EP0032089B1 - Circuit for supplying an electrical load, especially for discharge lamp - Google Patents

Circuit for supplying an electrical load, especially for discharge lamp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0032089B1
EP0032089B1 EP80401830A EP80401830A EP0032089B1 EP 0032089 B1 EP0032089 B1 EP 0032089B1 EP 80401830 A EP80401830 A EP 80401830A EP 80401830 A EP80401830 A EP 80401830A EP 0032089 B1 EP0032089 B1 EP 0032089B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit
line
pulse
voltage
zero
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EP80401830A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0032089A2 (en
EP0032089A3 (en
Inventor
Jan Rividi
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ELAM LIMITED SOCIETE DITE
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Elam Ltd Dite Ste
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Priority to AT80401830T priority Critical patent/ATE10565T1/en
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Publication of EP0032089A3 publication Critical patent/EP0032089A3/en
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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
    • H05B41/36—Controlling
    • H05B41/38—Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39—Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/04—Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/07—Starting and control circuits for gas discharge lamp using transistors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for supplying an electric charge, in particular a discharge lamp.
  • a non-limiting field of application of the invention is that of the control of discharge lamps of an outdoor public lighting installation.
  • the usual conditions of use of discharge lamps make it necessary to use means allowing the adjustment of the emitted light intensity, in particular in order to achieve energy savings.
  • circuits for supplying discharge lamps which include an electronic switch of the thyristor or triac type (that is to say constituted by a triode type semiconductor circuit operating alternative).
  • a control electrode to which is applied a voltage pulse of adjustable duration causing the conduction of the switch and thereby the lighting of the lamp.
  • a voltage pulse of adjustable duration causing the conduction of the switch and thereby the lighting of the lamp.
  • the switching is obtained by means of a pulse which causes the conduction of the switch which leads to an uncertainty on the triggering instant.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a supply device making it possible to avoid these drawbacks, that is to say making it possible to carry out a precise control by overcoming the problems posed by the phase shift between the instants of transition to zero of the supply mains voltage and of the voltage across the load.
  • the switching of the load is carried out when the voltage across the terminals of the load goes through zero. This avoids electrical noise at the time of switching.
  • control pulse applied to the switch is a pulse which prohibits conduction and not which drives it. Consequently, in the event of an anomaly in the supply device, the prohibition command is generally not applied and the supply of the load is not interrupted. This brings an appreciable advantage from the point of view of safety when the load is for example a discharge lamp of a lighting installation.
  • control pulse generator comprises a monostable circuit which supplies pulses of adjustable duration and which is triggered by signals delivered by the zero-crossing detection circuit.
  • the control of the duration of non-conduction (and thereby conduction) is very easily achievable.
  • the detection circuit comprises two symmetrical detection channels receiving respectively the negative half-waves and the positive half-waves of the voltage across the terminals of the receiver assembly and respectively delivering on two distinct outputs first and second distinct signals in response to the passages at zero of the positive and negative alternations of the current and the voltage in the load.
  • the control pulse generator receives said first and second zero-crossing detection signals and delivers in response first and second pulses of the same adjustable duration.
  • the device represented in FIG. 1 comprises two terminals MT1 and MT3 for connection to an AC supply sector, two terminals MT2 and MT2 'for connection to a discharge lamp 22 provided with a ballast 24 and a switch TRC that one will suppose to be thereafter, a triac.
  • This switch is provided with a control electrode G and it is inserted between the terminals MT1 and MT2.
  • the device also includes a circuit 10 for controlling the conduction state of the switch, this circuit delivering a voltage pulse applied to the electrode G.
  • the control circuit further comprises a single monostable circuit M having an adjustable duration 6 defined by an adjustable resistor of which a fixed part R14 is disposed in the member 10 and an adjustable part is included in an adjustment circuit 40 whose structure will be described in conjunction with FIG. 2.
  • the monostable circuit M has two complementary inputs E and E 'connected respectively to the outputs K and K' of the channels 16 + and 16- and two outputs L and L 'delivering two complementary rectangular pulses of duration 0.
  • connection line 19 connects, by a resistor R23, the output O to the control electrode G of the switch TRC.
  • a circuit R24-C8 is inserted between the terminal MT2 and the line Ref and a resistor R25 between MT3 and the diodes d1 and d2 ..
  • the detection channels 16- and 16 + for zero crossing of the load voltage each comprise: a first transistor Q1, Q4 having a base connected to MT2 by a resistor Ro, a collector connected to line P1 for the first channel and to line N1 for the second, by a resistor R1, R4, an emitter connected to the line Ref; a second transistor Q2, Q5 having a base connected to the collector of the first transistor, an emitter connected to the line Ref and a collector connected to the line P1 for the first channel and to the line N1 for the second, by a resistor R2, R5 ; a third transistor Q3, Q6 having a base connected to the collector of the second transistor by a resistor R3, R6, an emitter connected to line P1 for the first channel and to line N1 for the second and a collector connected to line N2 for the first channel and to line P1 for the second by a resistor R7, R9, the emitter-collector circuit of this third transistor being thus inserted between the positive line
  • circuits 18 and 18 ′ for forming the control pulse each comprise: a first transistor Q7, Q9 having a base connected to one of the outputs L, L ′ of the monostable M by a resistor R15 , R19, an emitter connected to the Ref line, a collector connected by a resistor R17, R21 to the base of the second transistor and a second transistor Q8, Q10 having a base connected to the emitter by a resistor R18, R22, an emitter connected to line Po for the first circuit and to line No for the second and a collector connected to common output 0.
  • the resistor defining the duration of the pulses delivered by the monostable M can be adjusted by adjusting the value of a variable resistor provided in the circuit 40 in series between the resistor R14 and the line P1.
  • This variable resistor can consist of a single adjustable resistor or a series of resistors that can be selectively put into service.
  • variable resistance is adjusted manually or automatically.
  • FIG. 2 shows in more detail an automatic variable resistance adjustment circuit for adjusting the duration of the pulses delivered by the monostable M and, consequently, the duration of closure of the triac TRC.
  • This circuit comprises an assembly 40 comprising resistors having at their terminals a transistor and a circuit 30 for controlling the opening or closing of each transistor.
  • a resistance-transistor group includes, for example, resistors R30, R31 and R32 and a transistor Q11, the emitter of which is connected to a connection line 41 connected to the positive line P1 of the circuit 10 in FIG. 1.
  • the control of the base of this transistor is effected by the input terminal X1 on which is applied an appropriate voltage delivered by the circuit 30 to make the transistor Q11 on or off.
  • the assembly 40 therefore comprises a plurality of inputs X1, X2 ... Xn controlled by the circuit 30.
  • the insertion of a resistor, for example R11, in series with R14 between the line P1 and the monostable M, is controlled by applying to the input X1 a signal capable of making the transistor Q11 conducting, signal generated by the circuit 30.
  • the latter is constituted as well known by those skilled in the art, of a clock connected to electronic circuits in particular counting circuits capable of generating signals to be applied to the inputs X1, X2, ... at the desired times.
  • CMOS technology components scales, doors etc ...) can be used.
  • connection P2 is connected, through a diode d7, to point 12 disposed between diodes d1 and d3 of circuit 10 or to point 12 '; the connection N2 is connected through a diode d8 at point 14 disposed between diodes d2 and d4 of the same circuit or at point 14 '.
  • a capacitor C9 connects the connections P2 and N2.
  • two control inputs CL1 and CL2 are provided for the external control of circuit 30.
  • control circuit the invention is illustrated by the diagrams in FIG. 3, which in fact relate to the single control circuit 10, the circuits 30 and 40 for adjusting the resistance presenting no difficulty of understanding.
  • Line (a) of this figure shows the alternating voltage sampled in MT3 and line (b) the voltage sampled in MT2, that is to say the voltage charged at the terminals of the lamp (these voltages are taken relative to the phase present in MT1 considered as reference). It will be observed, as indicated above, that the two illustrated voltages do not cancel each other out at the same time.
  • the control circuit refers to the instants of cancellation of the voltage in MT2 and not of that of the sector as in the prior art.
  • Lines (c) and (d) illustrate the variations in the collector voltages of transistors Q2 and Q3 belonging to circuit 16- and give the states of these transistors.
  • Line (e) shows the positive pulse generated in K 'by the differentiating circuit C3-R8, the diode d5 blocking the negative pulse.
  • the transistor Q3 connects the line P1 to the line N1, the pulse in question is of amplitude P1-N1. It is the front edge of this impulse that triggers the monostable.
  • the three lines (c), (d) and (e) illustrate the operation of the circuit in detecting the zero crossing of the negative half-wave of the voltage taken from MT2.
  • lines (f) and (g) illustrate the variations in the collector voltages of transistors Q5 and Q6 belonging to circuit 16 + and give the states of these transistors.
  • Line (h) shows the negative pulse generated in K by the derivative circuit C4-R10, the diode d6 blocking the positive pulse. Again, as the transistor Q6 connects the line N1 to the line P1, the amplitude of this negative pulse is equal to P1-N1, as for the previous circuit.
  • the three lines (f), (g) and (h) illustrate the operation of the circuit in detecting the zero crossing of the positive alternation of the load voltage taken from MT2.
  • Lines (i) and (j) illustrate the complementary pulses of duration 0, delivered by the monostable on its two outputs L and L '.
  • Lines (k) and (I) show the state of the transistors Q8 and Q10, the hatched areas corresponding to periods during which these transistors are in the non-conducting state and constitute a high impedance between the lines Po, No and the exit O.
  • Lines (m) and (n) show the voltages to which lines Po and No are borne, voltages in the form of positive alternations for the first and negative for the second.
  • the last line (o) represents the voltage appearing on the output O and which is finally applied to the control electrode G of the triac.
  • This voltage is formed by positive and negative arches corresponding to the voltages of the lines Po and No notched with slots of width 0 corresponding to the intervals where the transistors Q8 and Q10 are not conductive. Such a voltage is therefore very likely to prohibit the conduction of the triac for the entire duration 6, as indicated above, the conduction being obtained outside these periods.
  • This triac control can be obtained in any of the four quadrants.
  • the variant described relates to a circuit which comprises two complete dual processing channels (channels 16- and 16 + and circuits 18 and 18 ') but it would not go beyond the scope of the invention by using only one channel of processing (for example channel 16- and circuit 18 ', or channel 16 + and circuit 18) to take into account only the alternations of a certain sign or else of the voltage under load, or else of the control voltage developed after one of the two outputs of the monostable.

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  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un dispositif d'alimentation d'une charge électrique, notamment d'une lampe à décharge.The present invention relates to a device for supplying an electric charge, in particular a discharge lamp.

Un domaine non limitatif d'application de l'invention est celui de la commande de lampes à décharge d'une installation d'éclairage public extérieur.A non-limiting field of application of the invention is that of the control of discharge lamps of an outdoor public lighting installation.

On sait que l'alimentation d'une lampe à décharge pose plusieurs problèmes, qui tiennent d'une part à la nature de l'impédance que représente une telle charge et, d'autre part, aux conditions d'utilisation de cette charge.It is known that the supply of a discharge lamp poses several problems, which arise on the one hand from the nature of the impedance represented by such a charge and, on the other hand, from the conditions of use of this charge.

En ce qui concerne le premier point, on rappelle qu'une lampe à décharge présente une caractéristique courant-tension qui croît d'abord avec le courant, passe par un maximum puis décroît dans la zone de fonctionnement habituel où l'impédance est alors négative, ce qui impose l'utilisation d'un ballast. Dans ces conditions, il est clair que les circuits d'alimentation pour charges purement résistives ne peuvent convenir et que l'on doit concevoir un circuit spécifique qui soit adapté à ce comportement particulier.With regard to the first point, it is recalled that a discharge lamp has a current-voltage characteristic which increases first with current, passes through a maximum then decreases in the usual operating zone where the impedance is then negative , which requires the use of a ballast. Under these conditions, it is clear that the supply circuits for purely resistive loads cannot be suitable and that a specific circuit must be designed which is adapted to this particular behavior.

En ce qui concerne le second, les conditions usuelles d'utilisation des lampes à décharge rendent nécessaire l'emploi de moyens permettant le réglage de l'intensité lumineuse émise, notamment dans le souci de réaliser une économie d'énergie.As regards the second, the usual conditions of use of discharge lamps make it necessary to use means allowing the adjustment of the emitted light intensity, in particular in order to achieve energy savings.

Dans ce double but, des circuits d'alimentation de lampes à décharge ont été mis au point, qui comprennent un interrupteur électronique du genre thyristor ou triac (c'est-à-dire constitué par un circuit à semi-conducteur de type triode fonctionnant en alternatif). Un tel dispositif est muni d'une électrode de commande sur laquelle est appliquée une impulsion de tension de durée réglable provoquant la conduction de l'interrupteur et par là même l'allumage de la lampe. En général, et afin de réduire les parasites électriques provoqués par la commutation du triac, celle-ci, intervient lorsque la tension du secteur passe par zéro.For this dual purpose, circuits for supplying discharge lamps have been developed, which include an electronic switch of the thyristor or triac type (that is to say constituted by a triode type semiconductor circuit operating alternative). Such a device is provided with a control electrode to which is applied a voltage pulse of adjustable duration causing the conduction of the switch and thereby the lighting of the lamp. In general, and in order to reduce the electrical noise caused by the switching of the triac, it occurs when the mains voltage goes through zero.

A propos de ce genre de circuits de commande, on pourra se reporter, par exempte :

  • - à l'article de P. R. SAMUELS intitulé « Semi- conductor ballast circuits for discharge lamps publié dans la revue « Lighting Research and Technology », volume 7, n° 2, 1975, pages 133-141 ;
  • - ou encore aux notices commerciales de constructeurs de circuits interrupteurs électroniques de ce genre (Zero-Voltage-Switches) et par exemple au catalogue de R.C.A. intitulé « Solid State - Linear Integrated Circuits SSD 240A, 1978, pages 127 à 131 et 503 à 517 ;
  • - et enfin à la note d'application de la Société « TAG Semiconductors LTD, A Raytheon Company», 102E/11.78 intitulé « Zero Voltage Switching and Power Control ».
About this kind of control circuits, we can refer, for example:
  • - to the article by PR SAMUELS entitled “Semiconductor ballast circuits for discharge lamps published in the journal“ Lighting Research and Technology ”, volume 7, n ° 2, 1975, pages 133-141;
  • - or to the commercial notices of manufacturers of electronic switch circuits of this kind (Zero-Voltage-Switches) and for example to the RCA catalog entitled “Solid State - Linear Integrated Circuits SSD 240A, 1978, pages 127 to 131 and 503 to 517 ;
  • - and finally to the application note from the Company "TAG Semiconductors LTD, A Raytheon Company", 102E / 11.78 entitled "Ze ro Voltage Switching and Power Control".

Tous les circuits de l'art antérieur présentent un certain nombre d'inconvénients. Tout d'abord, la commutation de l'interrupteur s'effectue lorsque la tension du secteur d'alimentation passe par zéro. Or, il existe un déphasage non nul entre cet instant et celui où la tension aux bornes de la charge s'annule, du fait de l'impédance particulière présentée par une lampe à décharge. De plus, ce déphasage peut changer d'une lampe à l'autre, ou avec une même lampe au cours de sa durée de vie. Cet état de fait est préjudiciable au bon fonctionnement de l'installation puisque le circuit d'alimentation n'est pas nécessairement adapté à la charge qu'il commande.All the circuits of the prior art have a certain number of drawbacks. First of all, the switching of the switch takes place when the voltage of the supply sector goes through zero. However, there is a non-zero phase shift between this instant and that when the voltage across the terminals of the charge vanishes, due to the particular impedance presented by a discharge lamp. In addition, this phase shift can change from one lamp to another, or with the same lamp during its lifetime. This state of affairs is detrimental to the proper functioning of the installation since the supply circuit is not necessarily adapted to the load that it controls.

Ensuite, la commutation est obtenue par le biais d'une impulsion qui provoque la conduction de l'interrupteur ce qui conduit à une incertitude sur l'instant de déclenchement.Then, the switching is obtained by means of a pulse which causes the conduction of the switch which leads to an uncertainty on the triggering instant.

La présente invention a pour but de fournir un dispositif d'alimentation permettant d'éviter ces inconvénients, c'est-à-dire permettant d'effectuer une commande précise en s'affranchissant des problèmes posés par le déphasage entre les instants de passage à zéro de la tension de secteur d'alimentation et de la tension aux bornes de la charge.The object of the present invention is to provide a supply device making it possible to avoid these drawbacks, that is to say making it possible to carry out a precise control by overcoming the problems posed by the phase shift between the instants of transition to zero of the supply mains voltage and of the voltage across the load.

Ce but est atteint au moyen d'un dispositif comportant :

  • - un interrupteur statique du type thyristor ou triac muni d'une électrode de commande et branché entre une borne de connexion à un secteur d'alimentation à tension alternative et une borne de connexion d'un circuit de charge comprenant la lampe à décharge à commander,
  • - un circuit de commande délivrant des impulsions de commande appliquées à l'électrode de commande pour commander l'état de l'interrupteur statique, dispositif dans lequel, conformément à l'invention, le circuit de commande comporte un circuit de détection du passage à zéro de la tension aux bornes du circuit de charge, un générateur relié au circuit de détection pour fournir des impulsions de commande de durée réglable auxdits passages à zéro détectés et un circuit recevant les impulsions de commandé et relié à l'électrode de commande pour abaisser la tension appliquée sur cette électrode à une valeur insuffisante pour autoriser la conduction de l'interrupteur statique depuis le moment de l'inversion de la tension aux bornes de cet interrupteur jusqu'à la fin de chaque impulsion de commande, de sorte que l'interrupteur statique est maintenu à l'état non- conducteur pendant la durée des impulsions de commande.
This object is achieved by means of a device comprising:
  • a static switch of the thyristor or triac type provided with a control electrode and connected between a connection terminal to an AC supply sector and a connection terminal of a charging circuit comprising the discharge lamp to be controlled ,
  • a control circuit delivering control pulses applied to the control electrode to control the state of the static switch, device in which, in accordance with the invention, the control circuit comprises a circuit for detecting the passage to zero of the voltage across the load circuit, a generator connected to the detection circuit to supply control pulses of adjustable duration to said detected zero crossings and a circuit receiving the control pulses and connected to the control electrode to lower the voltage applied to this electrode at a value insufficient to authorize the conduction of the static switch from the moment of the inversion of the voltage across the terminals of this switch until the end of each control pulse, so that the static switch is maintained in the non-conductive state for the duration of the control pulses.

Ainsi, la commutation de la charge est réalisée au moment où la tension aux bornes de celle-ci passe par zéro. On évite ainsi les parasites électriques au moment de la commutation.Thus, the switching of the load is carried out when the voltage across the terminals of the load goes through zero. This avoids electrical noise at the time of switching.

. En outre, à l'inverse de l'art antérieur, l'impulsion de commande appliquée sur l'interrupteur est une impulsion qui interdit la conduction et non pas qui entraîne celle-ci. En conséquence, en cas d'anomalie du dispositif d'alimentation, la commande d'interdiction n'est généralement pas appliquée et l'alimentation de la charge n'est pas interrompue. Ceci apporte un avantage appréciable du point de vue de la sécurité lorsque la charge est par exemple une lampe à décharge d'une installation d'éclairage.. In addition, unlike the prior art, the control pulse applied to the switch is a pulse which prohibits conduction and not which drives it. Consequently, in the event of an anomaly in the supply device, the prohibition command is generally not applied and the supply of the load is not interrupted. This brings an appreciable advantage from the point of view of safety when the load is for example a discharge lamp of a lighting installation.

Selon une particularité du dispositif conforme à l'invention, le générateur d'impulsions de commande comprend un circuit monostable qui fournit des impulsions de durée réglable et qui est déclenché par des signaux délivrés par le circuit de détection de passage à zéro. La commande de la durée de non-conduction (et par là même de conduction) est très facilement réalisable..According to a feature of the device according to the invention, the control pulse generator comprises a monostable circuit which supplies pulses of adjustable duration and which is triggered by signals delivered by the zero-crossing detection circuit. The control of the duration of non-conduction (and thereby conduction) is very easily achievable.

Avantageusement, le circuit de détection comporte deux voies de détection symétriques recevant respectivement les alternances négatives et les alternances positives de la tension aux bornes de l'ensemble récepteur et délivrant respectivement sur deux sorties distinctes des premiers et des seconds signaux distincts en réponse aux passages à zéro des alternances positives et des alternances négatives du courant et de la tension dans la charge. Dans ce cas, de préférence, le générateur d'impulsions de commande reçoit lesdits premiers et seconds signaux de détection de passage à zéro et délivre en réponse des premières et secondes impulsions de même durée réglable.Advantageously, the detection circuit comprises two symmetrical detection channels receiving respectively the negative half-waves and the positive half-waves of the voltage across the terminals of the receiver assembly and respectively delivering on two distinct outputs first and second distinct signals in response to the passages at zero of the positive and negative alternations of the current and the voltage in the load. In this case, preferably, the control pulse generator receives said first and second zero-crossing detection signals and delivers in response first and second pulses of the same adjustable duration.

Par l'utilisation d'un seul moyen de réglage de la durée de non-conduction pour les deux voies de traitement des alternances positives et négatives, on évite l'inégalité des durées de conduction pour ces deux alternances. Lorsque la charge est une lampe à décharge, on évite ainsi le phénomène de papillotement de la lampe.By using a single means of adjusting the duration of non-conduction for the two channels of treatment of positive and negative alternations, the inequality of the conduction durations for these two alternations is avoided. When the charge is a discharge lamp, the phenomenon of flickering of the lamp is thus avoided.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront mieux après la description qui suit, d'exemples de réalisation donnés à titre explicatif et nullement limitatif. Cette description se réfère à des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un schéma d'un dispositif d'alimentation selon l'invention, pour commander le fonctionnement d'une lampe à décharge ;
  • la figure 2 est un schéma d'un circuit de réglage de l'excitation par action sur la valeur d'une résistance ;
  • la figure 3 est un chronogramme illustrant l'allure de tensions apparaissant en différents points du circuit de la figure 1..
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better after the following description, of exemplary embodiments given by way of explanation and in no way limitative. This description refers to attached drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a supply device according to the invention, for controlling the operation of a discharge lamp;
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of a circuit for adjusting the excitation by action on the value of a resistance;
  • FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating the shape of the voltages appearing at different points of the circuit of FIG. 1.

Le dispositif représenté sur la figure 1 comprend deux bornes MT1 et MT3 de connexion à un secteur d'alimentation à tension alternative, deux bornes MT2 et MT2' de connexion à une lampe à décharge 22 munie d'un ballast 24 et un interrupteur TRC que l'on supposera être par la suite, un triac. Cet interrupteur est muni d'une électrode de commande G et il est inséré entre les bornes MT1 et MT2. Le dispositif comprend encore un circuit 10 de commande de l'état de conduction de l'interrupteur, ce circuit délivrant une impulsion de tension appliquée sur l'électrode G.The device represented in FIG. 1 comprises two terminals MT1 and MT3 for connection to an AC supply sector, two terminals MT2 and MT2 'for connection to a discharge lamp 22 provided with a ballast 24 and a switch TRC that one will suppose to be thereafter, a triac. This switch is provided with a control electrode G and it is inserted between the terminals MT1 and MT2. The device also includes a circuit 10 for controlling the conduction state of the switch, this circuit delivering a voltage pulse applied to the electrode G.

Le circuit 10 comprend tout d'abord cinq lignes conductrices d'alimentation qui sont respectivement :

  • a) une ligne conductrice Po reliée à la borne MT3 par une première diode d1 montée en direct pour les alternances positives de la phase du secteur présente en MT3. Cette ligne Po est ainsi portée à une tension qui suit les alternances positives de cette phase ;
  • b) une ligne conductrice No reliée à la borne MT3 par une seconde diode d2 montée en direct pour les alternances négatives de la phase du secteur présente en MT3. Cette ligne No est ainsi portée à une tension qui suit les alternances négatives de cette phase ;
  • c) une ligne conductrice de référence Ref reliée à la borne d'entrée MT1. Cette ligne est ainsi portée à une tension qui suit la phase du secteur en MT1, phase qui constitue une tension de référence pour l'organe de commande,
  • d) une ligne conductrice P1 reliée à la borne MT3, éventuellement à travers la première diode d1 (comme illustré) par une troisième diode d3 montée comme d1 et reliée à la ligne Ref par un circuit constitué d'une diode Zener Z1 et d'un condensateur en parallèle C1 ; cette ligne est ainsi portée à une tension positive ;
  • e) une ligne conductrice N1 reliée à la borne MT3, éventuellement à travers la seconde diode d2 (comme illustré) par une quatrième diode d4 montée comme d2 et reliée à la ligne Ref par un circuit constitué d'une diode Zener Z2 et d'un condensateur en parallèle C2 ; cette ligne est ainsi portée à une tension négative.
The circuit 10 firstly comprises five conductive supply lines which are respectively:
  • a) a conductive line Po connected to the terminal MT3 by a first diode d1 mounted directly for the positive half-waves of the phase of the sector present in MT3. This line Po is thus brought to a voltage which follows the positive half-waves of this phase;
  • b) a conductive line No connected to the terminal MT3 by a second diode d2 mounted directly for the negative half-waves of the phase of the sector present in MT3. This line No is thus brought to a voltage which follows the negative half-waves of this phase;
  • c) a conductive reference line Ref connected to the input terminal MT1. This line is thus brought to a voltage which follows the phase of the sector in MT1, phase which constitutes a reference voltage for the control member,
  • d) a conductive line P1 connected to the terminal MT3, possibly through the first diode d1 (as illustrated) by a third diode d3 mounted as d1 and connected to the line Ref by a circuit consisting of a Zener diode Z1 and d ' a parallel capacitor C1; this line is thus brought to a positive tension;
  • e) a conductive line N1 connected to the terminal MT3, possibly through the second diode d2 (as illustrated) by a fourth diode d4 mounted as d2 and connected to the line Ref by a circuit consisting of a Zener diode Z2 and d ' a parallel capacitor C2; this line is thus brought to a negative voltage.

Le circuit de commande comprend ensuite un circuit de détection de passage par zéro de la tension en charge, comprenant au moins l'une des deux voies suivantes :

  • i) une première voie 16+ de détection du passage par zéro de la partie positive de ladite tension en charge, cette voie comportant une entrée de signal e+ reliée à la borne MT2 par une résistance Ro et des moyens pour délivrer, sur une sortie K, une impulsion lors dudit passage par zéro ; l'alimentation de cette voie est assurée par la ligne Nl ; ,
  • ii) une seconde voie 16- de détection de passage par zéro de la partie négative de ladite tension en charge, cette seconde voie étant symétrique de la première et comportant une entrée de signal e- reliée à la borne MT2 et des moyens pour délivrer sur une sortie K' une impulsion de polarité inverse de la première lors dudit passage par zéro, l'alimentation de cette seconde voie est assurée par la ligne P1.
The control circuit then comprises a circuit for detecting the passage of the load voltage through zero, comprising at least one of the following two paths:
  • i) a first channel 16 + for detecting the zero crossing of the positive part of said loaded voltage, this channel comprising a signal input e + connected to the terminal MT2 by a resistor Ro and means for delivering, to an output K, a pulse during said zero crossing; the supply of this channel is provided by the line Nl; ,
  • ii) a second channel 16- for detection of zero crossing of the negative part of said loaded voltage, this second channel being symmetrical with the first and comprising a signal input connected to terminal MT2 and means for delivering to an output K 'a pulse of reverse polarity of the first during said zero crossing, the supply of this second channel is provided by the line P1.

Le circuit de commande comprend en outre un circuit monostable M unique ayant une durée 6 réglable définie par une résistance réglable dont une partie R14 fixe est disposée dans l'organe 10 et une partie réglable est comprise dans un circuit de réglage 40 dont la structure sera décrite en liaison avec la figure 2. Le circuit monostable M possède deux entrées complémentaires E et E' reliées respectivement aux sorties K et K' des voies 16+ et 16- et deux sorties L et L' délivrant deux impulsions rectangulaires complémentaires de durée 0.The control circuit further comprises a single monostable circuit M having an adjustable duration 6 defined by an adjustable resistor of which a fixed part R14 is disposed in the member 10 and an adjustable part is included in an adjustment circuit 40 whose structure will be described in conjunction with FIG. 2. The monostable circuit M has two complementary inputs E and E 'connected respectively to the outputs K and K' of the channels 16 + and 16- and two outputs L and L 'delivering two complementary rectangular pulses of duration 0.

Le circuit de commande est complété par un circuit de formation d'une tension de commande de l'interrupteur TRC comprenant au moins l'un des deux circuits suivants :

  • i) un premier circuit 18 alimenté par les lignes Po et Ref et possédant une entrée reliée à la sortie L du monostable M par une résistance R15 à la sortie L du monostable M par une résistance R15 et une sortie O ; ce circuit comprend des moyens aptes à délivrer sur la sortie O une impulsion de tension qui est nulle pendant la durée 0 de l'impulsion apparaissant à la sortie L du monostable et qui suit la tension positive de la ligne Po en dehors de cette durée,
  • ii) un second circuit 18', symétrique du premier, alimenté par les lignes No et Ref ; ce circuit possède une entrée de commande reliée à la sortie L' du monostable M par une résistance 19 et la même sortie O que le premier circuit ; ce circuit 18- comprend des moyens aptes à délivrer sur cette sortie une impulsion de tension qui est nulle pendant la durée 0 de l'impulsion apparaissant à la sortie L' du monostable et qui suit la tension négative de la ligne No en dehors de cette durée.
The control circuit is completed by a circuit for forming a control voltage of the switch TRC comprising at least one of the following two circuits:
  • i) a first circuit 18 supplied by the lines Po and Ref and having an input connected to the output L of the monostable M by a resistor R15 to the output L of the monostable M by a resistor R15 and an output O; this circuit comprises means capable of delivering on the output O a voltage pulse which is zero during the duration 0 of the pulse appearing at the output L of the monostable and which follows the positive voltage of the line Po outside this duration,
  • ii) a second circuit 18 ', symmetrical to the first, supplied by the lines No and Ref; this circuit has a control input connected to the output L 'of the monostable M by a resistor 19 and the same output O as the first circuit; this circuit 18- comprises means capable of delivering on this output a voltage pulse which is zero for the duration 0 of the pulse appearing at the output L 'of the monostable and which follows the negative voltage of the line No outside of this duration.

Enfin, une ligne de connexion 19 relie, par une résistance R23, la sortie O à l'électrode de commande G de l'interrupteur TRC.Finally, a connection line 19 connects, by a resistor R23, the output O to the control electrode G of the switch TRC.

Par ailleurs, un circuit R24-C8 est inséré entre la borne MT2 et la ligne Ref et une résistance R25 entre MT3 et les diodes d1 et d2..In addition, a circuit R24-C8 is inserted between the terminal MT2 and the line Ref and a resistor R25 between MT3 and the diodes d1 and d2 ..

Dans la variante illustrée sur la figure 1, les voies de détection 16- et 16+ de passage par zéro de la tension en charge comprennent chacune : un premier transistor Q1, Q4 ayant une base reliée à MT2 par une résistance Ro, un collecteur relié à la ligne P1 pour la première voie et à la ligne N1 pour la seconde, par une résistance R1, R4, un émetteur relié à la ligne Ref ; un second transistor Q2, Q5 ayant une base reliée au collecteur du premier transistor, un émetteur relié à la ligne Ref et un collecteur relié à la ligne P1 pour la première voie et à la ligne N1 pour la seconde, par une résistance R2, R5 ; un troisième transistor Q3, Q6 ayant une base reliée au collecteur du second transistor par une résistance R3, R6, un émetteur relié à la ligne P1 pour la première voie et à la ligne N1 pour la seconde et un collecteur relié à la ligne N2 pour la première voie et à la ligne P1 pour la seconde par une résistance R7, R9, le circuit émetteur-collecteur de ce troisième transistor étant ainsi inséré entre la ligne positive P1 et la ligne négative N1 ; et un circuit dérivateur constitué par un condensateur C3, C4, une résistance R8, R10, et une diode d5, d6, ce circuit étant relié au collecteur du troisième transistor. Ces voies 16-, 16+ délivrent sur leur borne de sortie K, K' une impulsion marquant le passage par zéro de la tension en charge, impulsion négative pour l'alternance positive et impulsion positive pour l'alternance négative.In the variant illustrated in FIG. 1, the detection channels 16- and 16 + for zero crossing of the load voltage each comprise: a first transistor Q1, Q4 having a base connected to MT2 by a resistor Ro, a collector connected to line P1 for the first channel and to line N1 for the second, by a resistor R1, R4, an emitter connected to the line Ref; a second transistor Q2, Q5 having a base connected to the collector of the first transistor, an emitter connected to the line Ref and a collector connected to the line P1 for the first channel and to the line N1 for the second, by a resistor R2, R5 ; a third transistor Q3, Q6 having a base connected to the collector of the second transistor by a resistor R3, R6, an emitter connected to line P1 for the first channel and to line N1 for the second and a collector connected to line N2 for the first channel and to line P1 for the second by a resistor R7, R9, the emitter-collector circuit of this third transistor being thus inserted between the positive line P1 and the negative line N1; and a branch circuit consisting of a capacitor C3, C4, a resistor R8, R10, and a diode d5, d6, this circuit being connected to the collector of the third transistor. These channels 16-, 16 + deliver on their output terminal K, K 'a pulse marking the zero crossing of the loaded voltage, negative pulse for the positive alternation and positive pulse for the negative alternation.

En ce qui concerne les circuits 18 et 18' de formation de l'impulsion de commande, ils comprennent chacun : un premier transistor Q7, Q9 ayant une base reliée à l'une des sorties L, L' du monostable M par une résistance R15, R19, un émetteur relié à la ligne Ref, un collecteur relié par une résistance R17, R21 à la base du second transistor et un second transistor Q8, Q10 ayant une base reliée à l'émetteur par une résistance R18, R22, un émetteur relié à la ligne Po pour le premier circuit et à la ligne No pour le second et un collecteur relié à la sortie commune 0.As regards the circuits 18 and 18 ′ for forming the control pulse, they each comprise: a first transistor Q7, Q9 having a base connected to one of the outputs L, L ′ of the monostable M by a resistor R15 , R19, an emitter connected to the Ref line, a collector connected by a resistor R17, R21 to the base of the second transistor and a second transistor Q8, Q10 having a base connected to the emitter by a resistor R18, R22, an emitter connected to line Po for the first circuit and to line No for the second and a collector connected to common output 0.

