WO2003032691A1

WO2003032691A1 - Kit for converting light units employing high intensity discharge lamps from inductive operation to electronic operation

Info

Publication number: WO2003032691A1
Application number: PCT/IN2001/000177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Suresh H. Shah
Original assignee: ASIAN ELECTRONICS
Current assignee: ASIAN ELECTRONICS
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2001-10-10
Publication date: 2003-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2004-04-10

Abstract

A kit for converting light units employing high intensity discharge lamps from inductive operation to electronic operation. This purpose is achieved in the present invention by housing all of the structural components of electronic ballast in one box. The sockets proposed for use in the invention are adapted to fit in the existing lamp sockets of the HID lamps and in the same socket the existing lamp can be plugged into to achieve the installation capability of the existing lamp whereby these sockets will be in between the lamp and the existing socket. The necessary electrical connections, which are required for the operation of the HID lamps, are provided by wires linking the socket, which will house the lamp and the existing choke.

Description

KIT FOR CONVERTING LIGHT UNITS

EMPLOYING HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPS

FROM INDUCTIVE OPERATION TO ELECTRONIC OPERATION

Background Of The Invention

High Intensity Discharge (HOD) type of the lighting is the most widespread lamps used worldwide that has socket on one end, as can be found today in all Streetlights, factories, warehouses, public places, railway stations, etc. Although in the course of the last ten years it has been determined that the operation of these HID lamps - which use simple chokes that are required in order to limit the current of the gas discharge - is not the optimum solution, uncounted millions of lamps of this type are being used.

The disadvantages of HID lamp is that in operating lamps at the customary power frequency of 50 or 60 Hz takes few minutes to ignites at this frequency and whenever there is a power outage it cannot restructure for at least 10 minutes. Also, the efficiency of the chokes as "inductive" ballasts is not satisfactory. The efficiency of the physical conversion of the first invisible gas discharge into visible light can be considerably improved by a modern electronic device operating at high frequency. For equivalent light efficiency, a significant energy savings can be obtained in the process, which is not only a significant cost improvement, but also an obligation relative to the environment.

Of course the conversion of inductive lighting units to electronic high frequency operation is not only a question of the material costs of a ballast, but also tlie expense in installation work associated with installing such apparatus. Quite often this latter factor prevents a technically and economically advisable conversion.

Summary Of The Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost effective solution, which makes possible the conversion to electronic high-frequency operation in a manner that is quick and without excessive installation work. This purpose is achieved in the present invention by housing all of the structural components of electronic ballast in one box. The necessary electrical connections, which are required for the operation of the HED lamps, are provided by wires linking the socket, which will house the lamp and the existing choke.

The electric connections are functionally provided so that they can be plug- screwed in the existing socket, in order to allow a simple mounting. This is done to the greatest extent possible using a box, which according to the invention can also be simultaneously used for dimming purpose. Attempts are made to keep the existing magnetic choke as is and in some cases the igniter used may not be necessary and it might have to be removed or shorted / shunted in some cases.

The sockets proposed for use in the proposed invention are adapted to fit in the existing lamps sockets of the HID lamps and in the same socket the existing lamp can be plugged into to achieve the installation capability of the existing lamp whereby these sockets will be in between the lamp and the existing socket.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The following drawings show examples of the HID lamp according to tl e invention for the better understanding of the concept of the invention. The drawings are, however, in no way understood to be restrictive, since both the dimensions as well as the shape of the individual parts can be varied in any manner as desired.

FIG. 1 shows a traditional HID lamp that can be inserted in the socket with the arrangement of a magnetic choke in a street light fitting.

FIG. 2 shows schematically the arrangement of a HED lamp according to the invention with sockets into which the required structural components of an electronic ballast with an attachable box.

FIG. 3 shows a completely assembled HID lamp-ballast fitting with the inclusion of the invention as indicated in Fig 2. Detailed Description Of A Preferred Embodiment

The following detailed description explains the concept of the invention and its enormous significance for technical progress. The largest part of the installed long-field lighting units - approximately 90 percent - operate with simple chokes to limit the current of the gas discharge in the HID lamp, with all aforementioned technical and economic disadvantages. A conversion to electronic ballast progresses only in a very slow manner and is not responsible in terms of cost.

For this, a compact adapter to be used according to the invention having an integrated electronic ballast helps completely. The new ballast socket is inserted without change into the old socket holding the lamp and the conversion is readily finished. Only the igniter in some cases may be removed or shortened wherever necessary.

FIG. 1 depicts an arrangement of a conventional HID lamp (1), which is set in an existing lamp socket (2) and has a current that is inductively limited by a choke (3), functions for comparison. An igniter (4) provides high voltage ignition pulses, which causes the ignition of the gas discharge. The HH) lamp (1) with its heated electrodes (7) is supplied voltage from the power network via the spring-finger connectors through the existing lamp socket (2). Also, the igniter (4) obtains its connection to the electrodes via the same supply lines.

FIG. 2 shows schematically in like manner the simple design of a modified socket (5) according to the invention, which with its integrated electronic ballast (6) can be described rightly as a retrofit socket for the HID lamp (1) since it unites all essential functional components in a compact construction.

The necessary electrical connections, which we installed into the lamps until now, are replaced by several connection lines, which are functionally housed in a box so that they are protected and not visible. Assembly during the manufacturing of tlie compact integrated electronic ballast (6) for the HED lamp (1) is made easier in that the line channel is constructed using the connection lines as an attachable structural assembly, having a constructive design that can be permitted within wide limits thanks to the new connection technologies.

Since ballast and the HID lamps must be supplied with the voltage from the power network and on the other hand, the igniter (4) is no longer necessary can be removed or shortened /shunted. For the sake of the safety, it is recommended to insert the igniter (4) inside the box.

If one considers the complicated wiring of a long-field lighting unit and the construction cost associated with it, then this new integrated electronic ballast (6) for HID lamps (1) is recommended even for new lamps, for which one only has to supply the supply voltage to both ends of the existing socket (2). This is a considerable simplification for the lamp industry.

The simple and well-arranged design of the integrated electronic ballast (6) for the HID lamps (1) according to the invention can be ascertained from FIG. 2 and 3 and it is possible to have a radio connected dimming circuit with motion sensors and enough intelligent to give signals and have an inter-active circuit so the necessary street light can be turned ON and OFF or can be dimmed as and when necessary thereby reduce the cost of operation and extend the life of the lamp and the ballast both.

Claims

What is claimed is;

1. A kit for converting lighting units employing high intensity discharge lamps from inductive operation to electronic operation using a retrofit socket having a HID lamp fitted on one side and an original existing socket on its other end. The retrofit socket has an arrangement to provide for 2 conductors for carrying power to the electronic ballast and an additional arrangement to make the igniter inactive.

2. A kit according to claim 1 consisting of a HID lamp that has a socket on one side, characterized in that the electrical' connections between the two sockets can be attached to them.

3. A kit consisting of a KLTD lamp is housed in a socket which on both sides according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connections are arranged invisibly hidden in an attachable line channel.

4. A kit consisting of a HID lamp, which is, housed in a socket which on both sides according to claim 1, characterized in that an adjustable box is constructed as a controller timer and has a connection facility.

5. A kit consisting of a HID lamp that is housed in a socket which on both sides according to claim 1, characterized in that the lamp including the socket and the arrangement of the original existing socket, is inter-changeable and corresponds to this standard dimensions of assembly of the HID lamp without an electronic ballast.

6. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the power factor correction capacitor is disconnected wherever installed, which allows the invention to provide superior electrical parameters.