EP0102183B1 - Allumage de lampes à décharge - Google Patents

Allumage de lampes à décharge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0102183B1
EP0102183B1 EP83304251A EP83304251A EP0102183B1 EP 0102183 B1 EP0102183 B1 EP 0102183B1 EP 83304251 A EP83304251 A EP 83304251A EP 83304251 A EP83304251 A EP 83304251A EP 0102183 B1 EP0102183 B1 EP 0102183B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
voltage
lamp
circuit
switch
pulse
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP83304251A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0102183A2 (fr
EP0102183A3 (en
Inventor
Michael Patrick Goodchild
Clive Robert Walker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EMI Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Thorn EMI PLC
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Publication date
Application filed by Thorn EMI PLC filed Critical Thorn EMI PLC
Priority to AT83304251T priority Critical patent/ATE32823T1/de
Publication of EP0102183A2 publication Critical patent/EP0102183A2/fr
Publication of EP0102183A3 publication Critical patent/EP0102183A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0102183B1 publication Critical patent/EP0102183B1/fr
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/02—Details
    • H05B41/04—Starting switches
    • H05B41/042—Starting switches using semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/044—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes
    • H05B41/046—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes using controlled semiconductor devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the starting of discharge lamps by electronic starter circuits, in particular such circuits employing the pulse producing properties of a non-linear dielectric element, which will be referred to hereinafter as a voltage dependent capacitor or VDC.
  • Patent Application No. 2 035 287A also illustrates a circuit utilising a voltage dependent capacitor to provide an ignition pulse for a discharge lamp. This utilises the fact that as the saturation voltage is exceeded the capacitance falls rapidly and current through the element falls sharply to zero. If the capacitor is connected in series with a lamp ballast inductance, the sudden saturation of the capacitor can give rise to a high for ignition of the lamp.
  • circuits of the said Patent Application suffers from certain defects for some purposes. Further circuits employing a voltage dependent capacitor are disclosed in European Patent Application publication No. 0-048 137 AI, which is more particularly directed to circuits for lamp ignition. In addition to disclosing several circuits stated to be conventional, the said European Patent Application discloses circuits, starting at Figure 8, in which a voltage dependent capacitor is connected in parallel with a semiconductor switch and in series with a second semiconductor switch. One of these switches serves to control the flow of preheating current to the lamp electrodes and the other to provide a path for the current through the VDC when it suddenly reduces to generate the large ignition pulses required.
  • a discharge lamp starter circuit having two starter input terminals for connecting to the cathodes (2, 3) of a discharge lamp (1) to receive a cyclically varying voltage supplied through both the lamp cathodes and a choke ballast (5), the starter circuit including a semiconductor switch (S), triggerable in response to a voltage thereacross, a voltage dependent capacitor (C v ) capable of providing a voltage pulse substantially in excess of twice the peak of said cyclically varying voltage in response to a voltage pulse higher than the saturation voltage thereof, the starter circuit being characterised by provision of a circuit (D1, D2, D3) arranged to cooperate with the switch to connect the switch for conduction in one direction with respect to the input terminals, in one part of a starting cycle, to pass preheating current through the lamp cathodes, and, in another part of said starting cycle, to connect the switch for conduction in the opposite direction with respect to the input terminals and in series with the voltage dependent capacitor (C v ), thereby for conducting a falling current pulse produced by
  • the circuit arranged to cooperate with said switch may be a diode steering circuit.
  • Circuit elements may be introduced into the path including the voltage dependent capacitor to vary its operation.
  • Such elements include means to prevent the voltage dependent capacitor charging until a predetermined voltage has been reached or means for damping a pulse of one polarity resulting from saturation.
  • the semiconductor switch may be a self triggering breakback device, otherwise a trigger circuit will be included.
  • a circuit may be provided to make the trigger circuit responsive to the cyclically varying voltage selectively in preference to short duration voltage pulses thereby being suitable for starting lamps exhibiting high re-ignition voltages, for example T8 Krypton filled lamps.
  • the circuits are preferably arranged to reduce or prevent stressing of the voltage dependent capacitor when the lamp is running.
  • the starter includes a circuit requiring a progressively increasing trigger voltage and thereby providing progressively decreasing preheat current pulses.
  • the circuit may be arranged to provide ignition pulses of progressively increasing magnitude, at least after a predetermined portion of a starting period and up to the end of a second predetermined portion.
  • the present invention provides starter circuits which are believed to be more efficient than prior art circuits and advantageous at least by providing the capability of provision of more advanced features.
  • the circuit of the invention uses the realisation that in prior art circuits, in which the disadvantages due to flow of charging and discharging currents through a voltage dependent capacitor have been recognised, for example European Patent Application 0 048 137, page 11, the solution has involved the provision of two semiconductor switches with consequent increase in complexity and expense. The two switches are performing different functions but at different stages in the operation of the circuit.
  • the circuit is shown in a simplified form in Figure 3 in which it is associated with a fluorescent lamp 1, which may be a T12 lamp, of the hot cathode type having two cathodes 2 and 3.
  • a fluorescent lamp 1 which may be a T12 lamp
  • One side 2a of cathode 2 is connected to one terminal 4 of a mains supply through an inductor or choke ballast 5 and one side, 3a, of the other cathode is connected directly to the other terminal 6 of the mains supply.
  • the starter circuit is connected across the other terminals 2b and 3b of the cathodes.
  • the circuit comprises a series connection of a diode D 1 and a voltage dependent capacitor C v , in parallel with two diodes D 2 and D 3 in series opposition.
  • switch S Connected between the junction of the diode D 1 and C v and the junction between the two diodes D 2 and D 3 is a unidirectional switch S having in parallel therewith a trigger circuit 7.
  • switch S will be a semiconductor switch and circuit 7, which will be described in more detail with reference to later Figures, is for operation of the switch.
  • the invention does, however, also embrace the use of a self-triggering break back device for which a trigger circuit is not required.
  • the diodes D 1 to D 3 comprise a diode steering arrangement which allows the switch S to provide the functions in relation to capacitor C v and the lamp 1, performed in prior art circuits by two different switches.
  • switch S There are two principal modes for triggering of switch S. The first is for it to be triggered on before V cv reaches V cs (the saturation voltage). The second, which applies to a circuit such as Figure 3 in which there are no elements in series with capacitor C v' is that V cv reaches V cs before S has triggered whereupon its impedance rises and V cv is the cause of S being triggered on.
  • the circuit allows scope for introducing elements in the C v path to vary the operation.
  • means can be used to prevent C v charging until a predetermined voltage has been reached, for example by a Zener diode.
  • an element such as a resistor may be used to influence the charging of C v and hence the degree of saturation achieved at a given applied voltage.
  • the inclusion of such a resistor may also reduce the choke di/dt and hence the magnitude of any positive pulse resulting from the saturation voltage being reached. This may be associated with a diode poled to shunt it when an ignition pulse is provided.
  • the magnitude of the voltage across the switch rises towards a theoretical maximum (depending on the 'Q' factor) of peak mains voltage, the ascending pulse being characteristic of the ringing of the choke inductance (L) with stray circuit capacitance (C s ) in the system.
  • the voltage across the lamp falls from zero towards minus twice peak mains voltage (again depending on 'Q') and D 1 and D 2 are biassed off.
  • the switch S has been arranged to perform the two functions of passing the preheat current for one polarity and passing the ignition pulse with the opposite polarity at the lamp but current flow being in the same direction at the switch and trigger circuit.
  • V cv will invariably reach +V cs before the switch trigger voltage is reached.
  • the resulting positive pulse will cause the switch S to be triggered whereupon the pulse is immediately truncated via D1.
  • This voltage is then superimposed on the next negative half cycle lamp voltage presented to the trigger circuit resulting in a cumulative voltage approaching twice the lamp peak (for example, for a 4ft, 40W, T12 lamp, about 400V). If, as is typical for the same lamp, the fixed trigger voltage of the trigger circuit is set to 300V, the switch S will close, -V cs will be exceeded and a negative pulse produced, the pulse being similarly attenuated by the lamp as before.
  • FIG 4 shows one practical embodiment of the circuit of Figure 3 employing a fixed voltage trigger but including means for overcoming the voltage-doubling problem just described.
  • the unidirectional switch S is a silicon control rectifier TH1.
  • the fixed voltage trigger network comprises a zener diode ZD1 and a resistor R 2 in conventional manner and TH1 is shunted by a resistor R 3 .
  • TH1 is shunted by a resistor R 3 .
  • diode D 4 and a resistor R 1 in parallel with each other.
  • the resistor R 1 is however of sufficient value to aiiow V cv to be carried above +V cs without producing a significant positive pulse as indicated hereinbefore to be an option.
  • R 1 has a damping effect on any C v current attenuation thus reducing the resulting pulse.
  • D 4 provides a low impedance path across R 1 to enable a larger pulse to be passed.
  • the negative ringing pulse, in the ballast and stray capacitances, is presented to the trigger network via D 4 and D 3 , causing ZD1 to triggerTH1 into conduction.
  • C v charges to the negative pulse height and is then discharged via D 1 and R 1 as the pulse falls and the ringing current reverses.
  • the circuit of Figure 3 in its practical form as shown in Figure 4 is suitable for starting many discharge (fluorescent) lamps, in particular the well known T12 argon filled lamp.
  • fluorescent lamp now enjoying increasing use is the T8 Krypton filled lamp which has a higher ignition voltage than earlier lamps.
  • the circuit of Figure 4 is not suitable for starting lamps such as T8 Krypton filled lamps having high reignition voltages.
  • the circuit of Figure 4 provides a solution to the voltage doubling problem in fixed voltage trigger circuits as described hereinbefore.
  • the relatively low fixed trigger voltage renders the circuit unsuitable for lamps having reignition voltages approaching 300V on 240V RMS supplies (or 275V on 220V supplies). With such lamps, not only would the VDC C v be stressed but cathode heating would continue to flow due to triggering of the switch S on positive half cycles of the lamp running waveform.
  • An alternative trigger circuit must therefore be considered.
  • Figure 5 shows a further development of the circuit of this invention which overcomes this problem and is therefore suitable for T8 Krypton filled lamps.
  • the trigger network of Figure 4 is replaced with the network of Diac D s , resistor R 2 and capacitor C, and resistors R 3 and R 4 .
  • This is in fact a known type of RC delayed thyristor switch circuit which in this arrangement discriminates against the short duration large re- ignition pulses.
  • Resistors R 3 and R 4 serve in place of R 3 in Figure 4 to discharge C v .
  • the use of a diac trigger requires some means for suppressing positive pulses to protect the switching device and resistor R, is included for that purpose.
  • Figure 6 represents a further development which is preferred to that of Figure 5 since it includes a progressive trigger switch of the type described and claimed in British Patent No. 1 602 456 which provides a progressively increasing trigger voltage and discontinuation of triggering if the lamp does not start, as described in that Patent. This feature ensures that the VDC is not continually stressed if the lamp does not start.
  • Figure 7a shows the envelope of the lamp voltage waveform when attempting to start a lamp using the progressive trigger of British Patent No. 1 602 456 and in fact corresponds substantially to Figure 5a of that patent. It will be seen that the positive envelope is rising past the point at which the lamp would normally strike, to a maximum at the point at which the switch ceases to trigger, this rise corresponds to the rise in the trigger voltage as the charge on capacitor C1 ( Figure 6) increases up to ignition.
  • the negative voltage envelope which is the envelope of the ignition pulses themselves, is of constant amplitude until ignition occurs or until the switch ceases to trigger.
