Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with low voltage output, comprising a high voltage power supply (200) generating high voltage power (234) at a voltage and a frequency; a low voltage microcontroller (214) which is responsive to the voltage and the frequency of the high voltage power (234) and generates a low voltage drive signal (240); and a switch (216) operably connected to the high voltage power supply (200) and responsive to the low voltage drive signal (240). The low voltage output of the switch (216) can be used to drive auxiliary low voltage loads (220), such as a back-up incandescent lamp (116). The low voltage output can be responsive to HID lamp power, so that the back-up incandescent lamp (116) is energized when the HID lamp is not providing illumination.

Abstract: A resonant igniter circuit (11) employs a switch ignition branch and a resonant ignition branch. The switch ignition branch includes a pair of ignition switches (M1, M2) connected in series with a switch node (N1). The resonant ignition branch includes an ignition coil (L2) and an ignition transformer (T2). Ignition coil (L2) is connected in series with switch node (N1) and a primary winding of ignition transformer (T2). In operation, a serial inductance of ignition coil (L2) is at least fifty (50) times greater than a resonant inductance of ignition transformer (T2) and ignition transformer (T2) has an air-gapped core between a primary winding and a secondary winding to thereby facilitate an impedance of a power stage of the resonant ignition branch as seen from a source as always being inductive over an entire range of output capacitance.

Abstract: A high frequency electronic ballast for main loads, such as an HID lamp, includes a regulated low voltage output to drive auxiliary loads. A low voltage microcontroller generates a low voltage drive signal in response to voltage and frequency of a high voltage power supply. A switch operably connected to the high voltage power supply and responsive to the low voltage drive signal provides the regulated low voltage output to drive the auxiliary devices, such as a back-up incandescent lamp and/or an insulation detector. In one embodiment, the low voltage output may be responsive to the HID lamp power, e.g., a control signal from a ballast microcontroller, so that the back-up incandescent lamp is energized when the HID lamp is not providing sufficient illumination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with rail voltage switching which adjusts the DC rail voltage output (208) to account for different voltages of mains power (210), improving efficiency. The rail voltage switching comprises a mains power supply (200) providing mains power (210) and a mains voltage signal (212); a ballast microcontroller (206) responsive to the mains voltage signal (212) and generating a power factor correction (PFC) voltage signal (214); and a converter (204) operably connected to the mains power supply (200) and responsive to the PFC voltage signal (214) to generate a DC rail voltage output (208). For an embodiment using power factor control, the converter (204) comprises a coil (218), power factor correction (224), a switch (220), and a rectifier (222).

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with ignition and operation control, and method of use, comprising a ballast microcontroller (200) responsive to at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal and generating an HID lamp control signal; a parallel capacitive circuit (214) operably connected parallel to the HID lamp (216); an inductive circuit (212) operably connected to the parallel capacitive circuit (214); means for switching power (252) to the inductive circuit (212) in response to the HID lamp control signal; and means for monitoring the HID lamp (216) to generate at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal. In one embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be an ignition voltage signal (266). In another embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be a sensed rail voltage signal (256), a sensed lamp current signal (264), and a sensed lamp power signal (258).

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with low voltage output, comprising a high voltage power supply (200) generating high voltage power (234) at a voltage and a frequency; a low voltage microcontroller (214) which is responsive to the voltage and the frequency of the high voltage power (234) and generates a low voltage drive signal (240); and a switch (216) operably connected to the high voltage power supply (200) and responsive to the low voltage drive signal (240). The low voltage output of the switch (216) can be used to drive auxiliary low voltage loads (220), such as a back-up incandescent lamp (116). The low voltage output can be responsive to HID lamp power, so that the backup incandescent lamp (116) is energized when the HID lamp is not providing illumination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with ignition and operation control, and method of use, comprising a ballast microcontroller (200) responsive to at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal and generating an HID lamp control signal; a parallel capacitive circuit (214) operably connected parallel to the HID lamp (216); an inductive circuit (212) operably connected to the parallel capacitive circuit (214); means for switching power (252) to the inductive circuit (212) in response to the HID lamp control signal; and means for monitoring the HID lamp (216) to generate at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal. In one embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be an ignition voltage signal (266). In another embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be a sensed rail voltage signal (256), a sensed lamp current signal (264), and a sensed lamp power signal (258).

Abstract: A system and method of controlling power to a high-intensity-discharge lamp is provided. A voltage sensor determines voltage across the lamp. A current sensor determines current through the lamp. A control circuit approximates lamp power based on input from the sensors, compares the lamp power against a desired level, and regulates lamp power based on the comparison.

