GB435931A - Improvements in and relating to the operation of electric luminous gas-filled and/orvapour-filled tubes and/or lamps - Google Patents

Abstract

435,931. Changing signs. FODOR, J., Mount Park, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, and NORTH, V. B., Boldshaves, Woodchurch, near Ashford, Kent. March 21, 1934, No. 8883. [Classes 3 (i) and 3 (ii)] [See also Groups XXXV and XL] High-frequency current is supplied to more than two strip electrodes a ... f, running longitudinally and/ or transversely across a panel support 3 on or in which they are mounted or embedded so that gas filled discharge lamps may be attached to various parts of the panel and operated without direct connection to the electrodes. The electrodes produce electrostatic fields in " strips " having selected intensity so that tubes may be mounted thereon according to the luminous effect desired. The electrodes may be connected to tappings on a h.f. supply transformer 1, 2 and may be spaced at unequal distances from each other. The tapping points are adjustable manually or automatically according to the varying luminous effect desired. They may be supplied in series with variable capacity, inductance or resistance and may be connected and arranged as shown on electrodes g, h, and c, d, Fig. 7, to produce an intense field over a short length of a lamp so as to facilitate starting of the discharge. An arrangement is shown in Fig. 5 which allows of tubes of various sizes being operated from the same supply source. The connections to the starting and running electrodes may be controlled by a manually operated barrel switch 5, Fig. 7. In one arrangement, Fig. 8, pairs of vertical electrodes 6, 7 are arranged behind each of separate letter-shaped tubes and one electrode 6 of each pair is arranged to be oscillated mechanically by a cam 10 so as to vary the lighting effect. Alternatively one electrode of each pair is connected to the supply through a contact type or a capacity type selector switch. In a further modification, separate discharge lamps are mounted on sub-panels which may be attached to the main panel support carrying the electrodes. In one arrangement, Fig. 11, the panel is provided with electrodes a, b, c connected to the supply and electrodes j, k .... o, connected to contacts on a drum switch 14 so that a large flat discharge vessel may be mounted on the panel and variable luminous effects produced therein.