JPS6164061A - Low starting voltage metal vapor lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to metal vapor lamps, and more particularly to metal vapor lamps and apparatus for starting metal alcohol lamps with a low voltage source.

Prior art metal vapor lamps often include an elongated alumina or quartz arc tube with electrodes located at each end. The arc tube is filled with a metal such as mercury, sodium, cadmium, thallium or zinc and a rare gas, usually xenon, at a pressure in the range of about 14 to 30 Torr. is heated to vaporize it into a radionuclide for the lamp. The arc tube is enclosed within an envelope which is configured to connect to a voltage source via some type of ballast means.A preferred type of metal vapor lamp is known as a high pressure sodium lamp and is It has a filling of chives and sodium. Known high pressure sodium lamps are disclosed, for example, in US Pat.
No. 445.075, No.! i, 900,753 and 4.179.640.

High-pressure sodium lamps have become commercially useful within the past few years due to their superior color rendering and relatively high efficiency compared to the yellow monochromatic light of low-pressure sodium lamps. Approximately 1001
They are distinguished from these low pressure sodium lamps because their operating pressure, which is any pressure up to 000000000000000000000000000000000000000 is higher than the well-known low pressure sodium lamps.The main problem associated with high pressure sodium lamps is the difficulty in starting these lamps. Specifically, it requires an undesirably relatively high potential source to effect the desired starting. A measure often used to eliminate the need for this undesirably high potential source is the use of so-called starting aids. An example of a high pressure discharge lamp using a starting aid is U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,073, 490 to 75
No. 3 and No. 3,721,846. However, the additional starting capability provided by the starting aid may be insufficient to effect the desired starting of the lamp without undesirably increasing the potential available from the potential source. I know. Increasing the potential is not always feasible, and is certainly undesirable.

Other examples of high pressure sodium lamps that use starting aids in an attempt to reduce the required starting voltage are given in US Pat. No. 4.51 to 122, 1980 [C.I. Conference (
ClB5 National Lighting Con
The article by G. A. G. M. Pan Φ Brietz and C. A. G. Jacobs, published in J. Ference) J.
gh Pressure Sodium Disch
arge Lamps) j and Matsushita Electronics Industry ■
National Technical Report, Vol. 27, No. 5, June 1981 site - Naoki and Hiroshi Gion's paper "Investigation ψ On-Built-in Starter Unit Urn for No. 1 Φ Pressure Sodeik A-Lamps (Investigat
ion 0nBuilt-In 5tarter
Unit For High Pressure
Sodium Lamps) J.

As described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. It was a low 950v. Figure 6 of the above Pan Bryett and Jacobs paper shows high pressure sodium (HPS), approximately 114
Starting voltages in the range of 1.3 KV to 1.4 KV at Torr pressures are indicated.

Additionally, the lower curve in Figure 2 of the Saito and Guion paper shows that the starting voltage is approximately t I KV when the starting aid is used in the known high voltage IJ Umrumb. Accordingly, the above-mentioned patents and articles indicate that a voltage of at least about 950 volts is required to provide the desired operation of a high pressure sodium lamp.

Another known technique for improving the starting ability of high pressure sodium lamps is the use of a starting aid and a gas mixture that produces a so-called "Penning effect" in conjunction with a large diameter arc tube. However, the improved starting ability by using this "Penning effect" gas mixture has the disadvantage of reduced efficiency and shortened lamp life. The lamp with the above structure is US Patent No. 4.
No. 900.735 and No. 4.057.129.

Furthermore, it is known to provide auxiliary high pressure generation means for high pressure sodium lamps and ballast circuits. Such a lamp is shown in U.S. Patent Application No. J456,679, filed January 10, 1983, assigned to the present applicant. Approximately 10Q to generate
A starting voltage exceeding QV was required.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Thus, in the past, even if a starting aid device was used, a metal vapor lamp could not be started as desired with a low voltage source.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved total reflux lamp. Another object of the invention is to use a low potential source to start a metal vapor lamp. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved metal vapor lamp and starting device that can be operated with a low voltage source. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a metal vapor lamp that can be connected to a base member that includes a non-linear dielectric element and a choke coil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, advantages, and capabilities are disclosed in one aspect of the present invention. a starting aid in the form of a wire helically wound around the arc tube and connectable to one of the electrodes; ballast means coupling one electrode of the arc tube to the base member; This is achieved by a metal vapor lamp and starting device that includes an electrical conductor coupling the other electrode of the tube to the base member and a non-linear dielectric element connected to the spaced apart electrodes and shunting the arc tube.

In order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

EXAMPLE 1 Referring to FIG. 1, a low wattage metal vapor lamp and starting device according to the present invention includes in this example a high pressure sodium lamp 5 configured to be mounted to a base member 7. The base member 7 is configured to fit into a socket (not shown) for connection to a low voltage source, such as a 110v mains power supply.

The high pressure sodium lamp 5 has a pair of conductive leads 17 and 19 including a glass envelope 9 having a recess 11 at one end and a seal 15 in place of a conventional glass stem member 15 at the opposite end. is sealed by the stem member 15,
Or, it passes through the stem member 15. A threaded metal member 21 is also attached to the glass envelope 9 and electrically connected to the leads 17 and 19.

An alumina arc tube 23 has a pair of spaced apart electrodes 25 and 27 disposed at each end thereof, each electrode 25.2
7 is attached to niobium tubes 29 and 31.

These niobium tubes 29, 31 are sealed by and pass through the ends of the arc tube 23. A spring-like member 33 surrounds one niobium tube 29 and a glass envelope? The arc tube 23 is fitted into the recess 11 to support and align one end of the arc tube 23. A support rod 35 is connected to the other niobium tube body 51 at the opposite end of the arc tube 250, and one of the pair of conductive leads 1 and 19 is connected to the support rod 35.
A relatively stiff support wire 57 is welded to the other one of the pair of leads 17.19, respectively.
7 and a niobium tube 29 to which a spring-like member 33 is attached, respectively. A shielding member 39 and 41 surrounds the end of the arc tube 25 in the area of the electrodes 25 and 27. Importantly, a starting aid in the form of a helical wire 43 is provided between the spaced apart electrodes 25 and 27. That is, it surrounds the arc tube 23. Although not necessary, the helical wire 43 is formed to make and break electrical connection with a bimetallic switch means 45 which is electrically connected to one of the electrodes 25.27 via a conductor 47. It is preferable. Also, importantly,
Preferably, a non-linear dielectric element or non-linear capacitor 49 is positioned within threaded metal member 21 and connected to conductive leads 17 and 19 to shunt arc tube 25.

Furthermore, the base member 7 is a metal member 2 having threads formed thereon.
1 and for attachment to a conventional socket connected to an electrical potential source (not shown), the socket member 51 has inner and outer metal threads 35 and 35, respectively. Also, ballast means in the form of a choke coil 57 of substantially circular shape are mounted on and electrically connected to the socket member 51 so that the high pressure sodium lamp 5 is connected to the base member 7.
a threaded metal member 21 when placed within the
, the arc tube 250 can be connected to the electrode 25 via the conductive lead 17, the support wire 37 and the niobium tube 29.

Referring to FIG. 2, the high pressure sodium lamp and starting device of the present invention is schematically illustrated in which an arc tube 59 has a pair of spaced apart electrodes 61 and 63. The arc tube 59Fi is surrounded by a starting aid, a helical wire 65, intermediate the spaced apart electrodes 61 and 63. A bimetallic switch 67 is positioned adjacent starting aid 65. Electrical conductor 69 connects one electrode 61 and bimetallic switch 67 to the negative side 71 of a low voltage source (not shown). A ballast means or choke coil 73 connects the other electrode 63 to the other side 75 of the low voltage source. Moreover, the non-linear dielectric element 77
A typical high voltage IJ lamp is connected between electrodes 61 and 63 of arc tube 59 and shunts these electrodes.
It is known that the difficulties involved in encapsulating electrodes in arc tubes make them unsuitable for incorporating starting probes. As a result, to start a high pressure sodium lamp of low wattage, e.g. about 35.50 or 70 watts, about 2500
It is usual and necessary to provide 1 to 2 microsecond pulses in the range of 4000V to 4000V. However, such a relatively high starting voltage, i.e. 250
To generate a starting voltage of 4000 V, it is customary to provide an electronic circuit using an igniter or a magnetic circuit using a transformer. Electronic circuits that use igniters tend to be unreliable, while magnetic circuits tend to be heavy, cumbersome, and cumbersome, and the available mounting options are There was a strong point that could not be easily inserted.

