CA2300351A1 - Fluorescent lamp ballast combined with electronic starter and resonant capacitor for reducing input current - Google Patents
Fluorescent lamp ballast combined with electronic starter and resonant capacitor for reducing input current Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2300351A1 CA2300351A1 CA 2300351 CA2300351A CA2300351A1 CA 2300351 A1 CA2300351 A1 CA 2300351A1 CA 2300351 CA2300351 CA 2300351 CA 2300351 A CA2300351 A CA 2300351A CA 2300351 A1 CA2300351 A1 CA 2300351A1
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- Prior art keywords
- capacitor
- fluorescent lamp
- coil
- ballast
- current
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- 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.)
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/16—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies
- H05B41/18—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies having a starting switch
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/02—Details
- H05B41/04—Starting switches
- H05B41/042—Starting switches using semiconductor devices
- H05B41/044—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes
- H05B41/046—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes using controlled semiconductor devices
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- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
Abstract
The invention constitute a primary coil which will control the input current, connected directly to the power line terminal, L1, a secondary coil connected in series with the primary coil that will help in raising the inductance for the creation of the of the high voltage across the capacitor, C1, a secondary circuit with the capacitor, C1, for the charging and discharging of current and a Quadrac for the switching on and off during the charging and discharging of capacitor are connected in series with the secondary coil, in between the primary coil and secondary coil is a distribution line, DL1, connected to the filaments,F1, the other end of the secondary circuit is directly connected to the power line terminal, L2, and the distribution line, DL2, to the filament, F2, of the fluorescent lamp, a tertiary circuit consist only of capacitor that will reduce the input current and saves electricity is connected in parallel to the power line terminal, L1 and L2.
Description
FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLAST COMBINED WITH ELECTRONIC
STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR FOR REDUCING INPUT
CURRENT
5 The invention of the FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLAST
COMBINED WITH ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT
CAPACITOR FOR REDUCING INPUT CURRENT is a unique kind of fluorescent lamp gadget that simplifies the system and solve all the problems in relation with the fluorescent lighting system as well as maximizing the l0 savings in electrical consumption.
The invention constitute a primary coil which will control the input current, connected directly to the power line terminal, Ll , a secondary coil connected in series with the primary coil that will help in raising the inductance for the 15 creation of the high voltage across the capacitor C,, a secondary circuit with the capacitor, C,, for the charging and discharging of current and a QUADRAC for the switching on and off during the charging and discharging of capacitor are connected in series with the secondary coil, in between the primary coil and secondary coil is a distributing line, DL,, connected to the 20 filament ,F,, the other end of the secondary circuit is directly connected to the power line terminal,L2, and the distributing line,DL2, to the filament, F2, of the fluorescent lamp, a tertiary circuit consist only of capacitor that will reduce the input current and saves electricity is connected in is connected in parallel to the power line terminals, L, and L2.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED with the CONVENTIONAL
FLUORESCENT LAMP SYSTEM using ORDINARY and CONVENTIONAL STARER.
1)DELAYED STARTING
Using ordinary ballast with conventional starter has been the main source of a hard-starting fluorescent lighting system. Inconveniences to the end-users have always been a sorry-state for the people who were using fluorescent lighting system. The culprit is the conventional starter. It is a 5 mechanical type of electrical switch that is sensitive to heat induced by a neon gas. Upon sensing the heat, it will bend to close the circuit thereby preheating the two filaments of the fluorescent tube.
After closing the two contact points, heat is reduced inside the starter 10 and instantaneously opened the two contact points. At this points of time a sudden opening of contact points induces a very high voltage at the ballast which will kick-offthe starting current inside the fluorescent tube.
Actually, anything that moves (mechanical) will have an untimely 15 mechanical defect (enhanced). Therefore the life-span of this starter can be very short.
In electrical point of view, contact points will also have a short life-span due to the constant devastation of contact point surfaces by electrical 20 sparks.
All these short-comings can cause hard-starting situation of the fluorescent lighting system.
25 2) EARLY DUMPING OF FLUORESCENT TUBES INTO TRASH
CANS.
Again the culprit is the conventional starter. Once the two contact point remains in contact for a long period of time intermittently, it will cause 30 to melt the filaments and breaks open the continuity of the whole circuitry.
Hence, the tube could not anymore be used to its full span of burning-hours indicated by its manufacturer.
STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR FOR REDUCING INPUT
CURRENT
5 The invention of the FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLAST
COMBINED WITH ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT
CAPACITOR FOR REDUCING INPUT CURRENT is a unique kind of fluorescent lamp gadget that simplifies the system and solve all the problems in relation with the fluorescent lighting system as well as maximizing the l0 savings in electrical consumption.
The invention constitute a primary coil which will control the input current, connected directly to the power line terminal, Ll , a secondary coil connected in series with the primary coil that will help in raising the inductance for the 15 creation of the high voltage across the capacitor C,, a secondary circuit with the capacitor, C,, for the charging and discharging of current and a QUADRAC for the switching on and off during the charging and discharging of capacitor are connected in series with the secondary coil, in between the primary coil and secondary coil is a distributing line, DL,, connected to the 20 filament ,F,, the other end of the secondary circuit is directly connected to the power line terminal,L2, and the distributing line,DL2, to the filament, F2, of the fluorescent lamp, a tertiary circuit consist only of capacitor that will reduce the input current and saves electricity is connected in is connected in parallel to the power line terminals, L, and L2.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED with the CONVENTIONAL
FLUORESCENT LAMP SYSTEM using ORDINARY and CONVENTIONAL STARER.
1)DELAYED STARTING
Using ordinary ballast with conventional starter has been the main source of a hard-starting fluorescent lighting system. Inconveniences to the end-users have always been a sorry-state for the people who were using fluorescent lighting system. The culprit is the conventional starter. It is a 5 mechanical type of electrical switch that is sensitive to heat induced by a neon gas. Upon sensing the heat, it will bend to close the circuit thereby preheating the two filaments of the fluorescent tube.
After closing the two contact points, heat is reduced inside the starter 10 and instantaneously opened the two contact points. At this points of time a sudden opening of contact points induces a very high voltage at the ballast which will kick-offthe starting current inside the fluorescent tube.
Actually, anything that moves (mechanical) will have an untimely 15 mechanical defect (enhanced). Therefore the life-span of this starter can be very short.
In electrical point of view, contact points will also have a short life-span due to the constant devastation of contact point surfaces by electrical 20 sparks.
All these short-comings can cause hard-starting situation of the fluorescent lighting system.
25 2) EARLY DUMPING OF FLUORESCENT TUBES INTO TRASH
CANS.
Again the culprit is the conventional starter. Once the two contact point remains in contact for a long period of time intermittently, it will cause 30 to melt the filaments and breaks open the continuity of the whole circuitry.
Hence, the tube could not anymore be used to its full span of burning-hours indicated by its manufacturer.
3) COULD NOT START DURING LOW VOLTAGE
FLUCTUATION USUALLY OCCURING IN THE PROVINCES.
5 The ballast can be the main reason why during low voltage fluctuations in rural areas, the fluorescent lighting system will just keep on flickering.
The minimum recorded voltage in the province is 160 volts AC. The l0 least voltage that the fluorescent lamp can light up is190 volts AC. Below this, the ballast cannot attain or induce the required voltage to start a fluorescent lamp.
OF CONVENTION BALLAST AND STARTER BY THE END USERS.
There are two reasons why the end-users should use a power factor corrector gadget. But these were not explained well by the manufacture of the 20 ballast. The end-users on the other hand may not bother to use the component. It may due to additional cost or complexity in the installation or assembly of the fluorescent fixture. Anyway as they presumed, it will still light up.
25 1) 50% SAVINGS IN ELECTRICTTY BILL PER FLUORESCENT LAMP
A ballast consumes lots of electricity. It was found that a 20 watt fluorescent lamp with a 20 watt ballast (brand: DELTA) of a 220 volts AC
line voltage, will have a current reading of 0.35AMP.
Using a capacitor of 3.5pF across the input lines, the current reading becomes 0.16AMP. Therefore, 50% savings per fixture of 20 watts fluorescent lamp can be attained without discriminating its luminance. The same is true with the other wattage of fluorescent lamps.
2) SAFER TO USE
Heat included in every electrical devices will depend on the current passing thru the resistance from the formula Pheat - IZ(cmrent) X R(rasistance) to Every gadgets have its own resistance. It is obvious that a florescent lamp system without a capacitor across the input lines will have a tendency of overheating and may cause fire.
15 Using a capacitor across the input lines will double the safety factor of the fluorescent lamp system.
THE INVENTION OF FLUORESCENT BALLAST WITH UNIQUE
ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR FOR
SOLUTION OF THE PREVIOSLY ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS.
It is a system that incorporate the uniquely designed ballast with electronic starter and a capacitor to resonate with the ballast.
The ballast is not anymore used as a high voltage inducer component but half of it is used to control the flow of current. The other half is connected in series with the capacitor as shown in fig.2 to increase the starting voltage required to start a fluorescent lamp. The electronic starter uses impedance 30 from which the voltage across the capacitance which is in series with an inductance will have an unusual high voltage effect.
FLUCTUATION USUALLY OCCURING IN THE PROVINCES.
5 The ballast can be the main reason why during low voltage fluctuations in rural areas, the fluorescent lighting system will just keep on flickering.
The minimum recorded voltage in the province is 160 volts AC. The l0 least voltage that the fluorescent lamp can light up is190 volts AC. Below this, the ballast cannot attain or induce the required voltage to start a fluorescent lamp.
OF CONVENTION BALLAST AND STARTER BY THE END USERS.
There are two reasons why the end-users should use a power factor corrector gadget. But these were not explained well by the manufacture of the 20 ballast. The end-users on the other hand may not bother to use the component. It may due to additional cost or complexity in the installation or assembly of the fluorescent fixture. Anyway as they presumed, it will still light up.
25 1) 50% SAVINGS IN ELECTRICTTY BILL PER FLUORESCENT LAMP
A ballast consumes lots of electricity. It was found that a 20 watt fluorescent lamp with a 20 watt ballast (brand: DELTA) of a 220 volts AC
line voltage, will have a current reading of 0.35AMP.
Using a capacitor of 3.5pF across the input lines, the current reading becomes 0.16AMP. Therefore, 50% savings per fixture of 20 watts fluorescent lamp can be attained without discriminating its luminance. The same is true with the other wattage of fluorescent lamps.
2) SAFER TO USE
Heat included in every electrical devices will depend on the current passing thru the resistance from the formula Pheat - IZ(cmrent) X R(rasistance) to Every gadgets have its own resistance. It is obvious that a florescent lamp system without a capacitor across the input lines will have a tendency of overheating and may cause fire.
15 Using a capacitor across the input lines will double the safety factor of the fluorescent lamp system.
THE INVENTION OF FLUORESCENT BALLAST WITH UNIQUE
ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR FOR
SOLUTION OF THE PREVIOSLY ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS.
It is a system that incorporate the uniquely designed ballast with electronic starter and a capacitor to resonate with the ballast.
The ballast is not anymore used as a high voltage inducer component but half of it is used to control the flow of current. The other half is connected in series with the capacitor as shown in fig.2 to increase the starting voltage required to start a fluorescent lamp. The electronic starter uses impedance 30 from which the voltage across the capacitance which is in series with an inductance will have an unusual high voltage effect.
The capacitor is switched on and off using a quadrac (a semi-conductor switching device) for charging and discharging during starting situation. Once the fluorescent lamp has started, the semi-conductor switch (quadrac) will switched off due to the voltage drop across the fluorescent 5 lamp.
THE PURPOSE AND ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION CAN BE
EXPLAINED AS AGAINST THE CONVENTIONAL BALLAST AND
l0 STARTER.
1) The Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Combined with Electronics Starter and Resonant Capacitor is a rapid start system.
15 Once a semi-conductor switch (Quadrac) is triggered on the charging of current into the capacitor commenced. It will react with the inductance in series and the result is the creation of a high voltage across the capacitor as well as across the load itself which is the fluorescent lamp.
20 The creation of high voltage is instances. Unlike the conventional starter which will pass a series of stages before kicking-up induced high voltage into the fluorescent tube.
25 2) Extends the life of a fluorescent lamp.
Once a filament is cut-off or the two filaments are cut-off, the circuit becomes incomplete and the fluorescent lamp should need replacement.
30 It is impossible to short-out the two terminals of each filament with the Conventional starter otherwise a ballast overheats in a short period of time and the coils becomes grounded to the negative core and will be rendered useless.
The invention of Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Combined with Electronics Starter and Resonant Capacitor for Reducing Input Current can extend the life-span of a fluorescent lamp to its maximum specified burning 5 hours.
It doesn't need pre-heating of the filaments because the capacitor itself across the load creates the required high voltage to kick-off electrons l0 inside to start the fluorescent lamp.
3) Very convenient and useful in the provinces Since the ballast is not anymore used as the source of high voltage in 15 starting the fluorescent lamp, variations of voltages with a minimum of 160 line voltage cannot anymore hinder in stating the fluorescent lamp because the creation of high-voltage across the capacitor is enough to start the fluorescent lamp.
Additional inductance in series with the capacitor coming from the uniquely designed ballast ensures the starting capability for the latest "TLD"
fluorescent tubes.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH THE
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION.
Referring to the schematic diagram of fig.2 with reference to the 30 alphanumeric label which designates same parts, throughout the circuit, there is shown a fluorescent lamp with filaments F, and FZ connected at the distribution lines DLl and DLZ respectively from the primary circuit which consist of capacitor, C, serially connected with the semiconductor switch, quadrac, the other terminal of capacitor C,, is connected to the second coil of the ballast, in between the coils and coil2 of the ballast is connected to the distribution line, DL,, the other terminal MTzof quadrac is connected to the distribution line, DL2, the only triggering component of quadrac is a resistor, 5 one terminal of which is connected to the second terminal,MT2of quadrac and the distribution line,DLz.
The specially designed ballast is unique that consist of two coils, coil 1 and coil 2. The two coils have different uses. Coil 1 is mainly for the l0 control of current passing thru the fluorescent lamp. But primarily for helping in creating the high voltage across the capacitor C,. The second coil , coil 2 , which is in series with the first coil, coil 1, is for an additional inductance in series with the capacitor , C,, to ensure that the required open-circuit-voltage across the fluorescent lamp is attained.
The ballast has three terminals, they are B1, B2, and B3. The first terminal, B~, is directly connected to the powerline, Ll,, and the first terminal of capacitor, C2, the second terminal of the ballast, Bz, is directly connected to the first distribution line DLI, the third terminal, B3, of the ballast is 20 directly connected to the first terminal of capacitor, Cl.
The secondary circuit which is solely composed of capacitor, C2, the purpose of which is to reduce the input current by as much as half when in resonance with the ballast terminal of capacitor,Cz, designated as Czb is connected to the 25 powerline terminal, Lz, terminal of Qua.drac, MT2, and the distribution line, DLZ.
THE OPERATION OF THE WHOLE CIRCUITRY CAN BE
EXPLAINATION.
THE PURPOSE AND ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION CAN BE
EXPLAINED AS AGAINST THE CONVENTIONAL BALLAST AND
l0 STARTER.
1) The Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Combined with Electronics Starter and Resonant Capacitor is a rapid start system.
15 Once a semi-conductor switch (Quadrac) is triggered on the charging of current into the capacitor commenced. It will react with the inductance in series and the result is the creation of a high voltage across the capacitor as well as across the load itself which is the fluorescent lamp.
20 The creation of high voltage is instances. Unlike the conventional starter which will pass a series of stages before kicking-up induced high voltage into the fluorescent tube.
25 2) Extends the life of a fluorescent lamp.
Once a filament is cut-off or the two filaments are cut-off, the circuit becomes incomplete and the fluorescent lamp should need replacement.
30 It is impossible to short-out the two terminals of each filament with the Conventional starter otherwise a ballast overheats in a short period of time and the coils becomes grounded to the negative core and will be rendered useless.
The invention of Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Combined with Electronics Starter and Resonant Capacitor for Reducing Input Current can extend the life-span of a fluorescent lamp to its maximum specified burning 5 hours.
It doesn't need pre-heating of the filaments because the capacitor itself across the load creates the required high voltage to kick-off electrons l0 inside to start the fluorescent lamp.
3) Very convenient and useful in the provinces Since the ballast is not anymore used as the source of high voltage in 15 starting the fluorescent lamp, variations of voltages with a minimum of 160 line voltage cannot anymore hinder in stating the fluorescent lamp because the creation of high-voltage across the capacitor is enough to start the fluorescent lamp.
Additional inductance in series with the capacitor coming from the uniquely designed ballast ensures the starting capability for the latest "TLD"
fluorescent tubes.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH THE
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION.
Referring to the schematic diagram of fig.2 with reference to the 30 alphanumeric label which designates same parts, throughout the circuit, there is shown a fluorescent lamp with filaments F, and FZ connected at the distribution lines DLl and DLZ respectively from the primary circuit which consist of capacitor, C, serially connected with the semiconductor switch, quadrac, the other terminal of capacitor C,, is connected to the second coil of the ballast, in between the coils and coil2 of the ballast is connected to the distribution line, DL,, the other terminal MTzof quadrac is connected to the distribution line, DL2, the only triggering component of quadrac is a resistor, 5 one terminal of which is connected to the second terminal,MT2of quadrac and the distribution line,DLz.
The specially designed ballast is unique that consist of two coils, coil 1 and coil 2. The two coils have different uses. Coil 1 is mainly for the l0 control of current passing thru the fluorescent lamp. But primarily for helping in creating the high voltage across the capacitor C,. The second coil , coil 2 , which is in series with the first coil, coil 1, is for an additional inductance in series with the capacitor , C,, to ensure that the required open-circuit-voltage across the fluorescent lamp is attained.
The ballast has three terminals, they are B1, B2, and B3. The first terminal, B~, is directly connected to the powerline, Ll,, and the first terminal of capacitor, C2, the second terminal of the ballast, Bz, is directly connected to the first distribution line DLI, the third terminal, B3, of the ballast is 20 directly connected to the first terminal of capacitor, Cl.
The secondary circuit which is solely composed of capacitor, C2, the purpose of which is to reduce the input current by as much as half when in resonance with the ballast terminal of capacitor,Cz, designated as Czb is connected to the 25 powerline terminal, Lz, terminal of Qua.drac, MT2, and the distribution line, DLZ.
THE OPERATION OF THE WHOLE CIRCUITRY CAN BE
EXPLAINATION.
Assuming, a switch is to be connected with the powerline terminal either L~ or LZ and the power is switched on. See Fig. 2.
The first half cycle which we will assume as negative, will pass thru 5 the two coils of the ballast, coil 1 and coil 2 from the powerline, L~, into the main capacitor,Cl, charging the plate negatively while the opposite plate of the capacitor is charged positively since the other power line terminal, Lz is positively going inside and into the second terminal, MTZ of Quadrac.
to The lone resistance which is triggering the Quadrac will sense the current flowing into it and instantaneously trigger the bi-directional component which is incorporated inside the semiconductor switch, thereby switching on the Quadrac and so does charging the plate of capacitor connected to the first terminal, MT,, of Quadrac positively.
At the instant, the distribution lines DL1 and DL2 connected into the filaments, F~ and F2. Still have an open circuit while the capacitor and inductors are building up their voltages to attain the required open-circuit-voltage required to start the fluorescent lamp.
The next half cycle into the system will be positive at the power line terminal, Land negative at the power line terminal ,L2.
This time the reaction between the inductance and the capacitor 25 becomes eminent due to the reversal flow of current thus creating a high voltage situation across the distribution lines,DL,and DL2.
Simultaneously, the fluorescent lamp will start due to the high 30 voltage kick-ofd of electrons inside the lamp. At the instant the fluorescent lamp has started, it develops a run-away high current and this is because the resistance inside the lamp reduces drastically thereby there will be a voltage drop situation across the fluorescent lamp.
The first half cycle which we will assume as negative, will pass thru 5 the two coils of the ballast, coil 1 and coil 2 from the powerline, L~, into the main capacitor,Cl, charging the plate negatively while the opposite plate of the capacitor is charged positively since the other power line terminal, Lz is positively going inside and into the second terminal, MTZ of Quadrac.
to The lone resistance which is triggering the Quadrac will sense the current flowing into it and instantaneously trigger the bi-directional component which is incorporated inside the semiconductor switch, thereby switching on the Quadrac and so does charging the plate of capacitor connected to the first terminal, MT,, of Quadrac positively.
At the instant, the distribution lines DL1 and DL2 connected into the filaments, F~ and F2. Still have an open circuit while the capacitor and inductors are building up their voltages to attain the required open-circuit-voltage required to start the fluorescent lamp.
The next half cycle into the system will be positive at the power line terminal, Land negative at the power line terminal ,L2.
This time the reaction between the inductance and the capacitor 25 becomes eminent due to the reversal flow of current thus creating a high voltage situation across the distribution lines,DL,and DL2.
Simultaneously, the fluorescent lamp will start due to the high 30 voltage kick-ofd of electrons inside the lamp. At the instant the fluorescent lamp has started, it develops a run-away high current and this is because the resistance inside the lamp reduces drastically thereby there will be a voltage drop situation across the fluorescent lamp.
This voltage drop situation de-couples the connectors of capacitor, C, through the Quadrac since the current through the resistor could not anymore trigger the bi-directional diode inside the Quadrac.
During this critical moment, the coil, coil 1, of the ballast will have its turn of controlling the flow of the run-away current inside the fluorescent lamp.
l0 Furthermore, another capacitor, C2, is incorporated in one system for safety purposes and as well as savings much of electricity by reducing the current, without degrading the fluorescent lamps illumination .
The capacitor, C2, as seen on Fig. 2 is connected across the power 15 lines, L, and Lz. To explain how this capacitor reduces the current in the system;
During its operation, capacitor , C~, will no longer work with the system and only capacitor ,CZ, is operating in parallel with the coil , coill, of 20 the ballast which is in series with the fluorescent lamp. See Fig. 1 for comparison.
If we have to follow the complex formula of any electrical books by using equations for parallel circuits, the result is stunningly different with the 25 actual measurements.
As you can see in my own formula, instead of using equation for parallel circuit, the equation for series circuit is amended and correctly applied. The prior series formula has its reactive capacitance, X~, deducted to 30 the reactive inductance, XL.
During this critical moment, the coil, coil 1, of the ballast will have its turn of controlling the flow of the run-away current inside the fluorescent lamp.
l0 Furthermore, another capacitor, C2, is incorporated in one system for safety purposes and as well as savings much of electricity by reducing the current, without degrading the fluorescent lamps illumination .
The capacitor, C2, as seen on Fig. 2 is connected across the power 15 lines, L, and Lz. To explain how this capacitor reduces the current in the system;
During its operation, capacitor , C~, will no longer work with the system and only capacitor ,CZ, is operating in parallel with the coil , coill, of 20 the ballast which is in series with the fluorescent lamp. See Fig. 1 for comparison.
If we have to follow the complex formula of any electrical books by using equations for parallel circuits, the result is stunningly different with the 25 actual measurements.
As you can see in my own formula, instead of using equation for parallel circuit, the equation for series circuit is amended and correctly applied. The prior series formula has its reactive capacitance, X~, deducted to 30 the reactive inductance, XL.
While the true formula as can be proven by actual measurements, has its reactive capacitance , X~, added to the reactive inductance, XL, and so the reactance of this capacitor, Cz, across the power line, Ll and LZ is virtually a series reactance of the inductive reactance of the ballast and the load.
This phenomenon can be explained with the theory of the "resonant effect" between the capacitor and the inductor using the famous LENZ LAW.
LENZ LAW states that "In all cases of electromagnetic induction, the 10 inducted voltage have a direction such that the currents which they produce opposed the effect which produces them."
It is not anymore reasonable to discuss in detail how the resonant frequency reduces the current. Superficial understanding of the theory can be 15 explained through the birds-eye-view of the whole thing.
Firstly, the coil opposes the current going in through, thus it controls the current passing into the fluorescent lamp. From the peak voltage and decreasing to zero, the capacitor discharges to the coil trying to hold the 20 voltage at the coil from decreasing.
Upon reaching zero voltage, the coil still have a stored magnetic field from the previous magnetic field direction. Hence the direction of electric current is still the same as with the first cycle going into.
This time the next half cycle is increasing from zero to peak voltage in the other direction. Since the previous current is opposite in direction and coming from the stored magnetic field, the current in the next half cycle is 30 opposed so that the current going into the system is drastically reduced into half if the resonant frequency is equal to the line frequency which is 60 Hertz.
to Therefore, the inductive reactance is primary controlling the current into the fluorescent lamp by LENZ LAW. But the addition of current coming from the capacitor into the coil by its leading current explains that the capacitive reactive is virtually in series with the inductive reactance of the 5 coil.
This phenomenon can be explained with the theory of the "resonant effect" between the capacitor and the inductor using the famous LENZ LAW.
LENZ LAW states that "In all cases of electromagnetic induction, the 10 inducted voltage have a direction such that the currents which they produce opposed the effect which produces them."
It is not anymore reasonable to discuss in detail how the resonant frequency reduces the current. Superficial understanding of the theory can be 15 explained through the birds-eye-view of the whole thing.
Firstly, the coil opposes the current going in through, thus it controls the current passing into the fluorescent lamp. From the peak voltage and decreasing to zero, the capacitor discharges to the coil trying to hold the 20 voltage at the coil from decreasing.
Upon reaching zero voltage, the coil still have a stored magnetic field from the previous magnetic field direction. Hence the direction of electric current is still the same as with the first cycle going into.
This time the next half cycle is increasing from zero to peak voltage in the other direction. Since the previous current is opposite in direction and coming from the stored magnetic field, the current in the next half cycle is 30 opposed so that the current going into the system is drastically reduced into half if the resonant frequency is equal to the line frequency which is 60 Hertz.
to Therefore, the inductive reactance is primary controlling the current into the fluorescent lamp by LENZ LAW. But the addition of current coming from the capacitor into the coil by its leading current explains that the capacitive reactive is virtually in series with the inductive reactance of the 5 coil.
Claims
CLAIM NO. 1 What we claim and sought to be protected by letters patent is the invention of The FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLAST COMBINED WITH
ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR. That constitute a primary coil, one the terminal of which is directly connected to the power line, a secondary coil is connected in series with the primary coil and in between the primary coil and secondary coil is directly connected to the filament, F1, of the fluorescent lamp, the other end of the secondary coil is connected to the secondary circuit which is the new kind of electronic starter.
CLAIM NO .2 Another claim, which we sought to be protected by Letter Patent is the invention of the new electronic starter incorporated into the system that constitute a capacitor connected into the secondary coil to create a high-starting-voltage, the other end of the capacitor is connected in series with a Quadrac, a semi conductor switch, for the switching on and off of charging a capacitor, the other end of Quadrac is directly connected to the other filament, F2, of the fluorescent lamp, the triggering component of this invention of the Quadrac to switch on is the lone resistor that makes the secondary circuit becomes simple.
ELECTRONIC STARTER AND RESONANT CAPACITOR. That constitute a primary coil, one the terminal of which is directly connected to the power line, a secondary coil is connected in series with the primary coil and in between the primary coil and secondary coil is directly connected to the filament, F1, of the fluorescent lamp, the other end of the secondary coil is connected to the secondary circuit which is the new kind of electronic starter.
CLAIM NO .2 Another claim, which we sought to be protected by Letter Patent is the invention of the new electronic starter incorporated into the system that constitute a capacitor connected into the secondary coil to create a high-starting-voltage, the other end of the capacitor is connected in series with a Quadrac, a semi conductor switch, for the switching on and off of charging a capacitor, the other end of Quadrac is directly connected to the other filament, F2, of the fluorescent lamp, the triggering component of this invention of the Quadrac to switch on is the lone resistor that makes the secondary circuit becomes simple.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PH1-1999-00897 | 1999-04-21 | ||
| PH11999000897 | 1999-04-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2300351A1 true CA2300351A1 (en) | 2000-10-21 |
Family
ID=19929888
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2300351 Abandoned CA2300351A1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2000-03-10 | Fluorescent lamp ballast combined with electronic starter and resonant capacitor for reducing input current |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1047285A3 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN2420813Y (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2300351A1 (en) |
| SG (1) | SG85170A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW469755B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITRM20100028A1 (en) * | 2010-01-27 | 2011-07-28 | Gmm Tecnologia S R L | "INNOVATIVE STARTER FOR FLUORESCENT LAMPS" |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE857930A (en) * | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-20 | Acec | DISCHARGE LAMPS CONTROL DEVICE |
| US4376911A (en) * | 1979-12-28 | 1983-03-15 | New Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. | Circuit system for lighting a discharge lamp or lamps |
| FR2493598A1 (en) * | 1980-10-30 | 1982-05-07 | Claude Sa | INITIATOR FOR DISCHARGE LAMP |
| DE3047289A1 (en) * | 1980-12-16 | 1982-07-29 | Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH, 8000 München | IGNITION DEVICE FOR A LOW-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMP |
| DE3311215A1 (en) * | 1983-03-28 | 1984-10-04 | Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH, 8000 München | IGNITION DEVICE FOR A LOW-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMP |
| US4885507A (en) * | 1987-07-21 | 1989-12-05 | Ham Byung I | Electronic starter combined with the L-C ballast of a fluorescent lamp |
| GB2225498A (en) * | 1988-11-22 | 1990-05-30 | King Chuen Hector Chu | Fluorescent lamp ignition circuit |
| US5023521A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1991-06-11 | Radionic Industries, Inc. | Lamp ballast system |
| US6037722A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 2000-03-14 | Pacific Scientific | Dimmable ballast apparatus and method for controlling power delivered to a fluorescent lamp |
-
2000
- 2000-03-10 CA CA 2300351 patent/CA2300351A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-04-15 SG SG200002175A patent/SG85170A1/en unknown
- 2000-04-20 CN CN 00209605 patent/CN2420813Y/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-04-21 EP EP00870081A patent/EP1047285A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-07-14 TW TW89114021A patent/TW469755B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SG85170A1 (en) | 2001-12-19 |
| CN2420813Y (en) | 2001-02-21 |
| EP1047285A2 (en) | 2000-10-25 |
| TW469755B (en) | 2001-12-21 |
| EP1047285A3 (en) | 2003-01-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |