Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – With automatic shunt and/or cutout – Supply circuit current and/or potential actuated switch
Patent
1986-02-19
1990-01-09
Groody, James J.
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
With automatic shunt and/or cutout
Supply circuit current and/or potential actuated switch
315209R, 315224, 315DIG5, H05B 4414
Patent
active
048930598
ABSTRACT:
An electronic ballast provides a high-frequency current-limited voltage between a pair of socket terminals. These socket terminals are adapted to receive and hold a rapid-start fluorescent lamp. A person coming in direct or indirect contact with one of these terminals may receive a hazardous electric shock.
A self-oscillating electronic inverter is operable to provide the high-frequency voltage. To provide an output, this inverter has to be triggered into oscillation. However, except if current flows into both socket terminals, the inverter will automatically become disabled within 25 milli-seconds; whereafter it will not be re-triggered for about 1.5 seconds.
With no current flowing, the magnitude of the high-frequency AC voltage is high enough to permit proper starting of a the rapid-start fluorescent lamp within a time span of 25 milli-seconds, but only after its cathodes have become incandescent. As soon as the lamp has started, lamp current flows into the socket terminals and through the fluorescent lamp.
If lamp current to either or both lamp terminals fails to flow, or if interrupted, as for instance may happen when replacing the fluorescent lamp, the inverter becomes disabled; which means that the electric shock hazard represented by the lamp terminals will be removed within 25 milli-seconds.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4256992 (1981-03-01), Luursema
patent: 4277726 (1981-07-01), Burke
patent: 4398126 (1983-08-01), Zuchtriegel
patent: 4430628 (1984-02-01), Nilssen
patent: 4461980 (1984-07-01), Nilssen
patent: 4503363 (1985-03-01), Nilssen
patent: 4507698 (1985-03-01), Nilssen
patent: 4554487 (1985-11-01), Nilssen
Groody James J.
Powell Mark R.
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