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:
Sep. 24, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2001
Walter C. Lovell, Wilbraham, MA (US);
Edward Duhon, Setauket, NY (US);
Sheldon B. Brooks, Kings Park, NY (US);
Dana Geiger, Port Washington, NY (US);
Tapeswitch Corporation, Farmingdale, NY (US);
Abstract
A fluorescent illuminating apparatus includes an inductive-resistive structure that induces fluorescence in a fluorescent lamp when an electric current is passed through the inductive-resistive structure while an electric potential is applied across the fluorescent lamp A source of rippled/pulsed direct current is responsive to a control sub-circuit, which outputs a lamp voltage signal representative of the electric potential to be applied to the fluorescent lamp. A power supply sub-circuit is responsive to the control sub-circuit and imposes the electric potential at the value indicated by the lamp voltage signal. A method of inducing fluorescence includes passing a current through an inductive structure adjacent to a fluorescent lamp. An alternating current drive circuit for illuminating the fluorescent lamp includes a source of rippled/pulsed DC voltage, a polarity-reversing circuit and a controller connected to the polarity-reversing circuit, which periodically generates a signal to reverse the polarity of the voltage applied to the lamp. The electric potential applied to the fluorescent lamp is delayed for a first time period until the fluorescent lamp heats to a first temperature. The electric potential is then applied to the fluorescent lamp at a first level, and delays to allow the value of the rippled/pulsed direct current to stabilize. The direct current is then measured, and the electric potential is applied to the fluorescent lamp at a second level. The value of the dimming voltage is measured, and the electric potential applied to the lamp is adjusted accordingly by varying its duty cycle.