CA1296758C - Apparatus for limiting surge currents in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp - Google Patents

Apparatus for limiting surge currents in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp

Info

Publication number
CA1296758C
CA1296758C CA000502298A CA502298A CA1296758C CA 1296758 C CA1296758 C CA 1296758C CA 000502298 A CA000502298 A CA 000502298A CA 502298 A CA502298 A CA 502298A CA 1296758 C CA1296758 C CA 1296758C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
resistance
incandescent lamp
parallel
diode rectifier
switching device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA000502298A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kazumi Masaki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HAYASHIBARA KEN
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1296758C publication Critical patent/CA1296758C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02HEMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H9/00Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection
    • H02H9/02Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess current
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/02Switching on, e.g. with predetermined rate of increase of lighting current
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/25Circuit arrangements for protecting against overcurrent

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure Surge currents which may arise in dc-illuminated incan-descent lamp can be effectively limited by an apparatus com-prising a low resistance (first resistance); another resistance (second resistance); a diode rectifier, the input terminal being connected in series to an ac source through the first resistance, and the output terminal being connected in series to an incan-descent lamp through the second resistance; a voltage regulator diode connected in parallel with said diode rectifier; a capaci-tance (first capacitance) connected in parallel to the input terminal of said diode rectifier; another capacitance (second capacitance) connected in parallel to the output terminal of said diode rectifier; a switching device connected to the second resistance; and a timing circuit connected to said switching device in a manner that the switching device shorts the second resistance after a lapse of a prescribed time upon switching-on of the ac source.

Description

-1- 60-~;051 5 ~IZ9675~

APPARATUS FOR I.IMITING SURGE CURRENTS IN
DC - ILLUMINATED INCANDESCENT LAMP

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus to limit surge currents which may arise in an incandescent lamp illuminat-ed with dc.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus to limit an arc discharge current which may flow in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp on filament snapping, as well as to limit a surge current across the lamp filament.

Background of the Invention When incandescent lamp is dc-illuminated to obtain a flickerless illumination with a high brightness, the filament snapping ins~antly arises an arc to effect a relatively high discharge current through the filled gas.
The arc occurs almostly under a short-circuited con-dition because the circuit resistance during the discharge is extremely low. Actual measurement showed that the discharge current was up to 200 amperes when the filament of 60-watt incan-descent lamp was snapped during illumination with dc 130 volts.
The arc discharge current instantly damages the circuit parts.

.~

~L~967~i8 Brief SummarY of the Invention In view of the foregoing, the main object of the present invention is to provide a means to limit arc discharge current in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp. - ~
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automatically effect such current limitation.
These and other objects as may become apparent hereinafter have been attained by an apparatus to limit surge currents in a dc-illuminated incandescent lamp, comprising: a first resistance with a resistance value that is large enough to prevent arc discharge in the dc-illuminated incandescent lamp i~ its f:Llament is broken; a second resistance with higher resistance value than the ~irst resistance; a diode rectifier, having input terminals for power input thereto that are connected in series with a power ac source through the first resistance, and output terminals that are connected in series with an incandescent lamp through the second resistance, for providing power for illuminating the incandescent lamp; a voltage regulator diode connected in parallel across the input terminals of the diode rectifier; a first capacitance connected in parallel across the input terminals of the diode rectifier; a second capacitance connected in parallel across the output terminals of the diode rectifier; a switching device connected in parallel to the second resistance; and a timing circuit connected to the switching device in a manner that the switching device shorts the second resistance after a lapse of a prescribed time upon switching-on of ac power source.
Descri~tion of the Preferred Embodiments Several embodiments according to the invention will rn/

129~

hereinafter be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG.l is the basic circuit used in the apparatus according to the invention;
FIG.2 is the curve of a surge current that flows through lamp filament;
FIG.3 is the curve of an arc discharge current which may arise in incandescent lamp on filament snapping; and FIG.4 is a circuit wherein each diode rectlfier is equipped with a protection circuit against pulse voltage.
Throughout the accompanying drawings, symbol C desig-nates capacitance; D, diode; L, incandescent lamp; R, resistance;
Z, voltage regulator diode; AC, ac power source; and SCR, re-verse-blocking ~riode thyristor.
In the circui~ as shown in FIG.l, ac power source AC
energizes voltage regulator diode Z, capacitance Cl (used to absorb pulse voltage), and diode rectifier D through low resis-tance Rl which is used to limit the surge current into smoothing capacitance. The output voltage of diode D is smoothed into dc by high capacitancé C2. Voltage regulator diode Z absorbs abnormal voltages which may occur in the power circuit, while capacitance Cl absorbs high pulse voltages to protect diode rectifier D. The voltage at capacitance C2 is applied between incandescent lamp L and resistance R4 which is connected in series to incandescent lamp L to limit the surge current across the lamp filament.

~..... .. - .

~g-~

Since the resistance of lamp filament is generally about 10 ohms when the lamp filament is cold, energization of dc 130 volts to the filament effects an surge current of up to 13 amperes which may snap the filament. Supposing that resistance R4 is set to 100 ohms, the combined resistance becomes 110 ohms (= 100 ohms + 10 ohms). Energization of dc 130 volts to the combined resistance flows an initial filament current of only 1.2 amperes. Thusj the lamp filament is heated without fear of snapping.
C The voltage ~ resistance R4 simultaneously energizes reverse-blocking triode thyristor SCR, resistance R3 and capacitance C3. Resistance R2 supplies a triggering voltage to the gate of reverse-blocking triode thyristor SCR in accor-dance with the time constant as determined by resistance R3 and capacitance C3. Triggered thyristor SCR shorts resistance R4, and the full output voltage of capacitance C2 is, therefore, supplied to inc~ndescent lamp L. Incandescent lamp L is illumi-nated with dc in this way.
The surge current across lamp filament is as shown in FIG.2: When power switch is closed at time to~ the initial filament current reaches up to 13 amperes as shown with the broken line because the filament resistance is still relatively low. The initial filament current can be suppressed to a safe level of 1.2 amperes by insertion of resistance R4 (100 ohms).
Although the arc discharge current in incandescent lamp L may reach 200 amperes instantly on filament snapping, insertion of resistance Rl (2 ohms) suppresses the discharge current to 50 amperes (= 100 volts/2 ohms). Thus, usually-available diodes and thyristors with permissible peak current of 50 amperes can be used without precaution of destruction.
Furthermore, the voltage drop at resistance Rl auto-matically stops the arc to prevent the discharge current result-ing from the arc. After stopping the arc never restores even when power switch is closed because the lamp filament would be sufficiently damaged. If the arc restores, it widens the spark gap at the filament, followed by stopping by resistance Rl.
Thus, the arc is stopped within a brief time.
Since the apparatus according to the invention instant-ly and automatically limits arc discharge current in this way, the circuits parts such as thyristor and diodes are prevented from damage or destruction.
The arc discharge current is as shown in FIG.3: The broken line is that of conventionai case; and the solid line is that of the case in which the apparatus according to the inven-tion is used.
FIG.4 illustrates a circuit for protecting diode rectifiers from high pulse voltages which may occur in the power circuit, wherein capacitances C4, C5, C6 and C7 are connected in parallel respectively to diodes Dl, D2, D3 and D4 to absorb the pulse voltages.
- As described above, the apparatus according to the invention extremely prolongs lamp life because the apparatus ,.,, ., , .~. . ~ ,, , 9~

effectively limits a surge current that arises on turning-on of power switch.
Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention prevents a vain destruction of expensive circuit parts other than incandescent lamp, such as diode, thyristor, distribution line and fuse because the apparatus instantly and automa~ically limits arc discharge current.
In addition, since the apparatus is simple, but very effective in limitation of surge currents, the apparatus can be advantageously used in illumination apparatuses wherein incan-descent lamp is illuminated with dc to provide an il].umination of high brightness, as well as in illumination apparatuses such as those for vehicles, microscope and photograph.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my invention, it wlll be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifica~ions may be made without departing from my invention in its broader aspects and I, there-fore, intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims (3)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus to limit surge currents in a dc-illuminated incandescent lamp, comprising:
(a) a first resistance with a resistance value that is large enough to prevent arc discharge in said dc-illuminated incandescent lamp if its filament is broken;
(b) a second resistance with higher resistance value than said first resistance;
(c) a diode rectifier, having input terminals for power input thereto that are connected in series with a power ac source through said first resistance, and output terminals that are connected in series with an incandescent lamp through said second resistance, for providing power for illuminating said incandescent lamp;
(d) a voltage regulator diode connected in parallel across said input terminals of said diode rectifier;
(e) a first capacitance connected in parallel across said input terminals of said diode rectifier;
(f) a second capacitance connected in parallel across said output terminals of said diode rectifier;
(g) a switching device connected in parallel to said second resistance; and (h) a timing circuit connected to said switching device in a manner that the switching device shorts the second resistance after a lapse of a prescribed time upon switching-on of ac power source.
2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said timing circuit is an RC-time constant circuit.
3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching device is a reverse-blocking triode
CA000502298A 1985-02-20 1986-02-20 Apparatus for limiting surge currents in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp Expired - Lifetime CA1296758C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP30615/1985 1985-02-20
JP60030615A JPS61193398A (en) 1985-02-20 1985-02-20 Rush current preventor for dc lamp bulb

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1296758C true CA1296758C (en) 1992-03-03

Family

ID=12308775

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000502298A Expired - Lifetime CA1296758C (en) 1985-02-20 1986-02-20 Apparatus for limiting surge currents in dc-illuminated incandescent lamp

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4736138A (en)
JP (1) JPS61193398A (en)
KR (1) KR900005936B1 (en)
BR (1) BR8600703A (en)
CA (1) CA1296758C (en)
DE (1) DE3605266C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2577743B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2172452B (en)

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US4752719A (en) * 1985-04-10 1988-06-21 Mcewan Robert A Boosted D.C. supply circuit and luminaire employing same
CA1325242C (en) * 1986-09-30 1993-12-14 Hayashibara, Ken Lighting equipment for providing bright illumination with limited surge
JPH0762812B2 (en) * 1987-04-18 1995-07-05 林原 健 Power supply for lamp lighting
JPH0193662A (en) * 1987-10-02 1989-04-12 Honda Motor Co Ltd Speed change control method for continuously variable transmission for vehicle
JP2779938B2 (en) * 1988-09-08 1998-07-23 林原 健 Lighting equipment
US4912371A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-03-27 Hamilton William L Power saving fluorescent lamp substitute
DE4020517A1 (en) * 1990-06-27 1992-01-02 Holzer Walter DC supply circuit for gas discharge lamp - uses choke coil infront of full-wave rectifier and output smoothing capacitor
TW203145B (en) * 1991-04-09 1993-04-01 Hayashibara Ken
DE4121055C2 (en) * 1991-06-26 1994-12-15 Ute Koechling Circuit arrangement for inrush current limitation of incandescent lamps
KR100259240B1 (en) * 1991-12-06 2000-06-15 하야시바라 겐 Lighting device
US5463280A (en) * 1994-03-03 1995-10-31 National Service Industries, Inc. Light emitting diode retrofit lamp
US5897194A (en) * 1996-05-14 1999-04-27 Ham; Byung Il Sign with remote power source tester
DE19917910A1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2000-10-26 Alcatel Sa Circuit arrangement for current threshold detection
US7040776B2 (en) * 2003-08-26 2006-05-09 William T. Harrell Self-contained illumination device for medicine containers
DE502005000792D1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2007-07-12 Alcatel Transp Solutions Holdi Circuit arrangement for current threshold detection
CN101637066A (en) * 2006-11-29 2010-01-27 夏普株式会社 Discharge lamp lighting device and projector
JP5622618B2 (en) * 2011-03-09 2014-11-12 株式会社アイ・ライティング・システム LED power supply
CN105576951B (en) * 2016-02-02 2017-09-05 芜湖锐芯电子科技有限公司 Current-limiting method and current limliting constant current combined electrical source circuit and its control method
CN105764210A (en) * 2016-03-23 2016-07-13 成都锐奕信息技术有限公司 Street lamp control circuit
CN105744701A (en) * 2016-03-23 2016-07-06 成都锐奕信息技术有限公司 Light-controlled streetlamp controller

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GB337681A (en) * 1929-02-08 1930-11-06 Pathe Cinema Improvements in electric lighting circuits, and chiefly for cinematographic screen projection apparatus and the like
GB462970A (en) * 1934-06-14 1937-03-15 Hydrawerk Ag Improved apparatus for suppressing interference in wireless
DE1120013B (en) * 1960-07-28 1961-12-21 Carl Braun Circuit arrangement for reducing the starting current of incandescent lamps, in particular light throw lamps
GB1059843A (en) * 1964-05-06 1967-02-22 Lucas Industries Ltd Electrical systems for road vehicles
US3555361A (en) * 1968-12-31 1971-01-12 Frederick C Hallberg Turn on transient limiter
US3644783A (en) * 1969-08-18 1972-02-22 Esquire Inc Dc detection circuit
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8604016D0 (en) 1986-03-26
FR2577743B1 (en) 1993-09-03
JPS61193398A (en) 1986-08-27
GB2172452A (en) 1986-09-17
GB2172452B (en) 1988-09-07
DE3605266C2 (en) 1995-06-22
KR900005936B1 (en) 1990-08-16
KR860006855A (en) 1986-09-15
FR2577743A1 (en) 1986-08-22
US4736138A (en) 1988-04-05
BR8600703A (en) 1986-10-29
DE3605266A1 (en) 1986-09-18
JPH0473278B2 (en) 1992-11-20

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