WO2001039247A2 - Transformateur destine a un systeme d'eclairage a gaz rare - Google Patents

Transformateur destine a un systeme d'eclairage a gaz rare Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001039247A2
WO2001039247A2 PCT/US2000/041963 US0041963W WO0139247A2 WO 2001039247 A2 WO2001039247 A2 WO 2001039247A2 US 0041963 W US0041963 W US 0041963W WO 0139247 A2 WO0139247 A2 WO 0139247A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rare gas
transformer
tube
gas tube
wire coil
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/041963
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001039247A3 (fr
Inventor
Barry Ray Luz
Harry Friedman
Original Assignee
Fluid Light Technologies, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fluid Light Technologies, Inc. filed Critical Fluid Light Technologies, Inc.
Priority to AU43032/01A priority Critical patent/AU4303201A/en
Publication of WO2001039247A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001039247A2/fr
Publication of WO2001039247A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001039247A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/155Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to rare gas illumination, and more particularly to systems and methods for the illumination of rare gas tubes. Background
  • Rare gas tube displays such as neon signs, are commonly used for advertising and for artistic displays. Historically, these displays were typically illuminated by applying a high voltage signal simultaneously to electrodes at opposite ends of a sealed glass tube containing a rare gas mixture. Hence, the rare gas tubes of these displays were typically either completely “on” or completely “off.”
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,818,968 which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses a system and method for controlling the propagation of a column of light in a rare gas tube display.
  • the system includes a plurality of rare gas tubes, each having a pair of electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the tube, wherein one of the electrodes is excited to cause a column of light to be emitted from the corresponding rare gas tube starting at a small region at one end of the tube.
  • the excitation is changed to cause the column of light to expand to increasingly larger regions of the tube.
  • the system creates a light sweeping effect in the rare gas tubes.
  • the system disclosed in the '968 patent includes appropriate control circuitry to excite the electrodes of the rare gas tubes in a manner that creates the desired light sweeping effect for a particular illumination pattern.
  • rare gas tubes generally exhibit certain properties, which complicate the process of creating a predictable, linear light sweeping effect in a particular rare gas display.
  • the capacitance of a particular rare gas tube affects the expansion of a column of light through the rare gas tube.
  • Many displays include curved rare gas tubes for aesthetic and other reasons. The curves of a rare gas tube create capacitance within the tube, which causes nonlinearities in the expansion of a column of light through the curved portions of the rare gas tube. In fact, in a typical configuration, the capacitance of the rare gas tube changes as the column of light propagates through the tube. A capacitance also exists between a rare gas tube and its surrounding environment.
  • the environmental capacitance of a particular rare gas tube can vary widely, depending on the surroundings of the rare gas tube.
  • the variations in capacitance caused by curves within a rare gas tube and by the surroundings of the tube make the process of creating a predictable, linear light sweeping effect in a particular rare gas display more difficult.
  • rare gas tubes exhibit certain undesirable properties, which are unrelated to creating a light sweeping effect within the tubes.
  • rare gas tubes typically operate at relatively high voltages, such as about 2000 volts. Therefore, rare gas displays typically use electrical transformers to step up relatively low voltage supply lines to the appropriate voltage level. Conventional transformers that provide the necessary voltage step up can be too large to place near the rare gas display itself. Accordingly, high voltage supply lines are needed for many rare gas displays to carry the high voltage signal from the transformer to the rare gas display. These high voltage supply lines can pose a safety hazard.
  • an illuminated rare gas tube generates an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the illuminated tube. This electromagnetic field undesirably creates interference, which can affect the illumination of other rare gas tubes located near the illuminated tube. Thus, the electromagnetic interference generated by illuminated rare gas tubes adds complexity and unpredictability to the illumination of rare gas displays having multiple rare gas tubes located near one another. Additionally, rare gas tubes generally emit certain radio frequency (RF) transmissions when illuminated.
  • RF radio frequency
  • a rare gas illumination system comprises a first rare gas tube having a first end and a second end, a first transformer electrically coupled to the first end of the first rare gas tube, and a second transformer electrically coupled to the second end of the first rare gas tube.
  • the first transformer and the second transformer each comprise a first wire coil having a first plurality of turns, a second wire coil having a second plurality of turns, and a ferrite core located on the outside of the first wire coil and the second wire coil.
