Lamp ignition circuit for lamp driven voltage transformation and ballasting system

A discharge lamp circuit comprising:

• a discharge lamp operable from an alternating current power source;
• an inductor;
• a first capacitor, said inductor, said lamp and said capacitor being connected in series;
• and
• an ignitor circuit connected at one end thereof to a first node between said inductor and said lamp and connected at the other end thereof to a second node between said capacitor and said power source;
• wherein switching operations intrinsic to said lamp shock-excite said inductor and said capacitor into semi-resonant operation corresponding to an energy exchange and transfer during each half-cycle of said alternating current source to drive said lamp to start and maintain operation of said lamp using line voltage, said ignitor circuit having a disabling function following ignition of said lamp which is operable when the operating voltage of said lamp is approximately the line voltage of said power source.

An ignitor circuit for a semi-resonant ballast and lamp circuit connected to a power source, the semi-resonant ballast and lamp circuit being operable to use switching operations intrinsic to a discharge lamp to shock-excite a series-connected inductor and capacitor into an energy exchange and transfer during each half-cycle of an alternating current source providing power to the semi-resonant ballast and lamp circuit to start and maintain operation of said lamp using line voltage, the ignitor circuit comprising:

• a resistor and a second capacitor connected in a series circuit and across said lamp;
• a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding;
• and
• a breakover device having a terminal connected to the second terminal of said primary winding and another terminal connected to said series circuit, the second terminal of said secondary winding being connected to the supply side of said lamp;
• wherein said second capacitor charges through said resistor until a breakover voltage corresponding to said breakover device is reached, said second capacitor discharging through said primary winding to allow said transformer to generate a pulse for igniting said lamp using only substantially said line voltage.