H - Electricity – 05 – B
Patent
H - Electricity
05
B
315/44
H05B 41/392 (2006.01)
Patent
CA 1250014
GAS DISCHARGE LAMP CONTROL ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The input energy to a gas discharge lamp is con- trolled over a given range to obtain output light regulation in a controlled fashion for different kinds of gas discharge lamps, including fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps and others associated with any type ballast, including conventional non-dimming type ballasts. A suitable circuit switches each half wave of an input a-c wave form from some instantaneous value greater than zero to a substantially zero value and then back to a value greater than zero one or more times in each half cycle. The time duration of the sub- stantially zero energy interval is varied to vary the total energy applied to the gas discharge lamps. In a preferred embodiment, a first high speed electronic switch is con- nected in series with the a-c source and lamp ballast and a high speed electronic shunt switch is connected across the a-c line and ballast input. The series switch is opened to produce the zero energy interval. Simultaneously with the opening of the series switch, the shunt switch is closed to allow discharge of energy stored in the reactive components of the ballast into the lamp. When the series switch is re- closed, the shunt switch is simultaneously opened. Other embodiments are described which include the use of passive energy divertors in place of the shunt switches or across the series switch. Numerous protective circuits protect the control circuit, the lamp and ballast, and the a-c line. These include a drop-out circuit which turns off the circuit if input power varies from a given value for one-half cycle or more; logic timing circuits for the series and shunt switches; surge current protection circuits to protect the series switch during turn-on; and circuits to control the turn-on and shut-down processes of the circuit. The control circuit is suited to retrofitting into existing in- stallations using gas discharge lamps and conventional ballasts. Arrangements are described to allow independent turn on and turn off of banks of lamps energized from a common control circuit such that a sufficiently high striking voltage is applied to the starting bank for a pre- determined time, even though the other banks are operated in a dimmed condition.
371148
Capewell Dennis
Luchaco David G.
Spira Joel S.
Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.
Marks & Clerk
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