Using two thermal switches to control a hybrid lamp
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsPeter Lucz, Laszlo Bankuti, Qi Long, Devin Sun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lamp assembly provides both instant light through use of an incandescent/halogen light/lamp source and an energy saving type light provided by a compact fluorescent light/lamp source. Both light sources are enclosed within a common envelope or outer bulb. First and second thermal sensors are provided in the lamp envelope at spaced locations to monitor the temperature of the lamp. When the sum of these two temperatures reaches a preselected value, power to the incandescent lamp source is terminated. Alternatively, when the difference these two temperatures reaches a preselected value, power to the incandescent lamp source is terminated.
Claims20
A lamp assembly comprising:
- a lamp base having a compartment;
- an elongated discharge light source;
- a separate, second light source disposed adjacent to the discharge light source;
- an envelope mounted to the lamp base and forming a cavity around at least the discharge and second light sources;
- a power control module received in the lamp base compartment and operatively connected to the discharge and second light sources;
- and
- first and second thermal detectors disposed in the envelope at different locations for sensing operation of the discharge light source and operatively communicating with the power control module.
A method of operating an energy saving lamp assembly comprising:
- providing a fluorescent lamp source;
- positioning a second lamp source adjacent the fluorescent lamp source;
- enclosing the fluorescent lamp source and the incandescent lamp source in an envelope;
- using first and second thermal switches disposed at different first and second locations in the envelope to monitor temperature in the envelope;
- and
- selectively terminating power to the second lamp source in response to the thermal sensors reaching a predetermined value indicative of light output from the fluorescent lamp source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.