Remote electrical converter
First Claim
1. Electrical power conversion apparatus for energizing an electrical device, such as a fluorescent lamp, from a conventional alternating current source, said apparatus comprising:
- power source means for converting the conventional alternating current to a low voltage, low current, high frequency source, said power source means includes means for rectifying the conventional alternating current, inverter means connected to the output of said rectifying means for producing high frequency alternating current, and step-down transformer means for converting said high frequency alternating current to a low voltage, low current, high frequency output at the output of said step-down transformer means;
device means remote from said power source means;
power conversion means including step-up transformer means electrically coupled to said device means;
low voltage link means connected to the output of said power source means for transmitting the energy therefrom to the input of said power conversion means for enabling conversion of said low voltage, low current, high frequency source to a voltage suitable for energizing said electrical device; and
said step-up transformer means includes first and second generally identical ferrite pot core transformers having the primary windings thereof connected in parallel for providing a symmetrical current waveform to said device means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit, including an electrical load such as a fluorescent lamp, energized through an inverter which is in turn energized from a standard household alternating current voltage source. The output of the inverter is of a low voltage, low current and high frequency. This power is then transmitted by a low current voltage link, in the form of a flexible small gauge, jacketed wire conductor connected across the outputs of the inverter, to the input terminals of a compact step-up transformer located a distance away from the inverter. The power created by the step-up transformer is converted to usable power by the electrical load. The low voltage link need not be enclosed in a raceway.
26 Citations
21 Claims
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1. Electrical power conversion apparatus for energizing an electrical device, such as a fluorescent lamp, from a conventional alternating current source, said apparatus comprising:
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power source means for converting the conventional alternating current to a low voltage, low current, high frequency source, said power source means includes means for rectifying the conventional alternating current, inverter means connected to the output of said rectifying means for producing high frequency alternating current, and step-down transformer means for converting said high frequency alternating current to a low voltage, low current, high frequency output at the output of said step-down transformer means; device means remote from said power source means; power conversion means including step-up transformer means electrically coupled to said device means; low voltage link means connected to the output of said power source means for transmitting the energy therefrom to the input of said power conversion means for enabling conversion of said low voltage, low current, high frequency source to a voltage suitable for energizing said electrical device; and said step-up transformer means includes first and second generally identical ferrite pot core transformers having the primary windings thereof connected in parallel for providing a symmetrical current waveform to said device means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Electrical power apparatus for energizing a fluorescent lamp, said apparatus comprising;
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means for providing a low voltage, low current, high frequency source at an output; power conversion means electrically coupled to the fluorescent lamp, said power conversion means having an input and including step up transformer means having first and second primary windings, first and second secondary windings and first and second tertiary windings, the first and second tertiary windings being coupled to the filaments of the lamp, wherein said primary windings are connected in parallel and form a series circuit including both of said secondary windings in series with an inductor, with the series circuit so-formed connected in parallel with a capacitor across said lamp, the value of the capacitor and inductor being selected to establish a resonant circuit; low voltage link means connected to said output for transmitting the high frequency, low current, low voltage to the input of said power conversion means for enabling conversion of the high frequency low voltage to a voltage suitable for energizing said lamp, said resonant circuit assisting to establish and maintain the gaseous discharge within said fluorescent lamp; and wherein said means for providing a low voltage, low current, high frequency includes means coupled to a conventional alternating current source, means for rectifying the conventional alternating current, inverter means for converting the rectified output to a high frequency alternating current and step-down transformer means for providing a high frequency, low current, low voltage at said output. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Electrical power apparatus for energizing a two fluorescent lamp configuration, said apparatus comprising;
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means for providing a low voltage, low current, high frequency source at an output; first and second power conversion means electrically coupled respectively to one of said fluorescent lamps, each of said power conversion means having an input and including step-up transformer means having first and second primary windings, first and second secondary windings and first and second tertiary windings, the first and second tertiary windings being coupled to the respective lamp filaments, wherein said primary windings are connected in parallel and form a series circuit including both of said secondary windings, with the series circuit so-formed connected in parallel across the lamp; an inductor connecting a selected filament terminal of one of said lamps to a selected filament terminal of the other of said lamps, said inductor assisting to establish and maintain the gaseous discharge within each of said fluorescent lamps; low voltage link means connected to said output for transmitting the high frequency, low current, low voltage to the input of said first power conversion means; connective means for interconnecting the inputs of said first and second power conversion means for enabling conversion of the low current, low voltage, high frequency source to a voltage suitable for energizing said lamps; and wherein said means for providing a high frequency, low current, low voltage includes means coupled to a conventional alternating current source, means for rectifying the conventional alternating current, inverter means for converting the rectified output to a high frequency alternating current and step-down transformer means for providing a high frequency, low current, low voltage at said output. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. Electrical power conversion apparatus for energizing a remote electrical device from a conventional alternating current source, said apparatus comprising:
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power source means including a diode rectifying bridge, a feed-back transformer, a step-down transformer, and push-pull transistor switching means for converting the conventional alternating current to a low voltage, low current, high frequency power source; electrical device means remote from said power source means; power conversion means having input terminals and including at least one step-up transformer and mating circuitry electrically coupled to said device means enabling conversion of the low voltage, low current, high frequency source to provide suitable ignition and steady state operating power to said device means; low voltage link means connected between said output terminals and said input terminals for transmitting the energy from said power source means to the said conversion means; and wherein said step-up transformer further includes two substantially identical transformers each having a primary, secondary, and tertiary winding, the primary windings being connected in parallel and forming a series circuit with the secondary windings. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification