System and method for optically assessing lamp condition
First Claim
1. A method of optically assessing lamp condition, the method comprising:
- measuring a first emitted light intensity magnitude of a first light spectrum portion from a gas discharge lamp;
measuring a second emitted light intensity magnitude of a second light spectrum portion from the lamp; and
computing a ratio between the first magnitude and the second magnitude,wherein the first light spectrum portion is selected such that the first magnitude is relatively constant as the lamp ages, and the second light spectrum portion is selected such that the second magnitude varies measurably as the lamp ages.
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Abstract
A greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness is achieved by optically assessing the condition of a gas discharge lamp. Herein, a system and method of optically assessing lamp condition includes measuring the intensity of emitted light within two portions of the emitted spectrum. One portion of the lamp'"'"'s spectrum is selected such that the intensity of emitted light from that portion remains relatively constant as the lamp ages. The second portion of the lamp'"'"'s spectrum is selected such that the intensity of the emitted light varies measurably as the lamp ages. A ratio is computed between the two intensities. Comparing this ratio to a reference ratio provides information of the relative present condition (i.e., age) of the lamp being tested. Associating the lamp with location data is a further aspect. Important advantages are the ability to predict relative lamp age, and thus avoid both premature lamp replacement and pre-failure lamp cycling.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of optically assessing lamp condition, the method comprising:
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measuring a first emitted light intensity magnitude of a first light spectrum portion from a gas discharge lamp; measuring a second emitted light intensity magnitude of a second light spectrum portion from the lamp; and computing a ratio between the first magnitude and the second magnitude, wherein the first light spectrum portion is selected such that the first magnitude is relatively constant as the lamp ages, and the second light spectrum portion is selected such that the second magnitude varies measurably as the lamp ages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An optical lamp condition assessment system, comprising:
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means for measuring a first emitted light intensity magnitude of a first light spectrum portion from a gas discharge lamp and a second emitted light intensity magnitude of a second spectrum portion from the lamp; and means for computing a ratio between the first magnitude and the second magnitude, the means for computing being communicatively coupled to the means for measuring, wherein the first light spectrum portion is selected such that the first magnitude is relatively constant as the lamp ages, and the second light spectrum portion is selected such that the second magnitude varies measurably as the lamp ages.
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13. An optical lamp condition assessment system, comprising:
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a photosensor arranged and configured for measuring a first emitted light intensity magnitude of a first light spectrum portion from a gas discharge lamp and a second emitted light intensity magnitude of a second spectrum portion from the lamp; and a comparator circuit arranged and configured for computing a ratio between the first magnitude and the second magnitude, the comparator circuit being communicatively coupled to the photo sensor, wherein the first light spectrum portion is selected such that the first magnitude is relatively constant as the lamp ages, and the second light spectrum portion is selected such that the second magnitude varies measurably as the lamp ages. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification