical field is formed between the trigger wire that is in the conductive state and the other electrode of the pair of electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Ryo Minamihata, Mamoru Takeda, Hideaki Kiryu, Takayuki Murase
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Patent number: 6547417Abstract: A convenient replacement composite power saving environmental bulb structure to replace the traditional bulb by diodes allowing easy replacement of the bulb and color change as desired adapting to the environment of the living space comprised of two semi-spherical casings, a caulking groove is provided inside of each semi-spherical casing to snap onto the keyboard and longitudinally arranged retaining rings are provided on external surface of each said semi-spherical casing and a matching hole is bored in each ring for fast insertion in position by the terminal plate sleeve plugged on the keyboard; a tapered channel track by both sides of the matching hole permits the terminal plate to easily slide into the keyboard so that both pins of the diode are directly connected to the sleeve of the terminal plate together with the keyboard, both semi-spherical casings and the voltage variation plate into an integrated assembly in parallel for giving excellent conduction.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Han-Ming Lee
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Patent number: 6545429Abstract: A gas discharge lamp assembly is provided wherein the regulator housing and the ballast housing are placed remote from each other. Further, an ignitor and a capacitor are added to the circuitry of the ballast housing to allow for the regulator's remote placement. Such gas discharge lamps are typically between 1000 Watts and 2000 Watts.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Isaac L. Flory, IV
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Patent number: 6522085Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a closed-loop (“tokamak”) envelope, two ferrite cores, and an induction coil that is disposed on the envelope walls inside the closed-loop formed by the envelope. The envelope comprises two straight tubes of the same diameter. All coils' turns have essential the same length and are parallel to each other and to the closed-loop axis. Each ferrite core encircles a segment of each the coil's turn and one connecting tube. The lamp can be operated at driving frequencies of 100-600 kHz and lamp powers of 50-250 W. The ferrite core power losses were 6-8 W when the lamp was operated at a frequency of 200-300 kHz and lamp power of 140-150 W. The lamp light output was 12,500 lumen and luminous efficacy was 87 LPW.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Research and Development Laboratories IncInventors: Oleg A. Popov, Jagannathan Ravi, Robert Chandler, Edward Shapiro
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Patent number: 6462475Abstract: A power saving environment protection bulb comprises a cover disk having a plurality of ring portions formed therein; at a lower sides of the holes near the bottom of the cover disk being installed with tapered tracks; edges of the bottom of the cover disk being installed with tenons which are spaced with an equal distance; a circuit disk having holes for positive and negative electrodes; a middle section of the end piece having two lateral plates arranged continuously; each plate having a protrusion for sealing a taper groove on the cover disk, upper ends of the plates being formed with a sleeve which is conformable to the hole of the cover disk; a transformer plate having one side installed with two inserting tubes; a lamp seat being a plastic casing; a casing of the seat being combined with a copper cap; an inner side of the casing being formed with buckling grooves, which are arranged with equal space.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Inventor: Han-Ming Lee
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Patent number: 6445133Abstract: An incandescent lamp is designed to operate at lower than the AC line voltage and includes a voltage conversion circuit for lowering the line voltage to the operating voltage of the lamp. The circuit includes an output transformer which is disposed in the screw base of the lamp, the remainder of the circuit, which is high-temperature-intolerant, being disposed outside the base and the envelope of the lamp. In a reflectorized embodiment of the lamp, the high-temperature-intolerant portion of the circuit is disposed adjacent to the mouth of the reflector envelope on the outer surface thereof and, in a non-reflectorized bulb embodiment, the high-temperature-intolerant portion is disposed between the envelope and a skirt which is connected to the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Litetronics International, Inc.Inventors: Lin Lin, Thomas S. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 6441713Abstract: In a discharge lamp apparatus for a vehicle, it is determined that a grounded condition is present when a lamp voltage is less than a predetermined voltage and a lamp current is less than a predetermined current. Electric power supply to the lamp is stopped temporarily in response to the determination of the grounded condition, and then the lighting operation is restarted again. If the grounded condition is determined again, the above operation is repeated. If this repetition continues for a predetermined period, the lighting operation is disabled continuously. In controlling the lamp, a voltage of a battery is boosted by a voltage booster transformer, which is turned on and off by a MOS transistor so that electric power supplied to the lamp is duty-controlled. An upper limit is set to the duty ratio, and the upper limit is increased as the lamp current decreases, so that the lighting characteristics of the lamp is improved.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignees: Denso Corporation, Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Okuchi, Yasushi Noyori, Tomoyuki Funayama
