EP0650312B1 - Circuit pour alimenter une lampe fluorescente - Google Patents

Circuit pour alimenter une lampe fluorescente Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0650312B1
EP0650312B1 EP94202932A EP94202932A EP0650312B1 EP 0650312 B1 EP0650312 B1 EP 0650312B1 EP 94202932 A EP94202932 A EP 94202932A EP 94202932 A EP94202932 A EP 94202932A EP 0650312 B1 EP0650312 B1 EP 0650312B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit
lamp
voltage
current
signal
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP94202932A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0650312A3 (fr
EP0650312A2 (fr
Inventor
Francisco Javier Velasco Valcke
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0650312A2 publication Critical patent/EP0650312A2/fr
Publication of EP0650312A3 publication Critical patent/EP0650312A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0650312B1 publication Critical patent/EP0650312B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/16—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by DC or by low-frequency AC, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec AC, or with network frequencies
    • 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
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • 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
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/16—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by DC or by low-frequency AC, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec AC, or with network frequencies
    • H05B41/20—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by DC or by low-frequency AC, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec AC, or with network frequencies having no starting switch
    • H05B41/23—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by DC or by low-frequency AC, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec AC, or with network frequencies having no starting switch for lamps not having an auxiliary starting electrode
    • H05B41/232—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by DC or by low-frequency AC, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec AC, or with network frequencies having no starting switch for lamps not having an auxiliary starting electrode for low-pressure lamps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an energizing circuit used for fluorescent lamps and, more specifically, to a ballast circuit which ionizes the gas within a fluorescent lamp without the use of filaments or inductive components.
  • Ballast circuits are used in fluorescent lamp systems to regulate the current supply to the lamp. Without a ballast, a fluorescent lamp would burn out instantly because there would be no impedance to limit the current; noting in particular that once the lamp is ignited and the gas within is ionized, the impedance across the lamp drops dramatically. Additional functions of a ballast circuit include providing the proper voltage to start a fluorescent lamp and reducing such voltage to maintain the lamp in a stable and lit condition.
  • ballast circuits in this wellknown field of art all rely on the use of filaments which release free electrons into the tube (either by thermoionic emission, field emission or a combination of both) and ionize the gas within the lamp. Since these ballasts rely on the use of filaments to ionize the gas within the lamp, such systems limit the life of any given fluorescent light to the life of its filaments. Thus, after a filament burns out the entire lamp must be discarded. Aside from having to continually replace these lamps, the refuse generated by discarding "burnt-off" lamps presents a serious ecological problem. These lamps contain heavy metal elements (e.g. mercury) which are extremely dangerous to the environment and very costly to handle during the disposal process.
  • heavy metal elements e.g. mercury
  • the circuit disclosed in FR-A-2645393 is principally attempting to tackle the problem of mercury migration common in DC ballast, by incorporating the polarity switching element "D."
  • the actual ballast is quite inefficient since the current limitation is provided by resistors (see R1 and R2 in Fig. 1), and additionally the voltage multiplying stages in Fig. 1 continue to consume power even after the lamp is ignited.
  • the circuit likewise does not disclose or even suggest using an oscillator to provide an ignition signal, and hence one can deduce it ignites the lamp using the conventional filament thermoemission scheme.
  • Ballasts which use DC power already exist in the prior art and are used to eliminate the stroboscopic effect in applications where it simply cannot be tolerated.
  • One such application is in conjunction with photocopying machines, where the copy quality is adversely affected since light intensity versus time components are directly proportional to the maintenance current.
  • maintaining a fluorescent lamp lit using DC current presents other problems. For instance, when a fluorescent lamp is operated at a constant DC current, the lamp goes through a particular process of "mercury migration". This phenomenon results in a non-uniform brightnness of the lamp from one of its ends to the other. The mercuy migration process has a very gradual effect starting early in the life of the lamp, but it eventually ends in an extremely noticeable difference in light intensity across the lamp.
