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:
Oct. 15, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2001
David J. Kachmarik, Strongsville, OH (US);
Louis R. Nerone, Brecksville, OH (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a lighting system powered by a system power source. The lighting system includes a ballast in operative connection with the system power source where the ballast is designed to generate a lamp input signal. A lamp input line is operatively connected to receive the lamp input signal. Further, a gas discharge lamp is in operative connection to the lamp input line configured to receive the lamp input signal. An amplitude modulation circuit is then placed in operative connection to the lamp input line, where the amplitude modulation circuit is configured to periodically modulate amplitudes of the lamp input signal prior to the lamp input signal being received by the gas discharge lamp. Operation of the amplitude modulation circuit results in a periodic amplitude modulation of the lamp input signal and eliminating visual striations otherwise occurring in the lamp.