US3588599A - Electric system for starting and operating a gas discharge lamp - Google Patents
Electric system for starting and operating a gas discharge lamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3588599A US3588599A US833534A US3588599DA US3588599A US 3588599 A US3588599 A US 3588599A US 833534 A US833534 A US 833534A US 3588599D A US3588599D A US 3588599DA US 3588599 A US3588599 A US 3588599A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- starting
- capacitor
- discharge lamp
- lamp
- operating
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- 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
- H05B41/30—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by pulses, e.g. flash lamp
-
- 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
- Y10S315/05—Starting and operating circuit for fluorescent lamp
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric system including an electric discharge lamp for operation directly connected in series with switching means across a source of alternating current, and to a method of operation thereof.
- Electric systems in accordance with the invention are used for copyboard illumination systems, and for back or transparency illumination systems, both used in conjunction with graphic arts cameras.
- the systems may be used also for black and white and color enlarger light sources, both condenser and diffused light types.
- the systems may be used for exposure of presensitized reproduction materials such as are used for contact printing, or for use with vacuum printing frames as usedin photographic and graphic arts.
- an electric system including a discharge lamp directly connected across an alternating current line subject to variations between upper and lower voltages, the lamp having an operating voltage at the lower voltage, phase angle control of the switching means being provided to switch the lamp later in each half cycle for voltages higher than its rated voltage so as to maintain the wattage loading of the lamp at a desired level.
- Another difficulty with an out-of-phase condition between the starting and operating circuits is difficulty in starting the lamps. Furthermore, with a random firing starting signal there is no controlover the light intensity and power loading of the lamps during the starting signal.
- the present invention aims to provide improved operation with reduced flickering during the starting period of discharge lamps operated directly across the line by providing synchronized control between the starting and operating pulses.
- a starting and operating circuit for a gas discharge lamp in which the circuit utilizes single switching means for discharging a capacitor through starting means and for connecting the source to the lamp so that starting and operating pulses are synchronized.
- the system in accordance with the invention, is also advantageous in that fewer components are required than for prior systems, and the time spent in alignment ofthe circuits is greatly reduced.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical system in accordance with the invention and in which the starting pulse capacitor is connected in parallel with the switching means.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the invention in which the starting pulse capacitor is connected in series with the switching means.
- FIG. 3 shows a series of waveforms illustrating the operation of the electric system in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. I a schematic diagram of an electric system in accordance with the invention.
- This system includes a pair of terminals 1 and 2 adapted to be connected to a source of alternating current which may be of the order of l.90250 volts.
- a bypass capacitor C1 for the purpose of completing the circuit for high frequency starting pulses for the ignition of discharge lamp VI.
- the bypass capacitor may be omitted, the high frequency starting pulses being passed through resistor R1 and capacitor C2 provided the resistor R1 is oflow value.
- the discharge lamp V1 is connected in series with a secondary of a starting transformer T1 and a solid-state switching device TRl across the terminals 1 and 2.
- the starting transformer T1 may be connected in any conventional manner, as by the use of a third electrode as in FIG. 2, or capacitively coupled as known in the art.
- the solid-state switching device TRI may be any suitable device such as a biswitch, a triac, a switching diode, or a pair of controlled rectifiers, all of which are adapted to be controlled by means known in the art.
- a suitable control means for operating the system in accordance with the invention using a triac as the switching means includes a diac DI connected to the gate of TRI.
- Control means for the diac Dl includes a resistor R2 in series with a variable resistor R3 and a capacitor C3 connected across the triac TR].
- a resistor R4 is connected between thejunction of the variable resistor R3 and the capacitor C3 to the gate of the diac CI, a filtering capacitor C4 being connected from the diac end of the resistor R4 to the terminal 2.
- the operation of this circuit is well known in the art and is described in General Electric, SCR Manual, 4th edition, Chapter 9, pages 173 through 189 and in particular figure 9.l5 on page 189, subchaptcr 9.4.2.
- Triggering means for igniting the discharge lamp V1 includes a primary P for the transformer T1 connected to the junction between capacitor C2 and resistor R1 connected across the terminals 1 and 2.
- a switch S1 is connected in series with the primary P.
- a bypass impedance R5 may be connected across the solidstate device TRI.
- the impedance R5 is termed a keep alive impedance and is included to maintain ionization in the lamps of higher pressure. For example, no impedance is required in the circuit of FIG. 1 for a discharge lamp of 20 to 35 millimeter pressure. A 40 millimeter lamp requires about a 500 ohm impedance while a millimeter lamp might require about a 200 ohm impedance.
- the impedance R5 is preferably in the form of a resistance although in some cases a choke, or a capacitor in series with a resistor, may be substituted for the resistance.
- the impedance R5 provides a path for ionization current for the discharge lamp during the period in which the solid-state device TRl is not conducting. In the circuit of FIG. 2 the impedance R5 also provides a path for charging current for the capacitor C5.
- the gas discharge lamp VI is ignited by closing the switch S1 for 2 or 3 seconds.
- the switch S1 may be a time delay switch ordinarily closed for a period of 2 or 3 seconds.
- the triggering capacitor C2 is discharged through the primary P of the starting transformer TI. As determined by the selective values of the resistor RI and of the capacitor C2, one or more pulses will be produced through the starting transformer T1.
- the switching device TRl When the voltage across the triac TRll reaches a preset triggering value the switching device TRl is turned on discharging the capacitor C2 into the primary of the transformer T1 resulting in both the high frequency voltage and the operating voltage appearing across the lamp Vl simultaneously so that the lamp V1 becomes ionized and conducting.
- the high frequency starting pulse circuit is completed through the capacitor CI in the event it is used.
- the capacitor C] also acts as a radio frequency interference filter in blocking any possible radiation from the high frequency starting pulses.
- RI and C2 are so selected as to produce a satisfactory starting pulse without passing excessive power through the switching device TRI. lfthe value ofRl is too low excessive current will flow which is not desirable as the light level during the starting period will be much higher than desired and the size of the components necessarily must be larger, if the value of R1 is too high the current will be too low making the lamp difficult to ignite.
- the number of pulses per half cycle is 4.
- the impedance R] is used for current limiting purposes.
- an inductive reactance is used in place of the limiting resistance Rl it is practical to operate the starting means continuously without use of the time delay switch S1 because the current through the switching means TRI is less than with a resistor and thus the wattage loss is small.
- Waveform A illustrates the voltage across the capacitor C2 before the lamp V] has become ignited and is in conduction. It will be noted that 4 pulses are clearly visible.
- Waveform B illustrates the voltage across the capacitor C2 after the lamp V1 has become ignited. It will be noted that the lamp becomes conductive upon the first pulse thus discharging the capacitor C2.
- Waveform C is a single starting pulse current waveform. The starting pulse is a typical damped wave oscillation of approximately 30 kHz. frequency, the peak current being about 60 amperes, and the single pulse duration being approximately 100 microseconds.
- FIG. 2 there is shown another embodiment of the invention in which corresponding components aredesignated by the same indicia as in FIG. I where similar.
- the circuit of FIG. 2 differs from the circuit shown in FIG. 1 in that the starting pulse capacitor C5 of FIG. 2 is connected in series with the switching device TRl.
- the capacitor C2 series circuit is connected in parallel with the switching device TRI.
- the advantage of the circuit of FIG. 2 is that the capacitor C5 is discharged in series with the switching device TRI thereby eliminating the resistor R1 which must be large and thus dissipates a large amount of wattage.
- the capacitor C5 has about times the capacitance of the capacitor C2 of FIG. I and the resistor R6 is about one twohundredths of the resistance ofthe resistor R1 of FIG. 2.
- the resistor R6 is of 10 watt capacity while the resistor RI of FIG. I is of watt or higher wattage.
- the function of the resistor R6 is to compensate for phase shift and to limit the peak pulse current through the switching device TRI. It will be noted that the voltage waveform E of FIG. 3 differs from the corresponding waveform A in that the waveform E has only two pulses per half cycle. However, by varying the values ofcomponents the number of pulses may be varied as desired.
- Waveform E shows the voltage across the capacitor C5 during ignition.
- Waveform D shows the current through the starting circuit after the light is ignited.
- the current waveform D shows a peak current of about 80 amperes, the single pulse duration being approximately 150 microseconds.
- a continuously pulsing electric system for starting and operating a gas discharge lamp directly from an alternating current source comprising a gas discharge lamp, starting means for said lamp including a starting pulse capacitor, means to charge said capacito'r from said source, means coupling said capacitor to said starting means, solidstate switching means connected in series with said lamp across said source, said starting means connected to the load side of said switching means so that said switching means is effective to discharge said starting pulse capacitor into said starting means simultaneously with energization of said gas discharge lamp, and phase control means connected across said switching means and including an output connected to said switching means to switch said solidstate switching means so that at a desired phase position of the operating source frequency at least one starting pulse and an operating pulse are synchronously applied to said discharge lamp.
- said starting means includes a starting transformer having a primary and a secondary winding connected in starting relationship to said lamp
- said phase control means includes a phase control capacitor, means to charge said phase control capacitor from said source, and means to discharge said phase control capacitor to switch said switching means.
Landscapes
- Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR869130A FR1303110A (en) | 1961-07-26 | 1961-07-26 | Process for making reproductions of paintings |
US83353469A | 1969-06-16 | 1969-06-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3588599A true US3588599A (en) | 1971-06-28 |
Family
ID=26191613
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US833534A Expired - Lifetime US3588599A (en) | 1961-07-26 | 1969-06-16 | Electric system for starting and operating a gas discharge lamp |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3588599A (en) |
DE (1) | DE2029490A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2046804B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1303110A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3886405A (en) * | 1972-02-07 | 1975-05-27 | Mamiya Camera | Device for operating discharge lamps |
EP0211459A1 (en) * | 1985-07-29 | 1987-02-25 | Advance Transformer Company | Ignition circuit for high pressure arc discharge lamps |
US5023521A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1991-06-11 | Radionic Industries, Inc. | Lamp ballast system |
US5387849A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1995-02-07 | Radionic Technology Incorporated | Lamp ballast system characterized by a power factor correction of greater than or equal to 90% |
US20120155138A1 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2012-06-21 | Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas | Capacitive power supply with surge current limitation |
-
1969
- 1969-06-16 US US833534A patent/US3588599A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1970
- 1970-05-19 GB GB2412070A patent/GB1303110A/en not_active Expired
- 1970-06-15 DE DE19702029490 patent/DE2029490A1/en active Pending
- 1970-06-16 FR FR707022049A patent/FR2046804B1/fr not_active Expired
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3886405A (en) * | 1972-02-07 | 1975-05-27 | Mamiya Camera | Device for operating discharge lamps |
EP0211459A1 (en) * | 1985-07-29 | 1987-02-25 | Advance Transformer Company | Ignition circuit for high pressure arc discharge lamps |
US5023521A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1991-06-11 | Radionic Industries, Inc. | Lamp ballast system |
US5387849A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1995-02-07 | Radionic Technology Incorporated | Lamp ballast system characterized by a power factor correction of greater than or equal to 90% |
US20120155138A1 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2012-06-21 | Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas | Capacitive power supply with surge current limitation |
US8988908B2 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2015-03-24 | Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas | Capacitive power supply with surge current limitation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB1303110A (en) | 1973-01-17 |
FR2046804B1 (en) | 1973-01-12 |
FR2046804A1 (en) | 1971-03-12 |
DE2029490A1 (en) | 1971-03-11 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PAKO CORPORATION Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BERKEY PHOTO, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003869/0642 Effective date: 19810520 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATINAL BANK AND TRUST COMPAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:PAKO CORPORATION, 6300 OLSON MEMORIAL HWY., MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55440 A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004404/0382 Effective date: 19850206 Owner name: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS, FIRST BANK PLA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:PAKO CORPORATION, 6300 OLSON MEMORIAL HWY., MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55440 A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004404/0382 Effective date: 19850206 Owner name: PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, P.O. BOX Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:PAKO CORPORATION, 6300 OLSON MEMORIAL HWY., MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55440 A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004404/0382 Effective date: 19850206 Owner name: NORWEST BANK MINNEAPOLIS, FORMERLY NORTHWESTERN NA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:PAKO CORPORATION, 6300 OLSON MEMORIAL HWY., MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55440 A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004404/0382 Effective date: 19850206 |