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. 23, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 24, 2002
Flavia Borella, Santo Stefano Ticino, IT;
Ugo Moriconi, Dalmine, IT;
Albino Pidutti, Udine, IT;
Roberto Quaglino, Biella, IT;
Francesca Sandrini, Milan, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method manages lamp fault conditions in electronic ballasts for one or more gas discharge lamps. The method for fault management of electronic ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp includes the steps of: preheating the lamp filaments applying a low current for a predetermined time; igniting the lamp by increasing at a predetermined rate the voltage applied up to a predetermined strike value; monitoring the lamp current; repeating the steps of igniting the lamp and monitoring the lamp current for a predetermined numbers of times if the lamp current is over a predetermined threshold; and powering the lamp at normal operating conditions.