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:
Nov. 07, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 06, 1999
John G Konopka, Deer Park, IL (US);
Sameer Sodhi, Palatine, IL (US);
Osram Sylvania Inc., Danvers, MA (US);
Abstract
An arrangement for protecting low-voltage control circuitry from externally applied high voltages comprises a voltage source (30) and a current-sourcing circuit (40). Current-sourcing circuit (40) provides current to an external controller (18) in a normal manner when an external source of high voltage is not applied to the output connections (42,44), protects itself (40) and the voltage source (30) from damage when an external source of high voltage is applied to the output connections (42,44), and provides current to the external controller (18) in a normal manner after the external source of high voltage is subsequently removed from the output connections (42,44). The arrangement may be employed as the dimming interface circuit (900) of an electronic dimming ballast (60) for gas discharge lamps to protect ballast circuitry from damage due to wiring errors during installation.