摘要:
The present invention relates to a circuit configuration for starting and operating at least one discharge lamp (15, 15') having an inverter comprising at least one first (11) and a second main transistor (20) in a half-bridge arrangement, having a transformer and a first and a second control circuit for controlling the first main transistor, wherein each control circuit comprises an interval timer (32 to 40; 32' to 40') the time constants of which vary as a function of the voltage present at the input of each interval timer, each interval timer (32 to 40; 32' to 40') comprising at least one first auxiliary transistor (35; 35'), the control electrode of the first auxiliary transistor (35; 35') being coupled to the center point of a frequency-dependent voltage divider comprising at least an inductor (33; 33') and an ohmic resistor (34; 34'), the voltage dropping at the ohmic resistor (34; 34') being coupled to the control section of the first auxiliary transistor (35' 35'), at least one interval timer (32 to 40; 32' to 40') comprising a second auxiliary transistor (38; 38') connected in parallel to the associated inductor (33; 33'), and the second auxiliary transistor (38; 38') comprising a control circuit designed to bridge the associated inductor (33; 33') as a function of the voltage on the associated secondary winding of the transformer by the second auxiliary transistor (38;38').
摘要:
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate sensing a pulse in a ballast circuit for a lamp when the lamp is in an end-of-life (EOL) stage or when the lamp is experiencing an arcing conduction condition, such as may occur when a contact between the lamp and its holder is compromised. Upon sensing the pulse, a micro controller may distinguish between EOL and arcing conditions based on detected pulse width(s), and may initiate an appropriate response. For instance, if the pulse is due to an arcing event, the micro controller may interrupt lamp operation for a brief period before restarting the lamp to mitigate the arcing condition. If the pulse is caused by an EOL condition, the micro controller may place the lamp in a preheat or restarting mode to hasten lamp failure. In either case, responses to the sensed pulse mitigate the occurrence of dangerously high lamp temperatures that may damage lamp sockets.
摘要:
A ballast (20) for powering one or more gas discharge lamps comprises an Inverter (200) and a lamp fault protection circuit (400). Inverter (200) has an operating frequency that is load-dependent. Lamp fault protection circuit (400) monitors an electrical signal within inverter. In response to a change In the fundamental frequency of the electrical signal, such as what occurs when a lamp is removed, when a lamp approaches the end of Its operating life, or when an arcing condition occurs at one or more of the ballast output connections, lamp fault protection circuit (400) disables the inverter (200) for a predetermined shutdown period. Lamp fault protection circuit (400) also provides a restart function for periodically attempting to ignite and operate the lamps. Additionally, -in response to a sustained fault condition, lamp fault protection circuit (400) increases the predetermined shutdown period so as to minimize any undesirable effects due to the restart function.
摘要:
A DC-AC converter in a half bridge configuration is used for operation with high pressure discharge lamps as well as low pressure discharge lamps. The converter consists in two switches (T1-T2) serially connected through a first series of diodes (D1, D2) and a second series of diodes (D3,D4) to which at their middle points (N1, N2) a first and a second lamp loads (Ll,L2,LA1,LA2) are connected. Furthermore, the second terminals of the lamp loads are connected to the middle point of a series of capacitors (C3,C4) which are also connected to the terminals (Ki,K2) of the supply voltage source. The converter includes also four diodes (D5,D6,D7,D8) which shunt the switches (T1,T2) and their respective series of diodes (Dl,D2,D3,D4) . The switches (T1,T2) are controlled by a controller (CC) which renders alternatively conductive at low frequency the two switches (Ti,T2). In the first operating state, the first switch (T1) is rendered conductive and non-conductive at a high-frequency while the second switch (T2) is maintained in a non-conductive state, in the second operating state the second switch (T2) is rendered conductive and non-conductive at high-frequency while the first switch (T1) is maintained in a non-conductive state. The series of two capacitors (C3,C4) can be replaced by a series of two switches (T3,T4) in order to obtain a full bridge configuration of the converter. The particular configuration of the network and its operating mode allow to drive the lamp loads in such a way that the difference in power consumed by the lamps is comparatively small.
摘要:
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for a starting unit of a discharge lamp (1) having a spark gap, which is formed from three or more electrodes (11) and which is connected in series to the primary winding (8) of a superimposed transformer (3) and to a pulse capacitor (9). The invention provides that the electrodes (11) have a cylindrical design, the cylinder axes (12) being situated adjacent and parallel to one another and, to be precise, in such a manner that a multistage spark air gap is formed perpendicular to the cylinder axes (12). The invention also relates to a starting unit for a high-pressure discharge lamp.