Abstract: A lamp having a lighting source, integral electronics, and a thermal distribution mechanism disposed in a housing. The thermal distribution mechanism may include a variety of insulative, radiative, conductive, and convective heat distribution techniques. For example, the lamp may include a thermal shield between the lighting source and the integral electronics. The lamp also may have a forced convection mechanism, such as an air-moving device, disposed adjacent the integral electronics. A heat pipe, a heat sink, or another conductive heat transfer member also may be disposed in thermal communication with one or more of the integral electronics. For example, the integral electronics may be mounted to a thermally conductive board. The housing itself also may be thermally conductive to conductively spread the heat and convect/radiate the heat away from the lamp.

Abstract: A lamp having a lighting source, integral electronics, and a thermal distribution mechanism disposed in a housing. The thermal distribution mechanism may include a For example, the lamp may include a thermal shield between the lighting source and the integral electronics. The lamp also may have a forced convection mechanism, such as an air-moving device, disposed adjacent the integral electronics. A heat pipe, a heat sink, or another conductive heat transfer member also may be disposed in thermal communication with one or more of the integral electronics. For example, the integral electronics may be mounted to a thermally conductive board. The housing itself also may be thermally conductive to conductively spread the heat and convect/radiate the heat away from the lamp.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a lamp inverter circuit includes a switching portion that converts a bus voltage signal into an alternating current signal. An input portion receives the bus voltage signal, and a resonant load portion drives a lamp. A preheating portion heats the lamp prior to ignition, and thereafter renders itself inactive following ignition of the lamp. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a method of starting a lamp includes receiving a bus voltage signal, converting the bus voltage signal into an alternating current signal, preheating the lamp to an ignition temperature, igniting the lamp and inactivating the preheating after the lamp has been ignited. In accordance with another aspect of the application, provided is a method of igniting an auxiliary lamp, including detecting a conductive state of a main lamp in a lamp ballast circuit, the detecting being by a switch that controls preheating of the main lamp.

Abstract: A lamp having a lighting source, integral electronics, and a thermal distribution mechanism disposed in a housing. The thermal distribution mechanism may include a variety of insulative, radiative, conductive, and convective heat distribution techniques. For example, the lamp may include a thermal shield between the lighting source and the integral electronics. The lamp also may have a forced convection mechanism, such as an air-moving device, disposed adjacent the integral electronics. A heat pipe, a heat sink, or another conductive heat transfer member also may be disposed in thermal communication with one or more of the integral electronics. For example, the integral electronics may be mounted to a thermally conductive board. The housing itself also may be thermally conductive to conductively spread the heat and convect/radiate the heat away from the lamp.

Abstract: A method and/or apparatus used with a thyristor based AC-AC motor controller in a discontinuous current mode for providing power to thyristor gate drivers. The apparatus includes a snubber network and two rechargeable capacitors for storing input line voltage to an inversely connected pair of thyristors when both the thyristors are off. Stored voltage is provided via a power lead to each thyristor driver to provide power thereto and thus the circuit operates in a self-powered manner.

Abstract: A three-level NPC inverter topology including two auxiliary resonant commutation circuits which are controlled to clamp the voltage across each main inverter switch to zero voltage prior to altering the state of the switch in order to achieve soft switching of all main inverter switches while reducing output voltage harmonics and gradients.