  • an effect known as "anode darkening" is caused by an overheating of the lamp's anode due to the constant excessive bombardment of electrons. Such overheating causes damage to the phosphors at the anode end of the lamp and results in no light being emitted near the anode end after only a few hours of operation on DC current.
  • the electronic ballast circuit of the present invention provides for a number of novel improvements which, when taken as a whole, solve the above-noted problems associated with the prior art in this field.
  • the present invention includes the following electronic circuits:
  • the ignition of a lamp uses the principle of photoemission, rather than thermoionic or field emission. In doing so, no filament is required for the lamp to be ignited. By obviating the need for a filament altogether, the life of the lamp may be extened immeasurably. Lamp life now only depends on whether or not the gas within the lamp leaks, which in many cases today be more than 15 years.
  • the present invention provides for an inexpensive circuit using a DC voltage to power the lamp once it is ignited. Aside from the obviious energy savings this provides in domestic applications, use of a DC power source allows for completely flickerless operation, enabling the present invention to be used in photocopiers and other applications which cannot tolerate oscilatig light supplies.
  • the ballast circuit of the present invention solves problems related to DC current supplied lamps, such as anode darkening and mercury migration, by strictly limiting the amount of electron and ion bombardment of the anode to a minimum amount necessary to maintain the lamp lit.
  • the present invention does not use any inductive elements. This allows the ballast circuit to be manufactured in integrated circuit form, thereby reducing its size and weight to a point where one could incorporate the circuit into the lamps themselves. This would eliminate the use of specialized production assemblies for fluorescent lamps and create unlimited installation alternatives as well. Additionally, by not using any inductive elements, the losses and other disadvantages attributed to the use of coils in current ballats are completely eliminated.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide for the solid state integration of the complete ballast circuit and eliminate the use of any inductive elements.
  • an additional object of the present invention is to provide an economical ballast using DC current without the need for expensive switching circuity.
  • a related object of the present invention is to provide an improved integrated circuit ballast having such size and weight, charactheristics that it could be incorporated into the fluorescent lamp itself.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown the electrical connections between the major block-diagram components which constitute the entire invention.
  • the network AC source 1 has power leads to both the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 and the multiplier circuit 3.
  • the multiplier circuit 3 serves as a voltage multiplier during the ignition stage of the lamp 6.
  • the output from the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 leads both into the multiplier circuit 3 and the low power oscillator 4.
  • the outputs from the multiplier circuit 3 and low power oscillator 4 lead into the amplifier 5, which feeds the lamp 6.
  • the invention basically functions in two stages. First, it permits the gaseous discharge lamp to be ignited using a high frequency/high voltage signal. Second, once the lamp is lit, a switch to DC current occurs, which maintains the lamp in a stable, lit condition.
  • the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 is made up of diodes 9, 10, 11 and 12 , and capacitors 13 and 14.
  • network AC source 1 energizes the entire circuit with voltage E in
  • the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 outputs at node 200 a DC current having voltage 2 ⁇ 2 E in with a 60 Hz ridge caused by the network AC source 1.
  • Capacitor 19 serves to filter out these 60 Hz ridges in the signal coming from the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 before such signal enters the low power oscillator 4.
  • the output from the rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 connects at node 200 to multiplier circuit 3.
  • Multiplier circuit 3 elevates the voltage used to ignite the lamp 6 to a level of 3 ⁇ 2 E in at node 300.
  • Multiplier circuit 3 elevates the ignition supply voltage by allowing capacitor 15 to be quickly charged via diodes 18 and 16 during the negative cycle of the network AC source 1.
  • Capacitor 15 is charged up to a level of 3 ⁇ 2 E in since this is the net potential between the negative cycle of the network AC source 1 (- ⁇ 2 E in ) and the value at node 300 (2 ⁇ 2 E in ).
  • the capacitor 15 discharges the stored 3 ⁇ 2 E in through resistor 17 which, given the minimal current during the ignition stage, presents a negligible drop in potential across itself thereby effectively presenting 3 ⁇ 2 E in at node 300.
  • FIG. 3 presents the circuitry and electrical components of the low power oscillator 4, including transistors 26 and 27, capacitors 24 and 25 , and resistors 21, 22, 23 and 20.
  • Low power oscillator 4 is a square wave oscillator which receives the filtered DC signal at node 200 (2 ⁇ 2 E in ) and outputs a 2 ⁇ 2 E in high frequency signal of 25 kHz at node 400. This output oscillates between 0 and 2 ⁇ 2 E in , thus giving an average output of ⁇ 2 E in .
  • FIG. 4 shows the amplifier 5 which includes capacitors 28, 29, 30 and 31 and diodes 32, 33, 34 and 35.
  • Amplifier 5 receives as its input both the signal at node 300 (the output from multiplier circuit 3 ) with a voltage of 3 ⁇ 2 E in , and the 25 kHz high frequency signal from node 400 (the output from the low power oscillator 4) .
  • Amplifier 5 takes the average voltage from these two signals, 2 ⁇ 2 E in , and multiplies it by a multiplication factor of G.
  • the value of G is equal to 4, thus producing a signal having a voltage of 8 ⁇ 2 E in (minus losses) and a 25 kHz frequency.
  • This signal is then fed to the lamp 6 at node 500 which ionizes the gas within and ignites the lamp.
  • No filament is necessary within the lamp as the ignition depends only on the photoemission of ions, and not on thermoionic or field emission. All that is needed to ignite and maintain the lamp lit is a conductor, preferably at each end of the lamp, in intimate contact with the gas within the lamp.
  • the entire ballast circuit may be observed. Once the lamp 6 is ignited, the impedance presented by it drops dramatically, which permits the entire circuit to switch over from a high frequency ignition current to a DC maintenance current (the current used to maintain the lamp lit). In order for this switch to take place, the following changes in the circuit occur automatically.
  • the drop in impedance of lamp 6 instantly increases the current running through the entire circuit. This increase in current creates a larger voltage drop across capacitor 37, which significantly lowers the voltage supply (E in ) to the rectifier/voltage doubler 2, which consequently lowers the voltage supply to the low power oscillator 4. This voltage drop puts it at a level where the low power oscillator 4 ceases to work (i.e. cease oscillating).
  • This voltage drop at node 200 is further increased by the fact that the dielectric loss in capacitors 13 and 14 is increased such that these components can no longer maintain their charges to quite "double" the voltage.
  • This effect causes a DC current to flow through node 400, creates an open circuit across capacitor 28, and isolates amplifier 5 from the low oscillator.
  • the voltage drop across resistor 17 in multiplier circuit 3 becomes significant enough such that the voltage at node 200 (2 ⁇ 2 E in ).
  • This difference causes diode 18 to become forward biased which, in turn, allows the DC current ouput at node 200 to flow through diode 18 and into the amplifier 5 . Because this current is DC, capacitors 29, 30 and 31 create open circuits, which requires that the DC current flow through diodes 32, 33, 34 and 35, and then to the lamp 6 , hence providing a DC maintenance current.
  • ballast circuit The following chart gives illustrative values of the circuit elements for use in the ballast circuit of the present invention.
  • This particular ballast circuit is used, ideally, with a 40W fluorescent lamp and a 120V, 60Hz AC source. All diodes are type 1N4004 and both transistors ( 26 and 27 ) are type C2611.
  • Capacitor 37 18 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 13 4.7 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 14 4.7 ⁇ @ 250V Capacitor 19 22 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 15 3.3 ⁇ F @ 350V Capacitor 28 0.15 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 29 0.15 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 30 0.15 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 31 0.15 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 24 0.033 ⁇ F @ 250V Capacitor 25 0.0027 ⁇ F @ 250V Resistor 17 3.9 k ⁇ @ 1W Resistor 22 1 M ⁇ @ 0.5W Resistor 23 1 M ⁇ @ 0.5W Resistor 21 22 k ⁇ @ 1W Resistor 20 100 k ⁇ @ 0.5W
  • the power required for ignition of the lamp 6 is less than 1 watt. This minimal power requirement is primarily attributable to the fact that the low power oscillator 4 sees a high impedance load at its output, which permits its supply current to be quite low (around the order of 8 milliamps).
  • the DC maintenance current increases to approximately 200 milliamps and the voltage potential E in across rectifier/voltage-doubler 2 drops from approximately 116 volts to approximately 27 volts. This drop results in a DC maintenance voltage of 2 ⁇ 2 E in , or approximately 75 volts.
  • the ballast circuit of the present invention only requires 24 to 27 watts.
  • the present invention solves the problem of anode darkening and mercury migration by limiting the amount of the maintenance current to the bare minimum required to maintain the lamp lit.
  • Johnson U.S. Patent No. 4,260,932 teaches that the amount of charge accumulation resultant from a unidirectional current is dependent upon the velocity of the electrons and negative ions within the lamp and upon the amount of current flow (density of electrons and negative ions) within the lamp.
  • the velocity of the charged electrons and ions is, in turn, primarily dependent upon the discharge length of the lamp, (this determining the time period during which the negatively charged particles are accelerated), and accelerating voltage (operating voltage) of the lamp.
  • the current used limits the amount of electron and ion bombardment to a minimum, allowing the lamp to recuperate from minor migration during the time it is turned off.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Steering Control In Accordance With Driving Conditions (AREA)

