Zigzag topology for balancing current among paralleled gas discharge lamps
US7061183B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B41/2822
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for balancing current in multiple negative impedance gas discharge lamp loads. Embodiments advantageously include balancing transformer configurations that are relatively cost-effective, reliable, and efficient. Embodiments include configurations that are applicable to an unrestrained number of gas discharge tubes, such as cold cathode fluorescent lamps. The balancing transformer configuration techniques permit a relatively small number of power inverters, such as one power inverter, to power multiple paralleled lamps or paralleled groups of lamps with balancing transformers coupling the lamps or groups of lamps in a zigzag topology. One embodiment of a balancing transformer includes a safety winding which can be used to protect the balancing transformer in the event of a lamp failure and can be used to provide an indication of a failed lamp.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.