  • this invention allows a progression of the amplitude of the ignition pulses themselves. This is achieved by an appropriate selection of the value of R 1 . It has been noted in relation to Figures 4 and 5 that R 1 controls the charging of C v during starting (and also reduces stressing in the run mode). In the arrangement of Figure 6, R, can be selected to control C v charging so that the ratio of C VH to C VL is gradually increased. Thus if the positive trigger level at the cathode of D 1 progressively increases, the positive voltage across C v over R 1 also progressively increases, fr example from below +V cs to above +V cs . As C v is carried progressively towards and into positive saturation the C v negative pulse amplitude progressively increases due to the hysteresis effect.
  • R1 The value of R1 must be low enough to ensure that ignition pulses of sufficient magnitude are ultimately produced and high enough to
  • the envelope of Fig. 7c is also preferable in respect of lamp life by reducing cathode damage and the resulting "end blackening" associated with lamp ionization before the cathodes have reached emission temperature.
  • a preferred circuit for production purposes is therefore that shown in Figure 8.
  • the lamp circuit and lamp voltage waveforms for this circuit are shown in Figure 9 and in that Figure the leading edge of the negative ignition pulse is characterised by the ringing of the ballast choke and the VDC in its low capacitance state (the VDC is connected across the lamp via TH1).
  • a first part of a voltage rise (determined by the breakdown voltage of a zener diode ZD2, typically 200V) of the trailing edge is, however, characteristic of ballast/stray capacitance ringing after which the VDC begins to discharge, remaining clamped at 200V below the voltage across the starter and once more influencing the pulse shape.
  • C v is biassed fully to +V cs and therefore the maximum change of capacitance is achieved to produce the maximum negative going ignition pulses.
  • R 1 is a comparatively low resistance value. Therefore in the region C-D the negative ignition pulse amplitude is constant at its maximum value. As shown in Figure 9, at D if the lamp has not started, as it would usually have done as shown by the inset, then the circuit ceases to operate.
  • the voltage dependent capacitor C v also produces positive pulses at fixed times (when +V cs is reached) and consequently the preheat pulses are then initiated at the same conduction angle and cease to progress.
  • the voltage dependent capacitor C v After termination of the starting period the voltage dependent capacitor C v is gain forward biassed via diode D 1 and consequently it pulses.
  • the pulse then obtained is not limited by conduction ofTH1 and may reach damaging amplitudes.
  • a zener diode ZD4 is added. This acts in conjunction with ZD3 to limit the magnitude of pulses from C v .
  • the trigger voltage has risen to VR 4 (defined by R 4 C 2 time constant) +V C1 +V ZD1 whereupon any subsequent voltage presented to the trigger circuit will by bypassed via ZD3. If this voltage is sufficiently high (for example if C v pulses), the voltage across R4 will rise and ultimately be clamped by ZD4 thereby protecting TH1.
  • the voltage on C v is not limited to V ZD3 .
  • the voltage on C v reaches a peak defined by This voltage subsequently discharges towards peak mains voltage (V ZD3 ) through R" ZD2, D s , R 4 , ZD3, D3 and the choke on the next negative half cycle although the actual voltage attained depends essentially on the time constant C v R 4 .
  • R 4 The value of R 4 is such that -V cs is not to be exceeded and on the subsequent positive half cycle, no pulse is produced and C v charges to a voltage of + peak mains voltage (V ZD2 ).
  • Full pulse production is arranged to be delayed (by the choise of ZD2) until the trigger voltage has progressed above the lamp running voltage.
  • the lamp will invariably start on a negative ignition pulse and the subsequent positive voltage applied to the starter (that is the lamp running voltage), whilst remaining below the trigger voltage, will still allow +V cs to be exceeded.
  • the consequent pulse is, however, attenuated by the lamp and TH1 is not triggered, the VDC thereby remaining charged to the peak lamp running voltage minus V ZD2 .
  • ZD3 and ZD4 perform no function if the lamp strikes before the end of the available starting period.
  • D 4 and R 6 may be omitted but in that case the value of R 1 should be closer to that given above for R s .
  • references to positive and negative voltages are with respect to neutral mains so that all of the circuits described so far produce negative pulses. It is, however, believed that for circuits of this type superior lamp starting is obtained from positive ignition pulses for reasons which are not entirely understood.
  • FIG 10 shows a circuit which is in all essential respects the same as that of Figure 8, and is suitable for starting T8 Krypton filled lamps, but produces positive ignition pulses.
  • PFC power factor correction

