Dual-element 3-way compact fluorescent lamp
US6459204B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a compact 3-way fluorescent lamp that is designed to serve as a replacement for a 3-way incandescent bulb. This novel compact 3-way fluorescent lamp uses only two fluorescent tubes, where one tube has twice the wattage rating of the smaller rated tube. The lower wattage unit is a single U-shaped tube and the higher wattage unit is comprised of a pair of U-shaped tubes, having a cross connection at the base of the tubes, giving a continuous gas discharge path through a first U-shaped tube, a cross connecting element, and a second U-shaped tube. Therefore, this lamp gives the appearance of a triple biaxial fluorescent lamp having three U-shaped units, spaced 120 degrees apart, and mounted to the top surface of a ballast housing cover. Two electronic ballasts ignite and operate the two lamp units—a low wattage ballast operates the low wattage unit, the medium wattage ballast operates the dual U-shaped medium wattage unit, and when both units are operational, the highest wattage level is attained. Each of the ballast circuits is optimized to give an enhanced high voltage ignition, thereby eliminating the need for an auxiliary ignition electrode. A…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.