Abstract: An improved high frequency ballast is disclosed. The high frequency ballast establishes a lamp current for a gas discharge lamp during a starting operation of the gas discharge lamp wherein an operating ampere level of the lamp current facilitates a substantial achievement by the gas discharge lamp of a color specification associated with the gas discharge lamp. Thereafter, during a stable operation of the gas discharge lamp, the high frequency ballast applies a frequency modulation to an operating frequency of the lamp current and/or an amplitude modulation of the lamp current.

Abstract: An improved high frequency ballast is disclosed. The high frequency ballast establishes a lamp current for a gas discharge lamp during a starting operation of the gas discharge lamp wherein an operating ampere level of the lamp current facilitates a substantial achievement by the gas discharge lamp of a color specification associated with the gas discharge lamp. Thereafter, during a stable operation of the gas discharge lamp, the high frequency ballast applies a frequency modulation to an operating frequency of the lamp current and/or an amplitude modulation of the lamp current.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling power to a high-intensity-discharge lamp is provided. A voltage sensor determines voltage across the lamp. A current sensor determines current through the lamp. A control circuit approximates lamp power based on input from the sensors, compares the lamp power against a desired level, and regulates lamp power based on the comparison.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting and operating a high-pressure discharge lamp includes input terminals for the connection of a supply source and output terminals for the connection of the lamp. A switching circuit operates the lamp at a nominal lamp voltage Vla during stable lamp operation and generates an open circuit voltage Vo at the output terminals before the lamp is ignited. A control circuit for controlling the switching circuit is provided with a device BM for limiting the voltage at the output terminals. A transition detection circuit M detects the transition from a glow discharge to an arc discharge.

Abstract: An integrated reflector lamp includes a sealed envelope enclosing a high pressure gas discharge device. A shell has a rim portion which receives the sealed envelope and an opposing basal portion carrying a screw base. A ballast for igniting and operating the discharge device is enclosed within the shell between the screw base and the sealed envelope. The sealed envelope includes a reflective surface which directs light emitted by the discharge device. The reflective surface also provides effective heat management for preventing overheating of the ballast by the heat generated by the discharge device. The integrated lamp has photometrics and luminous efficacy which exceeds that of corresponding halogen and halogen IR reflector lamps while having an overall planform which fits within that of the corresponding lamp.

Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge lamp system includes a high pressure discharge lamp selected to have a lowest lamp resonant frequency above the audible, on a current basis above about 19 kHz and on a power basis of above about 38 kHz. The ballast circuit energizes the discharge device so as to have a fundamental frequency below the lowest lamp resonant frequency and above the audible, while keeping the magnitude of any harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency sufficiently small so as to avoid acoustic resonance. By operating below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, greatly simplifying ballast construction and cost. According to one embodiment, the discharge vessel encloses a discharge space which is circular cylindrical and having a L:ID ratio of about 1:1 to maximize the lowest lamp resonant frequency.

Abstract: A discharge vessel with a ceramic wall is filled with inert gas and metal and is ignited and operated by an electronic circuit including a half bridge converter with an LC circuit which, when the lamp is not ignited, enters an oscillation state near a resonance frequency which lies near the third harmonic of the switching frequency of the half bridge converter. The vessel encloses a cylindrical discharge space of diameter D and length L, wherein L.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.1.2 L.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for igniting and operating a high-pressure discharge lamp provided with a control circuit which limits the voltage to a value Vb across the output terminals of the circuit arrangement such that:Vla<Vb<Vi.wherein Vla is the nominal lamp voltage and Vi is the threshold voltage across the output terminals at which the ignitor starts.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting and operating a discharge lamp is provided withinput terminals for connecting a supply source, and a ground terminal, differential-mode and common-mode filters in which inductance and capacitance are incorporated,output terminals for connecting the discharge lamp, anda switch mode power supply connected to the input terminals and the output terminals by respective voltage conduction branches.The circuit arrangement is characterized in that the input terminals and output terminals are connected both to one another and to the ground terminal by respective capacitive filters, in that a bead is included in one of the voltage conduction branches, and in that further common-mode capacitance is present between the inductance and the switch mode power supply. The requirements formulated in both EN55022 and EN55015 can be complied with in this manner.

Abstract: A high pressure gas discharge lamp system includes a high pressure discharge lamp selected to have a lowest lamp resonant frequency above the audible, on a current basis above about 19 kHz and on a power basis of above about 38 kHz. The ballast circuit energizes the discharge device so as to have a fundamental frequency below the lowest lamp resonant frequency and above the audible, while keeping the magnitude of any harmonics above the lowest lamp resonant frequency sufficiently small so as to avoid acoustic resonance. By operating below the lowest lamp resonant frequency, greatly simplifying ballast construction and cost. According to one embodiment, the discharge vessel encloses a discharge space which is circular cylindrical and having a L:ID ratio of about 1:1 to maximize the lowest lamp resonant frequency.