Patents by Inventor Wolfram Sowa
Wolfram Sowa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8587210Abstract: An electronic ballast for operating at least one discharge lamp may include an input having a first and a second input connection for coupling to a DC supply voltage; a load circuit having an output; a constant-current transformer which includes a converter throttle, a converter diode and a converter switch, whereby the converter throttle is coupled serially between the first input connection and the load circuit; an activation circuit which is configured to activate the converter switch during operation with an HF signal; wherein at least one component across which a second voltage which is opposite in phase to the first voltage drops during operation is coupled between the internal and the external reference potential.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Osram AGInventors: Maximilian Gerber, Wolfram Sowa, Arwed Storm
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Patent number: 8390209Abstract: A circuit arrangement for conversion of an input AC voltage to a DC voltage is provided. The circuit arrangement may include an input into which the input AC voltage is input; an output to which a load can be connected; and a first storage circuit and a second storage circuit, each storage circuit comprising at least one inductance and each comprising at least one capacitance, and a diode network.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter HaftungInventors: Harald Dellian, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20120112653Abstract: An electronic ballast for operating at least one discharge lamp may include an input having a first and a second input connection for coupling to a DC supply voltage; a load circuit having an output; a constant-current transformer which includes a converter throttle, a converter diode and a converter switch, whereby the converter throttle is coupled serially between the first input connection and the load circuit; an activation circuit which is configured to activate the converter switch during operation with an HF signal; wherein at least one component across which a second voltage which is opposite in phase to the first voltage drops during operation is coupled between the internal and the external reference potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: OSRAM AGInventors: Maximilian Gerber, Wolfram Sowa, Arwed Storm
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Patent number: 8054003Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic ballast for operating a lamp (L) which has a Class E converter (T1, L1). When a lamp (L) is connected, the output current of the Class E converter (T1, L1) once a switching element (T1) of the Class E converter (T1, L1) has been switched off has a first and a second half-cycle of opposite polarity. The electronic ballast has a measurement apparatus for measuring the output current and a regulating apparatus for adjusting a switch-on time of the switching element. In this case, the measurement apparatus is designed to determine a first output current value of the first half-cycle and a second output current value of the second half-cycle, wherein the regulating apparatus for adjusting the switch-on time is fed a control variable based on the discrepancy between the two output current values.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Osram AGInventor: Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20100201285Abstract: A circuit arrangement for conversion of an input AC voltage to a DC voltage is provided. The circuit arrangement may include an input into which the input AC voltage is input; an output to which a load can be connected; and a first storage circuit and a second storage circuit, each storage circuit comprising at least one inductance and each comprising at least one capacitance, and a diode network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNGInventors: Harald Dellian, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20090295299Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic ballast for operating a lamp (L) which has a Class E converter (T1, L1). When a lamp (L) is connected, the output current of the Class E converter (T1, L1) once a switching element (T1) of the Class E converter (T1, L1) has been switched off has a first and a second half-cycle of opposite polarity. The electronic ballast has a measurement apparatus for measuring the output current and a regulating apparatus for adjusting a switch-on time of the switching element. In this case, the measurement apparatus is designed to determine a first output current value of the first half-cycle and a second output current value of the second half-cycle, wherein the regulating apparatus for adjusting the switch-on time is fed a control variable based on the discrepancy between the two output current values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Osram Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter HaftungInventor: Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 7564673Abstract: A converter circuit, in particular having a class E converter, comprising a drive circuit for a switching transistor MOS1 having two series-connected components which operate as a function of the threshold value, in particular comparators K1, K1? and K2, K2?.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter HaftungInventors: Oskar Schallmoser, Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 7394207Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating lamps. The circuit arrangement essentially comprises a full bridge. According to the invention, at least one inductor is connected in series with a full-bridge branch for switching load relief purposes. The circuit arrangement is preferably suitable for operation using a charge pump. PFC is thus achieved in a single-stage arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für Glühlampen mbHInventors: Felix Franck, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20080151586Abstract: The invention relates to a converter circuit, in particular having a class E converter, having an improved drive circuit for a switching transistor MOS1 having two series-connected components which operate as a function of the threshold value, in particular comparators K1, K1? and K2, K2?.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2005Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: PATENT-TREUHAND-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRISCHE GLUHLAMPHEN MBHInventors: Oskar Schallmoser, Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 7274578Abstract: The invention relates to a converter circuit having a series circuit of class E converter modules for optimizing the DC supply voltage of the individual converter module (for example C7, C11, Z1, S1, L1, L2).Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur Elektrisch Gluhlampen mbHInventors: Reinhard Lecheler, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20060076903Abstract: The invention relates to a converter circuit having a series circuit of class E converter modules for optimizing the DC supply voltage of the individual converter module (for example C7, C11, Z1, S1, L1, L2).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Applicant: PATENT-TREUHAND-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRISCHE GLUHLAMPEN MBHInventors: Reinhard Lecheler, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20060006819Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating lamps. The circuit arrangement essentially comprises a full bridge. According to the invention, at least one inductor is connected in series with a full-bridge branch for switching load relief purposes. The circuit arrangement is preferably suitable for operation using a charge pump. PFC is thus achieved in a single-stage arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: PATENT-TREUHAND-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRISCH GLUHLAMPEN MBHInventors: Felix Franck, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20050184678Abstract: The invention relates to a starting device for a high-pressure discharge lamp having a piezoelectric transformer for generating the starting voltage required for starting the gas discharge in the high-pressure discharge lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Arnulf Rupp, Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 6768271Abstract: The invention relates to a ballast for a lamp having an inverter which includes at least one switch (S1; S2), and having a drive circuit (10) for alternately opening and closing the at least one switch (S1; S2) wherein the drive circuit (10) is designed to drive the at least one switch (S1; S2) alternately at at least two different frequencies (&ohgr;a, &ohgr;b). It also relates to a method for operating a ballast for a lamp having an inverter which comprises at least one switch (S1; S2), and having a drive circuit (10) for alternately opening and closing the at least one switch (S1; S2) wherein the drive circuit drives the at least one switch (S1; S2) alternately at at least two different frequencies (&ohgr;a, &ohgr;b).Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbHInventors: Olaf Busse, Markus Heckmann, Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 6747418Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preheating the two coil electrodes (W1, W2) of a fluorescent lamp (La) comprising an AC voltage source (10), a resonance capacitor CR, which is arranged serially between the two coil electrodes (W1, W2), a first inductance (L1), which is coupled between the AC voltage source (10) and one of the two coil electrodes (W1, W2), and a second inductance (L2), which is connected to a point between the AC voltage source (10) and the coil electrode (W1) coupled thereto, the second inductance (L2) being coupled to the first inductance (L1) in such a way that a current flow (IL2) through the second inductance (L2) leads to a reduction of the magnetization of the first inductance (L1). It furthermore relates to a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbHInventor: Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20040012345Abstract: Free-running half-bridge inverter (HP) for operating gas discharge lamps having a current transformer as a feedback device. The half-bridge transistors (T1, T2) are essentially voltage controlled transistors (MOSFET). The drive circuits (1, 2) for the half-bridge transistors (T1, T2) contain a voltage threshold value switch (D2, R2) which, on reaching its voltage threshold, essentially carries a current which is proportional to the load current of the half-bridge inverter (HB).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: PATENT-TREUHAND-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRISCH GLUHLAMPEN MBHInventors: Olaf Busse, Markus Heckmann, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20030137256Abstract: The invention relates to a ballast for a lamp having an inverter which comprises at least one switch (S1; S2), and having a drive circuit (10) for alternately opening and closing the at least one switch (S1; S2) wherein the drive circuit (10) is designed to drive the at least one switch (S1; S2) alternately at at least two different frequencies (&ohgr;a, &ohgr;b). It also relates to a method for operating a ballast for a lamp having an inverter which comprises at least one switch (S1; S2), and having a drive circuit (10) for alternately opening and closing the at least one switch (S1; S2) wherein the drive circuit drives the at least one switch (S1; S2) alternately at at least two different frequencies (&ohgr;a, &ohgr;b).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Olaf Busse, Markus Heckmann, Wolfram Sowa
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Publication number: 20030052620Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preheating the two coil electrodes (W1, W2) of a fluorescent lamp (La) comprising an AC voltage source (10), a resonance capacitor CR, which is arranged serially between the two coil electrodes (W1, W2), a first inductance (L1), which is coupled between the AC voltage source (10) and one of the two coil electrodes (W1, W2), and a second inductance (L2), which is connected to a point between the AC voltage source (10) and the coil electrode (W1) coupled thereto, the second inductance (L2) being coupled to the first inductance (L1) in such a way that a current flow (IL2) through the second inductance (L2) leads to a reduction of the magnetization of the first inductance (L1). It furthermore relates to a corresponding method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: PATENT-TREUHAND-GESELLSCHAFT FUR ELEKTRISCHE GLUHLAMPEN MBHInventor: Wolfram Sowa
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Patent number: 5493182Abstract: To provide for dimmer operation of a fluorescent lamp (L) with a minimum of circuit components, the d.c. output level at an output terminal (C1) of an energy supply source, such as a switched mode power supply (10, 10'), is controlled in accordance with the setting of a dimmer control (D). The voltage level at the output capacitor (C1) of the switched mode d.c. power supply furnishes supply voltage for an inverter (T1, T2) coupled to the discharge lamp. During lamp operation, a control unit (R) controls the level of the d.c. voltage supply for the inverter in accordance with the dimmer setting. This permits change of the brightness of the fluorescent lamp (L) in a range of from 5% to 100% of nominal value. Preferably, control of the supply voltage for the inverter is activated only upon occurrence of the ignition or arc-over phase, for example under control of a timing circuit (ZS), controlling a relay in the preheating circuit of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1995Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen MBHInventors: Wolfram Sowa, Christoph Kreutner