Tapeswitch Corporation

Sheldon B Brooks

Walter C Lovell

Edward W Duhon

Dana Geiger

A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes an inductive-resistive structure that induces fluorescence in a fluorescent lamp when an electric current is passed through the inductive-resistive structure while an electric potential is applied across the fluorescent lamp A source of rippled/pulsed direct current is responsive to a control sub-circuit, which outputs a lamp voltage signal representative of the electric potential to be applied to the fluorescent lamp. A power supply sub-circuit is responsive to the control sub-circuit and imposes the electric potential at the value indicated by the lamp voltage signal. A method of inducing fluorescence includes passing a current through an inductive structure adjacent to a fluorescent lamp. An alternating current drive circuit for illuminating the fluorescent lamp includes a source of rippled/pulsed DC voltage, a polarity-reversing circuit and a controller connected to the polarity-reversing circuit, which periodically generates a signal to reverse the polarity of the voltage applied to the lamp. The electric potential applied to the fluorescent lamp is delayed for a first time period until the fluorescent lamp heats to a first temperature. The electric potential is then applied to the fluorescent lamp at a first level, and delays to allow the value of the rippled/pulsed direct current to stabilize. The direct current is then measured, and the electric potential is applied to the fluorescent lamp at a second level. The value of the dimming voltage is measured, and the electric potential applied to the lamp is adjusted accordingly by varying its duty cycle.

Inductive-resistive fluorescent apparatus and method

A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes a translucent housing with a chamber within which a fluorescent medium is supported and electrical connections configured to provide an electrical potential across the chamber. An inductive-resistive structure is fixed sufficiently proximate to the housing to induce fluorescence in the fluorescent medium when an electric current is passed through the inductive-resistive structure while an electric potential is applied across the electrical connections of the housing. Preferred inductive structures for use with the present invention include elongate tape structures having a substrate with a conductive-resistive coating. A method of inducing fluorescence comprises passing a current through an inductive structure which is adjacent a fluorescing medium in an amount sufficient to induce fluorescent in the fluorescing medium in the presence of an electrical potential imposed on the fluorescing medium. An alternating current drive circuit for illuminating the fluorescent lamp includes a source of rippled/pulsed DC voltage, a polarity-reversing circuit and a controller connected to the polaritx-reversing circuit which periodically generates a signal to reverse the polarity of the voltage applied to the lamp.

A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes a translucent housing having a chamber within which a fluorescent medium is supported and electrical connections configured to provide an electrical potential across the chamber. An inductive-resistive structure is fixed sufficiently proximate to the housing to induce fluorescence in the fluorescent medium when an electric current is passed through the inductive-resistive structure while an electric potential is applied across the electrical connections of the housing. Preferred inductive structures for use with the present invention include elongate tape structures having a substrate with a conductive-resistive coating. A method of inducing fluorescence comprises passing a current through an inductive structure which is adjacent a fluorescing medium in an amount sufficient to induce fluorescence in the fluorescing medium in the presence of an electrical potential imposed on the fluorescing medium. An alternating current drive circuit for illuminating the fluorescent lamp includes a source of rippled/pulsed DC voltage, a polarity-reversing circuit and a controller connected to the polarity-reversing circuit which periodically generates a signal to reverse the polarity of the voltage applied to the lamp.

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Kings Park, NY, United States of America

Sheldon B Brooks