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  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Pyrane Compounds (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)

Claims (10)

1. Un circuit de starter de lampe à décharge ayant deux bornes d'entrée de starter à relier aux cathodes (2, 3) d'une lampe à décharge (1) afin de recevoir une tension variant cycliquement fournie à l'une et l'autre des cathodes de lampe, ainsi qu'un ballast d'arrêt (5), le circuit de starter comprenant un interrupteur à semiconducteur (S), déclenchable en réponse à une. tension présente à ses bornes, un condensateur dépendant de la tension (Cv) pouvant fournir, en réponse à une impulsion de tension supérieure à sa tension de saturation, une impulsion de tension nettement supérieure à deux fois la tension de crête de ladite tension variant cycliquement, ce circuit de starter étant caractérisé par l'emploi d'un circuit (Di, D2, D3) conçu pour coopérer avec l'interrupteur de manière à relier l'interrupteur pour permettre, sur une partie d'un cycle d'allumage, la conduction dans un sens par rapport aux bornes d'entrée afin de faire passer un courant de préchauffage dans les cathodes de la lampe et, sur une autre partie de ce cycle d'allumage, à relier l'interrupteur pour permettre la conduction dans le sens opposé par rapport aux bornes d'entrée et en série avec le condensateur dépendant de la tension (Cv), permettant ainsi de laisser passer une impulsion descendante de courant produite par le condensateur dépendant de la tension afin de fournir une impulsion de tension d'allumage aux bornes de la lampe (1).
2. Le circuit de starter de la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit circuit prévu pour coopérer avec l'interrupteur est un circuit à pilotage par diodes (D1, D2, D3).
3. Le circuit de starter de la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le trajet qui comprend le condensateur dépendant de la tension comprend en outre des moyens pbur empêcher que le condensateur dépendant de la tension ne se charge avant qu'une tension prédéterminée n'ait été atteinte.
4. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le trajet qui comprend le condensateur dépendant de la tension comprend en outre des moyens (R1 ) pour amortir une impulsion d'une polarité donnée résultant de la saturation.
5. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, qui comprend un circuit de déclenchement (7) pour l'interrupteur à semiconducteur.
6. Le circuit de starter de la revendication 5, comprenant en outre un circuit (DS, C1, R2-R4) conçu pour rendre le circuit de déclenchement sensible à la tension variant cycliquement, sélectivement de préférence à des impulsions de tension de courte durée, de manière à le rendre approprié à l'allumage de lampes présentant des tension de réallumage élevées.
7. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens conçus pour réduire ou empêcher la surcharge du condensateur dépendant de la tension lorsque la lampe est en fonctionnement normal.
8. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant un circuit ayant besoin d'une tension de déclenchement progressivement croissante, produisant de la sorte des impulsions de courant de préchauffage progressivement décroissantes.
9. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, conçu pour produire des impulsions d'allumage d'amplitude progressivement croissante, au moins après une partie prédéterminée d'une période d'allumage et jusqu'à la fin d'une seconde partie prédéterminée.
10. Le circuit de starter de l'une des revendications précédentes, conçu pour produire des impulsions d'allumage positives.
EP83304251A 1982-08-05 1983-07-22 Allumage de lampes à décharge Expired EP0102183B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83304251T ATE32823T1 (de) 1982-08-05 1983-07-22 Zuendung von entladungslampen.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8222651 1982-08-05
GB8222651 1982-08-05

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0102183A2 EP0102183A2 (fr) 1984-03-07
EP0102183A3 EP0102183A3 (en) 1985-01-23
EP0102183B1 true EP0102183B1 (fr) 1988-03-02

Family

ID=10532143

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83304251A Expired EP0102183B1 (fr) 1982-08-05 1983-07-22 Allumage de lampes à décharge

Country Status (6)

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EP (1) EP0102183B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE32823T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU559657B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3375874D1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ205154A (fr)
ZA (1) ZA835513B (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3327189A1 (de) * 1983-07-28 1985-02-07 Diehl GmbH & Co, 8500 Nürnberg Schaltungsanordnung fuer das zuenden und fuer die helligkeitssteuerung von leuchtstofflampen

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2949074A1 (de) * 1979-12-06 1981-06-11 Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg Spannungsimpulsgenerator zum zuenden einer gasentladungslampe
JPS5750797A (en) * 1980-09-11 1982-03-25 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Device for firing discharge lamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1752283A (en) 1984-02-09
AU559657B2 (en) 1987-03-19
ZA835513B (en) 1984-06-27
EP0102183A2 (fr) 1984-03-07
EP0102183A3 (en) 1985-01-23
DE3375874D1 (en) 1988-04-07
NZ205154A (en) 1986-12-05
ATE32823T1 (de) 1988-03-15

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