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. 19, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 12, 2001
Jerry M. Kramer, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining which power frequencies applied to a high-intensity discharge lamp cause arc instabilities therein. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a current signal that periodically sweeps through a plurality of frequencies during a sweep time period, amplifying the current signal, inputting the amplified current signal into a high intensity discharge lamp so as to effect application of power frequencies to the lamp, determining the power frequencies of the current signal that cause arc instabilities in the high intensity discharge lamp, and determining the minimum power level of the arc instability-producing power frequencies required to cause arc instabilities. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a signal generating device that produces a current signal that periodically sweeps through a plurality of frequencies during a sweep time period, an amplifier for amplifying the current signal, means for inputting the amplified current signal into a high intensity discharge lamp so as to effect the application of power frequencies to the lamp, and a signal processing device for determining which of the power frequencies applied to the lamp cause arc instability and the minimum power level of these power frequencies required to cause arc instabilities.