  • the first transformer and the second transformer each occupy a volume of about 1 cubic inch.
  • a transformer is electrically coupled to a tube containing a rare gas.
  • the transformer comprises a first wire coil having a first plurality of turns, a second wire coil having a second plurality of turns, and a ferrite core located on the outside of the first wire coil and the second wire coil.
  • the transformer occupies a volume of about 1 cubic inch.
  • a transformer is electrically coupled to a tube containing a rare gas.
  • the transformer comprises a first wire coil, a second wire coil, and a ferrite core located on the outside of the first wire coil and the second wire coil.
  • the transformer is configured to generate an output signal having harmonic frequencies in the range of about 1 to 4 times the frequency of an input signal.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the system of the present invention.
  • Figures 2A-2B illustrate the operation of the controller during the automatic calibration routine.
  • Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a tube connector and a boot in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a boot in accordance with the present invention.
  • Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of the system 100 of the present invention.
  • the system 100 of the illustrated embodiment includes a controller 200 comprising a microcontroller 205 coupled to a memory 210, an input/output (I/O) port 215, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 220.
  • I/O input/output
  • D/A digital-to-analog
  • the controller 200 further comprises a sawtooth wave multiplexer 225 coupled to a sawtooth wave generator 230 and to a pulse width modulator 235.
  • the pulse width modulator 235 is also coupled to the D/A converter 220 and to an output power driver 240.
  • the controller 200 further comprises a power supply 245.
  • the power supply 245 of the controller 200 is coupled to a power source 260.
  • the I/O port 215 of the controller 200 is coupled to a computer 270.
  • the output power driver 240 of the controller 200 is coupled to a plurality of rare gas tubes 280A-D via a plurality of wires 290A1-D1, 290A2-D2 and a plurality of boots 300A1-D1, 300A2-D2.
  • the rare gas tubes 280A-D may comprise sealed glass tubes ⁇ ontaining a wide variety of rare gases, such as neon or argon.
  • the rare gas tubes 280A-D may be straight, as shown, or the rare gas tubes 280A-D may be formed into a wide variety of shapes.
  • the sawtooth wave generator 230, the sawtooth wave multiplexer 225, and the pulse width modulator 235 of the controller 200 are configured to cause a column of light to be emitted from the rare gas tubes 280A-D in a manner to create a light sweeping effect.
  • Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods for emitting light from rare gas tubes in a sweeping manner are well known.
  • the controller 200 controls the illumination of the rare gas tubes 280A-D by executing the control code for a particular illumination pattern.
  • the memory 210 of the controller 200 is preferably configured to store the control code for a plurality of illumination patterns. Thus, by selecting one of the stored control codes, the controller 200 can vary the illumination pattern of the rare gas tubes 280A-D quickly and easily.
  • the computer 270 preferably comprises a personal computer that includes a processor, a memory, and standard peripherals, such as a keyboard and a display.
  • the computer 270 also includes software that enables a user to design various illumination patterns for the rare gas tubes 280A-D.
  • the user can simulate an illumination pattern on the computer 270 and modify the pattern until the desired illumination pattern is realized. The user can then transfer the control code for the desired illumination pattern from the computer
  • the rare gas tubes 280A-D may be located near one another during the display of a particular illumination pattern. Therefore, the electromagnetic field generated by an illuminated rare gas tube, such as, for example, the rare gas tube 280A, may undesirably interfere with the illumination of the other rare gas tubes 280B-D.
  • the sawtooth wave multiplexer 225 of the controller 200 is configured to activate the rare gas tubes 280A-D sequentially rather than simultaneously, such that only one of the rare gas tubes 280A-D is illuminated at a time. The sequential activation of the rare gas tubes 280A-D advantageously reduces the interference caused by the electromagnetic fields generated by the rare gas tubes 280A-D when illuminated.
  • the time period between the sequential activation of the rare gas tubes 280A-D is preferably chosen such that each of the rare gas tubes 280A-D appears to be illuminated continuously due to the persistence of vision of the human eye.
  • the sawtooth wave multiplexer 225 may sequentially activate the rare gas tubes 280A-D during progressive time periods of about 16 microseconds each.
  • the rare gas tube 280A could only be illuminated, if at all, during time periods of about 16 microseconds each separated by intervals of about 48 microseconds each, during which the rare gas tube 280A could not be illuminated.
