Starting aid for fluorescent lamp
US7053553B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J61/547
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A starting aid in combination with a fluorescent lamp is provided. The lamp comprises a glass discharge tube (2) which includes a discharge path and is convoluted to have a plurality of discharge tube legs. These legs extend into and are secured in place in a plastic housing. Lamp electrodes (40, 42) are located at respective end points of a discharge path and disposed in some of the discharge tube legs. The lamp electrodes are connected to means suitable for electrically connecting to a socket. The starting aid comprises an electrical connector disposed in the plastic housing of the florescent lamp. The starting aid has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the means suitable for electrically connecting to the socket. The second end is secured to an end portion of an electrodeless discharge tube leg. At least a part of the electrical connector is formed as a spring. A fluorescent lamp system with a starting aid is also provided. The lamp system comprises a ballast unit which controls electrical power received from an external power source. The electrodes (40, 42) of a sealed lamp unit are connected electrically to the ballast unit and disposed in adjacent tub…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.