Abstract: A portable lighting ballast includes first and second transistors 20, 22 for converting direct current from a voltage source 16 into alternating current to operate a lamp 10. The lamp has an ignition voltage that is significantly higher than the voltage that the source 16 produces. The battery is a typical 6 volt cell or a combined source of 4 “D” cells, also producing six volts. The ignition voltage of the lamp 10 is approximately 600 V. A transformer 34 boosts the alternating current signal from the transistors 20, 22 to an amplitude sufficient to ignite the lamp 10. The transformer 34 boosts the signal to 1.2 kV. After lamp ignition, the transformer settles the voltage to a steady state value.

Abstract: A cost and space efficient diode circuit arrangement for limiting current from an AC source using only a few components, the circuit includes a capacitor coupled to an AC source and at least two oppositely polarized diodes connected in parallel. This circuit may be used in a variety of applications. For example, the circuit finds particular use in household appliances and electronics, such as vacuum cleaners, where electrical compartment space for light emitting diodes (LEDs) is constrained.

Abstract: A ballast circuit including a power factor correction circuit with an alterable d.c. bus charging rate is provided. The power factor correction circuit selectively alters the d.c. bus charging rate such that, during a startup period for the ballast circuit, the charging rate is faster than during a steady-state period. The ballast circuit including a bridge rectifier, a power factor correction circuit, a bus capacitor, and at least one inverter. The power factor correction circuit including a power factor controller, a semiconductor switch operationally coupled to an output signal of the power factor controller, a selectively alterable impedance network operationally coupled to an output of the semiconductor switch and operationally coupled to an input signal of the power factor controller, and an impedance network control circuit operationally coupled to the impedance network to selectively alter the impedance network.

Abstract: A ballast circuit is provided, comprising: a plurality of inverters, each inverter for powering a load; and a controller operationally coupled to a shutdown control signal of each inverter for selectively shutting down any combination of inverters. In another aspect, the controller is for selectively disabling any combination of inverters to effectively disconnect the load associated with each disabled inverter. The controller is for receiving communications from a control device, each communication a selection of 0%, “n−1” approximate percentages each associated with a ratio of “1” through “n−1” loads to “n” loads, where “n” is the total number of loads powered by the inverters of the ballast circuit and where the numerator for each ratio is an integer between “1” and “n−1,” inclusive, or 100% light from the combined loads powered by the inverters of the ballast circuit.

Abstract: A ballast circuit including a power factor correction circuit with an alterable d.c. bus charging rate is provided. The power factor correction circuit selectively alters the d.c. bus charging rate such that, during a startup period for the ballast circuit, the charging rate is faster than during a steady-state period. The ballast circuit including a bridge rectifier, a power factor correction circuit, a bus capacitor, and at least one inverter. The power factor correction circuit including a power factor controller, a semiconductor switch operationally coupled to an output signal of the power factor controller, a selectively alterable impedance network operationally coupled to an output of the semiconductor switch and operationally coupled to an input signal of the power factor controller, and an impedance network control circuit operationally coupled to the impedance network to selectively alter the impedance network.

Abstract: A method of assembling a coil includes forming a ferrite core having a top end, a bottom end, an inner opening extending from the top end to the bottom end, a cylindrical outer surface, and a step portion formed near the bottom end, the step portion extending past the outer surface. A first high dielectric material is applied on the outer surface of the ferrite core, then a conductive wire is wound onto the high dielectric material, whereafter a second high dielectric material is applied over the conductive wire.

Abstract: A plurality of lighting ballasts (12, 14, 16) draw power from a single DC bus signal. A power factor correction circuit (10) rectifies and smoothes AC power to produce the DC bus signal. In order to prevent damage to the ballast (12) when a lamp (18) dies or is removed, the ballast (12) includes an AC switch that senses damaging conditions and responds by changing a resonant frequency of the ballast (12). The AC switch operates in 2-3 second cycles. While it is operative, it shunts current away from inductors (38, 40) of the ballast (12) causing a resonant frequency of the ballast (12) to change. At the end of the cycle, the switch turns off, but if a load fault is still present in the ballast (12) it activates again. Preferably, the AC switch has a response time of approximately 500 &mgr;s.

Abstract: An inverter circuit for ballasting a gas discharge lamp having a delay circuit designed to delay regenerative control of the inverter switches until a d.c. bus has attained steady-state operating d.c. voltage. The inverter circuit includes a drive control circuit for inducing an a.c. load current. The inverter circuit includes first and second complementary switches serially connected between the bus and a reference bus. The switches are connected together at a common node through which the a.c. load current flows. A driving inductor is connected at one end to the common node and operatively connected at the remaining end to a control node. A load circuit includes a resonant inductor connected at one end to the common node, with the resonant inductor mutually coupled to the driving inductor. A resonant capacitor is serially connected between the remaining end of the resonant inductor and the reference bus. The gas discharge lamp is serially connected with a d.c.

Abstract: A plurality of lighting ballasts (12, 14, 16) draw power from a single DC bus signal. A power factor correction circuit (10) rectifies and smoothes AC power to produce the DC bus signal. In order to prevent damage to the ballast (12) when a lamp (18) dies or is removed, the ballast (12) includes an AC switch that senses damaging conditions and responds by changing a resonant frequency of the ballast (12). The AC switch operates in 2-3 second cycles. While it is operative, it shunts current away from inductors (38, 40) of the ballast (12) causing a resonant frequency of the ballast (12) to change. At the end of the cycle, the switch turns off, but if a load fault is still present in the ballast (12) it activates again. Preferably, the AC switch has a response time of approximately 500 &mgr;s.

Abstract: A portable lighting ballast includes first and second transistors 20, 22 for converting direct current from a voltage source 16 into alternating current to operate a lamp 10. The lamp has an ignition voltage that is significantly higher than the voltage that the source 16 produces. The battery is a typical 6 volt cell or a combined source of 4 “D” cells, also producing six volts. The ignition voltage of the lamp 10 is approximately 600 V. A transformer 34 boosts the alternating current signal from the transistors 20, 22 to an amplitude sufficient to ignite the lamp 10. The transformer 34 boosts the signal to 1.2 kV. After lamp ignition, the transformer settles the voltage to a steady state value.

Abstract: In an electric lighting fixture, a lighting ballast circuit is provided. The circuit includes a lamp portion, a switching portion, and a drive portion. The lamp portion receives a light source 10. The drive portion is configured to supply signals to the switching portion. The switching portion includes first and second transistors 20, 22 that alternate periods of conductivity. First and second diodes 34, 36 in anti-parallel combinations with the first and second transistors 20, 22 help prevent reverse current flow through the transistors 20, 22. Third and fourth diodes 44, 46 in series combination with collectors of the transistors 20, 22 further help prevent reverse current flow through the transistors 20, 22. The first and second diodes 34, 36 route current from the drive portion via a path that by-passes the transistors 20, 22 so the transistors do not dissipate the power resultant from reverse current flowing thereacross.

Abstract: A multiple integrated lamp system is powered by a power source. The system includes a first integral lamp having lamp electronics and a lamp integrated as a single unit, and a second integral lamp having lamp electronics in a lamp also integrated as a single unit. A first connection wire is connected from a first pin of the first integral lamp to a second pin of the first integral lamp. A second connection wire is connected from a first pin of the second integral lamp to a second pin of the second integral lamp. A first power line is connected at a first end to the power source, at a second end to a third pin of the first integral lamp, and at a third end to a third pin of the second integral lamp. Further, a second power line is connected at a first end to the power source, at a second end to a fourth pin of the second integral lamp, and a third end to a fourth pin of the second integral lamp.

