Abstract: The present invention comprises a unique starter assembly for a gas discharge lamp. The starter assembly comprises a main current path with a first leg connected to one electrode of a gas discharge lamp, and a second leg connected to a second electrode of the gas discharge lamp. A starting current path is provided between the first and second electrode, and comprises an magnetic switch. The magnetic switch is actuated by an electromagnet controlled by a control circuit. The control unit may be programmed with the start time required for a particular lamp design. In an alternative embodiment, the starter assembly further comprises a radio frequency identification system. The radio frequency identification system includes a gas discharge lamp transponder. The lamp transponder is used to communicate specific lamp information to the control circuit. The control circuit may then modify the start time for that lamp based on this information.

Abstract: A high-intensity discharge lamp connected to a lighting device has various superior emission properties such as efficiency. The discharge lamp includes a translucent ceramic discharge vessel, in which a pair of electrodes and a discharge medium are inserted. The lamp further includes an outer jacket, in which the arc tube is disposed, and a pair of feeder members. The discharge medium has metal halides including those of Na, Tl and Tm or Na, Tl, In and Tm, and the ratio (MTm/M) of the weight of the gross sealed mass M of the metal halides to the filled mass MTm of the Tm halide is about 0.4≦MTm/M≦0.9. The deviation in chromaticity (d.u.v.) on the x-y chromaticity coordinates (CIE 1931) for the overall operating position during the life of the lamp is within the range of about −0.006 to +0.010.

Abstract: The invention intends to improve the determination of the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit, in particular of a heating circuit for a discharge lamp. For this purpose, the frequency of a supply voltage for the resonant circuit is varied within a predetermined frequency range. The voltage or the current across/in the resonant circuit are measured as a function of the varied frequency. The predetermined frequency range is run through in both directions, in each case a maximum for the measured voltage or the measured current being established. The resonant frequency is preferably calculated from the two maxima by averaging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing emission of incoherent radiation and uses therefor are disclosed. A system for providing emission of high peak power (in watts) incoherent radiation, comprises an electrically impeded discharge lamp linked to an electrical energy supply.

Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system having a single electrical cable that supplies operating voltages from a power supply to a lamp head. The single electrical cable may provide high voltage to a magnetron of the lamp head and a lesser voltage to an internal blower of the lamp head. The electrical cable may incorporate conductors for transferring communications signals between the power supply and sensors associated with the lamp head.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including at least one carrier substrate, and a stack of functional layers comprising at least one electrically conducting layer comprising metal oxide(s), and a multicomponent electrode including at least one electrochemically active layer, at least one higher-conductivity material and at least one network of one of conducting wires and conducting strips, the higher-conductivity material having a surface resistance which is lower than a surface resistance of the electrically conducting layer.

Abstract: The invention discloses a power inverter using a microprocessor directly drawing the switching transistors and a circuit for computation of the actual power delivered to the load of a switching inverter. In addition, load variation power is achieved by adjusting the frequency or the pulse width of each half cycle and, in the case where a lamp or panel is involved, dimming. Also disclosed is that the microprocessor can be responsive to photometric input to adjust output as well as power line carrier information supplied on the input power to the device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a unique starter assembly for a gas discharge lamp. The starter assembly comprises a main current path with a first leg connected to one electrode of a gas discharge lamp, and a second leg connected to a second electrode of the gas discharge lamp. A starting current path is provided between the first and second electrode, and comprises an magnetic switch. The magnetic switch is actuated by an electromagnet controlled by a control circuit. The control unit may be programmed with the start time required for a particular lamp design. In an alternative embodiment, the starter assembly further comprises a radio frequency identification system. The radio frequency identification system includes a gas discharge lamp transponder. The lamp transponder is used to communicate specific lamp information to the control circuit. The control circuit may then modify the start time for that lamp based on this information.

Abstract: Herein described is a driver circuit of a fluorescent lamp having a first and a second electrode and igniting when the voltage between the first and second Electrode exceeds a given threshold voltage. The driver circuit comprises an inductance coupled to a supply voltage and to a terminal of the first electrode a first condenser coupled to the other terminal of the first electrode and to a terminal of the second electrode, a control device comprising a first and a second system of switches capable of guaranteeing oscillations of a voltage signal on the inductance and on the first condenser up to the ignition of the lamp. The driver circuit comprises a device associated to the control device and capable of acting on the first system of switches so as to regulate the frequency of the oscillations from a frequency greater than the resonance frequency of the inductance and of the first condenser to the same resonance frequency so as to guarantee a preheating of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A flasher ballast system includes a high frequency instant start ballast and one or more transformers. The high frequency instant start ballast may provide the strike voltage and perform the current limiting functions for a fluorescent lamp. The transformers may be electrically coupled to one or both of the filaments of a fluorescent lamp to provide a low voltage to the filaments.

Abstract: When a “screen saver” operates to display a homogeneous black picture image after the same image is continuously displayed on a CRT for a predetermined period of time, a power supply for a CRT display unit is controlled to be turned off, thereby preventing the CRT display unit from being left for a long time in a power-on state. Namely, a waiting time of 3 minutes, for example, is provided when the “screen saver” operates so that the CRT displays a homogeneous black picture image to turn off a power circuit for the CRT, and then a heater for the CRT is turned off after a lapse of a predetermined period of time of 5 to 60 minutes, for example. An extension graphics board, which is inserted in an open slot provided in a computer of an open architecture type may be provided to perform this function.

Abstract: A ballast (10) for powering a gas discharge lamp (20) having heatable filaments (22,24) includes a filament heating and protection circuit (300) that provides preheating of the filaments, efficiently reduces the filament heating power after the lamp ignites, quickly responds to removal or failure of the lamp in order minimize power dissipation in the ballast, and operates a replaced lamp without requiring cycling of the power to the ballast. In a preferred embodiment, filament heating and protection circuit (300) includes a transformer (400), a switching circuit (600), a turn-on circuit (700), and a lamp-out detection circuit (800).

Abstract: An electronic ballast for at least one low-pressure discharge lamp contains an inverter which is connected to a direct-voltage source (UBUS), a load circuit which is connected to the inverter and contains the lamp (LA) and a series resonant circuit, and an evaluating circuit arrangement (M1) which reacts to different operating states of the lamp (LA) and in the case of a defect or removal of the lamp (LA) generates corresponding signals for switching off the inverter. A heating transformer, for heating the coils (W1, W2), the primary winding (Tp) of which is connected in series with a switch (S3) to the output of the inverter and in any case is connected to the direct-voltage source (UBUS) if the inverter is switched off on account of the heating-coil defect or the removal of the lamp (LA), with the switch (S3) being clocked in this off-phase.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for operating a lamp having preheatable electrodes. The frequency of a high frequency bridge inverter is controlled by a control circuit which has input connections to one of the lamp electrodes for monitoring the electrode temperature. The voltage across the lamp electrode controls oscillation frequency during preheating and ignition.

Abstract: A heater circuit (H) according to the invention comprises a stabilizing power supply (SPS) with a control input (CT) which receives a control signal (Cs) to control the value at which the heater voltage (Vh) has to be stabilized. A timing circuit (TC) generates the control signal (Cs) such that the heater voltage (Vh) has a nominal value (Vhn) in a normal operation phase, and such that the heater voltage (Vh) has a boost value (Vhb) higher than the nominal value (Vhn) during a boost period (Tb) of a start-up phase (Ts). The normal operation phase is defined as the phase during which the heater (HE) is sufficiently hot to enable display of a picture with good quality. The start-up phase (Ts) is the phase during which the display apparatus starts up and the heater (HE) warms up.

Abstract: A charged particle generating apparatus including a first electrode, a second electrode, a current source supplying a current to the first electrode for heating the first electrode and a voltage source for generating an attraction voltage for generation of an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode discharges charged particles as a result of the generation of the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The electric-light bulb is capable of limiting an inrush current and automatically periodically changing brightness. In the electric-light bulb, a filament is provided in a bulb body. A resistance is provided in the bulb body and connected to the filament in series. A thermoswitch is provided in the bulb body and connected to the resistance in parallel. The thermoswitch includes a bimetal element and contact points. The bimetal element is deformed by heat radiated from the filament and closes the contact points when temperature of the bimetal element reaches prescribed temperature so as to short the resistance.

Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp having a pair of electrodes with a space of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm inclusive between them and disposed in an arc tube. An electrical discharge takes place between the electrodes. Each of the electrodes has an electrode rod and a head that is provided at the discharge side end of the electrode rod and having a larger diameter than the electrode rod. A surface of the head being opposite to the other electrode is convexly curved and a protruding part is formed in the vicinity of the center portion of the end of the head.

Abstract: A drive scheme for low-pressure gas discharge lamps is provided with automatic detection of the type of the lamp and automatic adjustment of discharge current and heating current to the values required by detected lamp. Two independent circuit loops deliver energy to two main lamp circuits: discharge loop and filament heating loop from independently regulated energy sources. Discharge current is supplied from high frequency current source, heating currents are supplied from independent voltage sources. Computer based control module senses the value of discharge voltage, discharge current and heating current and provides automatic detection of type of the lamp and automatic of the parameters of independent current and voltage sources according to the values required by actually driven lamp.

Abstract: A power supply for supplying operating voltages to a magnetron of a lamp heating or curing system. The power supply is mounted remotely from the magnetron and includes a filament transformer for providing a regulated filament current to the magnetron to provide a predetermined filament voltage. Current in the primary of the filament transformer is sensed, and the filament current supplied by the secondary of the filament transformer is controlled by a switching device coupled to the primary of the filament transformer. Methods for supplying regulated filament current to a magnetron are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a power control apparatus for controlling power supply of an ion source having an indirectly headed cathode, the cathode bias power supply which provides a bias potential between the filament and cathode has an output that is effected by changes in impedance of the electron flow in the region between the filament and the cathode. Such impedance changes can arise due to changes in the chemistry of materials in this region, changes in gas pressure or physical changes, for example. A bias supply controller in the power control apparatus maintains the output power of the cathode bias power supply unit at a desired level, thus not effected by changes in impedance of the electron flow between the filament and the indirectly heated cathode.

Abstract: A ballast for a fluorescent lamp includes a high frequency power source circuit for supplying a preheat start type fluorescent lamp with preheating and lighting current via an inductor. The high frequency power source circuit includes at least two switching elements for controlling application of voltages of different polarity to the fluorescent lamp, a self-exciting type switching element driving circuit for driving the switching elements so as to alternate on and off repeatedly; and a timer circuit for detecting lapse of a predetermined time from start of the ballast for the fluorescent lamp. The switching element driving circuit shortens an ON-period of at least one of the switching elements to restrict an increase of an amplitude of current flowing in the inductor during a period until the timer circuit detects lapse of a predetermined time.

Abstract: In a high-frequency electronic ballast, a screw-in fluorescent lamp is connected with and powered by way of a series-resonant LC circuit. A resistive load is connected with the LC circuit, thereby to constitute a load therefor before ignition of the fluorescent lamp or in case the fluorescent lamp were to fail to ignite.

Abstract: Provided is a lighting circuit (10, 100, 160) which includes a line voltage source 12 used to supply a full wave signal 72 to circuit 10. A ballast 14 is connected to the line voltage source 12, and a lamp 16. Further included in the circuit (10, 100, 160) is an electronic starter (18, 102, 159) which is connected across the lamp 16. Electronic starter (18, 102, 159) includes a pulse generating circuit ((60, 62, 64) (108, 110, 112, 152, 154)), a switch (30, 120) which is connected to provide a cathode current pulse 74 to first and second cathodes (22, 26) of the lamp 16, generated by the pulse generating circuit. The pulse generating circuit and switch operate in such a manner that the pulse generating circuit limits the duration of the cathode current pulse 74 which is delivered to cathodes 22 and 26. A feedback or pulse timeout circuit (116, 118, 120, 121, 128, 130) may also be used to sense a current delivered to cathodes 122, 126 by cathode current pulse 74.

Abstract: A ballast circuit with an electronic starter for a gas discharge lamp having a pair of cathodes is disclosed. The circuit comprises a main current path with a first leg connected to one cathode of the lamp and a second leg connected to the other cathode. The first leg includes an inductor. A starting current path is connected between the cathodes for enabling current build-up in the inductor during a lamp pre-start period. The starting current path includes a starter switch controllable by the voltage between a control node and a reference node of the switch. The starting current path allows cathode-to-cathode current flow when the starter switch is on. A control circuit is connected between the control node and the reference node of the switch for controlling the switch. The control circuit comprises a capacitor whose voltage is coupled between the control node and the reference node so as to control the switch, and a source of current for charging the capacitor.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp controller for fluorescent lamps, the controller being responsive to the instantaneous power applied to the filaments and further generating a computed temperature signal to drive a filament as a function of the thermal characteristics of time versus temperature of the filament where the controller further controls application of arc power to the fluorescent lamp based upon the computed temperature signal.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit for fluorescent lamps, said circuit comprises an anti-interfering circuit, a rectifying circuit, a filtering circuit, a frequency-converting circuit and a resonant circuit connected sequentially; a main resonant capacitor C4 is connected between the end of the the fluorescent lamp connected with the resonant inductor L1 in the resonant circuit and the negative end of the filtering circuit, so that resonant inductor L1 and main resonant capacitor C4 constitute a main resonant circuit; the Q factor of the main resonant circuit is not affected by the resistance of the filaments at both ends of the fluorescent lamp, so that the voltage applied across both ends of the lamp can be raised; and a preheating circuit is provided between both two ends of the main resonant capacitor, so that the filaments of the lamp can be preheated before the lamp is started.

Abstract: Control circuitry causes a fluorescent lamp to flash by cycling the primary of the lamp ballast reactor at a desired cycle rate. This results in the average lamp wattage output being generally about 40% to 60% Go its normal wattage rating. This results in a correspondence reduction in lumen output. In such flashing, the intensity or light output of each flash is approximately the same as its normal, continuous light output.

Abstract: A cathode heater of a cathode ray tube is rapidly energized either when turning on electric power or when returning to a power-on state mode of the Display Power Management System (DPMS) in an electronic appliance using the cathode ray tube as a video display device. A high voltage generation unit is provided for generating a voltage higher than a rated voltage of the cathode heater of the cathode ray tube. The cathode ray tube enables a stable video display to be presented in a shorter time period due to a rapid heating of the cathode caused when an initial heating unit applies a voltage to the cathode heater which is higher than the rated voltage of the cathode heater, according to a pulse signal which exists for a predetermined time period when turning on electric power or when returning to a power-on state mode of the DPMS.

Abstract: The invention provides a soft starter device for lamps. The soft starter device includes a rectifying circuit for converting an AC voltage into a DC voltage which serves as a triggering signal; a high frequency voltage generating circuit for generating a high frequency voltage by an oscillation between two transistors; a high frequency output transformer electrically connected to the high frequency voltage generating circuit and having a primary coil and a secondary coil; a first capacitor for providing a momently high voltage to a lamp tube by generating a resonance together with the high frequency output transformer; and a control circuit having a charging circuit and a switch for grounding the secondary coil connected thereto or allowing the secondary coil to function normally. At the initial time of power supplying, the switch is turned on to ground the secondary coil, causing the primary coil being not able to function, such that only a current flows into the lamp tube to preheat the filaments thereof.

