Abstract: A driver circuit provides a drive current from a power source to an arc lamp to produce a light. The circuit includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the ends of the secondary winding providing the lamp drive current to the arc lamp. A current steering module provides a drive output from the power source to the transformer in response to a current steering input, and a current control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer. A luminance control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the brightness of the light and a luminance command. A power control module may be further provided to generate a boost command in response to a difference between the brightness of the arc lamp and a luminance command.

Abstract: An assembly for heating a fluorescent lamp (such as the lamp used in a flat panel display) includes a circuit card having a plurality of transistors each configured to produce heat disposed thereon. A thermally-conductive layer is disposed proximate to the plurality of transistors, and the fluorescent lamp is disposed proximate the thermally-conductive layer such that the heat from the transistors is transmitted to the fluorescent lamp via the thermally conductive layer. By controlling the heat applied to the fluorescent lamp, microclimates in the lamp can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the performance of the lamp.

Abstract: An assembly for heating a fluorescent lamp (such as the lamp used in a flat panel display) includes a circuit card having a plurality of transistors each configured to produce heat disposed thereon. A thermally-conductive layer is disposed proximate to the plurality of transistors, and the fluorescent lamp is disposed proximate the thermally-conductive layer such that the heat from the transistors is transmitted to the fluorescent lamp via the thermally-conductive layer. By controlling the heat applied to the fluorescent lamp, microclimates in the lamp can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the performance of the lamp.

Abstract: A driver circuit provides a drive current from a power source to an arc lamp to produce a light. The circuit includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the ends of the secondary winding providing the lamp drive current to the arc lamp. A current steering module provides a drive output from the power source to the transformer in response to a current steering input, and a current control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer. A luminance control loop adjusts the current steering input in response to the brightness of the light and a luminance command. A power control module may be further provided to generate a boost command in response to a difference between the brightness of the arc lamp and a luminance command.

Abstract: A lamp driver system is provided that facilitates improved efficiency and brightness control for an optical display system. The lamp driver system provides this improved efficiency and brightness control through the precise control of the plasma in the lamp. The lamp driver system excites the electrons in the plasma such that their obtained velocity is optimized to increase the probability of collision with the mercury atoms in the lamp. Collisions with mercury atoms release ultra-violet photons, which in turn excites the phosphor coating in the lamp. The resulting relaxation of the phosphor atoms releases photons in the visible spectrum, thus providing light with the required frequency components to illuminate the display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the life of a fluorescent lamp suitable for use as a backlight in an avionics or other liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus includes a channel configured confine a vaporous material that produces an ultra-violet light when electrically excited. A layer of light-emitting material disposed within at least a portion of the channel is responsive to the ultra-violet light to produce the visible light emitted from the lamp. To increase the lifespan of the lamp, a protective coating is provided on the layer of light-emitting material. The protective coating comprises a material that is transparent to both ultra-violet and visible light, yet is capable of filling even small gaps in the light-emitting material. In lamps wherein the vaporous material comprises mercury and the light-emitting material comprises a phosphorescent material, for example, the protective material may comprise fused silica (i.e. silica dioxide or “quartz glass”).

Abstract: A lamp driver system is provided that facilitates improved efficiency and brightness control for an optical display system. The lamp driver system provides this improved efficiency and brightness control through the precise control of the plasma in the lamp. The lamp driver system excites the electrons in the plasma such that their obtained velocity is optimized to increase the probability of collision with the mercury atoms in the lamp. Collisions with mercury atoms release ultra-violet photons, which in turn excites the phosphor coating in the lamp. The resulting relaxation of the phosphor atoms releases photons in the visible spectrum, thus providing light with the required frequency components to illuminate the display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control mechanism for regulating the temperature of a fluorescent lamp tube located within a housing. The control mechanism includes a cold spot mechanism defining the cold spot of the lamp tube, a heating mechanism, a power supply and a temperature sensor. The heating mechanism is connected to the power supply and is contiguous with a portion of the cold spot mechanism located outside of the housing. The temperature sensor is also coupled to the power supply and monitors the temperature of the cold spot mechanism. Based upon the temperature of the cold spot mechanism, the temperature sensor operates the power supply, so as to deliver power to the heating mechanism to warm the cold spot mechanism and maintain a cold spot temperature that allows the lamp tube to generate maximum visible light output.