Hubbell Limited

Other

Harvey Hubbell Incorporated

Joe A Nuckolls

Isaac Lynnwood Flory, Iv

Paul J Buckley, Ii

Yan Wang

Paul E Payne

Lily Li Lin

Kerry G Evans

A low loss capacitive delivery system for converting a low voltage AC power source into a driving energy for a high voltage lamp is disclosed. The system involves delivering two energy loops with the first energy loop consisting of a high voltage low energy output to the lamp during a first half cycle of the AC power source operation and the second energy loop utilizing a high energy low voltage system delivering a high energy capacitive pulse to the lamp during a subsequent second half cycle operation of the power source. The first energy loop functions to lower the resistance of the lamp and the second energy loop operates the lamp after its resistance has been lowered. The system contains a matrix of diodes arranged in order to deliver the capacitive pulse of the second energy loop and to bypass the low energy high voltage circuit.

Low loss, electronic ballast

A lighting control system for discharge lamps which comprises a ballast for supplying energy from a power source to a lamp. First and second capacitors and a first control relay and contact set control the supply of energy from the ballast to the lamp to switch the lamp between dimmed and normal wattage operational modes. A second control relay and contact set connects a single output control wire to neutral when a predetermined condition is sensed or a switch is thrown. The first control relay, which is connected at one end to the lamp ballast, is energized when the other end thereof is connected to neutral via the second control relay. The first control relay in turn closes the normally open contact set, which is connected to one of the capacitors, to increase the energy provided to the lamp. In accordance with one embodiment the first capacitor and the contact set of the first control relay are connected in series, and together are connected parallel to the second capacitor. In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second capacitors are connected in series, and the contact set of the first control relay is connected parallel to the first capacitor.

Lighting control system for discharge lamps

A discharge lamp operating circuit is connected to a source of alternating current (AC) voltage, and has a discharge lamp and a semi-resonant circuit connected to the source of alternating current voltage and in series with the lamp. A starting circuit for initiating operation of said discharge lamp is also connected in the circuit. The lamp switching maintains the series semi-resonant circuit in oscillation and the series semi-resonant circuit maintains the lamp in operation after operation has been initiated by the starting circuit. Highly efficient energy transfer between inductive and capacitive components of the system result in low loss and high power factor.

Lamp driven voltage transformation and ballasting system

A hot restart circuit for a high intensity discharge lamp includes a storage capacitor and SCR connected across a tapped portion of a ballast with a breakdown device to start the SCR. A charging circuit for the storage capacitor includes a diode, a pumping capacitor and an RF choke in series from the ballast tap to the AC line, and a further diode interconnecting the capacitors. The pumping capacitor increases the charge on the storage capacitor in a stepwise fashion until breakdown voltage is reached, whereupon starting pulses are applied to the lamp. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor stops the flow of charging current to the capacitors after a predetermined interval, thereby terminating the reignition pulses and protecting the starting circuit from damage in case the lamp fails to reignite. In an alternative embodiment, a MOSFET gated by an RC timing circuit removes charge from the storage capacitor in order to terminate the reignition pulses after a predetermined interval.

High intensity discharge lamp starting circuit with automatic

A hot restart circuit includes a storage capacitor and SCR connected across a tapped portion of a ballast with a breakdown device to start the SCR. A charging circuit for the storage capacitor includes a diode, pumping capacitor and choke in series from the ballast tap to the AC line and a further diode interconnecting the capacitors. The pumping capacitor increases the charge on the storage capacitor in a step-wise fashion until the breakdown voltage is reached, whereupon starting pulses are applied to the lamp.

Lamp starting circuit

A ballast circuit system provides for efficient starting and operation of high voltage discharge lamps using a common 120 volt AC power source. As a result of this improved ballast circuit system, the necessary high voltage is generated from a normal 120 volt AC in such a way that there is low power loss. The system efficiency allows for use of plastic fixtures and small size packaging of the discharge lamp.

Voltage doubler ballast system employing resonant combination tuned to

An improved fluorescent ballast circuit for 277 volt commercial application is disclosed utilizing a resonant circuit mechanism to generate high open circuit voltage (OCV) during lamp starting. The result is an energy efficient effective lighting system for commercial buildings.

