WO1995026620A1 - Fluorescent lamp apparatus with integral dimming control - Google Patents

Fluorescent lamp apparatus with integral dimming control Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995026620A1
WO1995026620A1 PCT/US1995/003791 US9503791W WO9526620A1 WO 1995026620 A1 WO1995026620 A1 WO 1995026620A1 US 9503791 W US9503791 W US 9503791W WO 9526620 A1 WO9526620 A1 WO 9526620A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical
housing
controllable
lamp
conductors
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/003791
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mark E. Martich
Original Assignee
Pacific Scientific Company
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 Pacific Scientific Company filed Critical Pacific Scientific Company
Priority to AU21056/95A priority Critical patent/AU2105695A/en
Publication of WO1995026620A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995026620A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
    • H01J61/32—Special longitudinal shape, e.g. for advertising purposes
    • H01J61/327—"Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/56—One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36—Controlling
    • H05B41/38—Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39—Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations

Definitions

  • the housing further includes a tubular portion which extends axially between the base at the bottom end and the lamp-supporting element at the top end of the housing.
  • the controllable electrical circuit element is connected within the housing with the two electrical conductors in the base for receiving electrical power. It further includes output conductors for electrical connection to the electrical contacts of the fluorescent illumination element.
  • the controllable circuit element applies an adjustable operating electrical excitation to the fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal. Manual adjustable positioning of the knob element causes the electrical adjustment element to produce a controllable signal that operates the controllable circuit element to selectively excite the fluorescent illumination element to produce a correspondingly selected level of illumination.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dimmable lamp apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract

Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus (10) includes a dimming control element (28) housed in an integral adapter (12) having a base (16) which installs directly on an existing incandescent or other lighting fixture. The adapter (12) mounts a fluorescent illumination element (14) either fixedly or removably and replaceably. The lamp apparatus (10) includes a manually accessible adjustment element (30) connected with the control element (28) and mounted on the adapter (12).