Abstract: A self-oscillating boost converter includes a resistor-starting network configured to start a charging of the boost converter. A resonant feedback circuit is designed to generate an oscillating signal following the starting of the circuit by the resistor-starting network. A complementary switching network has a pair of complementary common-source connected switches configured to receive the oscillation signal generated by the resonant feedback circuit. The oscillation signal determines a switching rate, or duty cycle, of the complementary pair of switches. A boost inductor is in operational connection with the complementary pair of switches. The switching rate of the complementary switching network acts to determine the boost voltage supplied to a load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ballast circuit powered by a system power source. The ballast, in operative connection with the system power source, is an inverting type of ballast designed to generate an asymmetric alternating lamp input current on a lamp input line. Further, a gas discharge lamp is in operative connection to the lamp input line configured to receive the asymmetric alternating current. The inverting circuit of the ballast is configured with complementary switches configured to have unequal on times, thereby producing an asymmetric lamp input current. A DC blocking capacitor is provided to block any DC current from the lamp input line. The asymmetric alternating lamp input current eliminates visual striations otherwise occurring in the lamp.

Abstract: An integrated lamp/lamp electronics unit includes a lamp having a first end with first end electrical terminals, and a second end with second end electrical terminals. An end cap having an interior section is placed into electrical connection with the first end electrical terminals at the first end of the lamp. Lamp electronics are configured to control operation of the lamp and are connected only to the second end electrical terminals. The lamp electronics are carried on a circuit board having a configuration substantially matching the second end of the lamp portion. The circuit board is placed within the interior of a lamp electronics end cap, and the end cap is attached in a permanent relationship to the second end of the lamp.

Abstract: A self-oscillating boost converter includes a resistor-starting network configured to start a charging of the boost converter. A resonant feedback circuit is designed to generate an oscillating signal following the starting of the circuit by the resistor-starting network. A complementary switching network has a pair of complementary common-source connected switches configured to receive the oscillation signal generated by the resonant feedback circuit. The oscillation signal determines a switching rate, or duty cycle, of the complementary pair of switches. A boost inductor is in operational connection with the complementary pair of switches. The switching rate of the complementary switching network acts to determine the boost voltage supplied to a load.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for igniting and maintaining a discharge arc in a discharge tube of a ceramic metal halide lamp wherein a resistance of the discharge tube varies with a temperature of the discharge tube during operation. It is desirable to energize the discharge tube with a substantially constant value to prevent changes in color of the light emitted by the discharge tube that result from changes to the power applied to the discharge tube. The ballast includes ballast circuitry having an inverter circuit driving an LC tank network coupled to the discharge tube. The LC tank network applies a time varying voltage to the discharge tube wherein a peak-to-peak magnitude of the time varying voltage applied by the LC tank network is determined by a frequency of oscillation of the inverter circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting system powered by a system power source. The lighting system includes a ballast in operative connection with the system power source where the ballast is designed to generate a lamp input signal. A lamp input line is operatively connected to receive the lamp input signal. Further, a gas discharge lamp is in operative connection to the lamp input line configured to receive the lamp input signal. An amplitude modulation circuit is then placed in operative connection to the lamp input line, where the amplitude modulation circuit is configured to periodically modulate amplitudes of the lamp input signal prior to the lamp input signal being received by the gas discharge lamp. Operation of the amplitude modulation circuit results in a periodic amplitude modulation of the lamp input signal and eliminating visual striations otherwise occurring in the lamp.

Abstract: An integrated lamp/lamp electronics unit includes a lamp having a first end with first end electrical terminals, and a second end with second end electrical terminals. An end cap having an interior section is placed into electrical connection with the first end electrical terminals at the first end of the lamp. Lamp electronics are configured to control operation of the lamp and are connected only to the second end electrical terminals. The lamp electronics are carried on a circuit board having a configuration substantially matching the second end of the lamp portion. The circuit board is placed within the interior of a lamp electronics end cap, and the end cap is attached in a permanent relationship to the second end of the lamp.

Abstract: A lamp/lamp electronics unit 12 includes a lamp and a lamp electronics end cap configuration. The lamp electronics end cap configuration 36 includes a lamp electronics end cap 37 having an interior section and a set of pins 44,45 extending from a surface of the end cap 37. Lamp electronics 22 are configured to control operation of the integral lamp, and are located within the interior of the lamp electronics end cap 37. At least one electrical connection 50 exists between the lamp electronics end cap 37 and the lamp electronics 22.