Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Pulsating or a.c. supply – Induction-type discharge device load
Patent
1987-06-03
1988-05-03
Dixon, Harold
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Pulsating or a.c. supply
Induction-type discharge device load
315227R, 315236, H05B 4116
Patent
active
047422785
ABSTRACT:
A new method and apparatus for driving a neon display tube or the like. The tube, containing an ionizable gas, has only a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas. A power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof wherein the power source is connected to the single cathode element and produces alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential. In the preferred embodiment, the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element. The voltage ramp may start at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas adjacent the single cathode element, rise to a level to cause final ionization of the gas adjacent the end of the tube oppose the single cathode element, and rise at a rate to produce a visible progression of illumination from one end of the tube to the other whereby an illuminated handwriting effect is created by the progressive illumination of the tube. Also, the voltage ramp may start at a level to cause initial ionization of the gas at a first selected point on the tube and rise to a level to cause final ionization of the gas at a second selected point on the tube displaced from the first point whereby only a selected portion of the tube is illuminated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1819105 (1931-08-01), Machlett et al.
patent: 1854912 (1932-04-01), Spaeth
patent: 2629839 (1953-02-01), GreenLee
patent: 2984765 (1961-05-01), Engelbart
patent: 3085189 (1963-04-01), Thonemann
patent: 4245178 (1981-01-01), Justice
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