Description

FLUORESCENT LAMP APPARATUS WITH INTEGRAL DIMMING CONTROL
Background of the Invention This invention relates to fluorescent lamps and lamp adapters, and more particularly to those which include an integral dimming control.
Fluorescent lamps are gas discharge devices which provide illumination as a result of atomic excitation of a low- pressure gas, such as mercury, within the lamp envelope. The excited mercury atoms emit invisible ultraviolet radiation which is converted to visible light as a result of excitation by the mercury atoms of a fluorescent material deposited on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The fluorescent coating material can be selected to emit visible radiation over a wide spectrum of colors and intensities.
The atoms of mercury vapor in the fluorescent lamps are excited by means of an electrode in the lamp which is ignited and operated at a relatively high voltage. A ballast circuit is commonly provided with the lamp to start the lamp and to operate it at the voltage and current required for fluorescent illumination.
Fluorescent lamps can include other control circuitry to enhance performance. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,933,605 to Quazi, et al. , discloses a fluorescent dimming ballast circuit which enables a fluorescent lamp to be selectively dimmed. U.S. Patent No. 5,245,253 to Quazi discloses improvements to the dimming ballast circuit.
These prior systems for attaining dimmable fluorescent illumination typically employ a lighting fixture that includes the dimming control circuit and that mounts a fluorescent tube or other fluorescent bulb. A separate adjustable control element is mounted at an accessible location separate from the fixture and is wired to the fixture. A common installation of this type has a permanently mounted ceiling fixture and a wall-mounted control element.
The prior practices for attaining dimmable fluorescent lighting thus were not suited for installation in conventional incandescent lighting fixtures.
It accordingly is an object of this invention to provide a dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus that is convenient to install in existing lighting fixtures, including incandescent fixtures.
Other objects are to provide such a dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus that is convenient to adjust and that is compact.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dimmable lamp apparatus having the attributes of convenient installation, convenient adjustment, and compact size.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
Summary of the Invention The invention attains the foregoing objects by providing a dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus that includes a dimming control element housed integrally with the illumination element and the lamp ballast circuit. The lamp apparatus, according to the invention, can be installed directly on an existing fluorescent light fixture, as by screwing it into the conventional lamp socket, or wired directly to an existing nonincandescent light fixture. The lamp apparatus of the invention includes a dimming control circuit and has a knob or other manually accessible control element connected with the control circuit. The lamp apparatus mounts a fluorescent illumination element either fixedly assembled therewith or removable and replaceable by way of a socket. The dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus thus enables any existing lighting fixture to provide controllable, i.e., selectively dimmable and, conversely, brightenable, fluorescent illumination without remote wiring and by means of a manually accessible control element directly on the lamp apparatus, and hence integral with it.
One embodiment of the invention includes a dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus having an electrical socket base, an electrically insulative housing mounting the base at a bottom end of the housing, a controllable electrical circuit element disposed within the housing, and an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable and manually accessible knob, ring, or other element carried on the housing and connected with the controllable circuit element. The electrical socket base is threadable into an incandescent lamp socket and has two electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket. The electrically insulative housing has first and second ends, such as top and bottom ends, axially spaced apart and includes a lamp-supporting element at its top end for mountingly receiving a fluorescent illumination element, typically having four electrical contacts. The housing further includes a tubular portion which extends axially between the base at the bottom end and the lamp-supporting element at the top end of the housing. The controllable electrical circuit element is connected within the housing with the two electrical conductors in the base for receiving electrical power. It further includes output conductors for electrical connection to the electrical contacts of the fluorescent illumination element. The controllable circuit element applies an adjustable operating electrical excitation to the fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal. Manual adjustable positioning of the knob element causes the electrical adjustment element to produce a controllable signal that operates the controllable circuit element to selectively excite the fluorescent illumination element to produce a correspondingly selected level of illumination.
The apparatus of the present invention thus combines superior fluorescent light output control with individual adjustability in a single fluorescent lamp which fits into existing electrical lamp fixtures.
In one practice of the invention, the manually positionable knob element is movable along the circumference of the housing tubular portion; for example, about a longitudinal housing axis which extends between the housing base and the top of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the knob element includes a manually accessible ring member which extends around the circumference of the housing tubular portion.
In another practice, the manually positionable knob element is rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
The invention can be practiced with a fluorescent illumination element mountingly secured in the lamp-supporting element on the housing. The electrical contacts of the fluorescent illumination element are fixedly connected with the output conductors of the control circuit.
In another practice of the invention, the dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus includes a socket-like lamp- supporting element which provides for removable and replaceable mounting and electrical connection of the fluorescent illumination element.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus that includes an electrically insulative housing, a controllable electrical circuit element disposed within the housing, an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable and manually accessible knob, ring, or other element on the housing and connected with the controllable circuit element, and a control element having a manually positionable and manually accessible switch element on the housing and connected with the controllable circuit element and with a source of electrical power. The electrically insulative housing has top and bottom ends axially spaced apart and includes a lamp-supporting element at its top end for mountingly receiving an illumination element, either incandescent or fluorescent, having electrical contacts. The housing further includes a tubular portion which extends axially between the bottom end of the housing and the lamp-supporting element at the top end of the housing. The knob element includes a manually accessible ring member which extends externally around the circumference of the housing tubular portion. Turning the ring member relative to the housing operates the controllable circuit for selectively dimming and brightening the illumination. The control element includes a manually accessible switch which can be a slide, toggle, or other switch member. Movement of the switch relative to the housing initiates or terminates electrical current flow to the control circuit to begin or cease operation of the lamp.
A further embodiment of the invention provides a dimmable lamp apparatus that includes an electrical socket base, an electrically insulative housing mounting the base at the bottom end of the housing, a controllable electrical circuit element disposed within the housing, and an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable and manually accessible knob, ring, or other element on the housing and connected with the controllable circuit element. The electrical socket base is threadable into an electric lamp socket and has two electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket. The electrically insulative housing has top and bottom ends axially spaced apart and includes a lamp supporting element at its top end for mountingly receiving an illumination element, either incandescent or fluorescent, having electrical contacts. The housing further includes a tubular portion which extends axially between the base at the bottom end of the housing and the lamp-supporting element at the top end of the housing. The knob element includes a manually accessible ring member which extends externally around the circumference of the housing tubular portion. Turning the ring member relative to the housing operates the controllable circuit for selectively dimming and brightening the illumination.
These and other features of the invention will be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of which is to be read in conjunction with the attached drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dimmable lamp apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dimmable lamp apparatus according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dimmable lamp apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a dimmable lamp apparatus according to still another embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention provides, in one aspect, a dimmable fluorescent lamp adapter having a single lamp-supporting housing. The dimming control circuit is contained within that housing, and the dimming control element is mounted on that housing and is manually accessible external to the housing. A fluorescent illumination element mounts on the adapter housing with electrical connection to the control circuit. The resultant unitary adapter structure installs on existing light fixtures and is controllable at the location of the lamp instead of at a remote control station.
Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a dimmable lamp 10 having a lamp adapter 12 according to the invention and fitted with a fluorescent lamp element 14. The lamp adapter 12 has a conventional electrical socket base 16 which includes threads 16a for threaded engagement with a conventional electrical lamp socket. The electrical socket base includes two electrical conductors 18a and 18b arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors on the electrical lamp socket. As conventional, the electrical conductors 18a and 18b are located at the side and the bottom, respectively, of the socket base 16.
The adapter 12 further includes an electrically insulative housing 20 having a top end 20a axially spaced from a bottom end 20b. The illustrated housing 20 has a generally overall conical or triangular shape which is narrow at the bottom end 20b and wider at the top end 20a. The housing includes funnel-like portion 20c above the bottom end 20b and below a tubular portion 20d, and the housing can have any practical cross-sectional shape, such as, for example, circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, or triangular. The illustrated tubular portion 20d has a cylindrical wall and is bounded at the top by flat wall 20e and at the bottom by an interior panel 20f. The housing 20 thus bounds a hollow interior space 22 partitioned into an upper interior space 22a and a lower interior space 22b by the interior panel 20f, which spans the interior spacer 22 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The socket base 16 is secured to the housing 20 at the bottom end 20b of the housing to form the bottom of the adapter 12.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the dimmable lamp apparatus includes a removable and replaceable fluorescent illumination element 14. The illumination element removably and replaceably plugs into a socket-like lamp-supporting element comprising interior panel 20f with socket connectors 32. The base portion 14b of the illumination element 14 seats on the top face of panel 2Of and fits within openings 20g in the top wall 20e, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Electrical contacts 14c extend through the openings 24 in the panel 2Of to removably and replaceably plug into conductive socket connectors 32, thereby forming electrical connection between the illumination element 14 and the adapter 12.
A controllable circuit 28 is within the housing 20, illustratively in the lower interior space 22b. Input electrical conductors 26, 26 of the control circuit 28 connect respectively to the electrical conductors 18a and 18b of the base. The controllable circuit 28 applies an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to the illumination element 14 in response to a controllable electrical signal.
With further reference to Figures 1 and 2, the adapter 10 includes an electrical adjustment element 30, such as a variable resistor, which has a manually adjustable knob element 30a. The adjustment element 30, which electrically connects with the controllable circuit 28 via conductors 27, 27, produces a controllable electrical signal in response to adjustment of the position of the adjustment element 30. The adjustment element is preferably manually accessible on the exterior of the tubular portion 20d of the housing 20. .The illustrated adjustment element 30a in Figures 1 and 2 is a knob rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal housing axis.
Output conductors 29, 29 from the controllable circuit 28 electrically connect to the electrical contacts 14c of the fluorescent illumination element 14 via the socket connections 32.
The lamp apparatus thus described provides dimmable and brightenable fluorescent light with manual adjustment of the knob element 30 on the housing of the lamp. With electrical connection of the lamp to an electrical power source, the illumination element 14 provides variable fluorescent light output according to the position of the adjustable knob element 30, which is electrically connected to the dimming circuit control 28. Figure 3 shows another dimmable fluorescent lamp 10' according to the invention and having an adapter 12' and a fluorescent illumination element 14'. Elements of the lamp 10' which are common to the elements of the lamp 10 of Figures 1 and 2 are designated with like reference numerals plus a superscript prime. The adapter 12' includes an electrically insulative housing 20' which is substantially similar to the housing 20 illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The housing 20' includes a controllable circuit element 28 and an electrical adjustment element 30, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and operates with an adjustment element and a controllable circuit like the element 30 and the circuit 28 of Figures 1 and 2. However, the adapter 12' of Figure 3 controls the lamp illumination of with a control slide 34 that extends about at least part of an outer circumference of the housing 20' . The control slide 324 is rotatably movable relative to the housing 20' about the longitudinal axis, as indicated with an arrow 36 extending along the direction of the rotational movement. The control slide is linked to the adjustment element 30 within the housing 20' . The illustrated control slide 34 encircles the housing tubular portion 20d' to be accessible from any direction for manual adjustment. The upper interior space 22a of the housing 20' , which is bounded below by the panel 20f, above by the top flat wall 20e, and at the sides by tubular portion 20d, mountingly receives and supports the fluorescent illumination element 14' . The fluorescent illumination element 14' has one or more illumination tubes 14a' , a base portion 14b' , and electrical contacts 14c' (not shown) . The base portion 14b' seats within the housing 20' on the top face of the panel 20f with electrical contacts 14c' extending through the panel for fixed electrical connection below. Illumination tubes 14a' extend through openings 20g in the top wall 20e of the housing.
Operation of the lamp 10' is similar to the operation of the lamp 10 previously described. Slidable control 34 electrically connects to control circuit 28, and manual circumferential movement of the slidable control 34 varies the light output of the lamp to the desired brightness.
Figure 4 shows another dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus 10" according to the invention and having an adapter 12" and a fluorescent illumination element 14". Elements of the lamp 10" which are common to the elements of the lamp 10' of Figure 3 are designated with like reference numerals plus a superscript double prime. The adapter 12" includes an electrically insulative housing 20" which is substantially similar to the housing 20' illustrated in Figure 3. The illustrated housing 20" includes a controllable circuit element 28 (not shown) and an electrical adjustment element 34" as illustrated in Figure 3, and operates with an adjustment element and a controllable circuit like the element 34 and circuit 28 of Figure 3. Additionally, the adapter 12" includes switch element 38 manually positionable and manually accessible externally of the housing 20". The illustrated switch element is movable between two or more positions relative to the housing 20", as indicated with an arrow 40 extending along the direction of sliding movement. The switch element 38 is connected with the control circuit 28 within the housing 20" and likes with a source of electrical power through electrical conductors 26", which can be wired directly to an electrical fixture for permanent installation of the lamp.
Placement of the switch element 38 in one position enables current to flow from the electrical power source through the conductors 26" to the control circuit 28, thereby energizing the illumination element 14" and commencing operation of the lamp. Manual adjustment of the slidable control 34" varies the light output as previously described. Placement of the switch element in another position terminates current flow to the control circuit, thereby ceasing lamp operation.
Other alterations to the adsorption embodiments will be readily apparent to those ordinary skilled in the art and are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. That is, the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The invention is to be defined, therefore, not by the preceding description but by the claims that follow.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS :
1. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus comprising an electrical socket base for threading into an electrical lamp socket and having two electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket; an electrically insulative housing having a top end axially spaced from a bottom end and mounting said base at said bottom end, said housing having lamp supporting means at said top end for mountingly receiving a fluorescent illumination element having four electrical contacts and having a tubular portion extending between said base at said bottom end and said supporting means at said top end; controllable electrical circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with the two electrical conductors of said base for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the four contacts of a fluorescent illumination element mountingly received in said supporting means and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to a fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable knob element and connected with said circuit means for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said knob element, said knob element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion. 2. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus according to
Claim 1, wherein said manually positionable knob element is movable along the circumference of said housing tubular portion about an axis of said housing extending between said base and said top end. 3. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus according to
Claim 2, wherein said knob element includes a manually accessible ring member extending around the circumference of said housing tubular portion. . Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said manually positionable knob element is rotatable about an axis transverse to an axis of said housing extending between said base and said top end.
5. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising a fluorescent illumination element mountingly secured in said lamp supporting means and having four electrical contacts fixedly connected with the electrical conductors in said electrical socket base.
6. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said lamp supporting means includes means for removably and replaceably mounting the fluorescent illumination element and for removably and replaceably connecting the electrical output conductors of an electrical socket base with the electrical contacts of a fluorescent illumination element.
7. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus comprising an electrically insulative housing having a top end axially spaced from a bottom end, said housing having lamp supporting means at said top end for mountingly receiving a fluorescent illumination element having four electrical contacts and having a tubular portion extending between said bottom end and said supporting means at said top end; controllable electrical circuit means disposed within said housing and having electrical conductors extending from said bottom end of said housing for receiving electrical power, and further having output conductors for electrical connection to the four contacts of a fluorescent illumination element mountingly received in said supporting means and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to a fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable knob element and connected with said circuit means for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said knob element, said knob element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion; and control means having a manually positionable switch element and connected with said controllable circuit means and with a source of electrical power for exciting said fluorescent illumination element, said switch element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion.
8. Dimmable lamp apparatus comprising an electrical socket base for threading into an electrical lamp socket and having two electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket; an electrically insulative housing having a top end axially spaced from a bottom end mounting said base at said bottom end, said housing having lamp supporting means at said top end for mountingly receiving an illumination element having four electrical contacts and having a tubular portion extending between said base at said bottom end and said supporting means at said top end; controllable electrical circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with the two electrical conductors of said base for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of an illumination element mountingly received in said supporting means and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to an illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element having a manually positionable knob element and connected with said circuit means for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said knob element, said knob element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion and including a manually accessible ring member extending around the circumference of said housing tubular portion. 9. Dimmable lamp apparatus comprising an electrical socket base for threading into an electrical lamp socket and having electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket; an electrically insulative housing having a top end axially spaced from a bottom end and mounting said base at said bottom end, said housing having lamp supporting means at said top end for mounting receiving an illumination element having electrical contacts and having a tubular portion extending between said base at said bottom end and said supporting means at said top end; controllable electrical circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with the electrical conductors of said base for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of an illumination element mountingly received in said supporting means and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to an illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit means for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion and including a manually accessible ring member extending around the circumference of said housing tubular portion. 10. Dimmable lamp apparatus comprising electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection to a source of power; a housing having a first end axially spaced from a second end, said housing supports said electrical conductors at said first end, said housing having a compact fluorescent lamp support at said second end for connection to electrical contacts in a compact fluorescent lamp; controllable electrical circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with the electrical conductors for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of said compact fluorescent lamp received in said fluorescent lamp support and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to an illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit means for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing and including a manually accessible ring member extending around the circumference of said housing. 11. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus comprising an electrical socket base for threading into an electrical lamp socket and having electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the electrical lamp socket; an electrically insulative housing having a top end axially spaced from a bottom end and mounting said base at said bottom end, said housing having a lamp supporting element at said top end for mountingly receiving a fluorescent illumination element having electrical contacts and having a tubular portion extending between said base at said bottom end and said supporting element at said top end; a controllable electrical circuit disposed within said housing and connected with the electrical conductors of said base for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of a fluorescent illumination element mountingly received in said supporting element and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to a fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing tubular portion.
12. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus comprising electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection to a source of power; a housing having a first end axially spaced from a second end, said housing having a lamp supporting element at said second end for connection to electrical contacts in a compact fluorescent lamp; a controllable electrical circuit disposed within said housing and connected with the electrical conductors for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of said compact fluorescent lamp received in said lamp supporting element and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to a fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing. 13. Dimmable fluorescent lamp apparatus comprising an electrically insulative housing having a first end axially spaced from a second end, said housing having a lamp supporting element at said first end for mountingly receiving a fluorescent illumination element having electrical contacts; a controllable electrical circuit disposed within said housing and having electrical conductors extending from said second end of said housing for receiving electrical power, and further having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of a fluorescent illumination element mountingly received in said supporting element and applying an adjustable variable operating electrical excitation to a fluorescent illumination element in response to a controllable electrical signal; an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing; and a manually positionable switch connected with said controllable circuit and with a source of electrical power for exciting said fluorescent illumination element, said switch being manually accessible externally of said housing.
14. Dimmable lamp apparatus comprising electrical conductors arranged for electrical connection to a source of power, a housing having a first end axially spaced from a second end, said housing supports said electrical conductors at said first end, said housing having a compact fluorescent lamp supporting element at said second end for connection to electrical contacts in a fluorescent lamp; a controllable electrical circuit disposed within said housing and connected with the electrical conductors for receiving electrical power and having output conductors for electrical connection to the contacts of said fluorescent lamp in response to a controllable electrical signal; and an electrical adjustment element being manually positionable and connected with said circuit for producing said controllable signal in response to adjustable positioning of said electrical adjustment element, said electrical adjustment element being manually accessible externally of said housing and including a manually accessible ring member extending around the circumference of said housing.
PCT/US1995/003791 1994-03-25 1995-03-27 Fluorescent lamp apparatus with integral dimming control WO1995026620A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU21056/95A AU2105695A (en) 1994-03-25 1995-03-27 Fluorescent lamp apparatus with integral dimming control

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US21793694A 1994-03-25 1994-03-25
US08/217,936 1994-03-25

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WO1995026620A1 true WO1995026620A1 (en) 1995-10-05

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