System and method for ignition and operation of a high intensity discharge lamp
AssigneeGreentek Green Solutions (2009) Ltd.
InventorDov Rapson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for ignition of a ceramic high intensity discharge (HID) lamp. The method includes applying to the electrodes multiple pre-ignition voltage pulses of sufficiently short duration to avoid igniting the HID lamp. The pre-ignition voltage pulses heat the electrodes prior to ignition to avoid arcing in the bores of the capillaries surrounding the electrodes. The ignition circuit is configured subsequent to application of the pre-ignition voltage pulses to apply an ignition pulse to ignite the HID lamp.
Claims20
A high frequency ballast for ignition and operation of a ceramic high intensity discharge (HID) lamp including an arc chamber and two capillaries each connected to the arc chamber at respective proximal ends of the capillaries, two electrodes each sealed within the capillaries by respective seals near the distal ends of the capillaries, wherein the electrodes extend from the seals through respective bores in the capillaries and protrude into the arc chamber at the proximal ends of the capillaries, the high frequency ballast comprising:
- an inverter circuit having output terminals;
- and
- an ignition circuit connected to said output terminals, wherein the electrodes are adapted to connect to said output terminals;
- wherein the ignition circuit is configured by said microprocessor to apply a plurality of pre-ignition voltage pulses to the electrodes;
- wherein the ignition circuit is configured by said microprocessor during the pre-ignition pulses to momentarily ignite the ceramic HID lamp and cause thereby significant current momentarily flow, wherein during said pre-ignition pulses an arc is produced substantially only between the proximal ends of the electrodes,
- wherein the ignition circuit is configured by said microprocessor to apply a final ignition pulse and to operate the lamp, only after the electrodes are sufficiently heated by said pre-ignition pulses to avoid arcing in the bores of the capillaries during the final ignition pulse.
A method for ignition of a ceramic high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, wherein the HID lamp includes an arc chamber and two capillaries each connected to the arc chamber at respective proximal ends, two electrodes each sealed within the capillaries by respective seals near the distal ends of the capillaries, wherein the electrodes extend from the seals through respective bores in the capillaries and protrude into the arc chamber at the proximal ends of the capillaries, the method comprising the step of:
- applying to the electrodes a plurality of pre-ignition voltage pulses adapted to avoid arcing in the bores of the capillaries surrounding the electrodes by momentarily igniting the ceramic HID lamp thereby causing significant current to momentarily flow thereby during said pre-ignition pulses forming an arc substantially only between the proximal ends of the electrodes;
- and
- subsequent to said applying said pre-ignition voltage pulses, applying a final ignition pulse to operate the lamp, only after the electrodes are sufficiently heated by said pre-ignition pulses to avoid arcing in the bores of the capillaries during the final ignition pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.