Patent · US Expired

Circuit arrangement for operating a gas-discharge lamp

US5367227A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1992
Grant dateNov 22, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05B41/042
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit arrangement for operating a gas-discharge lamp is proposed, in which the high voltage for starting the gas-discharge lamp is generated by means of the energy stored in a transformer or capacitor. In order to obtain a steep rise in voltage of the starting voltage, the starting voltage is provided to the gas-discharge lamp via a voltage-controlled switch. A break-over diode, which has very short switching times, is proposed as the voltage-controlled switch. The starting circuit is switched off after starting. This circuit arrangement is also particularly suitable for starting gas-discharge lamps which are warm from operation. In consequence, it is particularly suitable for motor vehicle headlights.

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