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Patent number: 6429591Abstract: A lamp socket and a discharge lamp lighting device are enabled to be dimensionally minimized by forming a socket body of the lamp socket with an integral synthetic resin molding of a case housing therein a starting circuit section and socket and connector sections, disposing a plurality of lead frames in the case, connecting the lead frames to primary and secondary windings of a pulse transformer, thereafter housing in the case electronic parts with their terminals placed in recessed grooves of the lead frames, and connecting the lead frames and terminals to constitute the starting circuit section.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Takamatsu, Takaaki Chuzawa, Takao Miyai, Kazuhiko Kinutani
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Patent number: 6426598Abstract: A control gear for a fluorescent lamp, comprising a voltage source and an ignition and supply circuit comprising an inductive component and a capacitance. The control gear also comprises a transformer whose primary coil is connected parallel to the capacitance, and a switching element which is connected to the secondary coil of a transformer for short-circuiting it.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Teknoware OyInventor: Jari Kataja
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Patent number: 6404142Abstract: One of the objectives of the present invention are to provide smaller, lighter and less expensive structure in a starting device for discharge lamp for car use so as to prevent breakage due to vibrations etc . . . And another objective is to attain simultaneous electrical and structural connections between a high voltage electrode and a coil of a starting transformer. The device having the following constitution realizes the above-mentioned objectives. A starting device for a discharge lamp comprises a socket equipped with a high voltage electrode and a grounding electrode, a bobbin with a core-less structure, a starting transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil wound around the bobbin. A screw electrode is arranged at the center of the end face of the bobbin. One end of the screw electrode is connected to an output terminal of the high voltage side of the secondary coil on the starting transformer.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Miyata, Hisao Hirata
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Patent number: 6388380Abstract: An electric discharge lamp lighting device wherein a high voltage generating transformer 10 comprises a secondary coil 13 wound on an outer side of a laminated core 12 disposed in the center of a bobbin 11 and a primary coil 14 wound on an outer side of said secondary coil 13. A high voltage output terminal 13a of said secondary coil 13 is connected to a high voltage terminal of an HID lamp through a terminal 12a of a laminated core 12. A low voltage input terminal 13b of said secondary coil 13 is connected to a primary coil 14. As a result, insulation volume can be reduced and a reduction in the size of the device can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumihiro Minami, Takashi Ohsawa
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Patent number: 6380679Abstract: A short-arc discharge lamp (1) is provided with a translucent lamp vessel (10) which is closed in a gas-tight manner and which is provided with an ionizable fill. A first and a second electrode (11a, 11b) are arranged in the lamp vessel (10) which are each connected to its own current conductor (12a, 12b) which extends to outside the lamp vessel. A starting antenna (2) is arranged near to the lamp vessel, which antenna is connected to a further current conductor (24). The starting antenna comprises an antenna container (20) and a further electrode (22) which antenna container (20) is closed in a gas-tight manner and contains an ionizable fill, the further electrode (22) being connected to the further current conductor (24). This makes it possible to realize a shorter reignition time by means of a higher reignition voltage on the starting antenna while spark-over from the starting antenna (2) to the lamp vessel (10) is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Dieter Leers, Klaus Lohn, Martin Ossmann, Johannes M. De Regt, Günther H. Derra, Hubertus C. M. Van Den Nieuwenhuizen
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Publication number: 20020047530Abstract: A DC power source is connected to a base of a transistor of each of inverter circuits through a resistance in series. A primary winding having an intermediate tap of an inverter transformer, a resonance capacitor and a primary winding of a synchronization transformer are connected together in parallel between collectors of a pair of transistors having grounded emitters. Secondary windings of the synchronization transformers of the inverter circuits are connected together in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2000Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Atsushi Heike, Tomohiro Mizoguchi
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Patent number: 6366023Abstract: A starter module for a discharge lamp, especially for a motor vehicle, includes a high tension transformer which has a magnetic circuit component such as an annular core, on which a primary winding (1b) and a secondary winding are wound. The transformer further includes an arrangement for modifying its magnetic characteristics so as to reduce the saturation level of the secondary winding.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: René Tran, Jean Marc Nicolaï
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Publication number: 20020011790Abstract: The invention concerns the configuration of a fluorescent lamp, which consists only of a single, straight glass tube as gas discharge vessel, which is modified to a “compact fluorescent lamp” with integrated ballast by one-sided mounting by means of electrical connections applied to the glass tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 1999Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventor: WALTER HOLZER
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Publication number: 20020011791Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Hiroki Nakagawa, Tetsuya Tahara
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Patent number: 6307316Abstract: The invention concerns a construction kit system for fluorescent lamps (1) with separate choke unit. Standard low-power modules which are cheap and easy to manufacture can in particular be plugged in any combinations into choke units fitted as compact lights or in lamp housings. A number of examples are given to show the new possibilities for constructing lighting systems. These fluorescent lamps each have a replaceable light element comprising at least one gas discharge vessel (1) with a base at one end as the light element and at least one choke unit (6) in the form of a separate unit fitted in a housing and capable of electrical connection via plug connectors (2) to the light element. The light element is designed as a standard low-power module with a glass tube diameter of the gas discharge vessel of no more than 13 mm, thus allowing it to be plugged into different housings individually or in groups.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Inventor: Walter Holzer
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Publication number: 20010026132Abstract: The objectives of the present invention is to provide smaller, lighter and less expensive structure in a starting device for discharge lamp for car use so as to prevent breakage due to vibrations etc. The device having the following arrangement realizes the above-mentioned objective. A starting device for a discharge lamp comprises a socket for mounting the discharge lamp and starting members such as a starting transformer etc. where the starting transformer comprises a bobbin having a core-less structure and a primary coil and a secondary coil wound around the bobbin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: Youichi Yamamoto, Osamu Miyata, Hisao Hirata
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Publication number: 20010020824Abstract: One of the objectives of the present invention are to provide smaller, lighter and less expensive structure in a starting device for discharge lamp for car use so as to prevent breakage due to vibrations etc. And another objective is to attain simultaneous electrical and structural connections between a high voltage electrode and a coil of a starting transformer. The device having the following constitution realizes the above-mentioned objectives. A starting device for a discharge lamp comprises a socket equipped with a high voltage electrode and a grounding electrode, a bobbin with a core-less structure, a starting transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil wound around the bobbin. A screw electrode is arranged at the center of the end face of the bobbin. One end of the screw electrode is connected to an output terminal of the high voltage side of the secondary coil on the starting transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Osamu Miyata, Hisao Hirata
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Publication number: 20010020825Abstract: One of the objectives of the present invention are to provide smaller, lighter and less expensive structure in a starting device for discharge lamp for car use so as to prevent breakage due to vibrations etc. And another objective is to obtain the high efficient device having a reduced conductor loss. A starting device for discharge lamp comprising; a socket equipped with a high voltage electrode and a grounding electrode for mounting the discharge lamp and a starting parts equipped with a starting transformer, which has a bobbin, a core having a through hole a primary and secondary coils wound around the bobbin where a high voltage leading wire of the secondary coil is connected to a high voltage terminal of the socket via the through hole of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Osamu Miyata, Hisao Hirata
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Publication number: 20010020826Abstract: The objectives of the present invention are to provide a smaller, lighter and less expensive structure in a starting device for discharge lamp for car use so as to prevent breakage due to vibrations etc.. The starting device for discharge lamp comprising; a socket for mounting the discharge lamp, a bobbin and a starting transformer having a core-less structure equipped with a primary and a secondary coils wound around the bobbin; wherein the starting transformer is formed as in a ring or a horseshoe. A bobbin with a straight bar shape which enables the starting transformer to be arranged laterally is other alternative.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventor: Osamu Miyata
