US3845350A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for the controllable supply of an electric lamp
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an arrangement for the controllable supply of a lamp which to this end is arranged in series with a controlled semiconductor switching element. According to the invention the control circuit of the semiconductor switching element is equipped with an optoelectronic coupling element. In case of a defect in the control circuit this element prevents the lamp supply voltage from causing damage in this control circuit. In addition the invention provides the possibility of extinguishing the lamp in a simple manner, substantially without a light flash.
Inventors
- 👤 M Luursema
- 👤 P Bolhuis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:59
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3924; G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/12; G05F1/40; G05F1/44; G05F1/45; G05F1/455; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/08; H02M1/088; H02M1/092; H02M5/00; H02M5/02; H02M5/04; H02M5/22; H02M5/25; H02M5/257; H02M5/2573
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A circuit for controlling the supply of electric energy to an electric discharge lamp comprising, a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy, a controlled semiconductor switching element, a first switch, means connecting the discharge lamp and the first switch in series with the controlled semiconductor switching element across said pair of input terminals, a control circuit for the switching element, means connecting a control electrode of the controlled semiconductor switching element to said control circuit, said control circuit including a potential-separating coupling element coupled between a first part of the control circuit which is connected to the control electrode of the semiconductor switching element and another part of the control circuit, means connecting the first part of the control circuit to an auxiliary voltage source, and said coupling element comprises an opto-electronic coupling element including a light-transmitting member and a photosensitive member which is arranged in such a manner that it is free from the influence of the light from the electric lamp, and said control circuit further includes a second switch for selectively extinguishing the light from the light-transmitting member of the opto-electronic coupling element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A circuit for controlling the supply of electric energy to an electric discharge lamp comprising, a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy, a controlled semiconductor switching element, a first switch, means connecting the discharge lamp and the first switch in series with the controlled semiconductor switching element across said pair of input terminals, a control circuit for the switching element, means connecting a control electrode of the controlled semiconductor switching element to said control circuit, said control circuit including a potential-separating coupling element coupled between a first part of the control circuit which is connected to the control electrode of the semiconductor switching element and another part of the control circuit, means connecting the first part of the control circuit to an auxiliary voltage source, and said coupling element comprises an opto-electronic coupling element including a light-transmitting member and a photosensitive member which is arranged in such a manner that it is free from the influence of the light from the electric lamp, and said control circuit further includes a second switch for selectively extinguishing the light from the light-transmitting member of the opto-electronic coupling element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the light-transmitting member of the opto-electronic coupling element comprises a light-emitting diode and that the photosensitive member of said coupling element comprises a photosensitive transistor.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for controlling an electric discharge lamp comprising, a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of AC voltage, a controlled semiconductor switching element, means connecting the discharge lamp in series with the controlled switching element across said input terminals, a control circuit including a first part having an auxiliary source of voltage connected to a control electrode of the switching element for controlling the current flow therein, said control circuit further comprising an opto-electronic coupling element coupling the first part of the control circuit to a second part of the control circuit that indudes means for producing a control signal for operating the opto-electronic coupling element and for controlling the controlled switching element via the first part of the control circuit, said opto-electronic coupling element being disposed so as to be unaffected by the light from said discharge lamp.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for controlling an electric discharge lamp comprising, a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of AC voltage, a controlled semiconductor switching element, means connecting the discharge lamp in series with the controlled switching element across said input terminals, a control circuit including a first part having an auxiliary source of voltage connected to a control electrode of the switching element for controlling the current flow therein, said control circuit further comprising an opto-electronic coupling element coupling the first part of the control circuit to a second part of the control circuit that indudes means for producing a control signal for operating the opto-electronic coupling element and for controlling the controlled switching element via the first part of the control circuit, said opto-electronic coupling element being disposed so as to be unaffected by the light from said discharge lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said opto-electronic coupling element comprises first and second light emitting diodes connected in anti-parallel to a source of voltage and first and second photosensitive transistors optically coupled to said first and second light emitting diodes, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the control signal producing means of the second part of said control circuit includes a variable phase shift network with input terminals connected to the AC input terminals of the control system for deriving a control signal that varies as a function of the AC supply voltage at said AC input terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a current stabilizing reactance element connected in series with the lamp and the switching element across the system AC input terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a switching device for selectively deactivating the opto-electronic coupling element prior to deenergization of the discharge lamp.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |