US3679931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for operating electric discharge lamps and auxiliary lighting lamps
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-09-16
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A ballast for mercury vapor lamps including an auxiliary incandescent lamp for providing illumination immediately after power to the ballast is momentarily interrupted during the hot restart condition of the mercury vapor lamp and also during the warm-up condition of the mercury vapor lamp. The ballast includes a high leakage reactance transformer having its secondary connected in circuit with the mercury vapor lamp. The auxiliary incandescent lamp is energized from a portion of the primary or from a separate winding inductively coupled with the primary. A photo-cell and switch arrangement, responsive to the light level of the electric discharge lamp, turns on the incandescent lamp during the hot restart condition of the mercury vapor lamp.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:30
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A ballast apparatus for supplying operating potential from a source of electric energy to at least one electric discharge lamp of the type that requires a waiting period to be restarted when turned off while in a hot condition, and to an auxiliary lighting source, said apparatus comprising: a high leakage reactance transformer having a primary winding for connection to the source of electric energy, a secondary winding inductively coupled with said primary winding and current limiting means limiting the current in the said secondary winding; input means for connecting the at least one electric discharge lamp in an electric circuit with said secondary winding; and an auxiliary lighting circuit for connecting the auxiliary lighting source to receive reduced voltage electric energy through said primary winding independent of said current limiting means; whereby if the at least one electric discharge lamp is turned off in a hot condition, the auxiliary lighting source will provide illumination at least until the at least one electric discharge lamp is restarted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A ballast apparatus for supplying operating potential from a source of electric energy to at least one electric discharge lamp of the type that requires a waiting period to be restarted when turned off while in a hot condition, and to an auxiliary lighting source, said apparatus comprising: a high leakage reactance transformer having a primary winding for connection to the source of electric energy, a secondary winding inductively coupled with said primary winding and current limiting means limiting the current in the said secondary winding; input means for connecting the at least one electric discharge lamp in an electric circuit with said secondary winding; and an auxiliary lighting circuit for connecting the auxiliary lighting source to receive reduced voltage electric energy through said primary winding independent of said current limiting means; whereby if the at least one electric discharge lamp is turned off in a hot condition, the auxiliary lighting source will provide illumination at least until the at least one electric discharge lamp is restarted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ballast apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary lighting circuit is effective to connect the auxiliary lighting source in electric circuit with a portion of said primary winding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ballast apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary lighting circuit includes an auxiliary winding closely coupled with said main winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The ballast apparatus of claim 1 including light responsive variable resistance means connected in said auxiliary lighting circuit for varying the current supplied to the auxiliary lighting source, said variable resistance means being disposed in light receiving relationship with the at least one electric discharge lamp whereby the supply of current from the source of electric energy to the auxiliary lighting source will vary with the amount of light energy received by said variable resistance means from the at least one electric discharge lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The ballast apparatus of claim 4 including switch means connected in series circuit relationship with the auxiliary lighting source, switch actuation means operatively connected with said switch means, said switch actuation means being connected in series circuit relationships with said variable resistance means whereby said switch means will operate to turn on the auxiliary lighting source only when said variable resistance means senses that the at least one electric discharge lamp is off.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |