Plasma Lighting System Pulse Control for Light-Transmittance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plasma Lighting Systems (PLS) using resonant semi-bridge inverters cannot operate with pulse signals, resulting in degradation of light-transmittance.
Innovation Solution
A PLS that momentarily applies high power to a magnetron using pulse signals, with a controlling unit detecting optimal duty ratios for switching signals and converting DC voltage into AC voltage with positive and negative square waves to maintain a plasma state, improving light-transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resonant semi-bridge inverter is used in the PLS, then the system can operate continuously with stable plasma emission, but the system cannot operate with pulse signals resulting in degradation of light-transmittance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by enabling the inverter to operate in two distinct modes: continuous wave mode for stable plasma emission and pulse mode for improved light-transmittance. The system dynamically switches between these modes based on operational requirements, allowing the PLS to adapt its characteristics rather than being fixed in a single operational state. This resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to achieve both stable emission and high light-transmittance at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Parameter changes by modifying the operational parameters of the inverter, specifically the duty cycle and frequency of the switching signals. By adjusting these parameters, the system can transition from continuous wave operation to pulse operation. The pulse operation with optimized duty cycle improves light-transmittance while maintaining sufficient plasma emission, thus resolving the contradiction between stable emission and light-transmittance performance.
2Illumination intensity
If pulse signals are applied to the magnetron, then light-transmittance is improved, but the system requires complex control to maintain plasma state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Feedback principle by incorporating a control unit that monitors the plasma state and adjusts the pulse parameters accordingly. The control unit receives information about the plasma condition and modifies the duty cycle and frequency of the switching signals to maintain optimal plasma emission during pulse operation. This feedback mechanism simplifies the overall control complexity by automatically adjusting parameters rather than requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Self-service by designing the control unit to automatically regulate the pulse parameters based on the inherent characteristics of the plasma and magnetron system. The system self-adjusts the duty cycle and frequency to maintain stable plasma operation during pulse mode, reducing the need for external control intervention. This self-regulating capability reduces control complexity while maintaining improved light-transmittance performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances light-transmittance by effectively using pulse signals to repeatedly activate the plasma state in the bulb, improving the lighting system's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting device which can provide a great amount of light even without an electrode by changing inactive gases within a bulb into a plasma state using an electromagnetic wave generated from a high frequency oscillator (i.e., a magnetron) and thus by consecutively emitting light
Implementation Method 2
The transforming unit 5 transforms the AC voltage outputted from the semi-bridge inverter 3, namely, induces a voltage obtained by transforming the AC voltage based upon a certain winding ratio of a primary coil toward a secondary coil
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma lighting system comprising a storage unit for storing duty ratios of first and second switching signals according to each material within a bulb by an experiment, a controlling unit for detecting an optimal duty ratio from the storage unit and outputting the first and second switching signals with the same phase corresponding to the detected duty ratio, and a converting unit for converting a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage consisting of a positive square wave and a negative square wave according to the first and second switching signals, and a method for controlling the same.