Patent · US Expired

Switched mode electrode ballast

US4441053A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
3References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 1981
Grant dateApr 3, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S315/07
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electronic ballast circuit for operating high intensity gas discharge tubes such as high pressure sodium, high pressure mercury and metal halide tubes, as well as ordinary fluorescent tubes. In the preferred embodiment, an inductance and a capacitance are connected in series with the load across the dc supply, with a solid state switch between the junction of the inductance and capacitance and the other side of the load, and a control circuit for the switch to operate the switch at a high frequency such as 20,000 hertz. Alternative embodiments omitting the capacitance and utilizing a transformer for the inductance are especially suited for less expensive units and for emergency lighting use. Power supply circuits with switching operated in conjunction with the previously mentioned switch provide for regulation of lamp output during start-up and for compensating changes in supply voltage coordinated with lamp aging.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.