Fluorescent-lamp excitation circuit with frequency and amplitude control and methods for using same
US6087787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B41/2822
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power-supply and control circuit is provided for driving a fluorescent lamp from a low-voltage direct current (DC) power source such as a battery. The circuit includes a converter that converts low-voltage DC to high voltage alternating current (AC). The converter includes a feedback ceramic step-up transformer that amplifies the AC signal to a level sufficient to illuminate the lamp, and also provides a feedback signal that can be used to monitor the resonance frequency of the transformer. The power supply and control circuit also includes a first feedback loop that regulates the lamp current amplitude and a second feedback loop that forces the converter to operate at the transformer's resonant frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.