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Patent number: 6239559Abstract: A feed device (7), via a set-up transformer (8), applies a high voltage with an essentially periodic waveform to a dielectric barrier discharge lamp (1), and the condition Vy/Vx≦1.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Okamoto, Kenichi Hirose
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Patent number: 6236162Abstract: A rare gas illumination system and method are configured to provide a sweeping illumination effect. In one embodiment, the rare gas illumination system includes a tube containing a gas and having a first electrode at a first end and a second electrode at a second end. A first boot having a first transformer is coupled to the first end of the tube. A second boot having a second transformer is coupled to the second end of the tube. The system includes a controller having a microcontroller, a memory, and an output power driver. The memory is configured to store a plurality of control codes corresponding to a plurality of illumination patterns. The microcontroller controls the illumination pattern of the tube by executing the corresponding control code to selectively activate the output driver to provide a voltage signal to at least one of the first boot and the second boot.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Fluis Light Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Barry Ray Luz, Harry Friedman
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Patent number: 6218785Abstract: The low-tension lighting device is provided with at least one LED (2) having a control circuit (3) which governs functioning thereof and which is connected to a coupling element, for example a screw-type coupling element (4), by means of which the device (1) is insertable in a lamp-holder of known type. The LED (2) is protected by a body (8) also functioning as a uniform diffusor of light emitted by the LED (2). The device (1) can be used to substitute low tension filament lamps for illumination in cemeteries.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Incerti & Simonini di Incerti Edda & C. S.n.C.Inventor: Edda Incerti
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Patent number: 6201350Abstract: In a discharge lamp lighting apparatus for a discharge lamp, each circuit component including a starter transformer is assembled to a bus bar casing, and a high voltage terminal of the starter transformer is connected to one end of a connecting terminal. The bus bar casing is adhesive-cemented to a metal base to which a HIC is attached. Then, a sealing resin fills the bus bar casing to seal the starter transformer and the HIC with the sealing resin. After the sealing resin solidifies, the other end of the connecting terminal and an output cable are connected, and subsequently a resin cover is assembled to the metal base. A shielding sheath covering the output cable is fixed to the bus bar casing by a clip. A ground connection part of the bus bar connectable to the ground side of an electric power source is shaped to protrude from the bus bar casing. The cover, the clip, the ground connection part and the base are ground-connected by a thread.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Okuchi, Hiromi Hiramatsu, Yasutoshi Horii, Noboru Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6144170Abstract: A method and a system for providing electrical power to several gas discharge tubes are disclosed. The system includes a master power module and several high-voltage modules. The master power module is constructed and arranged to provide high-frequency and low-voltage power to the high-voltage modules. Each high-voltage module, in turn, provides high-frequency and high-voltage power to a gas discharge tube. The high-voltage modules include step-up transformers with their primary side connected in series to the output of the master power module and their secondary sides connected to the gas discharge tubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Transfotec International, LteeInventors: Robert Beland, Pascal Kaufmann
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Patent number: 6140751Abstract: A light source system includes a heat sink. A base connector receives electrical power. A housing is secured to the base connector. A ballast unit is secured within the housing and electrically connected to the base connector. At least one electrical component is both mechanically and electrically connected to the ballast unit. The at least one electrical component is driven by the electrical power received by the base connector. A lamp unit is secured to the housing and electrically connected to the ballast unit. An additional electrical component includes a portion which contacts an inside wall of the housing. The additional electrical component is electrically connected to the ballast unit and has a life span which decreases as an operating temperature of the additional electrical component increases. The inside wall of the housing acts as the heat sink for the additional electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward E. Hammer, Alvin A. Bush
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Patent number: 6124673Abstract: Provided herein is a system which permits refitting of lamp sockets which utilize incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps. The present system provides for a ballast which is remote from the lamp itself, thus being non-restrictive in regards to the size or wattage of the lamps used. The system is universal in that any existing incandescent lamp may be replaced with a fluorescent lamp, including compact fluorescent lamps, of any wattage desired by the user. The systems herein provide an increased degree of safety, as the socket profile can be matched to the ballast connector to preclude the use of an incorrect ballast with a given fluorescent lamp.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Inventor: James G. Bishop
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Patent number: 6119667Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a magnetostrictive section for pressure detection. A radially polarized biasing magnet is disposed adjacent the spark plug shell thereby generating an initial flux through a sensing winding. The sensing winding is wound about the lower end of the coil case to sense changes in the induction characteristics of the spark plug shell as a result of pressure changes in the cylinder. A first passive method of sensing pressure whereby the flux change due to the permeability change generates a signal voltage in the sensed coil. This voltage is proportional to the time rate of change of pressure which is integrated to produce a cylinder pressure waveform.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Alva Boyer, Jeffrey Dan Ogden, James Tordt Wright
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Patent number: 6084354Abstract: In the vehicle-lamp lighting-on device, a body case has a connection opening formed in the front end thereof. A lighting-on transformer is disposed within the body case. The transformer includes a core housing with an iron core and a coil bobbin with a secondary coil wound thereon. The connection opening of the body case is shielded at the front end of the lighting-on transformer. A socket for receiving a vehicle discharge lamp includes a high-voltage terminal and low-voltage terminals. When the socket is inserted into the connection opening of the body case, the high-voltage terminal of the socket is connected to the high-voltage side terminal of the lighting-on transformer, and the low-voltage terminals are connected to the low-voltage side terminals. The connection opening of the body case is shielded by the front surface (made of insulating material) of the lighting-on transformer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiko Kohmura, Takafumi Oshima, Toshiharu Ito, Noriyasu Sugimoto, Minoru Yasuda
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Patent number: 6057649Abstract: An illumination unit including an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp (20) and a supply device (50). The lamp has a discharge vessel (30) which encloses in a gastight manner a discharge space (31) which is provided with an ionizable filling. The lamp (20) further has a coil (40) provided with a winding (42) around a sintered core (41) of polycrystalline ferrite material, which winding (42) is connected to the supply device (50). The coil (40) is capable of inducing a high-frequency magnetic field which maintains a discharge in the discharge space (31). The losses in the core (41), when measured at room temperature in a magnetic field with a frequency of 3 MHz and a magnetic flux density of 10 mT, amount to at most 150 mW/cm.sup.3. This has the advantage that the lamp (20) ignites comparatively quickly and loads the supply device (50) comparatively weakly during ignition. The supply device (50) as a result can have a comparatively long useful life.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1994Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Pieter J. Van Der Zaag, Klaas Vegter, Petrus H. Antonis, Pieter J. Van Der Valk
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Patent number: 6049163Abstract: A discharge lamp unit has a housing provided with a lamp socket fitted thereon and accommodating a printed circuit board with a lamp lighting circuit and a high voltage generating transformer assembly mounted thereon. The transformer assembly consists of a primary coil being a plate conductor spirally wound around a coil case containing a secondary coil-wound bobbin with a core inserted in a hollow center thereof. The discharge lamp unit is formed as a single solid device by potting all of the components in the housing with insulating resin poured in a melted state and solidified therein. This unit is easy to mount with no need for laying a high-voltage between the circuitry and the lamp socket, and includes a very compact and light transformer having an increased conversion efficiency of the primary and secondary coils.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Masuda, Tutomu Hasegawa, Fuminori Teramoto
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Patent number: 6040659Abstract: A discharge-lamp lighting device has a housing with a power supply socket formed therein and accommodating a printed circuit board with a coil case having a primary coil formed by plural parallel plate-conductors insert-molded around the body thereof and a discharge lamp socket integrally fitted thereon and including a secondary coil therein. A lamp lighting circuit is formed by mounting the coil case on the printed circuit board. The discharge lamp lighting device is formed as a single solid device by potting all the components in the housing with insulating resin poured in a melted state and solidified therein, thus eliminating the need of providing a high-voltage cable between the circuitry and the lamp socket.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Masuda, Tsutomu Hasegawa, Fuminori Teramoto
