Method and apparatus and system for adjusting power to hid lamp to control level of light output and conserve energy (ballast multi-tap power output)
AssigneeMusco Corporation
InventorMYRON K. GORDIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One aspect of the present invention is a non-electronic method of controlling the power provided to the lamp through use of multiple secondary taps off the secondary side of the HID ballast. This allows for a base capacitor to be used, along with the multiple secondary taps of the ballast, to vary the power to the lamp for purposes of providing constant light output, dimming capabilities, or to hold the power constant, or any combination of such.
Claims43
A method of controlling operation of an HID lamp connected in series with capacitance and ballasted by a ballast having a primary side and a secondary side comprising:
- a. providing a plurality of power level connections on the secondary side of the ballast so that a plurality of power levels are available on the secondary side;
- b. connecting the capacitor to one of the power level connections on the secondary side of the ballast;
- c. so that plural levels of operating wattage are available to power the lamp.
An apparatus for controlling operation of an HID lamp connected in series with a first source of capacitance and ballasted by a ballast having a primary side and a secondary side comprising:
- a. a plurality of power level connections on the secondary side of the ballast so that a plurality of powers are available on the secondary side;
- b. a switching mechanism adapted to connect the capacitor to one of the power level connections on the secondary side of the ballast;
- c. so that plural levels of operating wattage are available to power the lamp.
An apparatus for adjusting light output of an HID lamp in series with a first capacitor with power provided through a ballast having primary and secondary sides comprising:
- a. multiple switchable power level connections on the secondary side of ballast adapted for operative connection to the lamp and first capacitor;
- b. a switching mechanism having a control input adapted to switch between the power level connections.
An apparatus for controlling the power signal to an HID light source comprising:
- a. a ballast with multiple power level connections, where the connections do not output the same power signal;
- b. at least one capacitor operatively connected to an HID light source to control the power supplied to the light source.
- c. wherein the ballast power level connections are switchably connected to the at least one capacitor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.