Abstract: An amplifying-gate thyristor having an increased integrated circuit includes a main thyristor and an amplifying thyristor. The amplifying thyristor is of the gate turnoff-type. The main thyristor and the amplifying thyristor are such that the amplifying thyristor remains in the conductive state while the main thyristor is conductive. A control circuit turns off the amplifying thyristor when the current through the main thyristor is approximately its hold current.

Abstract: An electronic ballast (10) for fluorescent lamps includes a rectifier circuit (100), a boost converter (200), and an inverter (500). The boost converter (200) includes a boost control circuit (400) and a shifting circuit (300). The shifting circuit (300) provides filament preheating by maintaining the boost output voltage at a first level for a predetermined delay period following startup of the boost converter, and then increasing the boost voltage to a second level upon completion of the delay period in order to ignite and operate the lamps. In a preferred embodiment, shifting circuit (300) comprises a shunt circuit (320) and a time delay circuit (360), and inverter (400) is a series resonant half-bridge inverter.

Abstract: A light source power supply circuit includes a DC power source and an energy accumulating capacitor connected in parallel through a charging switching element to the DC power source. A polarity inverting circuit is connected across the energy accumulating capacitor for applying the capacitor voltage across a light source with the polarity alternately inverted. A starting high voltage generating circuit applies a high voltage to the light source a high voltage for starting the light source. A control circuit controls a polarity inverting circuit so that the inverting frequency is above a critical fusion frequency for the light source.

Abstract: A symmetry control circuit for a ballast driving a gas discharge lamp. The circuit controls the pre-heat time of a gas discharge lamp with heatable filaments by holding off the full striking voltage until the lamp has had sufficient time to pre-heat. The circuit is designed to work with electronic ballasts and especially electronic ballasts without boost power factor correction to properly pre-heat the lamp. A control circuit reduces the duty cycle in an inverter transistor, thereby keeping the voltage across the lamp low while allowing filament heating to occur. The control circuit is disabled after a time interval of about 500 ms, allowing the transistor duty cycle to increase to 50 percent, the lamp voltage to rise, and the properly pre-heated lamp to ignite.

Abstract: An operating apparatus for a discharge lamp, which includes a pair of electrodes and an arc tube having a material enclosed therein, includes: a selective depositing device for selectively depositing the material on one electrode of the pair of electrodes when the discharge lamp is turned off; and a ballast circuit for starting operation of the discharge lamp and maintaining the operation under rated conditions. The ballast circuit includes a starting pulse generator for applying a starting pulse to the discharge lamp when the discharge lamp starts the operation. The starting pulse generates an electric field acting from the one electrode of the pair of electrodes having the material deposited thereon to the other electrode.

Abstract: A lamp ballast circuit drives at least one gas discharge illumination device and includes first and second MOS-gated power semiconductor devices connected in a half-bridge configuration and coupled across a d-c supply with a common terminal located at the node between the devices for supplying an output signal to the illumination device. A self-oscillating driver circuit includes respective outputs for driving the power semiconductor devices and has at least one operating voltage supply terminal. When the illumination device fails or is removed, a protection circuit, electrically coupled to the illumination device, removes the operating voltage supplied to the supply terminal. The protection circuit includes a transformer/inductor coupled to the illumination device or a switch that is responsive to the voltage across the illumination device. Additionally, a soft-starting circuit can be provided for gradually increasing the voltage across the illumination device prior to igniting the illumination device.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp includes a delay triggered circuit which, upon expiration of a predetermined period during which the lamp filaments, constituting opposite electrodes of the lamp, are preheated, applies high frequency operating voltage across the opposite electrodes of the lamp beginning with a transition from a condition of no voltage to a condition of full rated voltage which occurs within one cycle of the high frequency voltage. The sharp transition from zero "glow current" to full "arc current" at the end of the preheating period has been found to increase the life of lamps in the number of on-off starts, particularly with respect to lamps of poor quality. The rapid transition is possible because the ballast uses the same inverter and transformer for supplying preheating and operating voltages. The operating voltage is applied between the opposite electrodes of the lamp via an electronic bi-directional switch, controlled by a preheating delay RC timing circuit.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp lighting control apparatus and method for use in a refrigerator is provided. Here, power is supplied according to opening of a refrigerator door and a fluorescent lamp is preheated for a predetermined time and is turned on by a counter-electromotive force supplied from a stabilizer after being preheated. The fluorescent lamp lighting control apparatus detects whether or not said fluorescent lamp is lit up, and repeats the lighting operation until said fluorescent lamp is lit up when it is detected that said fluorescent lamp is not lit up. Accordingly, the lighting operation of a fluorescent lamp installed in a refrigerator is secured.

Abstract: A power supply for an electrodeless lamp having an exterior starting electrode and first and second magnetrons coupled to the lamp comprises first and second power sources for being connected to the respective first and second magnetrons; a switch having first and second positions, the first position for disconnecting the second power source from the second magnetron and connecting the output of the second power source to the output of the first power source such that they are added together for being connected to the first magnetron during starting of the lamp, the second position for disconnecting the second power source from the first magnetron and connecting the second power source to the second magnetron after the lamp has started; and a controller adapted to synchronize the starting of the first and second power sources and the starting electrode such that they are turned on at the same time during starting of the lamp.

Abstract: A family of programmed start parallel-resonant electronic ballast circuits operate in a first mode during a preheat interval following application of power to the ballast, and then afterwards operate in a second mode. The ballast circuits can be based on any of the several forms of current-fed parallel-resonant inverters, all of which have a dc choke inductor. A first embodiment operates such that, during the first mode, the parallel-resonant inverter is inhibited, while an auxiliary transistor develops a trapezoidal voltage waveform across the dc choke inductor. Filament preheating is provided by windings coupled to the dc choke inductor. The ballast output voltage is essentially zero so that no destructive glow current is produced. During the second mode, the auxiliary transistor is inhibited, and the parallel-resonant inverter produces a sinusoidal output voltage.

Abstract: A ballast circuit for a gas discharge lamp contained within a resonant load circuit has resistively heated cathodes. A d.c.-to-a.c. converter circuit supplyies a.c. current to the resonant load circuit. The converter circuit comprises first and second switches serially connected between a bus conductor at a d.c. voltage and a reference conductor, and has a common node through which the a.c. current flows. In an arrangement for controlling the converter switches, a comparator circuit compares a signal on a first input node with a periodic reference signal on a second input node, and produces a comparator output signal that changes state when a first one of the compared signals becomes greater than the second of the compared signals, and that further changes state when the second of the compared signals then becomes greater than the first of the compared signals. A circuit generates the periodic reference signal in response to the comparator output signal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling the emission current of an electron source and to a correspondingly controlled electron source. For this purpose, a parallel circuit comprising resistors 6 and field-effect transistors 7 is connected in the high-voltage circuit between the cathode 1 and the control electrode 2. The supply voltage for the field-effect transistors 7 is generated by voltage dividing the voltage across the resistors 6. The measurement of the emission current takes place at low-voltage potential and a control signal obtained from the measuring signal is optically transmitted via a light-conducting fiber or a light waveguide to the control circuit in the high-voltage part. The emission current control at high-voltage potential is provided without additional voltage supplies. Additional insulating transformers are therefore not required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a fluorescent lamp is described wherein the fluorescent lamp is operated in the phanotronic, or hot-cathode, mode. The filament preheat current is decoupled from the arc current through synchronization of the filament voltage and arc voltage waveforms to provide sense windows during which the filament condition may be precisely and accurately determined. Sensing circuits provide correctional feedback to the filament voltage signal to provide optimal filament heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feedback control system and method for controlling an electronic ballast for driving a lamp where the lamp requires preheating of a cathode of the lamp in order for the electronic ballast to successfully discharge into the lamp and initiate arcing operation in the lamp. The system detects the power consumption level of the lamp and, when the power consumption level indicates that the lamp is not arcing, performs a restart of the lamp wherein the restart function includes preheating the cathode with a preheating current. The present invention reduces production cost and increases safety by detecting operation in the lamp without using external elements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a control module that provides improved control over the ignition of a fluorescent lamp. In one aspect, the control module determines whether the lamp is lit and, when the lamp is not lit, determines whether the power supply line voltage is insufficient to sustain the lamp in a lit state after ignition. When the power supply line voltage is determined to be insufficient, the control module waits until the power supply line voltage rises to a sufficient level before igniting the lamp.

Abstract: The cathodes of a fluorescent lamp are preheating and the medium between the cathodes is ignited into a plasma by heating the cathodes for a predetermined warm-up time period by conducting current from a supply power source through the cathodes for a conductive time interval, and applying a relatively high voltage starting pulse to the cathodes at the end of the conductive time interval or alternatively suppressing the high voltage starting pulse during the predetermined warm-up time period. Suppressing the high voltage starting pulse during the warm-up time period, thereby preventing erosion the thermionic coating of the cathodes due to positive ion bombardment. A controllable semiconductor switch is connected to the cathodes to control the current flow through them. The high voltage starting pulse is derived from commutating the semiconductor switch into a nonconductive state when the applied current level drops to the characteristic holding current value of the switch.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp lighting circuit is disclosed in which an instant lighting is possible, and a high reliability is ensured. Further, the circuit is compact, and the cost is low. The fluorescent lamp lighting circuit according to the present invention includes a discharge circuit section including a choke coil serially connected to a filament of a fluorescent lamp. It further includes a lighting circuit section connected serially to the filament and the choke coil so as to be turned on at certain intervals by supplying the power, and so as to be turned off after the starting of the glow discharge of the fluorescent lamp. It further includes a protecting circuit section for turning off the light circuit section after certain repetition of on/off operations of the lighting circuit section.

Abstract: A control module and method controls the operation of a fluorescent lamp in a circuit in which the lamp is connected to a ballast and energized by alternating half-cycles of power supplied from an AC power source. The fluorescent lamp has cathodes and a medium which emits light energy when energized into a plasma. A controllable switch conducts half-cycles of AC current through the cathodes and commutates into a non-conductive condition. A sensor supplies sensing signals related to an electrical condition at the cathodes. A state transition controller controls the switch. The state transition controller establishes a power-up, warm-up, ignition and fire operational states and transitions between the states in response to the electrical condition sensed and the time duration of those conditions. The lamp lights more reliably, premature failure of the ballast and cathodes is prevented due to overheating, and the lamp is controlled effectively by input signals in the form of short power interruptions.

Abstract: A high reliability portable incandescent illumination system for use in applications which require a reliable, high output light source such as heliport markers, runway lights, warning lights, road hazard and obstruction lights. The required elements of the invention are a battery to provide an energy source, a DC/DC converter to step up the battery voltage to a level required to drive a high output light source. The DC/DC converter is driven by a controller which generates a pulse stream to the DC/DC converter based upon inputs from a soft start circuit, a filament temperature sensor, an optical spectrum sensor, a power sensor and a filament break sensor. The optical spectrum sensor is coupled to the light source by a fiber optical element. An improvement in results in the performance of portable beacons by using high voltage lamps with low voltage batteries via voltage step-up electronics.

Abstract: A power supply for a magnetron generating a DC output having a low voltage ripple content at the power supply output for energizing the magnetron. The power supply includes a voltage and current controlled regulator circuit transmitting an output signal having a voltage level and current level established according to the voltage across the magnetron and the current flowing through the magnetron. The ripple content of the power supply output is less than approximately 5-7% and causes the magnetron to operate in a relatively narrow bandwidth of approximately .+-.5 Megahertz. In one embodiment, an output of an induced sawtooth waveform is generated by turning on and turning off an AC supply to the power supply circuit to induce a ripple voltage for causing the magnetron to enter the correct operating frequency. In another embodiment, a regulator circuit generates a square wave signal having a period of oscillation based on the current flowing through the magnetron.