Le réglage de la résistance définissant la durée des impulsions délivrées par le monostable M peut être effectué en réglant la valeur d'une résistance variable prévue dans le circuit 40 en série entre la résistance R14 et la ligne P1. Cette résistance variable peut consister en une résistance ajustable unique ou en une série de résistances pouvant être sélectivement mises en service.The resistor defining the duration of the pulses delivered by the monostable M can be adjusted by adjusting the value of a variable resistor provided in the circuit 40 in series between the resistor R14 and the line P1. This variable resistor can consist of a single adjustable resistor or a series of resistors that can be selectively put into service.

Le réglage de la résistance variable est effectué manuellement ou automatiquement.The variable resistance is adjusted manually or automatically.

La figure 2 représente plus en détail un circuit de réglage automatique de la résistance variable pour ajuster la durée des impulsions délivrées par le monostable M et, par conséquent, la durée de fermeture du triac TRC. Ce circuit comprend un ensemble 40 comprenant des résistances ayant à leurs bornes un transistor et un circuit 30 pour commander l'ouverture ou la fermeture de chaque transistor. Un groupe résistance-transistor comprend par exemple des résistances R30, R31 et R32 et un transistor Q11 dont l'émetteur est relié à une ligne de connexion 41 réunie à la ligne positive P1 du circuit 10 de la figure 1. La commande de la base de ce transistor s'effectue par la borne d'entrée X1 sur laquelle est appliquée une tension appropriée délivrée par le circuit 30 pour rendre le transistor Q11 passant ou non. L'ensemble 40 comprend donc une pluralité d'entrées X1, X2 ... Xn commandées par le circuit 30. L'insertion d'une résistance, par exemple R11, en série avec R14 entre la ligne P1 et le monostable M, est commandée en appliquant sur l'entrée X1 un signal apte à rendre le transistor Q11 passant, signal engendré par le circuit 30. Ce dernier est constitué comme bien connu par l'homme de l'art, d'une horloge connectée à des circuits électroniques notamment des circuits de comptage aptes à engendrer des signaux à appliquer aux entrées X1, X2, ... aux instants voulus. Des composants en technologie CMOS (bascules, portes etc...) peuvent être utilisés.FIG. 2 shows in more detail an automatic variable resistance adjustment circuit for adjusting the duration of the pulses delivered by the monostable M and, consequently, the duration of closure of the triac TRC. This circuit comprises an assembly 40 comprising resistors having at their terminals a transistor and a circuit 30 for controlling the opening or closing of each transistor. A resistance-transistor group includes, for example, resistors R30, R31 and R32 and a transistor Q11, the emitter of which is connected to a connection line 41 connected to the positive line P1 of the circuit 10 in FIG. 1. The control of the base of this transistor is effected by the input terminal X1 on which is applied an appropriate voltage delivered by the circuit 30 to make the transistor Q11 on or off. The assembly 40 therefore comprises a plurality of inputs X1, X2 ... Xn controlled by the circuit 30. The insertion of a resistor, for example R11, in series with R14 between the line P1 and the monostable M, is controlled by applying to the input X1 a signal capable of making the transistor Q11 conducting, signal generated by the circuit 30. The latter is constituted as well known by those skilled in the art, of a clock connected to electronic circuits in particular counting circuits capable of generating signals to be applied to the inputs X1, X2, ... at the desired times. CMOS technology components (scales, doors etc ...) can be used.

En ce qui concerne l'alimentation du circuit 30 elle est obtenue par deux connexions P2 et N2 délivrant des tensions respectivement positive et négative. La connexion P2 est reliée, à travers une diode d7, au point 12 disposé entre les diodes d1 et d3 du circuit 10 ou au point 12' ; la connexion N2 est reliée à travers une diode d8 au point 14 disposé entre les diodes d2 et d4 du même circuit ou au point 14'. Un condensateur C9 relie les connexions P2 et N2. Enfin, deux entrées de commande CL1 et CL2 sont prévues pour la commande extérieure du circuit 30.As regards the power supply to circuit 30, it is obtained by two connections P2 and N2 delivering respectively positive and negative voltages. Connection P2 is connected, through a diode d7, to point 12 disposed between diodes d1 and d3 of circuit 10 or to point 12 '; the connection N2 is connected through a diode d8 at point 14 disposed between diodes d2 and d4 of the same circuit or at point 14 '. A capacitor C9 connects the connections P2 and N2. Finally, two control inputs CL1 and CL2 are provided for the external control of circuit 30.

Le fonctionnement du circuit de commande de l'invention est illustré par les diagrammmes de la figure 3, qui se rapportent en fait au seul circuit de commande 10, les circuits 30 et 40 de réglage de la résistance ne présentant aucune difficulté de compréhension.The operation of the control circuit the invention is illustrated by the diagrams in FIG. 3, which in fact relate to the single control circuit 10, the circuits 30 and 40 for adjusting the resistance presenting no difficulty of understanding.

La ligne (a) de cette figure montre la tension alternative prélevée en MT3 et la ligne (b) la tension prélevée en MT2, c'est-à-dire la tension en charge aux bornes de la lampe (ces tensions sont prises par rapport à la phase présente en MT1 considérée comme référence). On observera, comme indiqué plus haut, que les deux tensions illustrées ne s'annulent pas au même instant. Selon l'invention, le circuit de commande se réfère aux instants d'annulation de la tension en MT2 et non de celle du secteur comme dans l'art antérieur.Line (a) of this figure shows the alternating voltage sampled in MT3 and line (b) the voltage sampled in MT2, that is to say the voltage charged at the terminals of the lamp (these voltages are taken relative to the phase present in MT1 considered as reference). It will be observed, as indicated above, that the two illustrated voltages do not cancel each other out at the same time. According to the invention, the control circuit refers to the instants of cancellation of the voltage in MT2 and not of that of the sector as in the prior art.

Les lignes (c) et (d) illustrent les variations des tensions de collecteur des transistors Q2 et Q3 appartenant au circuit 16- et donnent les états de ces transistors. La ligne (e) montre l'impulsion positive engendrée en K' par le circuit dérivateur C3-R8, la diode d5 bloquant l'impulsion négative. Comme le transistor Q3 relie la ligne P1 à la ligne N1, l'impulsion en question est d'amplitude P1-N1. C'est le front avant de cette impulsion qui déclenche le monostable. Les trois lignes (c), (d) et (e) illustrent le fonctionnement du circuit dans la détection du passage par zéro de l'alternance négative de la tension prélevée en MT2.Lines (c) and (d) illustrate the variations in the collector voltages of transistors Q2 and Q3 belonging to circuit 16- and give the states of these transistors. Line (e) shows the positive pulse generated in K 'by the differentiating circuit C3-R8, the diode d5 blocking the negative pulse. As the transistor Q3 connects the line P1 to the line N1, the pulse in question is of amplitude P1-N1. It is the front edge of this impulse that triggers the monostable. The three lines (c), (d) and (e) illustrate the operation of the circuit in detecting the zero crossing of the negative half-wave of the voltage taken from MT2.

De même, les lignes (f) et (g) illustrent les variations des tensions de collecteur des transistors Q5 et Q6 appartenant au circuit 16+ et donnent les états de ces transistors. La ligne (h) montre l'impulsion négative engendrée en K par le circuit dérivateur C4-R10, la diode d6 bloquant l'impulsion positive. Là encore, comme le transistor Q6 relie la ligne N1 à la ligne P1, l'amplitude de cette impulsion négative est égale à P1-N1, comme pour le circuit précédent.Likewise, lines (f) and (g) illustrate the variations in the collector voltages of transistors Q5 and Q6 belonging to circuit 16 + and give the states of these transistors. Line (h) shows the negative pulse generated in K by the derivative circuit C4-R10, the diode d6 blocking the positive pulse. Again, as the transistor Q6 connects the line N1 to the line P1, the amplitude of this negative pulse is equal to P1-N1, as for the previous circuit.

Les trois lignes (f), (g) et (h) illustrent le fonctionnement du circuit dans la détection du passage par zéro de l'alternance positive de la tension en charge prélevée en MT2.The three lines (f), (g) and (h) illustrate the operation of the circuit in detecting the zero crossing of the positive alternation of the load voltage taken from MT2.

Les lignes (i) et (j) illustrent les impulsions complémentaires de durée 0, délivrées par le monostable sur ses deux sorties L et L'. Les lignes (k) et (I) montrent l'état des transistors Q8 et Q10, les zones hachurées correspondant à des périodes pendant lesquelles ces transistors sont à l'état non conducteur et constituent une forte impédance entre les lignes Po, No et la sortie O.Lines (i) and (j) illustrate the complementary pulses of duration 0, delivered by the monostable on its two outputs L and L '. Lines (k) and (I) show the state of the transistors Q8 and Q10, the hatched areas corresponding to periods during which these transistors are in the non-conducting state and constitute a high impedance between the lines Po, No and the exit O.

Les lignes (m) et (n) montrent les tensions auxquelles sont portées les lignes Po et No, tensions en forme d'alternances positives pour la première et négatives pour la seconde.Lines (m) and (n) show the voltages to which lines Po and No are borne, voltages in the form of positive alternations for the first and negative for the second.

Enfin, la dernière ligne (o) représente la tension apparaissant sur la sortie O et qui est finalement appliquée sur l'électrode de commande G du triac. Cette tension est formée d'arches positives et négatives correspondant aux tensions des lignes Po et No échancrées de créneaux de largeur 0 correspondant aux intervalles où les transistors Q8 et Q10 ne sont pas conducteurs. Une telle tension est donc bien de nature à interdire la conduction du triac pendant toute la durée 6, comme indiqué plus haut, la conduction étant obtenue en dehors de ces périodes. Cette comnande du triac peut s'obtenir dans l'un quelconque des quatre quadrants.Finally, the last line (o) represents the voltage appearing on the output O and which is finally applied to the control electrode G of the triac. This voltage is formed by positive and negative arches corresponding to the voltages of the lines Po and No notched with slots of width 0 corresponding to the intervals where the transistors Q8 and Q10 are not conductive. Such a voltage is therefore very likely to prohibit the conduction of the triac for the entire duration 6, as indicated above, the conduction being obtained outside these periods. This triac control can be obtained in any of the four quadrants.

La variante décrite porte sur un circuit qui comprend deux voies duales complètes de traitement (voies 16- et 16+ et circuits 18 et 18') mais on ne sortirait pas du cadre de l'invention en n'utilisant qu'une seule voie de traitement (par exemple voie 16- et circuit 18', ou voie 16+ et circuit 18) pour ne prendre en compte que les alternances d'un certain signe ou bien de la tension en charge, ou bien de la tension de commande élaborée après l'une des deux sorties du monostable.The variant described relates to a circuit which comprises two complete dual processing channels (channels 16- and 16 + and circuits 18 and 18 ') but it would not go beyond the scope of the invention by using only one channel of processing (for example channel 16- and circuit 18 ', or channel 16 + and circuit 18) to take into account only the alternations of a certain sign or else of the voltage under load, or else of the control voltage developed after one of the two outputs of the monostable.

Il va de soi que ce n'est qu'à titre explicatif que la description qui précède se rapporte à l'alimentation d'une lampe à décharge et que le circuit de l'invention pourrait s'appliquer à l'excitation d'autres lampes, ou d'autres impédances, voire à des charges purement résistives, ou capacitives.It goes without saying that it is only for explanatory purposes that the above description relates to the supply of a discharge lamp and that the circuit of the invention could be applied to the excitation of other lamps, or other impedances, or even purely resistive, or capacitive loads.

Claims (11)

1. A supply device for a discharge lamp (22), comprising : an electronic switch of the thyristor or triac type (TRC) having a control electrode (G) and connected between a terminal (MT1) for connection with an A. C. supply source, and a terminal (MT2) for connection with a loading circuit (22, 24) including the discharge lamp to be controlled, a control circuit (10) delivering control pulses applied to said control electrode for controlling the state of said switch, said device being characterized in that the control circuit comprises a circuit (16+, 16-) for detecting the passage through zero of the voltage at the terminals of said loading circuit (22, 24), generating means (M) connected to said detecting circuit and responsive to said detected passages through zero for providing pulses having an adjustable duration, and a circuit (18, 18') receiving the control pulses and connected to said control electrode (G) to lower the voltage applied to said electrode to a value insufficient to permit conduction of the electronic switch (TRC) from the moment the voltage to the terminals of said switch is reversed until the end of every control pulse, so that the electronic switch (TRC) is kept in the non-conductive state for the duration of the control pulses.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control pulse generating means comprises a monostable circuit (M) which delivers pulses of adjustable duration and which is triggered by signals delivered by said zero-crossing detecting circuit (16+, 16-).
3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the detecting circuit comprises two symmetrical detecting paths (16-, 16+) receiving respectively the negative half-cycles and the positive half-cycles of the voltage at terminals (MT2, MT'2) of the loading circuit (22, 24) and responsive respectively to the passages through zero of positive half-cycles and negative half-cycles of the current through said electric load for delivering first and second separate signals on respective separate outputs (K, K').
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a circuit for adjusting the duration of the control pulses, and in that said adjusting circuit and said control circuit have conductive supply lines connected to the terminals for connection with the A. C. supply source.
5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the control pulse generating means (M) receives said first and second zero-crossing detecting signals and delivers in response first and second pulses of same adjustable duration.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said generating means is a monostable circuit (M) of adjustable duration having two complementary inputs (E, E') respectively connected to the two outputs (K, K') of said zero-crossing detecting paths (16+, 16-), and having two outputs (L, L') delivering two complementary rectangular pulses of identical duration.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an assembly of conductive supply lines connected to the input terminals (MT3, MT1) for connection to the A. C. supply source and comprising : a first positive conductive line (Po) connected to a first input terminal (MT3) via a rectifier circuit for passing the positive half-cycles of the A. C. supply phase present on said first input terminal (MT3), a first negative conductive line (No) connected to the first input terminal (MT3) via a rectifier circuit for passing the negative half-cycles of the A. C. supply phase present on said first input therminal (MT3), a conductive line of reference (Ref) connected to said second input terminal (MT1), a second positive conductive line (P1) connected to the first input terminal (MT3) via a rectifier circuit and to the line of reference (Ref) via a circuit composed of a Zener diode (Z1) and of a shunt capacitor (CI), and a second conductive line (N1) connected to the first input terminal (MT3) via a rectifier circuit and to the line of reference (Ref) via a circuit composed of a Zener diode (Z2) and a shunt capacitor (C2).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first (MT'2) and second (MT2) connection terminals of the receiving assembly are respectively connected to the first input terminal (MT3) and to the electronic switch (TRC), and in that the first path (16+) for detecting the zero crossing of the positive part of the voltage at said second terminal (MT2) is supplied by the second negative line (N1) and comprises a signal input connected to the second terminal (MT2) of the load and means of delivering a pulse on an output (K) during said zero-crossing ; and the second path (16-) for detecting the zero crossing of the negative part of the voltage at said second terminal (MT2) is symmetrical to the first, is supplied by the second positive line (P1) and comprises a signal input connected to the second terminal of the load (MT2), and means of delivering a pulse on an output (K') during said zero-crossing of the negative part, the polarity of said last last named pulse being reverse to that delivered by the first path.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second paths for detecting the zero crossing of the voltage at the second terminal (MT2) each comprises a first transistor (Q1, Q4) having a base connected to the second terminal (MT2), a collector connected to the second positive line (P1) for the first path and to the second negative line (N1) for the second path, and an emitter connected to the line of reference (Ref), a second transistor (Q2, Q5) having a base connected to the collector of the first transistor, an emitter connected to the line of reference (Ref) and a collector connected to the second positive line (P1) for the first path and to the second negative line (N1) for the second, a third transistor (Q3, Q6) having a base connected to the collector of the second transistor, an emitter connected to the second positive line (P1) for the first path and to the second negative line (N1) for the second and a collector connected to the second positive line (P1) for the second path, the emitter-collector circuit of said third transistor being thus inserted between the second positive line (P1) and the second negative line (N1), a differentiator circuit connected to the collector of the third transistor and delivering a pulse on an output terminal (K, K') in response to the passage through zero of the voltage at said second connection terminal (MT2), said pulse being a negative pulse for the positive half-cycle and a positive pulse for the negative half-cycle.
10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the circuit applying control pulses on said control electrode (G) comprises at least one of the two following circuits :
- a first circuit (18) supplied by said first positive line (Po) and by said line of reference (Ref), and comprising a control input connected to the output (L) of monostable (M) and an output (O), said circuit comprising means capable of delivering a voltage pulse on said output (O), which voltage pulse is zero throughout the duration 6 of the pulse appearing at the output (L) of said monostable,
- a second circuit (18'), symmetrical to the first, supplied by the first negative line (No) and by the line of reference (Ref), and having a control input connected to the output (L') of monostable (M), said circuit having the same output (O) than the first circuit and comprising means capable of delivering a voltage pulse on said output, which voltage pulse is zero throughout the duration 0 of the pulse appearing on output (L') of said monostable,
- and further comprising a connection line connecting the output (O) common to both said first and second circuits to the control electrode (G) of the switch (TRC), which switch is thus in the non-conductive state through-out duration 0 of cancellation of the signal present on said output (O) and in the conductive state outside said duration.
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a circuit for adjusting the duration of the control pulses comprising an assembly of resistors having a transistor at their terminals and means of controlling the opening or closure of each transistor.
EP80401830A 1979-12-19 1980-12-19 Circuit for supplying an electrical load, especially for discharge lamp Expired EP0032089B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT80401830T ATE10565T1 (en) 1979-12-19 1980-12-19 POWER CIRCUIT FOR AN ELECTRICAL LOAD, IN PARTICULAR FOR A DISCHARGE LAMP.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7931108 1979-12-19
FR7931108A FR2476410A1 (en) 1979-12-19 1979-12-19 SUPPLY CIRCUIT, IN PARTICULAR OF A DISCHARGE LAMP

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0032089A2 EP0032089A2 (en) 1981-07-15
EP0032089A3 EP0032089A3 (en) 1981-07-22
EP0032089B1 true EP0032089B1 (en) 1984-11-28

Family

ID=9232941

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80401830A Expired EP0032089B1 (en) 1979-12-19 1980-12-19 Circuit for supplying an electrical load, especially for discharge lamp

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4388565A (en)
EP (1) EP0032089B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5693299A (en)
AR (1) AR227902A1 (en)
AT (1) ATE10565T1 (en)
BR (1) BR8008301A (en)
DE (1) DE3069727D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2476410A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4777409A (en) * 1984-03-23 1988-10-11 Tracy Stanley J Fluorescent lamp energizing circuit
NL8402351A (en) * 1984-07-26 1986-02-17 Philips Nv DC AC CONVERTER FOR POWERING A METAL VAPOR DISCHARGE TUBE.
US4904906A (en) * 1986-08-21 1990-02-27 Honeywell Inc. Fluorescent light dimming
US5270620A (en) * 1990-09-04 1993-12-14 General Electric Company High frequency resonant converter for operating metal halide lamps
JPH06503203A (en) * 1991-01-09 1994-04-07 ウエルチ．アリン．インコーポレイテッド low wattage metal halide lamp equipment

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2453253A1 (en) * 1974-10-23 1976-04-29 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Ballast unit for ignition of fluorescent lamps - cathodes heated before ignition while ignition is by circuit interruption

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3793557A (en) * 1972-07-17 1974-02-19 Berkey Colortran Dimmer circuit and gapped core inductor useful therewith
US4096413A (en) * 1976-02-20 1978-06-20 General Electric Company Flicker eliminating intensity controller for discharge lamp dimming circuit
DE2961104D1 (en) * 1978-02-11 1981-12-10 Elstrom Control System Ag Electronic device for controlling the light intensity of a gaseous discharge lamp without a heated cathode

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2453253A1 (en) * 1974-10-23 1976-04-29 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Ballast unit for ignition of fluorescent lamps - cathodes heated before ignition while ignition is by circuit interruption

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR8008301A (en) 1981-07-07
ATE10565T1 (en) 1984-12-15
JPS5693299A (en) 1981-07-28
EP0032089A2 (en) 1981-07-15
EP0032089A3 (en) 1981-07-22
DE3069727D1 (en) 1985-01-10
FR2476410B1 (en) 1983-07-08
US4388565A (en) 1983-06-14
FR2476410A1 (en) 1981-08-21
AR227902A1 (en) 1982-12-30

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