Method of and equipment for ageing a low-pressure hot-cathode discharge light source, particularly a fluorescent lamp
US4898554A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J9/445
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The ageing process of a low-pressure hot-cathode gas discharge light source, especially a fluorescent lamp is carried out by applying high alternating voltage being at least 8 times and at most 16 times higher than the burning voltage rating of the gas discharge light source after preheating electrodes thereof, whereby a short discharge arc is generated and then after changing the connecting arrangement of the input terminals of the electrodes the application of high alternating voltage is repeated. The equipment for carrying out the process of ageing comprises at least one supply unit for generating high alternating voltage being at least 8 and at most 16 times higher than the burning voltage rating of the gas discharge light source, at least one ignition system for breaking a circuit at maximal momentary value of a preheating current applied to electrodes of the light source and means for changing the connecting arrangement of output terminals of the electrodes to the supply unit and for altering output connection terminals of the supply unit with at least one current source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.