Power sensing lamp protection circuit for ballasts driving gas discharge lamps
US6274987A · kind A · utility
13Cited by
9References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/05
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lamp protection circuit for smaller gas discharge lamps and for compact fluorescent lamps powered by a ballast. The circuit protects against several lamp failure modes that can cause overheating and cracking of the lamp. Power levels in the lamp are sensed and when a level is exceeded, a control signal is generated. The circuit acts to reduce power in an electronic ballast powering the lamp and keeps the lamp powered down when either one of two fault conditions is sensed in the lamp. Several embodiments are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.