The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1996
Andreas Huber, Maisach, DE;
Josef Osterried, Ottobrunn, DE;
Abstract
An auxiliary or ballast circuit for high-frequency operation of discharge mps (E), for example sodium high pressure discharge lamps, provides for controlled inrush or 'ON current' by including a thyristor (TH1) or pair of thyristors (TH2, TH3) in the current supply path to the discharge lamp (E) integrated into a combination active filter-voltage step-up circuit. The gate of the thyristor (TH1) or a pair of thyristors (TH2, TH3) is, or are, controlled over a resistance (R2, R3, R4) connected to the output capacitor (C2) of the filter-voltage step-up circuit to fire the thyristor when input voltage goes through null, and the output capacitor (C2) has a predetermined voltage level above the input voltage. The output capacitor (C2), before firing, is charged by a charge control resistor (R1) connected in parallel across the anode-cathode path of the thyristor or thyristors. Thus, a maximum controlled inrush current is provided independent of ambient temperature or temperature of a NTC resistor and not requiring a relay.