Electrically conductive cylinder for improved starting of compact fluorescent lamp systems
US6064152A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A compact fluorescent lamp system includes a housing and an external base connector mounted in the housing. The external base connector receives electrical power from an external source. A ballast unit is secured within the housing and is electrically connected to the external base connector. The ballast unit controls the electrical power received from the external source. A lamp unit defines an interior volume. The lamp unit includes first and second lamp electrodes extending into the lamp unit. The lamp unit contains a gas which breaks-down permitting electrical current to pass through the lamp unit. An interior of the lamp unit is coated with a material which fluoresces when the gas within the sealed lamp unit ionizes. An electrically conductive hollow cylinder is located within the interior volume. A breakdown voltage path within the lamp unit is modified by the electrically conductive hollow cylinder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.