Patent · US Expired

Means for controlling lumen output in power consumption of phosphor excitable lamps

US4475064A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
5References
26Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1981
Grant dateOct 2, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S315/04
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device and a method for reducing power consumption and correspondingly reducing lumen output of a phosphor excitable lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, connected to a source of power for operation of the same, without any appreciable loss of operating efficiency. A load limiting arrangement, often referred to as a load limiting control device, and which generally includes a capacitive element is electrically connectable to one terminal of the phosphor excitable lamp. This device, when connected, is effectively electrically interposed between the lamp and the source of power in a series connection. The capacitive element is selected with a capacitive value so that the lumen output is reduced but with substantially uniform lumen output at the reduced level and the power consumption is reduced without substantially changing the voltage to the lamp and without any appreciable effects on the efficiency of operation of the lamp or the source of power. Further, when using the device and method, a circuit path is not created directly between the conductive terminal of the socket and the end terminal of the lamp, but rather through the capacitive element to thereby reduce the power consump…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.