Albert C Mcnamara

US Patent:

40913074, May 23, 1978

Filed:

Jan 2, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/429991

Inventors:

Albert C. McNamara - Houston TX

Assignee:

Esquire, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H05B 4146

US Classification:

315 92

Abstract:

This invention pertains to an emergency lighting circuit that operates with a high pressure, gaseous-discharge lamp and associated ballast. When the gaseous-discharge lamp goes out, after once being ignited, sufficient current is supplied to an incandescent light or lights to maintain illumination to the area normally illuminated by the lamp. The device for providing this current may vary, but generally incorporates a voltage breakdown means that receives higher voltage from the ballast when there is failure of the gaseous-discharge lamp than when the arc therein is struck. A preferred embodiment also lights the incandescent lights during initial warm-up of the gaseous-discharge lamp. The incandescent lights may also be used in a cold environment to maintain the gaseous-discharge lamp sufficiently above an ambient temperature level to make possible initial striking of the arc in the lamp when ambient temperature conditions might otherwise prevent it. Further, half-cycles of ballast output voltages are blocked by diodes and capacitors are used to increase the applied voltage to enhance restriking of the gaseous-discharge lamp in additional embodiments.

US Patent:

40470768, Sep 6, 1977

Filed:

Nov 3, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/628055

Inventors:

Albert C. McNamara - Houston TX

Assignee:

Esquire, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

H05B 3700

US Classification:

315 88

Abstract:

This invention pertains to an emergency lighting circuit that operates with a high pressure, gaseous-discharge lamp and associated ballast. When the gaseous-discharge lamp goes out, after once being ignited, sufficient current is supplied to an incandescent light or lights to maintain illumination to the area normally illuminated by the lamp. The device for providing this current may vary, but generally incorporates a voltage breakdown means that receives higher voltage from the ballast when there is failure of the gaseous-discharge lamp than when the arc therein is struck. A preferred embodiment also lights the incandescent lights during initial warm-up of the gaseous-discharge lamp. The incandescent lights may also be used in a cold environment to maintain the gaseous-discharge lamp sufficiently above an ambient temperature level to make possible initial striking of the arc in the lamp when ambient temperature conditions might otherwise prevent it. Further, half-cycles of ballast output voltages are blocked by diodes and capacitors are used to increase the applied voltage to enhance restriking of the gaseous-discharge lamp in additional embodiments.