Fluorescent lamp apparatus including inverter circuit and reflector

Claim 1

A circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp from a direct current power supply comprising, in combination, an elongated fluorescent lamp having an electrode at each end, a pair of switching transistors each having base, emitter and collector terminals, a ferrous core, primary and secondary windings wound on said core, said transistors being connected in parallel with said primary winding and selectively controlling energization thereof, a feedback winding wound on said core connected to said transistors controlling operation of said transistors, lamp output conductors connected to said secondary winding and said lamp electrodes, an elongated concave-convex metallic reflector disposed adjacent said lamp substantially parallel and concentric thereto, said reflector forming a series portion of said lamp output conductors and the proximity thereof to said lamp decreasing the voltage required to initiate an arc within said lamp, direct current supply conductors connected to said primary winding through said transistors, resistor means connected to said feedback winding and iNterposed between said direct current power supply conductors having a value sufficient to start said transistors conducting under low temperature conditions.