US3768056A - Electro-thermic starter for igniting fluorescent lamps - Google Patents

Electro-thermic starter for igniting fluorescent lamps Download PDF

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Publication number
US3768056A
US3768056A US00246279A US3768056DA US3768056A US 3768056 A US3768056 A US 3768056A US 00246279 A US00246279 A US 00246279A US 3768056D A US3768056D A US 3768056DA US 3768056 A US3768056 A US 3768056A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
starter
expansion
control member
contact switch
compensating
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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
Application number
US00246279A
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English (en)
Inventor
P Egurbide
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.)
Cetek Const Electrotech
CONSTRUCTIONS ELECTROTECHNIQUES DU CENTRE CETEK FR
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Cetek Const Electrotech
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Application filed by Cetek Const Electrotech filed Critical Cetek Const Electrotech
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Publication of US3768056A publication Critical patent/US3768056A/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
    • H05B41/02—Details
    • H05B41/04—Starting switches
    • H05B41/06—Starting switches thermal only

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A starter switch for a fluorescent lamp including a microswitch actuated by an electrically heated bimetallic expansion element.
  • a second bi-metallic element is provided to compensate for changes in ambient temperature, thus rendering the initial switch adjustments independent of surrounding temperature changes.
  • the elements are selected to provide a desired filament heating delay for the lamp prior to ignition switching, and to recycle after a predetermined time in the event of non-ignition.
  • the present invention concerns an electro-thermic starter for igniting fluorescent lamps and has the advantage of excellent reliability and long life while being inexpensive and extremely compact.
  • Electric discharge starters for example, have a relatively low cost, but their life is very short. Furthermore, they are liable to variations in operation, depending on the surrounding temperature and their very low cut-out capacity, and the rapidity with which the opening and closing cycles of the contacts they control are repeated involves a reduction in the length of their own life and the life of the controlled lamps.
  • Electro-thermic starters have an improved cut-out capacity and a longer life.
  • their use involves an increase in the life of the controlled lamp which is at least twice the life of lamps controlled by electric discharge cycles
  • all known electro-thermic starters progressively deteriorate in the course of the repetition of the closing and opening cycles of their control contacts.
  • their adjustments depend on the surrounding temperature and their cost prices are too high for the performances obtained.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to provide a starter for igniting fluorescent lamps comprising at least one feed circuit for the lamp and one pre-heating circuit for the cathodes, at least one heat expansion element inserted in a circuit depending on the aforementioned circuits and having a precise expansion and contraction cycle under the influence of the variations of temperature produced by the said circuits, a trigger contact having a closed position and an open position inserted in the pre-heating circuit of the lamp, and a control member connecting the contact to the said expansion element, characterized in that an adjustment member operated by the said expansion element involves the sudden transfer of the contact from one position to the other after a given interval, whatever the open or closed position may be in'which the contact is disposed, the heat expansion element being selected to develop a force enabling it to effect such a movement during a temperature variation between one-fourth and two-fifths of the temperature which the element would assume if the pre-heating circuit operated permanently.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a starter of such type in which the expansion element maintains the contact in a closed position when the control member is in an initial position h0, opens the contact when the control member is in a position hl, thus involving the normal ignition of the lamp, and continues its course before being stabilized in a position h4.
  • the non-ignition of the lamp causes the cooling of the elements and the return of the control member to a position h3 between the position I10 and hl in which the contact closes again in order to start a new preheating cycle, the position h4 being between a position I12 and the position h3.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a starter of this type in which the position of the control member is compensated as a function of the surrounding temperature by means of a second thermic element.
  • the starters of the present invention may preserve the same adjustment for a very long time, whatever the variations in the surrounding temperature may be, the opening and closing positions of the trigger contact being retained.
  • At least one of the thermic elements of the invention is a bi-metal.
