Abstract: Electronic ballast system for fluorescent lights. A power oscillator connected to the primary winding of a power transformer for operation at a predetermined frequency in the range of 10 KHz to 5 MHz, and a ballasting network is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer and to one or more fluorescent lamps. The ballasting network is resonant at a frequency within about .+-.10 percent of the predetermined frequency, and in some embodiments, the resonant frequency of the ballasting network remains the same regardless of the number of lamps connected to it.

Abstract: Electronic ballast system for fluorescent lights. A power oscillator connected to the primary winding of a power transformer for operation at a predetermined frequency in the range of 10 KHz to 5 MHz, and a ballasting network is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer and to one or more fluorescent lamps. The ballasting network is resonant at a frequency within about .+-.10 percent of the predetermined frequency, and in some embodiments, the resonant frequency of the ballasting network remains the same regardless of the number of lamps connected to it.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the intensity of an electrodeless discharge lamp is described. In one embodiment the high-frequency signal delivered to the induction coil is interrupted during a predetermined portion of a full duty cycle. This function is provided by a dimmer control unit which may be in an analog or digital form and may respond to a control signal provided by a potentiometer, a three-way lighting fixture or an addressable, remote controlled interface with data transmitted over the power lines or over a radio or infrared communication channel. In another embodiment the dimmer control unit alters the amplitude of the high-frequency signal supplied to the lamp's induction coil.

Abstract: An impedance matching and filter network is disclosed. The network performs two preselected impedance transformations and provides a filtering function to attenuate harmonics of an electrical signal delivered at an input of the network. The network may advantageously be structured in the form of balanced dual filters which are referenced to a virtual ground between them, the virtual ground being connected to a shield which surrounds the electric components. The network is particularly suitable for use with electrodeless discharge lamps to provide an impedance matching function for the induction coil and to limit RFI.

Abstract: A cost-efficient electrically conductive screen and shield for substantially shielding radio frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted beyond the discharge vessel and the electronic circuitry of an electrodeless discharge lamp is disclosed. The conductive screen and/or shield is disposed outside the space occupied by the gaseous mixture and is grounded to the power supply. This shielding reduces the emission of electromagnetic radiation and, in particular, enables the discharge lamp to comply with FCC standards imposed with respect to the maximum admissible level of interference with wireless communication equipment such as radios and televisions.

Abstract: A high-efficiency Class D amplifier is described. In one embodiment, the amplifier contains two transistors which are turned on and off in sequence, the output being taken from the common node between the transistors. The efficiency of the amplifier is substantially increased by insuring that voltage across each of the transistors is substantially zero when it turns on. This advantage is achieved by connecting an inductance to the common node, so that the electrical energy stored in any stray capacitance is transferred to the inductance before any transistor is turned on.