  • a number of other suitable time periods could be selected which also create the appearance that the rare gas tubes 280A-D are continuously illuminated due to the persistence of vision of the human eye.
  • the light sweeping effect in the rare gas tubes 280A-D is created by illuminating successive increments of the rare gas tubes 280A-D in sequence.
  • Two variables determine the resolution of the light sweeping effect: (1) the length of the increments by which the rare gas tubes 280A-D are sequentially illuminated, and (2) the rate of the illumination of successive tube increments.
  • the resolution of the light sweeping effect improves when the length of the sequentially illuminated tube increments is shortened.
  • the resolution of the sweeping effect improves when the illumination rate of successive tube increments is increased.
  • the user controls the illumination rate of successive tube increments.
  • the user may desire light to sweep through the rare gas tube 280A over a period of 30 seconds.
  • the user may desire light to sweep through the rare gas tube 280A over a period of 1 second. If the length of the sequentially illuminated tube increments remains constant for these two illumination patterns, then the illumination rate must increase dramatically in the second illumination pattern to accomplish the desired light sweeping effect in the allotted time. Hence, the resolution of the light sweeping effect in the second illumination pattern is better than the resolution in the first illumination pattern, because the amount of time spent at each tube increment in the first pattern creates a step-like visual effect. Thus, for a lower illumination rate (e.g., 30 seconds for the tube length), smaller tube increments may be desirable to create a smoother visual effect.
  • a lower illumination rate e.g. 30 seconds for the tube length
  • the human eye cannot perceive the sequential illumination of successive tube increments above a certain illumination rate.
  • increasing the illumination rate does not result in improved resolution of the light sweeping effect.
  • the controller 200 can compute a tube increment length and an illumination rate that will optimize the perceptible resolution of the desired light sweeping effect in a particular illumination pattern.
  • the memory 210 of the controller 200 includes a automatic calibration routine that determines the lowest voltage value required to begin illuminating the rare gas tubes 280A-D. This value is referred to herein as a "minimum” voltage value.
  • the controller 200 also determines the lowest voltage value required to fully illuminate the rare gas tubes 280A-D. This value is referred to herein as a "maximum” voltage value, although it should be understood that it is not necessarily the largest voltage value that could be applied to the rare gas tubes 280A-D. The difference between these minimum and maximum voltage values represents the "electrical length" of the rare gas tubes 280A-D.
  • the electrical length of the rare gas tubes 280A-D may be affected by a variety of parameters, such as, for example, physical length, diameter, gas, color, shape or mounting location of the rare gas tubes 280A-D.
  • the controller 200 may refer to the electrical length of the rare gas tubes 280A-D when computing the optimum tube increment length for a particular illumination pattern, as described above.
  • Figure 2A illustrates a flow chart showing the operation of the controller 200 when determining the voltage required to begin illuminating the rare gas tube 280A from a first end during the automatic calibration routine.
  • the controller 200 begins to provide an applied voltage to a first boot 300A1 through the wire 290A1.
  • the controller 200 gradually increases the applied voltage provided to the first boot 300A1.
  • the controller 200 senses whether the first boot 300A1 is providing sufficient voltage to a first electrode at the first end of the rare gas tube 280A to activate the first electrode.
  • the controller 200 detects the activation of the first electrode by sensing a change in the voltage applied to the first electrode caused by increased current flow.
  • the controller 200 determines that the first electrode has not been activated. Processing then returns to the step 505, where the controller 200 continues to gradually increase the applied voltage provided to the first boot 300A1. Once the applied voltage reaches a sufficient level to activate the first electrode, the controller 200 senses a change in the voltage applied to the first electrode caused by increased current flow. In a step 515, the controller 200 stores the activation voltage level as the minimum voltage value for the first boot 300A1 in the memory 210.
  • Figure 2B illustrates a flow chart showing the operation of the controller 200 when determining the voltage required to fully illuminate the rare gas tube 280A from the first end during the automatic calibration routine.
  • the controller 200 provides an applied voltage to the first boot 300A1.
  • the controller 200 places a corresponding second boot 300A2 on a second end of the rare gas tube 280A in a "listening" mode. That is, the controller 200 uses the second boot 300A2 to monitor the voltage at a second electrode at the second end of the rare gas tube 280A. The voltage at the second electrode will increase when the gas is excited throughout the entire length of the tube 280A to provide a conductive path from the first electrode to the second electrode.
  • the controller 200 gradually increases the applied voltage provided to the boot 300A1 on the first end, thus propagating a column of light from the first end toward the second end of the rare gas tube 280A.
  • the controller 200 determines whether the rare gas tube 280A is fully illuminated by sensing whether the voltage on the second electrode has increased to indicate that the gas in the entire length of the rare gas tube 280A is excited. When the column of light reaches the second end of the rare gas tube 280A, the voltage on the second electrode increases, and the increased voltage on the second electrode can be detected. If the controller does not sense an increased voltage on the second electrode, then the controller 200 determines that the second electrode has not been activated, and the rare gas tube 280A is therefore not fully illuminated. Processing then returns to the step 560, where the controller 200 continues to gradually increase the applied voltage provided to the first boot 300A1.
  • the controller 200 detects the increased voltage on the second electrode.
  • the controller 200 in a step 570, stores the applied voltage level provided to the first boot 300A1 as the maximum voltage value for the first boot 300A1 in the memory 210.
  • This process is repeated to determine the "minimum” voltage required to activate the second boot 300A2 on the second end of the rare gas tube 280A and to determine the "maximum” voltage required to fully illuminate the rare gas tube 280A from the second end. Furthermore, the process can be repeated to determine the respective voltages required to activate the other boots 300B1-D1, 300B2-D2 and to determine the respective voltages required to fully illuminate the other rare gas tubes 280B-D from each end.
  • the controller 200 stores the minimum and maximum voltage values determined during the automatic calibration routine in the memory 210 in units corresponding to the digital input of the D/A converter
  • the voltage required to activate the boot 300A1 may correspond to 30 DAC counts, and the voltage required to fully illuminate the rare gas tube 280A from the first end may correspond to 190 DAC counts.
  • the difference between the minimum and maximum voltage values for the boot 300A1 (160 DAC counts in this example) represents the "electrical length" of the rare gas tube 280A.
  • the controller 200 may refer to the electrical length of the rare gas tube 280A when computing the physical length of a tube increment and an illumination rate that will optimize the perceptible resolution of the desired light sweeping effect in a particular illumination pattern, as discussed above.
  • the controller 200 comprises a second D/A converter (not shown), which can be used to further improve the resolution of the light sweeping effect.
  • the controller 200 can vary the incremental analog output corresponding to an incremental digital input of the second D/A converter based on the electrical length of the rare gas tube 280A. For example, if 256 unique digital inputs into the second D/A converter are possible, then the controller
  • Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a rare gas tube 280, a tube connector 400, and a boot 300 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the rare gas tube 280 includes an electrode 285, which, as described above, excites the gas within the tube to cause the rare gas tube 280 to illuminate.
  • the tube connector 400 is preferably configured to couple with a conventional rare gas tube 280 and with the boot 300.
  • the tube connector 400 comprises a spring 410 and a tab 420.
  • the spring 410 advantageously protects the end of the rare gas tube 280 and adds flexibility to the connector 400.
  • the spring 410 and the tab 420 may comprise a wide variety of other suitable conductive materials.
  • the boot 300 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a housing 305, which advantageously covers and protects the components of the boot 300.
  • the boot 300 comprises a rigid nonconductive thermoplastic material.
  • the housing 305 can be separated to expose the components of the boot 300.
  • the housing 305 includes threads 310, which are configured to engage a ring 450 to keep the housing 305 closed while the boot 300 is in use.
  • the housing 305 is configured to provide a weather-tight seal around the components of the boot 300 when closed.
  • Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a boot 300 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the boot 300 comprises a transformer 330, a spring 340, a cylinder 350, and a washer 360.
  • the transformer 330 is coupled to the spring 340 and is configured to electrically couple to one of the wires 290 from the controller 200, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the transformer 330 is a modified pot-core style transformer (i.e., the transformer
  • the 330 preferably comprises a ferrite core located on the outside of a plurality of coiled wires), which occupies a volume of about 1 cubic inch.
  • the transformer preferably has a 100:1 secondary to primary turns ratio (i.e., the transformer 330 is preferably configured to step up the input voltage by a factor of 100).
  • This transformer size and configuration advantageously allow the transformer 330 to be located near the rare gas tube 280 itself, thereby reducing the need for the wire 290 to carry a high voltage signal.
  • the wire 290 carries a relatively low voltage signal.
  • the "maximum" voltage is advantageously in the range of about 19 volts to about 29 volts, more preferably in the range of about 22 volts to about 27 volts, and still more preferably a voltage of about 24 volts.
  • the output of the transformer 330 preferably has a voltage in the range of about
  • the transformer 330 improves the safety of the system 100.
  • the low voltage input and, hence, the high voltage output of the transformer 330 is varied from the "maximum" voltage to a lower voltage to vary the length of a column of light within the rare gas tube 280.
  • the luminance of the rare gas tube 280 is proportional to the excitation frequency of the electrode 285.
  • the input signal applied to the transformer 330 preferably comprises a square wave oscillating at a frequency in the range of about 32 kilohertz (kHz) to about 56 kHz, more preferably in the range of about 34 kHz to about 46 kHz, and still more preferably at a frequency of about 36 kHz.
  • the transformer 330 is configured to generate harmonic output frequencies in the range of 1 to 4 times the input frequency, thereby advantageously increasing the brightness of the light within the rare gas tube 280.
  • the output of the transformer 330 preferably comprises a signal having a frequency in the range of about 36 kHz to about 144 kHz, more preferably having a frequency of about 108 kHz.
  • the harmonic output frequencies of the transformer 330 can be adjusted by adjusting various parameters, such as, for example, the inductance and the capacitance of the transformer 330.
  • the spring 340 is coupled to the transformer 330 and is configured to electrically couple to the tab 420 of the tube connector 400.
  • the spring 340 advantageously provides flexibility to the electrical connection between the tube connector 400 and the transformer 330.
  • the cylinder 350 comprises a rigid nonconductive thermoplastic material.
  • the cylinder 350 is configured to be covered with a sheath 355, which preferably comprises a conductive material, such as, for example, copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or any ferrous metal, such as steel, bronze, brass, and the like.
  • the sheath 355 may comprise a wide variety of other suitable conductive materials.
  • the cylinder 350 and the sheath 355 are configured to surround the electrode 285 of the rare gas tube 280 when the rare gas tube 280 is inserted in the boot 300.
  • the sheath 355 of the cylinder 350 promotes higher current flow from the output of the transformer 330 by adding a capacitively loaded return to ground, which in turn raises the electron acceleration potential of the gas within the rare gas tube 280.
  • the sheath 355 advantageously increases the brightness of the light within the rare gas tube 280.
  • the capacitance of the rare gas tube 280 can vary widely, depending on factors such as the shape and the environment of the rare gas tube 280.
  • the sheath 355 preferably creates a predictable capacitive load near the electrode 285 that dominates any unpredictable capacitances that may exist for a particular rare gas tube 280 configuration.
  • the sheath 355 advantageously allows the output of the transformer 330 to be designed to match the predicted impedance of the rare gas tube 280, thereby improving the efficiency of the transfer of power from the wire 290 to the rare gas tube 280.
  • the electrode 285 of the rare gas tube 280 undesirably emits radio frequency (RF) transmissions, which can interfere with the operation of electronic equipment in the vicinity of the rare gas tube 280. Therefore, the sheath 355 of the cylinder 350 shields the electrode 285 of the rare gas tube 280 and advantageously contains the RF transmissions generated by the electrode 285 of the rare gas tube 280.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the sheath 355 reduces the RF transmissions emitted by the rare gas tube 280, and provides greater flexibility in deciding where to install the display including the rare gas tube 280.
  • the washer 360 preferably comprises a flexible nonconductive thermoplastic material. Therefore, the washer 360 advantageously provides additional insulation between the rare gas tube 280 and the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the washer 360 is preferably configured to secure the rare gas tube 280 in place when the tube connector 400 is electrically coupled to the transformer 330. Thus, the washer 360 advantageously strengthens the connection between the rare gas tube 280 and the boot 300.
  • the tab 420 of the tube connector 400 is inserted into the boot 300.
  • a like connection is made at the opposite end of the rare gas tube 280.
  • the rare gas tube 280 is then activated by applying a selected voltage at a selected sweep rate to at least one of the boots 300 at at least one end of the rare gas tube 280 to illuminate the gas in the rare gas tube 280.

