Patents by Inventor John Henry Backs

John Henry Backs 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).

  • Single ballast for powering at least one high intensity discharge lamp
    Patent number: 6531833
    Abstract: A discharge lamp circuit includes a power source for creating a current flow. A ballast is electrically connected to the power source and controls the current flow produced by the power source. A capacitor is electrically connected in the ballast. At least one discharge lamp is connected in series with the capacitor. The current flow passes through the discharge lamp during normal operation of the discharge lamp circuit. The ballast includes a switching circuit, electrically connected to the capacitor and the discharge lamp. The switching circuit provides an alternate path for the current flow during a starting operation of the discharge lamp circuit. The switching circuit provides the alternate path in accordance with a charge associated with the capacitor. The charge associated with the capacitor increases when the current flow passes through the alternate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Henry Backs, Byron Richard Collins
  • Single ballast for powering at least one high intensity discharge lamp
    Publication number: 20020140377
    Abstract: A discharge lamp circuit includes a power source for creating a current flow. A ballast is electrically connected to the current source and controls the current flow produced by the current source. A capacitor is electrically connected in the ballast. At least one discharge lamp is connected in series with the capacitor. The current flow passes through the discharge lamp during normal operation of the discharge lamp circuit. The ballast includes a switching circuit, electrically connected to the capacitor and the discharge lamp. The switching circuit provides an alternate path for the current flow during a starting operation of the discharge lamp circuit. The switching circuit provides the alternate path in accordance with a charge associated with the capacitor. The charge associated with the capacitor increases when the current flow passes through the alternate path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Henry Backs, Byron Richard Collins