CA1267188A - Metal vapor lamp having low starting voltage - Google Patents
Metal vapor lamp having low starting voltageInfo
- Publication number
- CA1267188A CA1267188A CA000483656A CA483656A CA1267188A CA 1267188 A CA1267188 A CA 1267188A CA 000483656 A CA000483656 A CA 000483656A CA 483656 A CA483656 A CA 483656A CA 1267188 A CA1267188 A CA 1267188A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lamp
- metal vapor
- starting
- arc tube
- vapor lamp
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/54—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting
- H01J61/541—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting using a bimetal switch
- H01J61/544—Igniting arrangements, e.g. promoting ionisation for starting using a bimetal switch and an auxiliary electrode outside the vessel
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/82—Lamps with high-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure > 400 Torr
- H01J61/825—High-pressure sodium lamps
Landscapes
- Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
A metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus includes a metal vapor lamp having an outer envelope containing a gas filled arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes with a starting aid surrounding the arc tube intermediate the electrodes, a non-linear dielectric element shunting the spaced electrodes and a ballast means and an electrical conductor coupling the spaced electrodes to a base member connected to a low voltage source whereby starting of the metal vapor lamp from a low voltage source is effected.
A metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus includes a metal vapor lamp having an outer envelope containing a gas filled arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes with a starting aid surrounding the arc tube intermediate the electrodes, a non-linear dielectric element shunting the spaced electrodes and a ballast means and an electrical conductor coupling the spaced electrodes to a base member connected to a low voltage source whereby starting of the metal vapor lamp from a low voltage source is effected.
Description
D-a3-1-035 ~ 71B8 METAL VAPOR LAMP
HAVING L0~ STARTING VOLTAGE
TEC~NICAL ~I~LD:
T~i6 invention re~ates ~o me~al vapor lamp~ and more 5 particularly to a me~al vapor lamp and apparatu6 for ~tarting a metal vapor lamp fro~ a low voltage ~ource.
BAC~GROUND ART:
Metal vapor lamp~ frequently include an elongated alumina or guartz arc tube with an electrode ~o~itioned at each end 10 thereof. A metal fill such a~ mercury, sodium, cadmium, t~allium or zinc and usually a rare ga~ 6uch as ~enon at a pres6ure in the range of about 14-30 torr i6 provided within the arc tube. Normally. the metal additive is heated to effect vaporization and provide the radiation species for the lamp.
15 This arc tube is sealed within an outer envelope which is. in ~urn, formed for connection to a voltage source by way of ~me form of ballast means. A preferred form of metal vapor lamp is know~ as a ~-igh pressure ~odium lamp and include a mercury and ~odium fill therein. Example6 of known high pressure sodium la~ps are 6et forth in V.S. Patent No6. 4,445,073 3,~00,7s3 and 4,179,690.
High pre~sure 60dium lamp~ have become commercially u~eful within the past few years because of their relatively high efficiency and improved color rendering a6 compared with the monochromatic yellow light a~ociated witb low pres~ure ~odium lamps. The6e high pressure ~odium lamps are distingui~hable from the better known low prefi~ure sodium lamp6 becaufie of the increased operating pressure w~ich may be anywhere from 6everal to about 1000 millimeter Hg.
A major problem as60ciated with ~igh pre~sure ~odium lamp~
i~ ~he difficulty of starting 6uch lamps and more par~icularly the undesired need for a relatively ~ig~ potential ~ource in ~.2~
--2~
order to effec~ the de~ired sta~ing. One mean6 often employed ~o overcome thi~ unde~ire~ need for increased so~rce ~otentials i~ the util~2ation of a so-called "startinq aid". Examples of high pre66ure dischar~e lamps employing a starting a~d ~n~lude U.S. Patent No6. ~,4~5,073; 3,900,753 and 3,721,846 all a6signed to t~e present ~szignee. However, it ha6 been found that there are instances wherein the added ~tarting capability provided by a starting aid is not sufficient to effect the de~ired 6tarting of the lamp without also undesirably increasing the potential available from a po~ential source.
Obviously, increasing potentials i6 not always fea~ible and i5 certainly undesirable.
Other example6 of hiyh pres~ure sodium lamps utilizing starting aides in an effort ~o reduce the required starting vol~age include V.S. Patent No. 4,316,122 to Yamazaki et al; an article entitled "Developments In Hig~ Pressure Sodium Discharge Lamps" by J.A.J.~. van Vliet and C.A.J. Jacob6 distributed at the CIBS National Lighting Conference 1980 and an article entitled UInvestigation On Built-In Star~er Unit For Hi~h Pressure Sodium Lamps" by Naoki Saito and Hiroshi Gion appearing in the National Technical Report Vol. 27 No. 3 June 1981 at the Lighting Division, Matsushita Electronics Corp.
As set forth in the patent of Yamazaki et al (122), the lowest ~tarting voltage obtainable was about 1.3 KV without an electrode extension and a very low 950-volt~ when an extension was added to the electrode. Also, FIG. 6 of the article of van Vliet and Jacobs indicates a starting voltage in the range of 1.3 to 1.4 ~V at a pres~ure of about 114 torr in an HPS
lamp. Moreover, the article of Saito and Gion, FIG. 2 lower curve, indicates a starting voltage ~f about 1.1 KV when a starting aid is employed in known ~igh pressure sodium lamps.
Thus, the above-mentioned patent and published articles suggest that a voltage of not less than abou~ 950 ~ol~ is required to effect the de~ired operation of a high pres~ure ~odium lamp.
_ 3 ~ 7~Ll38 Anotiler known technique for improv~ing the startina capability of high pressure sodium lamps is the utilization of a so-called "Penning" gas mixture in conjunction with a staring aid and an increased arc tube diameter. However, it has been found that the improved starting capability provided by the use of the "Penning" gas method is offset by the re-duced efficiency and reduced life of the resulting lamps.
Examples of such structures includes U.S. Patent Nos. 3,900,753 of Richardson and 4,037,129 of Zack.
Additionally, it is known to include a supplemental high voltage generating means to a high pressure sodium lamp and accompanying ballast circuitry. Such a configuration is set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,513,227 issued on April 23, 1985 entitled HID Lamp Starting Apparatus and assigned to the Assignee of the present application. However, as set forth therein, starting voltages in excess of about 1000 volts were required to effect the desired starting of the discharge lamp.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved metal vapor lamp.
According to the present invention there is provided a high-intensity discharge (HID) metal vapor lamp and start-ing apparatus comprising a base member formed for connection to a low voltage source; a high-intensity discharge metal vapor lamp including a sealed outer envelope contalning an arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes and connectable to one of said pair of spaced electrodes, said arc tube having a fill including xenon, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto; a ballast means coupling one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; an electrical conductor coupling the other one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; and a non-linear dielectric element coupled to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube.
~7~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of -the metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of the invention~
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. l; and FIG. 3 is a chart comparing ignition voltage of high pressure sodium lamps with and without a starting aid.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a low wattage metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus includes, in this example, a high pressure sodium lamp 5 formed for attachment to a base member 7. The base member 7 is, in turn, con:Eigured to fit a socket lnot shown) for connection to a low voltage source such as a llO-volt main line source, for example.
The high pressure sodium lamp 5 includes an outer glass envelope 9 having an indentation 11 at one end and a seal 13 with a usual glass stem member 15 at the opposite end.
A pair of electrically conductive leads 17 and 19 are sealed into and pass through the stem member 15. Also, a threaded metal member 21 is affixed to the outer glass envelope 9 and electrically connected to the conduc-tive leads 17 and 19.
An alumina arc tube 23 has a pair of spaced electrodes 25 and 27 disposed at opposite ends thereof wi-th each of the electrodes 25 and 27 affixed to a niobium tube 29 and 31 sealed . ~
'7~
into and pa6~ing t~rough the ends of the arc ~ube 23. A
6pring-like member 33 enc~rcles the one niobium ~ube 29 ~nd is tele~coped over the ~ndentation 11 of the outer glas~ envelope 9 to provide ~uppor~ and ~lignme~ at one end of t~e arc tube 23. A 6upport rod 35 i6 welded to the other niobium tube 31 at the opposite end of t~e arc tube 23 and ~o one of t~e pair of electrically conduc~ive lead~ 19. Al60, a relatively rigid ~upport wire 37 is attached to the other one of the pair of electrically conductive leads 17 and to the niobium tube 29 whereat the spring-like member 33 is attached. Shield member~
39 and 41 encircle the end~ of the arc tube 23 in the area of the electrodes 25 and 27.
Importantly, a ~tarting aid in the form of a wire helix Q3 encircles ~he arc tube 23 between the ~paced electLode6 25 and ~7. Preferably, no~ necessarily. the wire helix 43 is formed to provide elec~rical connection to and disconnection from a bimetal switch member 45 w~ich is electrically connected to one of tbe electrode~ 27 by way of a conductor 47. Al60 of imporeance, a non-linear dielectric element or non-linear capacitor 49 is preferably located within the threaded metal member 21 and is connected to ~he conductive leads 17 and 19 and shunted across the arc tube 23.
Additionally, a base member 7 includes a 60cket member 51 ha~ing inner and outer metal threads, 53 and 55 respectively, for receiving the thre~ded metal member 21 and for at~ac~ment to an ordinary socket connected to a poten~ial source.
~not shown~. Also, a ballast mean~ in the form of a sub~tantially circular-~haped choke coil 57 is attached to ~he ~ocket member 51 and electrically connec~ed thereto and connec~able to an electrode 25 of the arc ~ube 23 by way of the threaded metal member 21, electrically conductive lead 17, support ~ire 37 and niobium tube 29 when the high pres~ure sodium lamp 5 is disposed within the base member 7.
~2~;7~
Referring to FIG. ~, the ~ig~ pre~sure sodium l~mp and ~arti~g apparaeus i6 schematically illustrated wherein an arc tube S9 has a pair of ~paced electrode6 61 and 63. The arc tube 59 is wrapped wit~ a ~tarting aid or wire helix 65 intermediate the spaced electrodes 61 and 63. A bametal ~witch 67 is positioned adjacen~ the 6tarting aid 65. An electrical conductQr 69 connects one of t~e electrodes 61 and the bimetal swi~c~ 67 to one ~ide 71 of a low vol~age ~ource (not shown).
A balla~t means or choke coil 73 connects the other electrode 63 to t~e o~her ~ide 75 of ~he low voltage source. ~oreover, a non-linear dielectric element ?7 is connected to and shunted across the electrodes 61 and 63 of the arc tube 5g.
A~ to operation, it is known that typical high pressure ~odium lamps do not lend themselves to incorporatio~ of a starting probe due to the difficul~ies encountered in sealing ele~trodes into the arc tube. As a result, it i6 common and necessary to provide a one to two microsecond pulse in the range of about 2500 to 4000 volts in order ~o ~tart a high pressure sodium lamp of low wattage, i.e., wattage of about 3C, 50 or 70~watts for example. However, to effect ~uch a relatively high starting voltage, 2500 to 4000 volts, it has been the common practice to provide electronic circuitry employing ignitors or magnetic circuitry employing transformers. In the first instance, the electronic circuitry tended to be rather unreliable while, in the second instance, the ~agnetic circuitry was heavy, awkward and cumbersome and unsuitable for easy inclusion within the available fixtures.
~ owever~ it ~as been found possible ~o manufac~ure low wattage high pre~sure sodium lamps and starting apparatus without resorting to electronic or magnetic ballast apparatus for developing 2500 to 4000 volt potentials from a relatively low voltage fiource. ~ore specifically, a high pressure sodium lamp ~aving an arc tube wit~ a length of about 48 mm, an arc length of 2bout 23 ~m an~ a~ internal diameter of abou~ 4 ~m ., ,~ , ~ , 7~
D-~3-1-035 wa6 filled with quantitie~ of mercury, sodium and Xenon a~ a pre6~ure of about 30-~orr. This ~ube was connec~ed to an ~rc pulse generator ~hich provides the ignition voltage ~e6ults indicated a~ curve A of FIG. 3. As can readily be ~een, i~nition voltage ranges from about 1850-volt~ to about 1380-volt~ depending on the pulse width of the 6upplied potential.
Thereafter, it was found tha~ the addition of a 6tarting aid in the form of about four-~urns of tunqsten wire centered about the lonqitudinal mid-point of, circling the arc tube and covering a linear distance of about 20 ~m greatly reduced the 6tarting voltage requirement6. A6 can readily be seen in curve B of FIG. 4, the required ignition voltage has dropped from a range of about 1850 to 1380-volt6 to a greatly reduced value of about 700 to 450-volts depending upon the pul6e width in usec.
Additionally, it was also noted that a non-linear dielectric element or a non-linear capacitor such a~ one designated NLB 1250 manufactured and sold by TDK Corporation of Tokyo, Japan is capable of providing a peak voltage of about 520 peak volts with a half-height pulse width o about 100-usec. Thus, it has been determined that a low wattage high pres6ure ~odium lamp which includes a starting aid and a non-linear dielectric element may be utilized with a simple choke coil to effect s~arting of the high pre6sure 60dillm lamp from a low voltage ~ource ~uch a~ a 120-volt line source for example.
Further, it has al60 been found that the life cycle ~f a high pre~6ure sodlum lamp can be ~ignifican~ly extended because of the unique characteristic~ of the non-linear dielectric element. Also, it is known that ths "end of life" of high pres~ure 60dium lamps i6 characterized by a cycling phenomen~
wherein the lamp ignite~ for a period, goes out, cools down and restrikes again. Also, it is known tha-t the reignition voltage of the lamp exceeds the available ballast voltage.
Thus, it has been found that the incorporation of a non-linear dielectric element virtually eliminates this "end oE
life" phenomena because the non-linear dielectric element desirably tends to provide a pulse potential at the same time as lamp reigni-tion is to occur. Thus, an added pulse potent-ial is provided when required for lamp reignition and "dropout'l and discontinued lamp operation is postponed if not eliminated.
Finally, it has been found advantageous to incorporate a choke coil ballast and base member formed for insertion within a socket connectable to a potential source. Moreover, the high pressure sodium lamp is con~igured with a threaded metal member formed for insertion within the above-mentioned base mem~er and adopted to includea non-linear dielectric element therein. Thus, the ballast and connections to a voltage source are readily separated from a high pressure sodium lamp which can be separately replaced as a single unit.
It will be seen that a source for starting a metal vapor lamp has been utilized. An improved metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus operable from a low voltage source is provided whilst the metal vapor lamp is connectable to a base member which includes a non-linear dielectric element and choke coil.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered a Preferred emodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.
HAVING L0~ STARTING VOLTAGE
TEC~NICAL ~I~LD:
T~i6 invention re~ates ~o me~al vapor lamp~ and more 5 particularly to a me~al vapor lamp and apparatu6 for ~tarting a metal vapor lamp fro~ a low voltage ~ource.
BAC~GROUND ART:
Metal vapor lamp~ frequently include an elongated alumina or guartz arc tube with an electrode ~o~itioned at each end 10 thereof. A metal fill such a~ mercury, sodium, cadmium, t~allium or zinc and usually a rare ga~ 6uch as ~enon at a pres6ure in the range of about 14-30 torr i6 provided within the arc tube. Normally. the metal additive is heated to effect vaporization and provide the radiation species for the lamp.
15 This arc tube is sealed within an outer envelope which is. in ~urn, formed for connection to a voltage source by way of ~me form of ballast means. A preferred form of metal vapor lamp is know~ as a ~-igh pressure ~odium lamp and include a mercury and ~odium fill therein. Example6 of known high pressure sodium la~ps are 6et forth in V.S. Patent No6. 4,445,073 3,~00,7s3 and 4,179,690.
High pre~sure 60dium lamp~ have become commercially u~eful within the past few years because of their relatively high efficiency and improved color rendering a6 compared with the monochromatic yellow light a~ociated witb low pres~ure ~odium lamps. The6e high pressure ~odium lamps are distingui~hable from the better known low prefi~ure sodium lamp6 becaufie of the increased operating pressure w~ich may be anywhere from 6everal to about 1000 millimeter Hg.
A major problem as60ciated with ~igh pre~sure ~odium lamp~
i~ ~he difficulty of starting 6uch lamps and more par~icularly the undesired need for a relatively ~ig~ potential ~ource in ~.2~
--2~
order to effec~ the de~ired sta~ing. One mean6 often employed ~o overcome thi~ unde~ire~ need for increased so~rce ~otentials i~ the util~2ation of a so-called "startinq aid". Examples of high pre66ure dischar~e lamps employing a starting a~d ~n~lude U.S. Patent No6. ~,4~5,073; 3,900,753 and 3,721,846 all a6signed to t~e present ~szignee. However, it ha6 been found that there are instances wherein the added ~tarting capability provided by a starting aid is not sufficient to effect the de~ired 6tarting of the lamp without also undesirably increasing the potential available from a po~ential source.
Obviously, increasing potentials i6 not always fea~ible and i5 certainly undesirable.
Other example6 of hiyh pres~ure sodium lamps utilizing starting aides in an effort ~o reduce the required starting vol~age include V.S. Patent No. 4,316,122 to Yamazaki et al; an article entitled "Developments In Hig~ Pressure Sodium Discharge Lamps" by J.A.J.~. van Vliet and C.A.J. Jacob6 distributed at the CIBS National Lighting Conference 1980 and an article entitled UInvestigation On Built-In Star~er Unit For Hi~h Pressure Sodium Lamps" by Naoki Saito and Hiroshi Gion appearing in the National Technical Report Vol. 27 No. 3 June 1981 at the Lighting Division, Matsushita Electronics Corp.
As set forth in the patent of Yamazaki et al (122), the lowest ~tarting voltage obtainable was about 1.3 KV without an electrode extension and a very low 950-volt~ when an extension was added to the electrode. Also, FIG. 6 of the article of van Vliet and Jacobs indicates a starting voltage in the range of 1.3 to 1.4 ~V at a pres~ure of about 114 torr in an HPS
lamp. Moreover, the article of Saito and Gion, FIG. 2 lower curve, indicates a starting voltage ~f about 1.1 KV when a starting aid is employed in known ~igh pressure sodium lamps.
Thus, the above-mentioned patent and published articles suggest that a voltage of not less than abou~ 950 ~ol~ is required to effect the de~ired operation of a high pres~ure ~odium lamp.
_ 3 ~ 7~Ll38 Anotiler known technique for improv~ing the startina capability of high pressure sodium lamps is the utilization of a so-called "Penning" gas mixture in conjunction with a staring aid and an increased arc tube diameter. However, it has been found that the improved starting capability provided by the use of the "Penning" gas method is offset by the re-duced efficiency and reduced life of the resulting lamps.
Examples of such structures includes U.S. Patent Nos. 3,900,753 of Richardson and 4,037,129 of Zack.
Additionally, it is known to include a supplemental high voltage generating means to a high pressure sodium lamp and accompanying ballast circuitry. Such a configuration is set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,513,227 issued on April 23, 1985 entitled HID Lamp Starting Apparatus and assigned to the Assignee of the present application. However, as set forth therein, starting voltages in excess of about 1000 volts were required to effect the desired starting of the discharge lamp.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved metal vapor lamp.
According to the present invention there is provided a high-intensity discharge (HID) metal vapor lamp and start-ing apparatus comprising a base member formed for connection to a low voltage source; a high-intensity discharge metal vapor lamp including a sealed outer envelope contalning an arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes and connectable to one of said pair of spaced electrodes, said arc tube having a fill including xenon, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto; a ballast means coupling one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; an electrical conductor coupling the other one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; and a non-linear dielectric element coupled to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube.
~7~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of -the metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of the invention~
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. l; and FIG. 3 is a chart comparing ignition voltage of high pressure sodium lamps with and without a starting aid.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a low wattage metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus includes, in this example, a high pressure sodium lamp 5 formed for attachment to a base member 7. The base member 7 is, in turn, con:Eigured to fit a socket lnot shown) for connection to a low voltage source such as a llO-volt main line source, for example.
The high pressure sodium lamp 5 includes an outer glass envelope 9 having an indentation 11 at one end and a seal 13 with a usual glass stem member 15 at the opposite end.
A pair of electrically conductive leads 17 and 19 are sealed into and pass through the stem member 15. Also, a threaded metal member 21 is affixed to the outer glass envelope 9 and electrically connected to the conduc-tive leads 17 and 19.
An alumina arc tube 23 has a pair of spaced electrodes 25 and 27 disposed at opposite ends thereof wi-th each of the electrodes 25 and 27 affixed to a niobium tube 29 and 31 sealed . ~
'7~
into and pa6~ing t~rough the ends of the arc ~ube 23. A
6pring-like member 33 enc~rcles the one niobium ~ube 29 ~nd is tele~coped over the ~ndentation 11 of the outer glas~ envelope 9 to provide ~uppor~ and ~lignme~ at one end of t~e arc tube 23. A 6upport rod 35 i6 welded to the other niobium tube 31 at the opposite end of t~e arc tube 23 and ~o one of t~e pair of electrically conduc~ive lead~ 19. Al60, a relatively rigid ~upport wire 37 is attached to the other one of the pair of electrically conductive leads 17 and to the niobium tube 29 whereat the spring-like member 33 is attached. Shield member~
39 and 41 encircle the end~ of the arc tube 23 in the area of the electrodes 25 and 27.
Importantly, a ~tarting aid in the form of a wire helix Q3 encircles ~he arc tube 23 between the ~paced electLode6 25 and ~7. Preferably, no~ necessarily. the wire helix 43 is formed to provide elec~rical connection to and disconnection from a bimetal switch member 45 w~ich is electrically connected to one of tbe electrode~ 27 by way of a conductor 47. Al60 of imporeance, a non-linear dielectric element or non-linear capacitor 49 is preferably located within the threaded metal member 21 and is connected to ~he conductive leads 17 and 19 and shunted across the arc tube 23.
Additionally, a base member 7 includes a 60cket member 51 ha~ing inner and outer metal threads, 53 and 55 respectively, for receiving the thre~ded metal member 21 and for at~ac~ment to an ordinary socket connected to a poten~ial source.
~not shown~. Also, a ballast mean~ in the form of a sub~tantially circular-~haped choke coil 57 is attached to ~he ~ocket member 51 and electrically connec~ed thereto and connec~able to an electrode 25 of the arc ~ube 23 by way of the threaded metal member 21, electrically conductive lead 17, support ~ire 37 and niobium tube 29 when the high pres~ure sodium lamp 5 is disposed within the base member 7.
~2~;7~
Referring to FIG. ~, the ~ig~ pre~sure sodium l~mp and ~arti~g apparaeus i6 schematically illustrated wherein an arc tube S9 has a pair of ~paced electrode6 61 and 63. The arc tube 59 is wrapped wit~ a ~tarting aid or wire helix 65 intermediate the spaced electrodes 61 and 63. A bametal ~witch 67 is positioned adjacen~ the 6tarting aid 65. An electrical conductQr 69 connects one of t~e electrodes 61 and the bimetal swi~c~ 67 to one ~ide 71 of a low vol~age ~ource (not shown).
A balla~t means or choke coil 73 connects the other electrode 63 to t~e o~her ~ide 75 of ~he low voltage source. ~oreover, a non-linear dielectric element ?7 is connected to and shunted across the electrodes 61 and 63 of the arc tube 5g.
A~ to operation, it is known that typical high pressure ~odium lamps do not lend themselves to incorporatio~ of a starting probe due to the difficul~ies encountered in sealing ele~trodes into the arc tube. As a result, it i6 common and necessary to provide a one to two microsecond pulse in the range of about 2500 to 4000 volts in order ~o ~tart a high pressure sodium lamp of low wattage, i.e., wattage of about 3C, 50 or 70~watts for example. However, to effect ~uch a relatively high starting voltage, 2500 to 4000 volts, it has been the common practice to provide electronic circuitry employing ignitors or magnetic circuitry employing transformers. In the first instance, the electronic circuitry tended to be rather unreliable while, in the second instance, the ~agnetic circuitry was heavy, awkward and cumbersome and unsuitable for easy inclusion within the available fixtures.
~ owever~ it ~as been found possible ~o manufac~ure low wattage high pre~sure sodium lamps and starting apparatus without resorting to electronic or magnetic ballast apparatus for developing 2500 to 4000 volt potentials from a relatively low voltage fiource. ~ore specifically, a high pressure sodium lamp ~aving an arc tube wit~ a length of about 48 mm, an arc length of 2bout 23 ~m an~ a~ internal diameter of abou~ 4 ~m ., ,~ , ~ , 7~
D-~3-1-035 wa6 filled with quantitie~ of mercury, sodium and Xenon a~ a pre6~ure of about 30-~orr. This ~ube was connec~ed to an ~rc pulse generator ~hich provides the ignition voltage ~e6ults indicated a~ curve A of FIG. 3. As can readily be ~een, i~nition voltage ranges from about 1850-volt~ to about 1380-volt~ depending on the pulse width of the 6upplied potential.
Thereafter, it was found tha~ the addition of a 6tarting aid in the form of about four-~urns of tunqsten wire centered about the lonqitudinal mid-point of, circling the arc tube and covering a linear distance of about 20 ~m greatly reduced the 6tarting voltage requirement6. A6 can readily be seen in curve B of FIG. 4, the required ignition voltage has dropped from a range of about 1850 to 1380-volt6 to a greatly reduced value of about 700 to 450-volts depending upon the pul6e width in usec.
Additionally, it was also noted that a non-linear dielectric element or a non-linear capacitor such a~ one designated NLB 1250 manufactured and sold by TDK Corporation of Tokyo, Japan is capable of providing a peak voltage of about 520 peak volts with a half-height pulse width o about 100-usec. Thus, it has been determined that a low wattage high pres6ure ~odium lamp which includes a starting aid and a non-linear dielectric element may be utilized with a simple choke coil to effect s~arting of the high pre6sure 60dillm lamp from a low voltage ~ource ~uch a~ a 120-volt line source for example.
Further, it has al60 been found that the life cycle ~f a high pre~6ure sodlum lamp can be ~ignifican~ly extended because of the unique characteristic~ of the non-linear dielectric element. Also, it is known that ths "end of life" of high pres~ure 60dium lamps i6 characterized by a cycling phenomen~
wherein the lamp ignite~ for a period, goes out, cools down and restrikes again. Also, it is known tha-t the reignition voltage of the lamp exceeds the available ballast voltage.
Thus, it has been found that the incorporation of a non-linear dielectric element virtually eliminates this "end oE
life" phenomena because the non-linear dielectric element desirably tends to provide a pulse potential at the same time as lamp reigni-tion is to occur. Thus, an added pulse potent-ial is provided when required for lamp reignition and "dropout'l and discontinued lamp operation is postponed if not eliminated.
Finally, it has been found advantageous to incorporate a choke coil ballast and base member formed for insertion within a socket connectable to a potential source. Moreover, the high pressure sodium lamp is con~igured with a threaded metal member formed for insertion within the above-mentioned base mem~er and adopted to includea non-linear dielectric element therein. Thus, the ballast and connections to a voltage source are readily separated from a high pressure sodium lamp which can be separately replaced as a single unit.
It will be seen that a source for starting a metal vapor lamp has been utilized. An improved metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus operable from a low voltage source is provided whilst the metal vapor lamp is connectable to a base member which includes a non-linear dielectric element and choke coil.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered a Preferred emodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A high-intensity discharge (HID) metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus comprising:
a base member formed for connection to a low volt-age source;
a high-intensity discharge metal vapor lamp including a sealed outer envelope containing an arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes and connectable to one of said pair of spaced electrodes, said arc tube having a fill including xenon, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto;
a ballast means coupling one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member;
an electrical conductor coupling the other one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; and a non-linear dielectric element coupled to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube.
a base member formed for connection to a low volt-age source;
a high-intensity discharge metal vapor lamp including a sealed outer envelope containing an arc tube having a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes and connectable to one of said pair of spaced electrodes, said arc tube having a fill including xenon, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto;
a ballast means coupling one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member;
an electrical conductor coupling the other one of said pair of spaced electrodes to said base member; and a non-linear dielectric element coupled to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube.
2. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ballast means is in the form of a choke coil.
3. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arc tube includes a xenon fill gas at a pressure of about 30 torr.
4. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said non-linear dielectric element is disposed within said base member.
5. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ballast means is in the form of a substantially circular-shaped choke coil affixed to said base member and electrically connectable to one of said pair of spaced electrodes of said metal vapor lamp.
6. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base member, ballast means and non-linear dielectric element are an integral unit coupled to said metal vapor lamp and to said low voltage source.
7. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 including a bi-metal switch for connecting said starting aid to one of said pair of spaced electrodes during non-conductivity of said arc tube.
8. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said starting aid and non-linear dielectric element combine to effect starting of said lamp at a peak output voltage of less than about 900 volts.
9. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 including a bi-metal switch, normally-open (N/O) during conduction and normally-closed (N/C) during non conduction of said metal vapor lamp, said switch positioned adjacent said starting aid and connected to an electrode of said metal vapor lamp.
10. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arc tube and is of a length of about 48 mm with an arc length between electrodes of about 23 mm and said wire helix of said starting aid is of a length of about 20 mm centered about the mid-point of said arc tube.
11. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said non-linear dielectric element is positioned between said arc tube and said base member.
12. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arc tube includes sodium and mercury fill.
13. The metal vapor lamp and starting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arc tube includes a fill selected from the metals consisting of mercury, sodium, cadmium, thallium or zinc.
14. A high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus comprising:
a high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp having an outer sealed envelope containing a xenon-filled arc tube with a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes with said starting aid formed for connection to one of said pair of spaced electrodes during non conduction of said arc tube and for disconnection therefrom during con-duction of said arc tube, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto;
a ballast means connected to one of said pair of spaced electrodes;
a non-linear dielectric element connected to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube; and a base member formed for connection to a low voltage source, to said ballast means and to said other one of said pair of spaced electrodes.
a high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp having an outer sealed envelope containing a xenon-filled arc tube with a pair of spaced electrodes and a starting aid in the form of a wire helix surrounding said arc tube intermediate said pair of spaced electrodes with said starting aid formed for connection to one of said pair of spaced electrodes during non conduction of said arc tube and for disconnection therefrom during con-duction of said arc tube, each of said electrodes having not more than one electrical lead-in wire connected thereto;
a ballast means connected to one of said pair of spaced electrodes;
a non-linear dielectric element connected to said pair of spaced electrodes and shunting said arc tube; and a base member formed for connection to a low voltage source, to said ballast means and to said other one of said pair of spaced electrodes.
15. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said base member, non-linear dielectric element and ballast means are an integral unit formed for coupling said high pressure sodium lamp to a low voltage source.
16. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said ballast means is in the form of a choke coil of substantially circular configuration and connected to said base member.
17. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said non-linear dielectric element is disposed within said base member and said ballast means is affixed to said base member and electrically connected thereto and to said high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp.
18. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp includes a bi-metal switch for effecting said dis-connection of said starting aid from one of said pair of spaced electrodes during conduction of said arc tube.
19. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said starting aid and said non-linear dielectric element combine to effect starting of said lamp at a peak output voltage from said non-linear dielectric element of less than about 900 volts.
20. The high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp and starting apparatus of claim 14 wherein said high pressure sodium lamp is of a wattage in the range of about 35 to 70 watts.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US64394884A | 1984-08-24 | 1984-08-24 | |
| US643,948 | 1984-08-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1267188A true CA1267188A (en) | 1990-03-27 |
Family
ID=24582808
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000483656A Expired CA1267188A (en) | 1984-08-24 | 1985-06-11 | Metal vapor lamp having low starting voltage |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0175937A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS6164061A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1267188A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3616192A1 (en) * | 1986-05-14 | 1987-11-19 | Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh | HIGH PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMP AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE HIGH PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMP |
| JPS6459755A (en) * | 1987-08-31 | 1989-03-07 | Iwasaki Electric Co Ltd | Metallic vapor discharge lamp |
| WO2017215185A1 (en) * | 2016-06-14 | 2017-12-21 | 普罗斯电器（中国）有限公司 | High par maintenance rate high pressure sodium lamp with auxiliary starting switch |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4037129A (en) * | 1976-03-10 | 1977-07-19 | Gte Sylvania Incorporated | High pressure sodium vapor lamp having low starting voltage |
| NL7610451A (en) * | 1976-09-21 | 1978-03-23 | Philips Nv | DISCHARGE LAMP. |
| HU183312B (en) * | 1981-02-06 | 1984-04-28 | Egyesuelt Izzolampa | Additional series arrangement for gas-discharge lamps, furthermore lighting unit with additional series arrangement and at least one high-pressure gas-discharge lamp |
| HU181323B (en) * | 1981-05-08 | 1983-07-28 | Egyesuelt Izzolampa | High-frequency system of additional resistor for electric discharge lamp |
| US4445073A (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1984-04-24 | Gte Products Corporation | Intimate contact starting aid for arc lamps |
| JPS59138049A (en) * | 1983-01-25 | 1984-08-08 | Iwasaki Electric Co Ltd | High pressure metal vapor electric-discharge lamp |
| JPS5960957A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1984-04-07 | Toshiba Electric Equip Corp | Electric discharge lamp device |
-
1985
- 1985-06-11 CA CA000483656A patent/CA1267188A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-08-23 JP JP18436185A patent/JPS6164061A/en active Pending
- 1985-08-23 EP EP85110617A patent/EP0175937A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0175937A3 (en) | 1988-10-19 |
| EP0175937A2 (en) | 1986-04-02 |
| JPS6164061A (en) | 1986-04-02 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4818915A (en) | Arc discharge lamp with ultraviolet radiation starting source | |
| US4475061A (en) | High-pressure discharge lamp current supply member and mounting seal construction | |
| CA2102390C (en) | Starting source for arc discharge lamps | |
| US4987344A (en) | Arc discharge lamp with internal starter | |
| US4812714A (en) | Arc discharge lamp with electrodeless ultraviolet radiation starting source | |
| JP2006245017A (en) | High-pressure discharge lamp | |
| US3855495A (en) | Flash tube with insulator end cap | |
| EP0087830B1 (en) | High pressure discharge lamp | |
| US4780649A (en) | Metal vapor lamp having low starting voltage | |
| US6501231B1 (en) | Metal halide lightbulb strobe system | |
| JP2000173549A (en) | Arc tube for high brightness discharge lamp | |
| CA1267188A (en) | Metal vapor lamp having low starting voltage | |
| US4061939A (en) | Low noise sodium vapor lamp for sonic pulse operation | |
| CA1194073A (en) | Intimate contact starting aid for arc lamps | |
| US5838104A (en) | Shield for high pressure discharge lamps | |
| US3767965A (en) | High intensity lamp containing internal shorting fuse | |
| GB2100404A (en) | Discharge lamps-combined lamp and socket | |
| JPH0616413B2 (en) | High pressure discharge lamp | |
| JPH04249058A (en) | Metal halide high-tension discharge lamp | |
| US5028845A (en) | High-pressure series arc discharge lamp construction | |
| US4488091A (en) | High intensity discharge lamp | |
| CA2108750A1 (en) | Metal halide arc discharge lamp having short arc length | |
| US4412152A (en) | Discharge lamp with bimetal starter | |
| US3534213A (en) | Short arc lamp with ignition means and envelope sealing means | |
| WO2005055272A2 (en) | High-pressure discharge lamp assembly |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |