EP0978221A1 - Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent - Google Patents

Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent

Info

Publication number
EP0978221A1
EP0978221A1 EP98924143A EP98924143A EP0978221A1 EP 0978221 A1 EP0978221 A1 EP 0978221A1 EP 98924143 A EP98924143 A EP 98924143A EP 98924143 A EP98924143 A EP 98924143A EP 0978221 A1 EP0978221 A1 EP 0978221A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frequency
arrangement according
circuit arrangement
circuit
switches
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98924143A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0978221B1 (fr
Inventor
Berthold Birk
Günter Hahlganss
Walter Kares
Ulrich Roskoni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Mannesmann VDO AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE1997117309 external-priority patent/DE19717309A1/de
Priority claimed from DE19733939A external-priority patent/DE19733939A1/de
Application filed by Mannesmann VDO AG filed Critical Mannesmann VDO AG
Publication of EP0978221A1 publication Critical patent/EP0978221A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0978221B1 publication Critical patent/EP0978221B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/26Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
    • H05B41/28Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
    • H05B41/282Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/2821Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a single-switch converter or a parallel push-pull converter in the final stage
    • H05B41/2822Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a single-switch converter or a parallel push-pull converter in the final stage using specially adapted components in the load circuit, e.g. feed-back transformers, piezoelectric transformers; using specially adapted load circuit configurations
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36Controlling
    • H05B41/38Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations
    • H05B41/3927Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations by pulse width modulation
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/04Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit arrangement for dimmable operation of a fluorescent lamp, in particular for use in motor vehicles as instrument lighting.
  • Corresponding circuit arrangements are known from the prior art, in which the fluorescent lamp is operated at an operating frequency. By switching the operating frequency on and off with a device and thus the lamp with a dimming frequency that is above the visual frequency of the human eye, it is achieved that the human eye has the impression that the fluorescent lamp is of different brightness, depending on the pulse width Dimming frequency.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a simply constructed circuit arrangement for dimming a fluorescent lamp.
  • This object is achieved in that the device which switches the operating frequency on and off with the dimming frequency, at the same time the supply voltage can be switched on and off with a switching frequency, and the lamp current can thereby be set, the switching frequency being greater than the operating frequency.
  • a particularly simple push-pull converter is realized by an oscillating circuit consisting of a capacitance and an inductor, which is connected to a first pole of the supply voltage.
  • the resonant circuit can also be connected alternately via two switches directly or via a third switch to the second pole of the supply voltage. The two switches are each connected to the capacitance and / or inductance connections.
  • the fluorescent lamp can either be arranged parallel to the inductance and / or capacitance or can be supplied with the operating frequency via a transformer, the primary winding of the transformer advantageously forming the inductance of the resonant circuit.
  • the circuit arrangement according to claim 6 specifies a particularly effective regulation of the lamp current, which is nevertheless simple and constructed with few components.
  • the positive feedback device in the form of a coil which is applied to the same coil body as the inductor, can be produced easily and simultaneously with the inductor.
  • a circuit arrangement in which the operating frequency of the fluorescent lamp approximately corresponds to the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit gives an almost sinusoidal operating frequency with few harmonics. This reduces interference that can emanate from the circuit and thus increases the electromagnetic compatibility of the circuit.
  • the current contained in the resonant circuit can be short-circuited and the fluorescent lamp can thus be prevented from shining.
  • the current through the circuit can be additionally stabilized and kept sinusoidal.
  • FIG. 1 a first circuit with a push-pull converter
  • FIG. 2 individual courses of state variables of the circuit from FIG
  • FIG. 3 a second circuit with a push-pull converter
  • FIG. 4 individual profiles of state variables of the circuit from FIG
  • FIG. 5 a third circuit with a push-pull converter
  • FIG. 6 individual profiles of the state variables of the circuit from FIG
  • the push-pull converter from FIG. 1 has an oscillating circuit consisting of the capacitor C and the coil L, which is connected directly to the positive supply voltage and can be connected alternately to the ground potential via the series inductor Lv and the transistor S3 via the transistors S1, S2.
  • the following description assumes that the transistor S3 is turned on, that is to say that the transistors S1, S2 are connected to the second pole of the supply voltage.
  • the voltage is also coupled through the coil L1, which is wound on the same coil former as the coil L, and the alternating voltage that occurs alternately blocks the transistors S1, S2 with the oscillation frequency of the resonant circuit.
  • the operating point of the two transistors S1, S2 is set via the resistor R.
  • the resonant circuit transmits its energy via the transformer, which is formed from the coils L, L1 and L2, to the lamp circuit which, in addition to the coil L2, also has the fluorescent lamp KL, the impedance Z and a shunt SH.
  • the voltage is tapped between the fluorescent lamp KL and the shunt SH and fed to the rectifier G.
  • the rectified voltage U1 is present at the minus input of the comparator K.
  • There is a sawtooth at the positive input of the comparator Voltage U2 with the frequency f3 1: T3, the course of which is shown in FIG. 2b.
  • the square wave voltage U3 of the frequency f3 at the output of the comparator K1 is changed in its pulse width W3.
  • the pulse width W3 becomes shorter, and correspondingly longer with a smaller current.
  • the current setpoint can be set by the level of the delta voltage in Figure 2b.
  • the output voltage U3 of the comparator K1 is fed to an input of the AND gate A, while the dimming frequency f2 with the voltage curve U4 is applied to the second input of the AND gate A (FIG. 2a).
  • the dimming frequency f2 is rectangular and its pulse width W2 can also be changed.
  • the pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2 determines the duty cycle of the push-pull converter and thus of the fluorescent lamp KL, as will be described in more detail later.
  • the pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2 is e.g. either automatically depending on the ambient brightness or manually depending on the desired brightness of the fluorescent lamp KL.
  • the voltage U5 is present at the output of the AND gate A.
  • the pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2 it has switching pulses of pulse width W3 with the switching frequency f3.
  • the transistor S3 is turned on with the pulse width W3 during the switching pulses.
  • the transistor S3 With the first pulse with the pulse width W3 during a pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2, the transistor S3 is switched through.
  • this Time IB can flow from the supply voltage source + ÜB into the resonant circuit.
  • the resonant circuit begins to oscillate at its resonance frequency.
  • transistor S3 blocks, the resonant circuit continues to oscillate and the current stored in the resonant circuit flows through the series reactor Lv and the diode D connected as a freewheeling diode back into the resonant circuit, but decreases accordingly.
  • transistor S3 switches through again: current can flow again from the supply voltage source + ÜB into the resonance circuit and the current IB increases during the switch-on time.
  • the current fluctuates during the pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2 around its mean value IM (FIG. 2 f).
  • the current IB is increased or decreased accordingly and the lamp current IL via the transformer.
  • the transistor S3 is blocked during the pause time P of the frequency f2.
  • the resonant circuit swings out due to its loading by the lamp KL and its own losses, the currents IB and IL become 0 again and the fluorescent lamp goes out.
  • the dimming frequency f2 is above the human visual frequency, the fluorescent lamp appears differently bright to the human eye depending on the pulse width W2.
  • the fluorescent lamp KL can also be arranged in the primary circuit, for example parallel to the capacitor C. be net, so that the secondary coil L2 can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the voltage for the rectifier G can also be tapped via a shunt in the primary circuit.
  • the circuit from FIG. 3 also has an oscillating circuit consisting of the capacitor C and the coil L, which is connected to the positive supply voltage and can be connected alternately to the ground potential via the transistors S4, S5.
  • the control device SE is connected via a control line SL1, SL2 to the base of the transistors S4, S5.
  • the transistors S4, S5 are alternately driven with the pulse sequences with the switching frequency f3 during the pulse width W2 of the dimming frequency f2 (FIG. 4a), the duration T5 of the individual contiguous pulses for a transistor S4, S5 being half the oscillation period T1 of the resonant circuit is ( Figure 4b, c).
  • the resonant circuit oscillates almost sinusoidally, so that only minor disturbing harmonics occur. It is therefore also advantageous if the oscillation period T of the resonance frequency is an even multiple of the oscillation period T3 of the switching frequency f3.
  • the oscillation period T1 of the oscillating circuit corresponds to four times the oscillation period T3 of the individual pulses.
  • the average current IM in the primary circuit and thus also the lamp current IL in the secondary circuit is set by the pulse width W3 of the individual pulses. If both transistors S4, S5 are turned on at the end of the dimming pulse at time t5 (FIG. 2b, c), the current in the resonant circuit is short-circuited, so that it quickly drops to a zero point and thus switches off the fluorescent lamp KL without uncontrolled afterglow.
  • the dimming frequency f2 is only present internally in the control device SE. Their pulse width W2 determines the duty cycle of the resonant circuit and thus the duty cycle of the fluorescent lamp KL.
  • the circuit shown in Figure 3 corresponds to a controller.
  • individual pulse width values W2 of the dimming frequency f2 for various desired brightnesses and / or operating temperatures can be stored in the memory devices, which are directly present in the memory device SE or which the control device SE can access.
  • FIG. 5 shows a fluorescent lamp L, which is connected to a high-voltage capacitor Z with the secondary circuit L2 of a transformer.
  • the transformer in its primary circuit L is energized by two push-pull MOSFET transistors S6 and S7, which are controlled by a control device SL, the primary circuit L of the transformer being connected to the operating voltage U B at the same time.
  • Each gate G of the transistors S6, S7 is connected to the control device SL.
  • the drain D of each transistor S6, S7 leads to the primary winding L of the transformer, the sources S of the MOSFET transistors S6, S7 leading together to a shunt resistor R1 which is connected to ground.
  • the control device SL processes a voltage drop across the shunt resistor R1 as an input signal.
  • the voltage drop is fed to the inverting input of a comparator K, at the non-inverting input of which there is a reference voltage U REF with a constant value.
  • the output of the comparator K is connected to
  • the two MOSFET transistors S6, S7 are driven one after the other each with a pulse 1. This triggers the resonant circuit, consisting of the secondary coil L2, the high-voltage capacitor Z and the fluorescent lamp KL.
  • the resonant circuit decays according to an e-function (see signal 4, point 2).
  • the gas in the cold cathode fluorescent lamp KL can ionize and organize itself during this time.
  • the transistors S6, S7 are continuously driven alternately (signal 1 and 2, point 4). From this point on, the cold cathode fluorescent lamp KL emits light immediately (as can be seen from signal 4 in point 3).
  • the control device SL drives the MOSFET transistors S6, S7 in pulse form (FIG. 6a, signals 1 and 2).
  • the through the MOSFET Transistors S6, S7 current flowing is measured as a voltage drop across the shunt resistor R1 and evaluated by the comparator K2, which emits a low or high signal depending on whether the measured voltage exceeds the reference value or not.
  • the output signal of the comparator K2 is logically linked to the signal 1 in the control device SL. This leads to the fact that the MOSFET transistors S6, S7 are turned on or off during the control by the control logic in time with the output signal of the comparator K.
  • the two MOSFET transistors S6, S7 are activated simultaneously, as can be seen from FIG. 6b, signal 1 and 2 at time 5.
  • the energy is suddenly withdrawn from the resonant circuit L2, Z, KL and the light emission from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp stops immediately.
  • This device has the advantage that the flicker-free operation of the fluorescent lamp L is only achieved by the special control of the MOSFET transistors S6, S7. Comprehensive control circuits, as is usually the case, can be dispensed with.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Discharge-Lamp Control Circuits And Pulse- Feed Circuits (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent à fréquence de service (f1), comportant un dispositif pour enclencher et arrêter la fréquence de service (f1) avec une fréquence variable (f2). La largeur d'impulsion (W2) de la fréquence variable (f2) est modulable et f2 est inférieure à f1. Il est prévu que le courant du tube fluorescent puisse être simultanément ajusté par le dispositif, par enclenchement et arrêt de la tension d'alimentation avec une fréquence de commutation (f3) à largeur d'impulsion (W3) modulable, f3 étant supérieure à f1.
EP98924143A 1997-04-24 1998-04-17 Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent Expired - Lifetime EP0978221B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19717309 1997-04-24
DE1997117309 DE19717309A1 (de) 1997-04-24 1997-04-24 Gegentaktwandler mit überlagerter Stromregelung
DE19733939A DE19733939A1 (de) 1997-08-06 1997-08-06 Schaltungsanordnung zum dimmbaren Betrieb einer Leuchtstofflampe
DE19733939 1997-08-06
PCT/EP1998/002290 WO1998048597A1 (fr) 1997-04-24 1998-04-17 Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0978221A1 true EP0978221A1 (fr) 2000-02-09
EP0978221B1 EP0978221B1 (fr) 2004-12-22

Family

ID=26036062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98924143A Expired - Lifetime EP0978221B1 (fr) 1997-04-24 1998-04-17 Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6351080B1 (fr)
EP (1) EP0978221B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP4116092B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE59812414D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998048597A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6946806B1 (en) 2000-06-22 2005-09-20 Microsemi Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling minimum brightness of a fluorescent lamp
US6307765B1 (en) * 2000-06-22 2001-10-23 Linfinity Microelectronics Method and apparatus for controlling minimum brightness of a fluorescent lamp
US7304439B2 (en) 2001-09-06 2007-12-04 E. Energy Technology Limited Phase-controlled dimmable electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps with very wide dimming range
US6969958B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2005-11-29 Microsemi Corporation Square wave drive system
US6979959B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2005-12-27 Microsemi Corporation Apparatus and method for striking a fluorescent lamp
US7061191B2 (en) * 2003-07-30 2006-06-13 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. System and method for reducing flicker of compact gas discharge lamps at low lamp light output level
DE10340198B4 (de) * 2003-08-27 2009-03-12 Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gGmbH Schaltungsanordnung zum Dimmen von Gasentladungslampen und Verfahren zu ihrem Betrieb
US7187139B2 (en) * 2003-09-09 2007-03-06 Microsemi Corporation Split phase inverters for CCFL backlight system
US7183727B2 (en) * 2003-09-23 2007-02-27 Microsemi Corporation Optical and temperature feedbacks to control display brightness
US6969955B2 (en) * 2004-01-29 2005-11-29 Axis Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for dimming control of electronic ballasts
US7468722B2 (en) 2004-02-09 2008-12-23 Microsemi Corporation Method and apparatus to control display brightness with ambient light correction
WO2005099316A2 (fr) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-20 Microsemi Corporation Schema de synchronisation de circuit d'attaque compatible avec les structures en pont complet et en demi pont pour systeme de retroeclairage a commande directe
US7755595B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2010-07-13 Microsemi Corporation Dual-slope brightness control for transflective displays
US7569998B2 (en) * 2006-07-06 2009-08-04 Microsemi Corporation Striking and open lamp regulation for CCFL controller
US8093839B2 (en) 2008-11-20 2012-01-10 Microsemi Corporation Method and apparatus for driving CCFL at low burst duty cycle rates

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4358716A (en) 1980-04-14 1982-11-09 White Castle System, Inc. Adjustable electrical power control for gas discharge lamps and the like
DE3528838A1 (de) * 1985-08-10 1987-02-12 Diehl Gmbh & Co Zuend- und dimmschaltung fuer eine leuchtstoffroehre
FR2649277B1 (fr) 1989-06-30 1996-05-31 Thomson Csf Procede et dispositif de gradation de lumiere pour lampe fluorescente d'eclairage arriere d'ecran a cristaux liquides
JPH03112096A (ja) * 1989-09-26 1991-05-13 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 放電灯点灯装置
JP3196206B2 (ja) 1990-09-25 2001-08-06 東芝ライテック株式会社 放電ランプ点灯装置
US5272327A (en) 1992-05-26 1993-12-21 Compaq Computer Corporation Constant brightness liquid crystal display backlight control system
JPH06333695A (ja) 1993-05-26 1994-12-02 Sharp Corp 調光装置
DE4326415B4 (de) 1993-08-06 2006-04-13 Siemens Ag Verfahren zur Ansteuerung einer Leuchtstofflampe und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
DE69533681D1 (de) 1994-03-16 2004-12-02 Linear Techn Inc Vorschaltgerät mit grossen Wirkungsbereich für Leuchtstofflampen
DE4437204A1 (de) 1994-08-31 1996-03-07 Vdo Schindling Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zum Betrieb einer Leuchtstofflampe
WO1997003541A1 (fr) 1995-07-10 1997-01-30 Flat Panel Display Co. (Fdp) B.V. Configuration de circuit
JPH09245976A (ja) * 1996-03-01 1997-09-19 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 放電灯調光点灯装置
US5920155A (en) * 1996-10-28 1999-07-06 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Electronic ballast for discharge lamps

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9848597A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002511181A (ja) 2002-04-09
US6351080B1 (en) 2002-02-26
DE59812414D1 (de) 2005-01-27
WO1998048597A1 (fr) 1998-10-29
EP0978221B1 (fr) 2004-12-22
JP4116092B2 (ja) 2008-07-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0264765B1 (fr) Disposition de circuit pour la mise en oeuvre de lampe à incandescence halogène basse tension
DE4332059B4 (de) Vorschaltgerät zur Helligkeitssteuerung von Entladungslampen
DE69816023T2 (de) Schaltungsanordnung
EP0223315B1 (fr) Disposition de circuit pour produire une tension continue à partir d'une tension d'entrée sinusoidale
EP0978221B1 (fr) Circuiterie pour fonctionnement modulable d'un tube fluorescent
EP0356818B1 (fr) Circuit alimentant une charge
EP0779768A2 (fr) Procédé et circuit pour alimenter une lampe à décharge
DE102005007346A1 (de) Schaltungsanordnung und Verfahren zum Betreiben von Gasentladungslampen
DE19729768B4 (de) Schaltungsanordnung zum Zünden und Betreiben einer Leuchtstofflampe
EP0868115B1 (fr) Circuit d'amorçage pour lampe HID
EP1465465B1 (fr) Ballast électronique avec un circuit en pont complet
DE112009002495T5 (de) Leuchtvorrichtung für Fahrzeuglichtquelle
EP0657091B1 (fr) Onduleur a oscillations libres avec commande de la largeur d'impulsion
DE3338464A1 (de) Hochfrequenz-helligkeitssteuerung fuer leuchtstofflampen
DE4238388C2 (de) Elektronische Schaltungsanordnung zur Ansteuerung einer UV-Strahlungsquelle
DE1513003A1 (de) Vorrichtung mit mindestens einem gesteuerten Gleichrichter zum Speisen einer Belastung,deren Impedanz verzoegert auf den Betriebswert absinkt
DE3720600A1 (de) Stabilisierschaltung fuer schalt-spannungsversorgungsschaltung
DE3701805A1 (de) Schaltungsanordnung zur stromversorgung von niederspannungsverbrauchern
DE3600170C2 (fr)
DD267617A1 (de) Schaltungsanordnung eines halbbrueckenwechselrichters
DE69917647T2 (de) Elektronische steuerschaltung
DE19733939A1 (de) Schaltungsanordnung zum dimmbaren Betrieb einer Leuchtstofflampe
EP0603693B1 (fr) Circuit pour éclairer un dispositif d'affichage au moyen de lampes incandescentes
DE60113842T2 (de) Schaltung
EP0232915B1 (fr) Disposition de circuit d'une source de tension continue se basant sur la résonance

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19991027

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010214

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59812414

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050127

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20050223

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

ET Fr: translation filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20050923

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20090414

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090422

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090421

Year of fee payment: 12

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100417

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20101230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20101103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100417

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100430