Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Pulsating or a.c. supply – Transformer in the supply circuit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-06-05
Philogene, Haissa (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Pulsating or a.c. supply
Transformer in the supply circuit
C315S282000, C315S239000, C315SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06242869
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fluorescent lamp starter systems and more particularly to a method for reducing the harmonics created by rapid start fluorescent lamp stabilizer balance systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluorescent lamps are conventionally started by inducing a high voltage generated by a coil in the starting circuit and then stabilizing the illumination by suppressing the abnormally high current developed in the fluorescent tube after the lamp is lit and stabilized. As the consumption of energy became more critical, new techniques were developed to save energy consumed during the start up method which previously was highly energy inefficient compared to the power consumption of the fluorescent lamp once it was lit. These energy saving systems included the low power consumption type of fluorescent lamp stabilizers which incorporated a phase control method to-save power. However, in a stabilizer utilizing the phase control method of the prior art harmonics can develop in the secondary current side of the windings due to a distortion in the current wave form. This distortion can produce a variety of magnetic wave interference effects which could be propagated over substantial distances and can affect various types of electrical components such as communication systems, cellular telephones, and systems that rely on radio frequency transmissions.
Furthermore, distortion effects in the current wave form of the primary side of the ballast winding has created problems effecting the power source the fluorescent light and any other equipment which is connected to it. Another undesirable effect of the wave form distortion is the increased temperature resulting in the stabilizer which is brought about the heat created by the harmonic wave forms, as a result by life of the stabilizer can diminish because of the increased temperature caused by this distortion of the current wave form in the windings. Thus, there remains a need for improved low powered fluorescent lighting methods which avoid the harmonics and distorted wave forms created by previous systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The reduction of undesired harmonics and wave form distortion in fluorescent lamp stabilizers is highly desireable since such a method will assist in the prevention of magnetic wave interference deterioration of the insulation of the ballast and increases reliability of the stabilizer due to a lower operating temperature. Additionally, decreased distortion in the primary wave form will diminish the effect that such distortion will have on sensitive electronic systems connected to the same electrical power source. The present invention produces these desirable results and at the same time retains a low power consumption during the fluorescent lamp start up and operation. The present invention features the reduction of harmonics through a reduction in the peak current value while avoiding the distortion of the secondary current: of the ballast system. The invention accomplishes this desirable result by increasing the number of turns of the secondary winding of the transformer so as to decrease the secondary lamp current to approximately 40 to 90 percent of the rated lamp current in the rapid start type lamp stabilizer, thereby, almost completely eliminating the peak current value and reducing harmonics without disturbing the secondary current wave form. The invention thus increases the impedance and reduces the secondary current to between 40 and 90 percent of the rated lamp current. At the same time the function of the rapid start system is maintained as the filament voltage is still kept at approximately 3.8 volts to sustain the effective operation of the lamp. By this method, the absolute value of the luminous intensity is lowered somewhat by reducing the secondary current, but the uniform brightness of the rumination is maintained. From the above it may be seen that the present invention provides an improved method of starting fluorescent lights which reduces harmful harmonics and primary wave form distortion while at the same time maintaining adequate luminosity and starting characteristics. Other benefits and advantages of the present: invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Chapter 13 of “Reference Data for Engineers: Radio, Electronics, Computer, and Communications”, Howard W. Sams & Co., Indianapolis, IN (7th ed. 1989).*
pp. 1706-1708 of Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, D. Van Nostrand Company, Princeton, NJ (3rd ed. 1958).*
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Fulwider Patton Lee & Utecht LLP
Ohtsuka Hitoshi
Philogene Haissa
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