  • the electric circuit associated with the starter and the fluorescent tube which it controls may then be of a very simple design, since it is only necessary to incorporate a bi-metal formed by a helical member.
  • Such a system makes it possible to reduce the normal space occupied by a linear bi-metal. Moreover, it is possible to control efficiently the opening of the contact with a relatively low feed current.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the starter mounted on its support
  • FIG. la is another embodiment of the starter shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section through the starter taken on the line II II shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the construction of another embodiment of the starter shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3a is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the starter shown in FIG. 3,
  • FIG. 4a shows a construction of a bi-metal
  • FIG. 4b shows the construction of a bi-metal in the form of a coil
  • FIG. 40 shows the construction of another bi-metallic element which may be used with the starter
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the starter shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIGS. 6-8 show electric wiring diagrams used for the ignition of the lamp controlled by the starter.
  • FIG. 9 shows diagrams of the movement of the push member and variations in the temperature of the bimetallic member as afunction of the surrounding temperature.
  • the bi-metal member 1 is heated by the electric current fed to the schematically illustrated terminal 9.
  • This bi-metal member is supported by the compensating member 4, to which it is connected by means of the insulating member 10 simultaneously playing the part of an electric and heat insulator. Since materials of this type are known per se, the result is that an insulating fitting may also be used covered with a varnish or a ceramic.
  • the other end of the member 4 is connected to the support 8 by the securing member 5.
  • bi-metal 4 compensates for ambient temperature changes.
  • the switch 2 is mounted on the support 8 by means of the rivet 6 and a spacer 7, making it possible to adjust the clearance between the end of the control member ofthe mini-switch 2, that is to say, of the push member 3, and the free end of the bi-metal member 1.
  • the end of the bi-metal is insulated from the push member 3 by an insulating plate 11 which may, for example, be of the same material as the plate 10.
  • FIG. 2' shows the spacer 7 for adjusting the gap between the bi-metal 1 and the end of the push member 3.
  • the spacer may, for example,'be formed by a simple bent strip of the support 8.
  • the compensating member 4 is mounted so that, when the surrounding temperature is average, the bi-metal remains in alignment. both with the push member 3 and the bi-metal 4.
  • An insulating plate 10 may be mounted either on the member 1 or 4,-these members having no rigid connection between them.
  • a second insulating plate 11 insulates the push member from the bi-metal member 1.
  • the embodiment of the starter shown in FIG. 3 differs from the one which has just been described in that the compensating member 4 is the member whose free end controls the member 3, while the bi-metal element 1 itself acts as a support.
  • the element 1 is secured to the support 5 by means of the insulating plate 10.
  • the connection between the members 1 and 4 is obtained by the insulating support 11 which may also be cemented between these members or kept in position by means of rivets, any other desired method of attachment also being possible.
  • FIG. 40 shows the particular construction of a bimetal capable of being used as the element 1.
  • This construction indicated as a whole by 14, is formed by two superimposed'bi-metals l5 insulated by two sheets of .mica between which is disposed a heating element 16 welded at its ends 9a and 9b, these welds being effected on the edges of the upper bi-metal l5 and the lower bimetal respectively.
  • the heat resistor 16 is selected so that, by reason of the available heating power, it is minimum for the maximum deflection required by the bi-metal for controlling the trigger contact incorporated in the mini-switch 2 in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the bi-metal 1 may have the shape indicated in FIG. 4a, the part 1a acting on the push member 3, or again have a helical form, as indicated in FIG. 4b, from which it is apparent that the insulating plate 1 l is intended to come into contact with the push member.
  • the trigger contact symbolized by the connecting wires 12 and 13 may also be controlled by means of a wire extending from the control member of the contact, that is to say, in this embodiment, from the push member 3.
  • the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 differs from the foregoing in that the compensating member 4 is separated from the member 1 and directly actuates the trigger contact assembly, the only modification of which is that it is mounted to swing about a fixed axis.
  • the member 4 actuates the casing of the mini-switch 2 which swings freely about the axis 6, while the member 1 urges the push member 3 inwardly each time it cools down.
  • the mini-switch is mounted and fixed to the support 8 by means of strips such as 7 shown in FIG. 2, in the previous embodiments, the casing 2 shown in FIG. 5 has no obstacle to its free displacement under the actions of the bi-metals 1 and 4.
  • FIGS. 6-8 show by way of example three methods of mounting the starter in the circuits serving for'jthe ignition of the lamps 17.
  • Reference to any of these Figures and to FIG. 9 giving diagrams of the movement of the tip of the bi-metal normally in contact with the push" member 3 as a function of the forceexerted" by the bimetal, the temperature and the variation in the temperature according to the weather, will enable the description of the operation of the starter according to the inf;
  • the trigger contact mounted between the wires 12- and 13 is connected in the pre-heating circuit of the cathodesof the lamp l7 and in parallel with this lamp.
  • the heat expanding member of the expanding wire of the bi-metal, whether compensated or not, is shown at 1. It will therefore be seen that, as soon as an alternating current is applied to the terminals 18 and 19 of the pre-heating circuit of the lamp 17, the member 1 is energized either directly or by means of a secondary winding 20. In the case of FIG. 7, the turns 20 are also coupled to the coil 21.
  • the induction coil 21 produces a voltage surge across the electrodes of the lamp l7 normally causing the ignition of the lamp when its electrodes have been suitably heated.
  • the axes OF showing the force exerted by the bi-metal and 0C showing the movement of the push member, give the corresponding values of these magnitudes for each point of the curves 22 and 23.
  • the curves 24 and 25 indicate the displacements of the bi-metal parallel to the axis of the push member 3 as a function of the variations of centigrade temperatures suffered by the axis OT, and the curves 26, 27 shown the variations in the temperature of the bi-metal as a function of the weather.
  • 0C is expressed in millimeters, OF in Newtons, OY in centigrade degrees and Or in seconds.
  • the force exerted by the bi-metal is maximum, so that the level of penetration of the push member 3, engaged by the bi-metal, is hO whose ordinate, on the axis of 0C, is selected as the origin.
  • the current directly or indirectly heating the member 1 raises its temperature and involves the linear displacement of its end in contact with the push member 3, as shown by the curve 24 as far as the point A in which the trigger contact of the mini-switch suddenly opens. This opening occurs when the push member is displaced to the level hi. and this actionis shown on the curve 22 by the horizontal part f1 corresponding to the additional force of the trigger starting the opening movement.
  • the time taken to reach the point A is furnished by the ordinate of the point B on the curve 26 of the same abscissa as the point A, that is to say, approximately 2 seconds. Since the opening of the trigger contact involves the breaking of the pre-heating circuit of the cathodes of the lamp 17, it produces a voltage surge generally sufficient to ignite the lamp. The current fed to the inductance coil 21 is however, sufficient to increase and maintain the temperature of the bi-metal. The end of the bi-metal is displaced to the level F, as shown by the curves 22 and 24.
  • the bi-metal fails to receive any power and it cools down according to a curve such as 28 to the point E which it reaches in the embodiment shown in a time of 7 seconds.
  • a curve such as 28 to the point E which it reaches in the embodiment shown in a time of 7 seconds.
  • the contraction curve 25 starting from the point F and descending linearly to the point G at which there occurs the reclosing of the trig ger contact. This closure corresponds to the movement 23 of the push member 3, the level of which reaches the value h3 'forthe point G.
  • the starter in the reverse direction, opening being always ensured in the course of the heating cycle by means of a mini-switch, the contact of which is closed when inoperative, opening this time being effected by the insertion of the control push member. Mounting is then more delicate, since it is necessary to check at the moment of adjustment that a momentary temperature rise does not produce excessive stressing of the bi-metal.
  • the mini-switch could comprise two contacts instead of only one, and the extra contact could be used for the appropriate modification of the characteristics of the control circuits of the lamp. No anti-interference cir cuits are shown, since these circuits are already known.
  • a starter for igniting a fluorescent lamp comprising: at least one feed circuit for the lamp and one preheating circuit for the lamp cathodes, at least one electrically heated expansion element inserted in a circuit supplied by the feed circuit and having a precise expansion and contraction cycle under the influence of the variations of temperature produced by the current flowing through the element, a trigger contact switch having a closed and an open position inserted in the pre-heating circuit of the lamp, and a control member connected to the contact switch and engagable by expansion member, wherein the control member, engaged by the said expansion member, causes the sudden transfer of the said contact switch from one position to the other after a given movement whatever position the contact switch is disposed in, the expansion element being selected to develop a force allowing it to effect such a movement during a variation of temperature between one-fourth and two-fifths of the temperature which the element would assume if the preheating circuit operated permanently.
  • a starter as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a compensating expansion element operating only under the effects of the surrounding temperature.

