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US 4,060,751 AGranted
Dual mode solid state inverter circuit for starting and ballasting gas discharge lamps
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorThomas E. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable frequency ac source drives a gas discharge lamp connected as a damping element in an otherwise high Q L-C circuit. Commutation of the ac source voltage is initiated as the instantaneous current drawn from the source equals a predetermined reference current level. Prior to lamp ignition the ac source drives the L-C circuit at resonance causing a voltage buildup which initiates an ignition. After ignition the source limits lamp current to provide a ballasting function.
Claims14
A circuit for starting and ballasting a gas discharge lamp comprising:
- inverter means for producing an alternating current output between a first output terminal and a second output terminal, including means for commutating the polarity of the voltage of said output at such times as the instantaneous value of said alternating current output equals a reference current level;
- a capacitor and inductor connected in series between said first output terminal and said second output terminal to form a resonant circuit;
- and
- a gas discharge lamp connected in parallel with said capacitor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.