Walker Magnetics Group, Inc.

Walker Power, Inc.

Richard M Dunham

The lamp ballasting apparatus disclosed herein is of the high-frequency switching type which operates from a DC supply and effects pulse-width modulation to control the level of energization of the lamp. A common mode choke interposed between the lamp and the modulating means provides a series inductance opposing rapid common mode changes in the currents flowing through the lamp leads. A fast semiconductor switch is interposed in the lamp circuit. A current transformer inductively linked to the lamp leads generates a control signal having an amplitude which is a function of the difference of the current flowing in the leads and this control signal operates the switch when the current difference rises above a preselected level indicating an arcing condition.

Arc interrupting lamp ballast

In the ion nitriding power supply disclosed herein, power to the discharge chamber is normally current-regulated by a pulse-width modulated current switching device effectively in series with a switching inverter which energizes the chamber, instantaneous current variations being smoothed by a series inductance which, together with the chamber, is shunted by a freewheeling diode. Incipient arcing is quickly extinguished by semiconductor switching devices incorporated in the inverter which, when energized simultaneously, shunt the chamber, instantaneous current limiting being provided by the series inductance. The shunt switching devices are triggered when the voltage across the discharge drops below a level indicative of the formation of an arc.

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Salisbury, NH, United States of America

Richard M Dunham