Patent · US Active

Electronic ballast and method for providing a DC voltage component during lamp startup

US8638039B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2010
Grant dateJan 28, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 1, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A discharge lamp ballast and method of operation are provided for generating a DC component in an output voltage during a lamp starting operation having a predetermined duration. The ballast includes an inverter having four switches arranged in a full-bridge configuration, a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency, and a control circuit. The method includes a step of sweeping an inverter operating frequency within a predetermined frequency range including the resonant frequency, wherein a high voltage is generated for igniting the lamp. The method further includes periodically and alternately repeating a first state of turning on a first set of diagonally positioned switching elements and turning off a second set of diagonally positioned switching elements, and a second state of turning on only one of the second set of switching elements and turning off the remaining three switching elements, respectively.

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