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Patent number: 6034477Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp provided with an outer bulb enclosing a discharge tube accommodates a transformer having primary winding which forms part of a current conductor to one of the main electrodes of the discharge tube. The secondary winding is coupled to an ignition electrode of the discharge tube. Higher ignition voltages can be achieved without increasing the voltage pulse on the outside contacts of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Eric E. Peeters, Stefan A. Verlee
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Patent number: 5959407Abstract: A socket portion is provided to project from one side surface of a transformer receiving portion to thereby form a body case, and a lighting transformer is received in the transformer receiving portion so that a high voltage side output end of a secondary coil of the lighting transformer is electrically connected to a terminal provided in the socket portion and a primary coil of the lighting transformer is connected to an external electric path directly or through a circuit portion. Accordingly, the transformer receiving portion and the socket portion are integrally formed with each other to thereby form a unit structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiharu Ito, Takafumi Oshima, Yoshihiko Komura, Minoru Yasuda, Noriyasu Sugimoto, Toshinori Iida
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Patent number: 5905343Abstract: An incandescent bulb having a looped filament within an evacuated bulb containing a gas mixture including a halogen employs magnetic means external to the bulb to provide inductive heating of the filament so that there are no connections passing through the bulb envelope. Alternative embodiments include a toroidal bulb wherein a second arm of a magnetic circuit passes normally through the center of the bulb toroid, alternating voltage excitation being supplied to a first arm of the magnetic circuit; and an elliptical bulb that is disposed between oppositely facing ends of a two-part second magnetic arm that is similarly excited. In a further embodiment, an additional arm of the magnetic circuit serves to form a non-uniform field in the vicinity of the filament, thereby to provide a lift force against the force of gravity so as to minimize filament sagging.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Inventor: Angus J. McCamant
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Patent number: 5889370Abstract: A structure for eliminating the noise in a light source device for an electronic endoscope safely eliminates the high-frequency noise produced from the lighting circuit, the xenon lamp and the like in the light source device. A capacitor for eliminating noise having a predetermined withstand voltage is connected between the support of the lighting circuit and the box body of the light source device so as to introduce the noise current produced by the switching operation of the lighting circuit to the ground. EMI springs are disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the conductive case of the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp and the inter peripheral surface of the box body of the light source device. A ferrite core for eliminating noise is provided on a conductive wire connecting the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp, thereby safely eliminating noise.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaoru Arai, Shigeo Suzuki
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Patent number: 5760547Abstract: For a given lamp size and lumen power, an electrodeless fluorescent lamp is configured with a split excitation coil and a baffle structure to provide multiple discharges, resulting in a higher light output and higher luminous efficacy.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Joseph Christopher Borowiec
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Patent number: 5654609Abstract: Fluorescent type lamps are arranged to have high frequency power derived from standard, commercial A.C. sources either directly or from power levels distributed from a master ballast. When the master ballast is employed, it functions as an interface between the primary power source and a distribution network to one or more modules so as to relieve the modules of operations such as initial power form conversions, filtering and power factor correcting which require large components. The module or modules driven by the master ballast output are contained within the lamp envelope or attached as an extension of the lamp envelope. The module is formed of elements mounted as a miniaturized unit configured to fit within the lamp envelope or to attach to the end of the envelope. The module includes oscillator components mounted on an elongated board so as to form an assembly with a cross-section compatible with the perimeter of the envelope itself.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1995Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Logic Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Robert Charles Smallwood, Michael Paul Zarich
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Patent number: 5629581Abstract: A lamp cathode-to-ballast interconnect is provided in combination with a lamp having elongated cathodes and ballast circuitry for supplying power to the cathodes. The lamp cathode-to-ballast interconnect comprises a plurality of conductive clips connected to the ballast circuitry. Each clip has a generally flat portion connected at a first end to ballast circuitry and has a pinching groove formed through the flat portion and extending to a cathode-receiving opening at a second end. The interconnect further comprises a loom for holding the lamp cathodes. The loom comprises, for each cathode, a pair of cathode-receiving support grooves separated by a space in which a second end of an associated conductive clip is to be received. Walls of each of the pair of cathode-receiving support grooves grip therein-received portions of the cathode with sufficient force to enable a gas-tight contact to be made with its associated conductive clip when the cathode is received within the pinching groove of the clip.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kelvin B. Belle, Jozsef Fulop, David J. Kachmarik, Robert S. McFeely, Ferenc Papp, Brian M. Ronald, Istvan Wursching
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Patent number: 5608289Abstract: A shell form ballast has rounded corners for positioning inside a ballast housing for use with a fluorescent light bulb adapter. The ballast has rounded outer corners to meet both long-term life and power requirements, and spatial design constraints of a fluorescent lamp adapter assembly for use in an incandescent lighting fixture, and particularly for use in a recessed incandescent lighting fixture. The rounded outer corners of the ballast provide the ability for the shell form ballast to fit into a hollow housing for use in the recessed lighting fixture while simultaneously providing the shell form ballast a snug fit in the hollow housing, thereby minimizing gap growth.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Lumatech CorporationInventors: James G. O'Carroll, Bruce A. Pelton
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Patent number: 5600208Abstract: A discharge lamp unit which does not require enlargement of the discharge lamp and can still prevent application of a high voltage to a cap holder when the lamp is not connected includes a core of a high-voltage transformer inside a cap of the discharge lamp. Both a primary coil and a secondary coil of the high-voltage transformer are provided around a cap holder of the discharge lamp power supply. The cap of discharge lamp is inserted into the cap holder of the discharge lamp power supply to provide an electromagnetic link between the primary coil and the secondary coil of the high-voltage transformer.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Katou, Koichi Toyama, Kenji Aida
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Patent number: 5590637Abstract: An ignition coil device has a plug cap engaging a spark plug; a secondary coil surrounding the plug cap; a primary coil coaxially surrounding the secondary coil; a cylindrical case with a bottom surrounding the plug cap, the secondary coil and the primary coil; and a sealing member for sealing an opening of the case. Furthermore, the coil ends of the primary coil extend close to a bottom of the case and are individually connected to terminals which extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spark plug. The coil ends and the external wiring are not passed through the sealing member, thereby improving the sealability of the ignition coil. Further, because the coil ends and the external wiring do not interfere with the sealing member, they are not worn by vibrations, thereby improving the durability of the external wiring.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shoji Motodate
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Patent number: 5552673Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system is disclosed which provides for selective lighting of several fluorescent lamps of differing power ratings so as to provide several stages of fluorescent illumination. The ballast transformers of the fluorescent lighting system are supported in at least one ballast transformer support case which is maintained in a spaced apart relationship to at least one fluorescent lamp support case.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Inventor: Michael Kenwood
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Patent number: 5535726Abstract: A coil and spark plug assembly includes a substantially cylindrical tube housing the coil. The tube includes an element at a first end to transmit a low voltage power source to the coil, and an attachment device at a second end for attaching the tube to an engine. The tube further includes an internal device to house a terminal end of the spark plug and a high voltage connection for connecting the coil to the spark plug. The spark plug includes a firing end, a tower shaped insulator at the terminal end opposite the firing end, and a high voltage terminal recessed within the insulator. The terminal is constructed and arranged to make an electrical connection with the high voltage connector when the terminal end of the spark plug is inserted into the second end of the tube. The spark plug further includes a first surface formed around the spark plug, wherein the surface is constructed and arranged to match a mating surface formed on the engine, and a second surface formed around the spark plug.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Theodore S. Wilmot, Michael J. Huston, Stephen W. Straus