However, from a relatively low voltage source 2500 to 4
Low wattage high voltage without the need to use frost or magnetic stabilizers to generate a potential of 000V)
It has been found that IJ lamps and starters can be manufactured. Specifically, a predetermined amount of water was poured into a high-pressure sodium lamp with a length of about 48 m, an arc of about 2.3 m, and an arc tube with an inner diameter of about 4 mm, at a pressure of about 30 Torr.
It was filled with IJum and xenon. The arc tube was connected to an arc pulse generator which produced the ignition voltage indicated by the curve in FIG. As can be easily understood, the ignition voltage is approximately 1 depending on the pulse width of the supplied potential.
0, which ranges from 850V to about 1380V, then wraps around the arctube centered around the longitudinal midpoint of the arctube, covering a linear distance of about 20 steels.
With the addition of a starting aid in the form of a turn of tungsten wire, the starting voltage requirements were significantly reduced. As can be easily seen from curve B in FIG.
It dropped to a very low value of 0v.

Moreover, nonlinear dielectric elements or nonlinear capacitors, such as the NLB 1250 manufactured and sold by TDC Corporation, have a peak voltage of about 520 V peak during half-wave pulses of about 100 microseconds. It turns out that we can provide.

Therefore, a low wattage high pressure sodium lamp containing a starting aid and a non-linear dielectric element can be started from a low voltage source, such as a 120v line supply, by using a simple choke coil. It was confirmed that it can be done.

Furthermore, it has been found that the lifetime of high-pressure sodium lamps can be greatly extended due to the unique properties of the non-linear dielectric elements. It is also known that the end of the life of a high-pressure sodium lamp is characterized by a cyclical phenomenon in which the lamp fires for a period of time, goes out, cools, and fires again. It is also known that the lamp restriking voltage is higher than the available ballast voltage. Thus,
By incorporating a non-linear shielding element, this non-linear dielectric element seeks to provide a pulsed potential which is advantageous at the same time that lamp re-ignition is about to occur. The above-mentioned end-of-life phenomenon can be virtually eliminated. In this way, an additional pulse potential is provided when lamp re-ignition is required and interruptions in lamp operation such as "dropouts" are thus prevented, even if end-of-life phenomena are not eliminated. Ru.

It has also been found advantageous to incorporate a choke coil ballast and a base member configured to be inserted into a socket connectable to a potential source. Additionally, the high pressure sodium lamp is configured to include a threaded metal member configured to be inserted into the base member and includes a non-linear dielectric element.

Thus, the ballast and the connection means to the voltage source are easily separated from the high-pressure sodium lamp, which can be replaced separately as a single unit.

Effects of the Invention As mentioned above, according to the present invention, from about 700V to about 4
High pressure metal vapor lamps can be started with a very low ignition voltage of 50 volts, making it very efficient and economical.

In addition, by incorporating nonlinear dielectric elements,
Since the ignition voltage can be increased, it not only becomes possible to start with a line power source such as 120V, but also has the advantage of extending the life of the lamp. Furthermore, since the structure is simple, there are many advantages such as ease of manufacture.

Although what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the invention as defined by the claims. It will be obvious to engineers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is an exploded view partially cut away showing a preferred embodiment of the metal vapor lamp and starting device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the all-pole vapor lamp and starting device of FIG. 1; and FIG. The figure is a curve diagram comparing the ignition voltage of a high-pressure sodium lamp with and without a starting aid. 5: High-pressure sodium lamp 7: Base member 17. 19: Conductive lead 21: Threaded metal member 23. 59 Double arc tube 25. 27: Electrode 43. 65: Spiral wire (starting aid) 45 .6
7: Bimetal switch member 49. 77: Nonlinear dielectric element or capacitor 51
: Socket member 57.73: Choke coil (ballast) 61.63: Electrode Hiroshi Kazama (i) Rakuga 11
jtl…(Hiroshi-)

Claims (20)

[Claims] (1) a base member formed to be connectable to a low voltage source; an arc tube having a pair of spaced apart electrodes surrounding the arc tube between the pair of spaced apart electrodes; a metal vapor lamp having a sealed envelope including a starting aid in the form of a helical wire connectable to one of the electrodes; and a stable coupling one of the pair of spaced apart electrodes to the base member. an electrical conductor coupling the other of the pair of spaced electrodes to the base member; and a nonlinear dielectric element coupled to the pair of spaced electrodes for shunting the arc tube. A metal vapor lamp and a starting device comprising: 2. A metal vapor lamp and starter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ballast means is in the form of a choke coil. 3. The metal vapor lamp and starting device of claim 1, wherein said arc tube includes a xenon fill gas at a pressure of about 30 Torr. (4) The metal vapor lamp and starting device according to claim 1, wherein the non-linear dielectric element is disposed within the base member. (5) the ballast means is attached to the base member;
A metal vapor lamp and starting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal vapor lamp and starting device is in the form of a substantially circularly shaped choke coil electrically connectable to one of the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the metal vapor lamp. 6. The metal vapor lamp of claim 1, wherein said base member, ballast means and non-linear dielectric element are an integral unit coupled to said metal vapor lamp and to said low voltage source, respectively. and starting device. (7) The metal vapor lamp and starting device according to claim 1, further comprising a bimetallic switch for connecting the starting aid to one of the pair of spaced apart electrodes when the arc tube is not conducting. 8. The metal vapor lamp and starting system of claim 1, wherein said starting aid and nonlinear dielectric element combine to provide starting of said lamp at a peak output voltage of less than about 500 volts. (9) a bimetallic switch that is normally open (N/O) when the metal vapor lamp is conducting and normally closed (N/C) when the metal vapor lamp is not conducting is positioned adjacent to the starting aid;
2. A metal vapor lamp and starting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal vapor lamp is connected to one electrode of said metal vapor lamp. (10) The arc tube has a length of about 48 mm, the arc length between the electrodes is about 23 mm, and the helical wire of the starting aid device has a length of about 20 mm centered approximately at the midpoint of the arc tube. A metal vapor lamp and starting device as claimed in claim 1 having a length. (11) The metal vapor lamp and starting device according to claim 1, wherein the nonlinear dielectric element is positioned between the arc tube and the base member. 12. The metal vapor lamp and starting device of claim 1, wherein said arc tube includes a sodium and mercury filling. (13) The arc tube is made of mercury, sodium, cadmium,
2. A metal vapor lamp and starting device as claimed in claim 1, including a fill selected from metals consisting of thallium or zinc. (14) a xenon-filled arc tube having a pair of spaced apart electrodes; and a starting aid in the form of a spiral wire surrounding the arc tube between the pair of spaced electrodes; a sealed envelope configured to be connected to one of the pair of spaced apart electrodes when the arc tube is non-conducting and disconnected from one of the electrodes when the arc tube is conductive; High pressure sodium (HPS)
) a lamp, a ballast means connected to one of the pair of spaced electrodes, a non-linear dielectric element connected to the pair of spaced electrodes and shunting the arc tube; A high pressure sodium lamp and starter apparatus comprising a voltage source, said ballast means, and a base member each configured to be connected to the other of said pair of spaced apart electrodes. 15. The high pressure sodium of claim 14, wherein said base member, nonlinear dielectric element and ballast means are an integral unit formed to couple said high pressure sodium lamp to a low voltage source. Lamps and starters. 16. The high pressure sodium lamp and starting device of claim 14, wherein said ballast means has a substantially circular configuration and is in the form of a choke coil connected to said base member. (17) the non-linear dielectric element is disposed within the base member, the ballast means being attached to and electrically connected to the base member, and further electrically connected to the high pressure sodium lamp. High-pressure sodium lamp and starting device according to the attached claim 14. (18) The high pressure sodium lamp includes a bimetallic switch, the bimetallic switch operative to disconnect the starting aid from one of the pair of spaced apart electrodes during conduction of the arc tube. High-pressure sodium lamp and starting device according to paragraph 14. 19. The starting aid and the non-linear dielectric element combine to start the lamp at a peak output voltage from the non-linear dielectric element of less than about 500V. High pressure sodium lamp and starting device. (20) The high pressure sodium lamp is about 35 to about 7
15. The high pressure sodium lamp and starting device of claim 14 having a wattage in the range of 0 watts.