Lamp arrangement employing a resonant circuit formed from an

A high intensity discharge lamp system includes an AC supply for a chamber within which a plasma conductor is created to generate light. In order to confine charged particles within the chamber and to inhibit migration and loss thereof, a DC circuit taps power from the AC supply and produces a DC potential which is applied to relatively large-surface components in the vicinity of the plasma chamber. Properly polarized, the large-surface components, such as a reflector and a conductive housing, refractor or door, produces electric fields which inhibit migration of the charged particles. The result is improved color and light output as well as increased lamp life.

Biasing system for reducing ion loss in lamps

A high intensity discharge lamp system includes an AC supply for a chamber within which a plasma conductor is created to generate light. In order to control the concentrations of charged particles within the chamber and to influence migration thereof, a DC circuit taps power from the AC supply and produces a DC potential which is applied to relatively large-surface components in the vicinity of the plasma chamber. Properly polarized, the large-surface components, such as a reflector and a conductive housing, refractor or door, produces electric fields which either inhibit or encourage migration of the charged particles.

Biasing system for controlling chemical concentration in lamps

A dimming system for a discharge lamp has a magnetic regulator with first, second and third windings linked by a magnetic core, the first winding being connectable to a source of alternating current. The second winding and a starting circuit are connected to the lamp for lighting the lamp. The third winding is tapped and has a ballast capacitor connected across the winding. An inductive reactor and relay contact set are connected in series between one end of the third winding and the tap so that when the contact set closes, the reactor stores energy from the source and reduces the power to the lamp, abruptly reducing its light output. A motion-responsive detector is used to energize the relay. With a normally closed contact set, the lamp is dimmed until a moving person is detected, opening the contact set and increasing the lamp light output. Multiple lamps can be controlled simultaneously.

Step-dimming magnetic regulator for discharge lamps

A starting circuit for a discharge lamp includes a tapped ballast transformer connected at one end to an AC supply and at the other end to a discharge lamp. A capacitor and charging resistor are connected in series across the lamp. A breakdown switch device and a current-limiting resistor are connected in series with each other between the transformer tap and the junction between the capacitor and charging resistor. When the capacitor charges to the breakdown value, it discharges through the breakdown device, current-limiting resistor and transformer, producing an output pulse to start the lamp. The value of the current-limiting resistor is selected to limit and shape the peak of the output pulse.

Controlled-current lamp starting ciruit

A disabling circuit for deactivating a high pressure sodium lamp starting and operating circuit when the lamp exhibits end-of-life cycling includes a normally closed thermal switch connected to the starting and operating circuit is inoperative, the switch having contacts which open in response to an elevated temperature. A heating element is connected in parallel with the lamp so that the voltage across the lamp is applied to the heating element. The heating element is supported in a selected heat conducting relationship with the thermal switch so that a predetermined elevated temperature is reached and the contacts are opened only after the dissipation of an amount of energy resulting from repeatedly high lamp open-circuit voltage accompanying end-of-life cycling.

End-of-life lamp starter disabling circuit

A regulator circuit for a high intensity discharge lamp includes a magnetic regulator having three windings, the primary and second thereof being connected to line voltage and a lamp. The tertiary winding is connected to a storage capacitor and to a reactor circuit having an inductive reactor and a semi-conductor switch in series. Lamp voltage and current signals are derived by a control circuit which turns the semi-conductor switch on at specific times in each half cycle of operation. The firing angle of the switch is altered to regulate the lamp operating characteristics despite line voltage changes and operating voltage variations resulting from lamp aging and other factors. The control circuit can also be operated as a lamp dimmer circuit.

Hybrid regulator-ballast circuit for high intensity discharge lamps

A lamp start, hot-restart and operating circuit for a high wattage, high intensity discharge lamp includes cascaded resonant circuits with capacitors and series-connected inductors connected to an AC source. A pulse circuit including two pulse transformers supplies streamer-forming current, the secondary windings of the pulse transformers being connected in series with the lamp. When the lamp commences normal operation, the operating current energizes a relay to remove the capacitors and pulse circuit from the operating circuit, allowing the inductor to function as the lamp ballast.

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Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

Joe A Nuckolls