Microcontrolled ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps and associated methods
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorClifford J. Ortmeyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps includes a power supply and a controller connected to the power supply. The controller includes a memory having a plurality of desired operating parameters stored therein for respective different types of gas discharge lamps. A sensing circuit causes the power supply to supply a current to the gas discharge lamp prior to start-up and senses a voltage based thereon indicative of a type of the gas discharge lamp. A control circuit causes the power supply to provide the desired operating parameters based upon the type of gas discharge lamp. Since the desired operating parameters are applied to the gas discharge lamp, the life of the lamp is increased.
Claims43
A ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps and comprising:
- a power supply;
- and
- a controller connected to said power supply and comprising
- a memory having a plurality of desired operating parameters stored therein for respective different types of gas discharge lamps,
- a sensing circuit for causing said power supply to supply a current to the gas discharge lamp prior to start-up and sensing a voltage based thereon indicative of a type of the gas discharge lamp, and
- a control circuit for causing said power supply to provide the desired operating parameters based upon the type of gas discharge lamp.
A ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps and comprising:
- a power supply;
- a sensing circuit for causing said power supply to supply a current to the gas discharge lamp prior to start-up and sensing a voltage based thereon indicative of a type of the gas discharge lamp;
- and
- a microcontroller connected to said sensing circuit and to said power supply for causing said power supply to provide desired operating parameters by comparing the sensed voltage to a plurality of lamp type voltages corresponding to respective different types of gas discharge lamps.
A gas discharge lighting device comprising:
- at least one gas discharge lamp comprising a housing, at least one electrode carried by said housing, and a gas contained within said housing and contacting said at least one electrode;
- and
- a ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps and being connected to said at least one electrode, said ballast comprising
- a power supply, and
- a controller connected to said power supply and comprising
- a memory having a plurality of desired operating parameters stored therein for respective different types of gas discharge lamps,
- a sensing circuit for causing said power supply to supply a current to said at least one electrode prior to start-up and sensing a voltage based thereon indicative of a type of the gas discharge lamp, and
- a control circuit for causing said power supply to provide the desired operating parameters based upon the type of gas discharge lamp.
A method for operating a ballast compatible with different types of gas discharge lamps, the method comprising:
- storing a plurality of desired operating parameters for respective different types of gas discharge lamps;
- supplying a current to the gas discharge lamp via a power supply prior to start-up and sensing a voltage based thereon indicative of a type of the gas discharge lamp;
- and
- controlling the power supply to provide the desired operating parameters based upon the type of gas discharge lamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.