US3769545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit arrangement for operating electric arc discharge devices
Assignee: Kodan Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus includes rectifier means and an inverter circuit connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals. An autotransformer has a main winding across which is connected a capacitor. A drive transformer has a core of linear low loss characteristics, a primary winding and two secondary windings. The primary winding is connected across a portion of the main autotransformer winding between one terminal and an adjacent tap, and each secondary winding is connected to the control terminal of one of the inverter switching devices. The saturation characteristics of the drive transformer are coordinated with the saturation characteristics of the autotransformer so that drive transformer saturation causes switching of the inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of the autotransformer.
Inventors
- 👤 R Crane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:43
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/40; H02M7/00; H02M7/42; H02M7/44; H02M7/48; H02M7/53; H02M7/537; H02M7/5383; H02M7/53832; H02M7/53835; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/26; H05B41/28; H05B41/282; H05B41/285; H05B41/2851; H05B41/2853; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/05; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, autotransformer means having a core and a main winding on said core, said main winding having two terminals and two taps, and further including a capacitor connected across said main winding and coordinated with the inductive value of said main winding to modify the rate of voltage change, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of solid state switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminal of one of said switching devices to one terminal of said autotransformer main winding, second circuit means connecting the output terminal of the other switching device to a tap of said autotransformer main winding, third circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to another tap of said main winding, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, fourth circuit means connecting said primary winding across a portion of said main autotransformer winding, fifth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, sixth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fifth and sixth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said autotransformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said autotransformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across said autotransformer main winding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, autotransformer means having a core and a main winding on said core, said main winding having two terminals and two taps, and further including a capacitor connected across said main winding and coordinated with the inductive value of said main winding to modify the rate of voltage change, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of solid state switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminal of one of said switching devices to one terminal of said autotransformer main winding, second circuit means connecting the output terminal of the other switching device to a tap of said autotransformer main winding, third circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to another tap of said main winding, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, fourth circuit means connecting said primary winding across a portion of said main autotransformer winding, fifth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, sixth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fifth and sixth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said autotransformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said autotransformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across said autotransformer main winding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching devices are transistors, each of which has base, emitter and collector electrodes, and further including means including a resistor having a value of less than 10 ohms connecting each emitter electrode to a common junction point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including a capacitor connected across said main winding and coordinated with the inductive value of said main winding to modify the rate of voltage change, and a plurality of output inductors connected to one terminal of said transformer main winding, each said output inductor having an inductive value of less than 50 millihenries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive transformer has a step down turns ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including imbalance means connected to the input terminal of one of said switching devices for initiating operation of said inverter circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including surge protector means connected across the input terminals of said rectifier means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as claimeD in claim 1 wherein said output terminal means includes means for connecting a plurality of fluoroescent lamps across said autotransformer main winding and further including plurality of secondary windings coupled to the autotransformer for connection to filaments of the lamps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cross-section of said drive transformer core is substantially smaller than the cross-section of said main transformer core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said switching devices are transistors, each of which has base, emitter and collector electrodes, and further including means including a resistor having a value of less than five ohms connecting each emitter electrode to a common junction point, and imbalance means connected to the base electrode of one of said transistors for initiating operation of said inverter circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output terminal means includes means for connecting a plurality of fluoroescent lamps across said autotransformer main winding and further including a plurality of secondary windings coupled to the autotransformer for connection to filaments of the lamps, a capacitor connected across said main winding and coordinated with the inductive value of said main winding to modify the rate of voltage change, a plurality of output inductors connected to one terminal of said transformer main winding, each said output inductor having an inductive value of less than 20 millihenries.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
265 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across a main transformer winding portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
265 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across a main transformer winding portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said switching devices are transistors, each of which has base, emitter and collector electrodes, and further including means including a resistor having a value of less than ten ohms connecting each emitter electrode to a common junction point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said output terminal means includes means for connecting a plurality of fluoroescent lamps across a transformer winding portion and further including a plurality of secondary windings coupled to said main transformer for connection to filaments of the lamps and a plurality of output inductors connected between one of said main transformer winding portions and said output terminal means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
266 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion,, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and an output inductor connected between one of said main transformer winding portions and said output terminal means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
266 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion,, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and an output inductor connected between one of said main transformer winding portions and said output terminal means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
284 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, the cross-section of said drive transformer core being less than one tenth the cross-section of said main transformer core, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across a main transformer winding portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
284 words
Electric arc discharge device operating apparatus comprising: input terminals for direct connection to an alternating power source, rectifier means connected to said input terminals and having first and second output terminals, main transformer means having a core and a plurality of winding portions on said core, an inverter circuit comprising a pair of switching devices, each said switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal, first circuit means connecting the output terminals of said switching devices to one transformer winding portion, second circuit means connecting one output terminal of said rectifier means to said one transformer winding portion, a drive transformer having a core of linear low loss characteristics, the cross-section of said drive transformer core being less than one tenth the cross-section of said main transformer core, and a primary winding and two secondary windings on said drive transformer core, third circuit means connecting said primary winding to a second transformer winding portion, fourth circuit means connecting one drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of one of said switching devices, fifth circuit means connecting the other drive transformer secondary winding to the control terminal of the other switching device, said drive transformer and said fourth and fifth circuit means causing said switching devices of said inverter circuit to switch between cutoff and fully conducting states in response to saturation of said drive transformer core, the saturation characteristics of said drive transformer being coordinated with the saturation characteristics of said main transformer so that said drive transformer saturation causes switching of said inverter circuit switching devices without saturation of said main transformer core, and output terminal means for connecting an electric arc discharge device across a main transformer winding portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said switching devices are transistors, each of which has base, emitter and collector electrodes, and further including means including a resistor having a value of less than five ohms connecting each emitter electrode to a common junction point, and imbalance means connected to the base electrode of one of said transistors for initiating operation of said inverter circuit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said output terminal means includes means for connecting a plurality of fluoroescent lamps across a main transformer winding and further including a plurality of secondary windings coupled to said main transformer for connection to filaments of the lamps, a capacitor connected across said main winding and coordinated with the inductive value of said main winding to modify the rate of voltage change, a plurality of output inductors connected to one terminal of said transformer main winding, each said output inductor having an inductive value of less than 20 millihenries.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |