Power supply for arc discharge devices
OwnerHiram C. Sloan, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This application discloses circuits for use with arc discharge devices wherein a D.C. or A.C. high frequency, high voltage source is provided in conjunction with either a low frequency or D.C. voltage source. The high frequency, high voltage circuit is a low power circuit providing sufficient voltage to ionize the arc. If desired the low power circuit may also control the major arc power obtained from the low frequency or D.C. source which does not require a ballast. By virtue of this arrangement much smaller, lighter and lower cost circuits than conventional ballast circuits can be used.
Claims24
A power supply circuit for arc discharge devices including a first relatively low voltage source having means for connection to an arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in an arc discharge device until ionization has occurred in the device and having a power capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the device, and a second relatively high voltage power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device.
A power control circuit comprising an arc discharge device having a pair of spaced electrodes, a first relatively low voltage source connected to said arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in said device until ionization has occured and having a power output capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to said device, and a second relatively high voltage power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device.
A power supply circuit for arc discharge devices including a first relatively low voltage source having means for connection to an arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level insufficient to conduct current in an arc discharge device until ionization has occurred in the device and having a power capability whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the device, a second relatively high voltage A.C. power source having means for connection to the arc discharge device and continuously supplying voltage at a level sufficient to cause ionization in the device, and wherein said last mentioned means comprises circuit elements selected to resonate at the frequency of said second source.
A circuit for turning on a discharge lamp means and maintaining said discharge lamp means on for a selected period, said discharge lamp means having a characteristic negative impedance, the improvement comprising:
- means for supplying a low frequency alternating current voltage commensurate with commercial power amplitude whereby it supplies a significant portion of the power to the discharge lamp and frequency values;
- means for applying the alternating current voltage from said first mentioned means across the discharge lamp;
- oscillator means for generating a high frequency alternating current voltage;
- means for superposing said high frequency alternating current voltage on said low frequency alternating current voltage across the discharge lamp during the entire on period of the discharge lamp, the duration of the on period being shorter than a half period of the low frequency alternating current voltage;
- and impedance means connected between said first supplying mentioned means and the discharge lamp for blocking high frequency voltages but passing the low frequency alternating current voltage of said first supplying mentioned means to the discharge lamp whereby the discharge lamp is maintained on by the superposed alternating current voltages of said first supplying mentioned means and said oscillator means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.