Landscapes

  • Discharge-Lamp Control Circuits And Pulse- Feed Circuits (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système et un procédé d'éclairage à gaz rare, conçus afin de produire un effet d'éclairage balayant. Dans une réalisation, ce système comprend un tube contenant un gaz et doté d'une première électrode à une première extrémité et d'une seconde électrode à une seconde extrémité. Un premier couvre douille, contenant un transformateur, est couplé à la première extrémité du tube. Un second couvre douille, contenant un transformateur, est couplé à la seconde extrémité du tube. Le système comprend une unité de commande comprenant un microprocesseur, une mémoire et un pilote de puissance de sortie. La configuration de la mémoire permet de stocker plusieurs codes de commande correspondant à plusieurs motifs d'éclairage. Le microprocesseur commande le motif d'éclairage du tube en exécutant le code de commande correspondant afin d'activer sélectivement le pilote de sortie qui délivre un signal de tension à au moins un des premier et second couvre douilles. Le transformateur correspondant élève le signal de tension afin d'exciter au moins une des première et seconde électrodes, ce qui provoque l'illumination du gaz dans le tube.
PCT/US2000/041963 1999-11-16 2000-11-08 Transformateur destine a un systeme d'eclairage a gaz rare WO2001039247A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU43032/01A AU4303201A (en) 1999-11-16 2000-11-08 Transformer for a system gas illumination

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44087399A 1999-11-16 1999-11-16
US09/440,873 1999-11-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001039247A2 true WO2001039247A2 (fr) 2001-05-31
WO2001039247A3 WO2001039247A3 (fr) 2002-05-10

Family

ID=23750527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/041963 WO2001039247A2 (fr) 1999-11-16 2000-11-08 Transformateur destine a un systeme d'eclairage a gaz rare

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4303201A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001039247A2 (fr)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6181081B1 (en) * 1997-05-21 2001-01-30 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Ignition device for a discharge lamp and method for igniting a discharge lamp

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6181081B1 (en) * 1997-05-21 2001-01-30 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Ignition device for a discharge lamp and method for igniting a discharge lamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001039247A3 (fr) 2002-05-10
AU4303201A (en) 2001-06-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7772783B2 (en) Dimmable electronic ballast for electrodeless discharge lamp and luminaire
US6150772A (en) Gas discharge lamp controller
US5838109A (en) Discharge lamp lighting device
US7545107B2 (en) Electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device and lighting apparatus
MX9603623A (es) Fuente compacta de microondas para estimular lamparas inalambricas.
KR20060123380A (ko) 가변 광 강도를 생성하기 위한 장치 및 방법
CN104080245A (zh) 控制信号生成装置和音频信号处理装置
US5955846A (en) Discharge lamp lighting device and a method for lighting a discharge lamp
TW344084B (en) Lighting unit, electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp, and discharge vessel for use in the lighting unit
US6300724B1 (en) System and method for controlling rare gas illumination
AU708655B2 (en) Gas discharge lamps and systems
US6236162B1 (en) Boot for a rare gas illumination system
WO2001039247A2 (fr) Transformateur destine a un systeme d'eclairage a gaz rare
US5504394A (en) Lamp bulb having integrated lighting function control circuitry and method of manufacture
US4153861A (en) Electric discharge tube apparatus
CA2006281C (fr) Afficheur de grandes dimensions a alimentation radiofrequence
US7321344B2 (en) Plasma display device and method of reducing interference to radio-broadcasting waves, caused by electromagnetic waves derived from plasma display device
US5841243A (en) Load matched excitation circuit for an electrodeless lamp including a frequency swept RF excitation source
US6297583B1 (en) Gas discharge lamp assembly with improved r.f. shielding
WO1997015172A1 (fr) Procede de commande de la luminosite d'une decharge luminescente
US7705545B2 (en) Backlight unit
US6218789B1 (en) Metal halide lamp having specified relation between electrode distance and operation voltage, and operating at acoustic standing wave frequency
JP2000182569A (ja) 無電極放電灯装置
WO2003098979A1 (fr) Systeme de projection
Cho et al. A novel average burst-duty control method for the dimming of induction lamps

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 69 (1) EPC

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase