Ramakrishnan Venkatraman

Title: Ramakrishnan Venkatraman: Innovator in Electronic Ballast Technology

Introduction

Ramakrishnan Venkatraman is a notable inventor based in Aurora, IL (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of electronic ballast technology, holding a total of 3 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the efficiency and functionality of electronic ballasts used in lighting systems.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is for an "Electronic ballast with higher startup voltage." This invention includes a converter with a switching circuit that responds to a switching control signal and is operably connected to a DC bus. A DC controller compares a sensed DC bus voltage signal with a reference DC bus voltage signal to generate the switching control signal. Additionally, a startup adjustor is operably connected to the DC controller to adjust the sensed and reference DC bus voltage signals for a predetermined time at startup, ensuring that the startup DC bus voltage is greater than the steady-state DC bus voltage.

Another significant patent is the "Symmetric cancelling anti-striation circuit." This striation correction circuit applies a first striation correction current to the first fluorescent lamp and a second striation correction current to the second fluorescent lamp. The first voltage across the first fluorescent tube, due to the first striation correction current, is substantially similar in magnitude but has inverted polarity compared to the second voltage across the second fluorescent tube. This innovation facilitates the detection of an end-of-life condition of a fluorescent lamp.

Career Highlights

Ramakrishnan Venkatraman is currently employed at Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V., where he continues to develop innovative solutions in lighting technology. His expertise in electronic ballasts has positioned him as a key contributor to advancements in this area.

Collaborations

He has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Michael Y Zhang and Amr Ghazala, to further enhance the development of electronic ballast technologies.

Conclusion

Ramakrishnan Venkatraman's contributions to electronic ballast technology through his patents demonstrate his commitment to innovation in the field. His work not only improves lighting efficiency but also addresses critical issues in fluorescent lamp technology.