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. 27, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 26, 2010
Junichi Hasegawa, Kashiwara, JP;
Takeshi Goriki, Yawata, JP;
Junichi Hasegawa, Kashiwara, JP;
Takeshi Goriki, Yawata, JP;
Panasonic Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An electronic ballast is provided for improved startup and powering of a high pressure discharge lamp. The ballast includes an inverter, a starting circuit for generating a high voltage to ignite the lamp, a controller for controlling an operating frequency of the inverter from startup to steady-state lamp operation, and a lamp output detection circuit. The controller controls the inverter in association with one or more of a first phase in which the starting circuit generates the high voltage and causes dielectric breakdown between the lamp electrodes, a second phase in which an electrode heating operation is performed after dielectric breakdown and a third phase in which steady-state operation of the lamp is performed. A lamp output determination is performed at a predetermined time before shifting to the third phase, and upon determining that the lamp is ignited the second phase is inserted.