Claims (3)

  1. Circuit de charge sans transformateur pour amorcer et illuminer une lampe à décharge à gaz, qui comprend un moyen pour amorcer le gaz à l'intérieur de la lampe avec un courant alternatif, sans l'utilisation d'aucun composant électrique inductif quelconque ou d'aucun filament d'émission de champ ou thermoionique quelconque, un moyen pour maintenir l'éclairage des lampes avec un courant continu, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :
    (a) un moyen pour redresser/multiplier un signal de tension d'alimentation provenant d'une source d'alimentation à courant alternatif ;
    (b) un moyen pour éliminer par filtrage les ondulations résiduelles à la fréquence du courant alternatif dans ledit signal de tension d'alimentation redressé/multiplié ;
    (c) un moyen d'oscillateur pour recevoir ledit signal de tension d'alimentation redressé/multiplié et pour sortir un signal de fréquence élevée, où ledit moyen d'oscillateur devient non fonctionnel après l'amorçage de la lampe ;
    (d) un moyen pour amplifier une moyenne dudit signal de tension d'alimentation redressé/multiplié et dudit signal de fréquence élevée pour amorcer une lampe à décharge, où ledit moyen d'amplification devient non fonctionnel après l'amorçage de la lampe ;
    (e) un moyen pour abaisser ledit signai de tension d'alimentation une fois que la lampe est amorcée ;
    et
    (f) un moyen pour maintenir l'éclairage de la lampe avec un courant continu.
  2. Circuit de charge sans transformateur selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :
    (a) un circuit de redressement/doublement de tension (2) recevant une tension d'alimentation de Ein par une source d'alimentation à courant alternatif, ledit circuit de redressement/doublement de tension sortant un premier signal de tension sans charge d'approximativement 2√2Ein ;
    (b) un circuit de multiplication (3) alimenté par la source d'alimentation à courant alternatif, ledit circuit de multiplication recevant ledit premier signal de tension sans charge depuis ledit circuit de redressement/doublement de tension (2) et sortant un second signal de tension sans charge d'approximativement 3√2Ein ;
    (c) un condensateur de filtrage (19) connecté entre les bornes de sortie sur ledit circuit de redressement/doublement de tension (2), ledit condensateur de filtrage éliminant par filtrage les ondulations résiduelles à la fréquence du courant alternatif dans ledit premier signal de tension sans charge ;
    (d) un circuit oscillateur à faible puissance (4) connecté entre lesdites bornes de sortie sur ledit circuit de redressement/doublement de tension (2) et connecté en parallèle avec ledit condensateur de filtrage (19), ledit circuit oscillateur à faible puissance sortant un signai de fréquence élevée de 2√2Ein, où ledit circuit oscillateur à faible puissance (4) devient non fonctionnel après amorçage dc la lampe ;
    (e) un circuit amplificateur de tension élevée (5) qui reçoit, et prend une tension moyenne dudit second signal de tension sans charge provenant dudit circuit de multiplication (3) et dudit signai de fréquence élevée provenant dudit circuit oscillateur à faible puissance (4), ledit circuit amplificateur multipliant ladite tension moyenne par un facteur de G pour obtenir un signal de sortie d'amplificateur de fréquence élevée de 2G√2Ein pour amorcer une lampe à décharge, où ledit circuit amplificateur de tension élevée (5) devient non fonctionnel après amorçage de la lampe ;
    (f) un condensateur de déclenchement connecté à la source d'alimentation à courant alternatif, ledit condensateur de déclenchement (37) abaissant significativement la tension d'alimentation Ein lors de la détection d'une augmentation de l'intensité du courant une fois que la lampe est amorcée ; et
    (g) un courant d'entretien continu, ledit courant d'entretien étant délivré à la lampe après que la lampe soit amorcée.
  3. Circuit de charge selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit circuit de multiplication (3) comporte également une résistance (17) et une diode (16), ladite résistance créant une chute de tension accrue après détection d'une augmentation du courant une fois que la lampe est amorcée, ladite chute de tension amenant ladite diode à devenir polarisée dans le sens direct pour permettre au courant continu de circuler jusqu'à une sortie dudit circuit de multiplication (3), et dans lequel ledit circuit amplificateur (5) multiplie ladite tension moyenne par un facteur de G pour obtenir un signal de sortie d'amplificateur de fréquence élevée de 2G√2Ein pour amorcer une lampe à décharge, ledit circuit amplificateur permettant au courant continu provenant dudit circuit multiplicateur (3) de passer jusqu'à sa sortie et dans ladite lampe après que ladite lampe soit amorcée.
EP94202932A 1993-10-21 1994-10-11 Circuit pour alimenter une lampe fluorescente Expired - Lifetime EP0650312B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CL93414977 1993-10-21
CO93414977A CO4180415A1 (es) 1993-10-21 1993-10-21 Metodo para el encendido de lamparas fluorescentes con o sin filamento

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0650312A2 EP0650312A2 (fr) 1995-04-26
EP0650312A3 EP0650312A3 (fr) 1996-03-20
EP0650312B1 true EP0650312B1 (fr) 2000-07-12

Family

ID=5331354

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94202932A Expired - Lifetime EP0650312B1 (fr) 1993-10-21 1994-10-11 Circuit pour alimenter une lampe fluorescente

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0650312B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH07263153A (fr)
KR (1) KR100233693B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1106604A (fr)
AT (1) ATE194747T1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9404212A (fr)
CO (1) CO4180415A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69425217D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5680016A (en) * 1994-08-24 1997-10-21 Valcke; Francisco Javier Velasco Transformerless electronic ballast for gaseous discharge lamps
IT1282910B1 (it) * 1995-03-22 1998-04-01 Lucio Falace Reattore capacitivo, particolarmente indicato per l'alimetazione di tubi florescenti, o qualsivoglia utilizzatore, provocandone
CA2285378A1 (fr) * 1997-07-25 1999-02-04 Jorge M. Parra Systeme et procede d'eclairage fluorescent basse tension non thermoionique exempt de ballast
CN100525570C (zh) * 2004-11-16 2009-08-05 蒋中为 一种气体放电灯的快速启动器
US20240197936A1 (en) * 2021-06-17 2024-06-20 NarsimhaChary Mandaji A device with customized integrated electronic circuit for destroying pathogens
CN121417671A (zh) * 2025-12-29 2026-01-27 陕西中科天地航空模块有限公司 一种超低输入电压升压电路

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2645393B3 (fr) * 1989-04-03 1991-07-05 Ferrero Alexandre Dispositif autonome d'eclairage a tube a decharge gazeuse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR960016643A (ko) 1996-05-22
BR9404212A (pt) 1995-06-27
KR100233693B1 (ko) 1999-12-01
CO4180415A1 (es) 1995-06-07
EP0650312A3 (fr) 1996-03-20
DE69425217D1 (de) 2000-08-17
JPH07263153A (ja) 1995-10-13
CN1106604A (zh) 1995-08-09
EP0650312A2 (fr) 1995-04-26
ATE194747T1 (de) 2000-07-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5686799A (en) Ballast circuit for compact fluorescent lamp
US5475284A (en) Ballast containing circuit for measuring increase in DC voltage component
US5751120A (en) DC operated electronic ballast for fluorescent light
JP3797079B2 (ja) 放電灯点灯装置
CA2062126A1 (fr) Circuit d'amorcage et de travail pour lampe a decharge en arc
WO1998021634A1 (fr) Circuit de ballast de gradation a trois voies a correction passive du facteur de puissance
WO1996010898A3 (fr) Ameliorations de circuit de ballast pour lampes fluorescentes
US5710487A (en) Ballast circuit for gaseous discharge lamps without inductive electrical components or filaments
EP0150536B1 (fr) Adaptateur de ballast pour le fonctionnement de lampes fluorescentes
US5461286A (en) Circuit arrangement for operating a low-pressure discharge lamp, typically a fluorescent lamp, from a low-voltage source
US6819063B2 (en) Sensing voltage for fluorescent lamp protection
EP0650312B1 (fr) Circuit pour alimenter une lampe fluorescente
JPH06188091A (ja) 放電灯点弧及び点灯回路配置
US5680016A (en) Transformerless electronic ballast for gaseous discharge lamps
US4885507A (en) Electronic starter combined with the L-C ballast of a fluorescent lamp
US6118227A (en) High frequency electronic drive circuits for fluorescent lamps
US3890540A (en) Apparatus for operating gaseous discharge lamps on direct current from a source of alternating current
WO1990009087A1 (fr) Ballast electronique a semi-conducteurs
US4876485A (en) Ballast for ionic conduction lamps
US4463285A (en) DC Ballasting means for fluorescent lamps
US4475062A (en) Economy device for fluorescent lighting fixtures
CA1232318A (fr) Dispositif d'allumage pour lampe a decharge a haute intensite
GB2146185A (en) Lighting system
EP0011508B1 (fr) Méthode pour déterminer les valeurs de composants d'un circuit de commande pour une lampe à décharge dans un gaz
US4701673A (en) Ballast adaptor for improving operation of fluorescent lamps

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960726

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 19961121

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19981222

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20000712

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 194747

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20000715

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69425217

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20000817

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20001011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20001012

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20001012

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20001012

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20001012

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20001013

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
EN Fr: translation not filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20001012

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A