Landscapes

  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
US00246279A 1971-06-04 1972-04-21 Electro-thermic starter for igniting fluorescent lamps Expired - Lifetime US3768056A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR717120358A FR2141492B1 (OSRAM) 1971-06-04 1971-06-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3768056A true US3768056A (en) 1973-10-23

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ID=9078139

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00246279A Expired - Lifetime US3768056A (en) 1971-06-04 1972-04-21 Electro-thermic starter for igniting fluorescent lamps

Country Status (20)

Country Link
US (1) US3768056A (OSRAM)
BE (1) BE781376A (OSRAM)
BR (1) BR7202839D0 (OSRAM)
CA (1) CA956353A (OSRAM)
CH (1) CH554128A (OSRAM)
DD (1) DD99887A5 (OSRAM)
DE (1) DE2217081C3 (OSRAM)
ES (1) ES402528A1 (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2141492B1 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB1393564A (OSRAM)
HU (1) HU165915B (OSRAM)
IE (1) IE36333B1 (OSRAM)
IL (1) IL39263A (OSRAM)
IT (1) IT953835B (OSRAM)
LU (1) LU65163A1 (OSRAM)
NL (1) NL7205782A (OSRAM)
NO (1) NO135497C (OSRAM)
SE (1) SE385429B (OSRAM)
SU (1) SU510182A3 (OSRAM)
YU (1) YU33470B (OSRAM)

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB445789A (en) * 1934-10-19 1936-04-20 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to electric discharge devices provided with thermostatic switches of bimetallic strip type
US2298785A (en) * 1941-09-27 1942-10-13 Gen Electric Starting switch
US2333536A (en) * 1942-05-02 1943-11-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Thermostatic switch
GB565302A (en) * 1942-04-04 1944-11-06 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements relating to starting switches for electric discharge devices
GB644998A (en) * 1947-04-03 1950-10-25 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in thermal responsive electric switches of the glow discharge type
CA485713A (en) * 1952-08-12 N.V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken Fluorescent lamp starting apparatus
US3272944A (en) * 1964-11-12 1966-09-13 Sylvania Electric Prod Encapsulated thermostatic switch having a heater disposed in the stem
US3284597A (en) * 1965-04-30 1966-11-08 Sylvania Electric Prod Electrical control device of the thermal delay type
US3333075A (en) * 1965-01-15 1967-07-25 Knobel Fritz Starter for low voltage fluorescent lamps
US3417358A (en) * 1966-09-22 1968-12-17 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Ambient temperature compensated overload relay
US3458757A (en) * 1966-11-09 1969-07-29 Knobel Elektro App Automatic starter switch for preheating and ignition of fluorescent lamps having heated cathodes

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA485713A (en) * 1952-08-12 N.V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken Fluorescent lamp starting apparatus
GB445789A (en) * 1934-10-19 1936-04-20 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to electric discharge devices provided with thermostatic switches of bimetallic strip type
US2298785A (en) * 1941-09-27 1942-10-13 Gen Electric Starting switch
GB565302A (en) * 1942-04-04 1944-11-06 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements relating to starting switches for electric discharge devices
US2333536A (en) * 1942-05-02 1943-11-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Thermostatic switch
GB644998A (en) * 1947-04-03 1950-10-25 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in thermal responsive electric switches of the glow discharge type
US3272944A (en) * 1964-11-12 1966-09-13 Sylvania Electric Prod Encapsulated thermostatic switch having a heater disposed in the stem
US3333075A (en) * 1965-01-15 1967-07-25 Knobel Fritz Starter for low voltage fluorescent lamps
US3284597A (en) * 1965-04-30 1966-11-08 Sylvania Electric Prod Electrical control device of the thermal delay type
US3417358A (en) * 1966-09-22 1968-12-17 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Ambient temperature compensated overload relay
US3458757A (en) * 1966-11-09 1969-07-29 Knobel Elektro App Automatic starter switch for preheating and ignition of fluorescent lamps having heated cathodes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2217081B2 (de) 1978-06-01
IT953835B (it) 1973-08-10
YU33470B (en) 1977-02-28
DD99887A5 (OSRAM) 1973-08-20
ES402528A1 (es) 1975-04-01
FR2141492A1 (OSRAM) 1973-01-26
SE385429B (sv) 1976-06-28
IL39263A (en) 1975-06-25
PL72851B1 (OSRAM) 1974-08-30
LU65163A1 (OSRAM) 1972-07-13
HU165915B (OSRAM) 1974-12-28
DE2217081C3 (de) 1979-02-08
FR2141492B1 (OSRAM) 1973-06-29
CH554128A (de) 1974-09-13
BE781376A (fr) 1972-07-17
SU510182A3 (ru) 1976-04-05
GB1393564A (en) 1975-05-07
NO135497C (OSRAM) 1977-04-13
DE2217081A1 (de) 1972-12-14
IL39263A0 (en) 1972-06-28
CA956353A (en) 1974-10-15
NL7205782A (OSRAM) 1972-12-06
IE36333L (en) 1972-12-04
BR7202839D0 (pt) 1973-06-14
IE36333B1 (en) 1976-10-13
NO135497B (OSRAM) 1977-01-03

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