WO1994006259A1

WO1994006259A1 - Circuit for operating fluorescent and neon-argon gas tubes without starter, ballast and high-voltage transformers

Info

Publication number: WO1994006259A1
Application number: PCT/GR1993/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nebojsa Ristic
Original assignee: A.D. Electronic Ltd
Priority date: 1992-09-10
Filing date: 1993-09-01
Publication date: 1994-03-17
Also published as: AU4980093A

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of electrotechnics and electronics. On fluorescent tubes, the AD convertor is connected into the circuit (one AD convertor is sufficient for every four fluorescent tubes), doint away with starters and ballasts. It has similar dimensions, weights less, does not use a heat fibre, increases the voltage to 1000-2000 V through its electronic components, provides a lighted fluorescent tube with instant ignition, without stroboscopic effects, and without the danger of short-circuits, since the user can safely hold the naked cables of the AD convertor. It saves up to 60 % electricity and gives the tubes a long life. In neon and argon tubes it removes the need for high-tension transformers and their housing (it is waterproof) and increases the voltage to 1500-7000 V.

Description

CIRCUIT FOR OPERATING FLUORESCENT AND NEON-ARGON GAS TUBES WITHOUT STARTER BALLAST AND HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS .

This invention belongs to the field of electrotechnics and electronics.

The principle of the driving force is applied to fluorescent tubes and neon and argon tubes without high-voltage (HV) transformers in conditions that:

There will be instant ignition so that the short circuit will have no harmful effect 5 making a long life possible for fluorescent tubes, and the stroboscopic effect will be annulled, in such a way, that a 60% saving in electricity is achieved.

The starters and ballasts, which have been used so far, as well as high - voltage transformers will be rendered obsolete. 10 These principles are achieved by the electronic assemblage called Analogic

Digital (AD) CONVERTOR. a) With regard to the fluorescent tubes.

- Description of Operation.

The AD convertor uses the 220 V /50 HZ domestic electricity supply as its 15 driving force, which through the above - mentioned principle (electronic compo¬ nents of the AD convertor) increases the voltage to 1000 - 2000 V depending on the size of the fluorescent tubes.

The high voltage is led to the edges of the fluorescent tube. The high voltage is heats up the gas inside the fluorescent tube until it reaches 20 ignition temperature, without using heat fibres in the fluorescent tube. After ignition, the voltage falls to an operational voltage rate, from 50 - 1 10 V, de¬ pending on the size of the fluorescent tube (20W, 40W, 65 W or 18W , 36W etc ).

- The solution of the technical problem is based on the electronic components 25 and their use in the electronic wiring layout.

In this way the semiconductors and passive components transform the voltage from 220 V to 1000-2000 V. When the high voltage causes momentary ignition, the fluorescent tube is lit and the voltage falls to 50 - 1 10 V, depending on the size of the fluorescent tube.

30 Thus, this principle of driving force to operate the fluorescent tube, means that there is no need for heat fibres in the fluorescent tubes, for starters or for ballasts.

By applying this principle in a piece of equipment composed of four fluorescent tubes, it will be seen that four starters and four ballasts are rendered obsolete 5 and only one AD convertor is put in place, having similar dimension and notably lighter. b) With regard to neon and argon tubes. Description of the operation: The 220 V/50 HZ domestic electricity supply is used as driving force, which by means of this principle reaches 1500 -7000 N depending on the number of parts, their width, and the gas being used (neon or argon) as well as their size. This principle of driving force offers multiple advantages in comparison with the old system using high - voltage transformers or transformers. These may be explained as follows: - There is a saving of electricity of approximately 60 %, and the tubes last longer.

- The operation of high - voltage transformers and ΝYM cables as well as the housing for installing the high - voltage transformer is rendered unnecessary, in view of the fact that the AD convertor is totally waterproof and suitable for all types of assemply.

It is particularly demonstrated that by installing this principle of driving force, short - circuits do not cause any of the negative consequences either to the appli¬ ance or to the user, since now the uninsulated conductor of the AD convertor may be held in one' s hand. The above - mentioned operations of this principle of driving force do not only ensure economy, but also offers great safety when using lit-up advertisements and forms of neon lighting that are gererally positioned outdoors. The solution to the technical problem is based on the elecronic components and their use in the electric wiring layout. In this way, semiconductors and passive components make it possible to create voltage of 1500-7000 V depending on the needs of the lights installed. The final point of the voltage is permanent, that is the high voltage needed for ignition remains stable throughout all the time dependent on the requirements and the work of the neon signs. The advantages of this solution to the technical problem have been explained in the section "Description of Operation".

The attached diagram presents in figure 1 the wiring of the AD convertor on a fluorescent tube and in figure 2 the wiring of the AD convertor in a tube with neon or argon.

Claims

i - The invention concerning driving force for operating fluorescent tubes without using heat fibres, starters or ballasts, and operating neon or argon tubes without high - voltage transformers, but using Analogic Digital (AD) CONVERTORS.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 6 January 1994 (06.01 .94) ; original cl aim 1 amended ; new cl aims 2-30 added (2 pages ) ]

I . Electronic circuit for setting in operation fluorescent lamps and neon-argon gas tubes. This circuit consists of a voltage multiplier which applies, at the lamp terminals, a pulse voltage with a momentary value above 1000V, when a mains supply of 220 VAC is applied at the input terminals of the multiplier.

2. The circuit according to claim 1 consists of an at least sixfold voltage multiplier.

3. The circuit according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized by the fact that the high voltage is the ignition voltage of the lamp.

4. The circuit according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that a pulse voltage is applied at the lamp terminals.

5. The circuit according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the operation voltage is about 100V.

6. The circuit according to claim 1 consists of: a) the supply current limiting circuit (Co, Ro), b) the pulse voltage multiplier circuit (Dl thru D6, C3 thru C4, Rl thru R4) and c) the protection circuit (R5).

7. The circuit according to claims 1 and 6a consists of a resistor and a capacitor.

8. The circuit according to claims 1 , 6a and 7 is characterized by the fact that the value of resistor Ro varies, depending on the lamp type.

9. The circuit according to claims 1, 6a and 7 is characterized by the fact that the value of capacitor Co varies, depending on the lamp type.

10. The circuit according to claims 1 and 6b is characterized by the fact that the voltage multiplier consists of diodes Dx, capacitors Cx and resistors Rx.

I I . The circuit according to claims 1, 6b and 10 is characterized by the fact that capacitors Cl thru C4 and resistors Rl thru R4 limit the supply current of the lamp.

12. The circuit according to claims 1, 6b and 10 is characterized by the fact that capacitors Cl thru C4 and resistors Rl thru R4 determine the duration of the pulse half-period.

13. The circuit according to claims 1 and 6c, consists of the resistor R5.

14. The circuit according to claim 13 is characterized by the fact that resistor R5 provides for the discharge of the circuit, if the lamp fails to operate.

15. The circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 is characterized by the fact that the frequency of operation of the lamp is a multiple of the mains frequency.

16. The circuit according to claim 15 is characterized by the fact that, due to the high frequency waves within the tube, the strobe effect is diminished.

17. The circuit according to claim 15 is characterized by the fact that the po consumption of the lamp is reduced by 15%-60% compared to a comm equivalent circuit.

18. The circuit according to claim 15 is characterized by the fact that the li 5 intensity of the lamp is increased by 45% compared to a common equivale circuit.

19. The circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 is characterized by the fact t the ignition of the lamp is instantaneous.

20. The circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 19 is characterized by the f that, for its ignition, the lamp has no need for heat element wires.

10 21. The circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 19 and 20 is characterized by t fact that it has the capability to supply and ignite even "burnt-out" lamps.

22. The circuit according to claim 1, in order to be used for the operation of neo argon gas tubes, consists of: a) the voltage multiplier circuit (Dl thru D6 and thru C4), b) the protection circuit (R5) and c) the supply current limiter (R6).

15 23. The circuit according to claim 1 and 22a is characterized by the fact that consists of diodes Dx and capacitors Cx.

24. The circuit according to claims 1, 22a and 23 is characterized by the fact th the capacitors are connected in parallel with the diodes and that the high volta (1500V to 7000V) remains constant at the lamp terminals throughout the enti 0 period of the lamp's operation.

25. The circuit according to claims 1 and 22b consists of a resistor connected parallel with another resistor and the lamp.

26. The circuit according to claims 1, 22b and 25 is characterized by the fact th resistor R5 provides for the discharge of the circuit, when the lamp fails 5 operate.

27. The circuit according to claims 1 and 22 is characterized by the fact th resistor connected in series with the lamp.

28. The circuit according to claims 1 and 27 is characterized by the fact th resistor R6 limits the pulse voltage applied to the lamp. 0

29. The circuit according to claim 1, in order to be used for the operation fluorescent tubes including ballast, omits from its components the initial capacito resistor pair.

30. Method of operation of fluorescent lamps and neon-argon tubes which, employing the electronic circuit described in claim 1 , makes obsolete the current 5 used heat element wires, starters, ballasts and high voltage (HV) transformers. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

The amendments to the claims were considered necessary, after the relevant clarifications by the appropriate Greek authority for patents (Industrial Property Organization). Specifically, as you can see from the priority document issued by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia where the invention is already produced and marketed since September 1992 exactly as it appears in the claims, both the claims as well as the description and the circuit diagrams had been accurately translated and forwarded to you in this form completely unchanged.

However, the initial claim, as it had been presented, was absolutely vague and generalized and inevitably, from international research, two category X patents were found. We absolutely believe that, with the amended claims, our invention will prove to be especially original.

The new and amended claims, completely and essentially correspond with the invention. Also, they are combined with three new circuit diagrams, which depict the internal structure of the electronic circuit. They also give a more clear and integrated description of the invention, in accordance to the currently valid specifications for the presentation of inventions.