Starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp employing a visible light radiator
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJohn P. Cocoma, George A. Farrall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp includes a visible light radiator for illuminating a gas probe starter during lamp starting. In one embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) illuminates the gas probe starter via a quartz tube. Excitation is provided to the LED by the same source used to excite the gas probe starter.
Claims10
A starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp of the type having an excitation coil situated about an arc tube for exciting an arc discharge in an ionizable fill contained in said arc tube, comprising:
- a starting probe disposed proximate to said arc tube, said starting probe comprising a translucent starting chamber having a wall enclosing an interior containing a gas;
- excitation means for providing a starting voltage to said starting probe for initiating a discharge in said chamber of sufficient magnitude for initiating an arc discharge in said arc tube;
- and
- visible light radiating means for illuminating said starting chamber during application of said starting voltage for enhancing initiation of the discharge therein.
An electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp system, comprising:
- a light-transmissive arc tube for containing a fill;
- an excitation coil disposed about said arc tube and coupled to a radio frequency power supply for exciting an arc discharge in said fill;
- a starting probe disposed proximate to said arc tube, said starting probe comprising a translucent starting chamber having a wall enclosing an interior containing a gas;
- excitation means for providing a starting voltage to said starting probe for initiating a discharge in said chamber of sufficient magnitude for initiating an arc discharge in said arc tube;
- and
- visible light radiating means for illuminating said starting chamber during application of said starting voltage for enhancing initiation of the discharge therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.