Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – With load device temperature modifier – Automatic control of the temperature modifier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-07-31
Vu, David (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
With load device temperature modifier
Automatic control of the temperature modifier
C315S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268701
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 464,280, filed on Oct. 28, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flourescent lighting and, more particularly, to a cooling device or system for a fluorescent light bulb for the purpose of keeping the ballast cool.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fluorescent lighting has found wide spread use in homes, offices, and industrial establishments around the world. The ability of fluorescent lights to produce light with good color rendition in an energy efficient manner make them very popular with everyone. However, one factor associated with the use of these lights that is not popular is the maintenance required. Not only do the lamps require replacement, but the ballasts do as well. Additionally, ballast replacement does involve a fair deal of labor. This is especially costly in areas that are hard to access such as high ceiling areas. As is common with most electrical and electronic device failures, the most prevalent cause of ballast failure is high temperature. Ballasts have to deal with elevated temperatures not only from operation, but from their location at ceiling level.
In the related art, a search did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following patents disclose a compact fluorescent lamp with convective venting for cooling the ballast:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,277 issued in the name of Simonovitch;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,944 issued in the name of Skwirut et al.; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,073 issued in the name of Skwirut et al.
The following patents describe a fixture for the mounting and cooling of fluorescent lamps: U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,646 issued in the name of Siminovitch et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,345 issued in the name of Fordsmand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,301 issued in the name of Martich discloses a fluorescent lamp heat-dissipating apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,358 issued in the name of Kamei et al. describes a fluorescent lamp having separate cooling means for the ballast and fluorescent tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,418 issued in the name of Fridrich discloses a fluorescent lamp with ballast resistor and cooling means therefor.
Consequently, there is a need for a means by which the ballasts of fluorescent lighting fixtures can be kept cool for increased operating life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, the device is to provide convective cooling means by which the ballasts of fluorescent lighting fixtures can be kept cool for increased operating life.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluorescent light ballast cooling means consisting of a cooling fan that blows ambient air on the lighting ballast in one mode, and alternately, draws cooling air from a ventilation duct in another mode
The main features of this invention are the holes in the ballast housing compartment to allow air to flow into the ballast from a fan or duct.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present a flourescent light is provided with an integral fan for cooling purposes. The invention strongly resembles a conventional lighting fixture with the addition of a small cooling fan that blows air over the ballast. The air is filtered by a small replaceable filter that keeps dust and dirt out of the fixture. The fan is wired in parallel with the light fixture such that the fan comes on automatically whenever the fixture is energized. Air vents are also placed in the housing for both the entrance and exit of the air. Since the cooling properties are dependent upon the temperature of the ambient air, it is envisioned that if the ambient air is 75° or less, direct ambient air would be drawn into the invention. If the ambient temperature is 75° or higher, a duct system would be used to provide cool air.
The present invention is envisioned to be adaptable to all types of fluorescent fixtures, such as surface mount, lay-in fluorescents, industrial fluorescents and the like.
The present invention is envisioned as being especially advantageous in those locations that are hard to reach such as high ceiling spaces and the like where maintenance costs for ballast replacements are high.
The use of the present invention allows for longer life of ballasts used on fluorescent lighting fixtures in an easy and simple manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3705576 (1972-12-01), Roth
patent: 4954891 (1990-09-01), Burk et al.
Gugliotta John D.
Vu David
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