US5177408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Startup circuit for electronic ballasts for instant-start lamps
Assignee: Pwer Bridge LLC
•
Filing: 1991-07-19
•
Granted: 1993-01-05
•
Expires: 2011-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A start-up delay circuit for an electronic ballast for "instant-start" type fluorescent lamps of the type having an electronic converter powered by an active electronic preregulator. The converter is an inductive-capacitive parallel-resonant push-pull circuit or other type of current-fed power-resonant circuit. The preregulator may be a boost-type. The start-up circuit may be either a resistor and zener diode or resistor, capacitor and diac network or programmable unijunction transistor circuit connected between the preregulator output and an oscillation-enabling input of the converter.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio Marques
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:07
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/36; H02M1/42; H02M1/4208; H02M1/4225; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/26; H05B41/28; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
In an electronic ballast of the type having an electronic converter powered by an active electronic preregulator that takes a predetermined start-up time to reach steady state operating conditions, the improvement in combination therewith comprising delay means connected between the preregulator and the converter for delaying the start-up of the converter for a predetermined delay time after electrical power is supplied to the ballast, the delay time being longer than the start-up time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
In an electronic ballast of the type having an electronic converter powered by an active electronic preregulator that takes a predetermined start-up time to reach steady state operating conditions, the improvement in combination therewith comprising delay means connected between the preregulator and the converter for delaying the start-up of the converter for a predetermined delay time after electrical power is supplied to the ballast, the delay time being longer than the start-up time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 1 wherein the preregulator comprises a boost circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 1 wherein the converter comprises a current-fed power-resonant circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 1 wherein the converter comprises an inductive-capacitive parallel-resonant, push-pull circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 4 wherein the delay means comprises a resistor and zener diode network connected between the preregulator output and an oscillation-enabling input of the converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 4 wherein the delay means comprises a resistor, capacitor and diac network connected between the preregulator output and an oscillation-enabling input of the converter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved electronic ballast of claim 4 wherein the delay means comprises a programmable unijunction transistor circuit connected between the preregulator output and an oscillation-enabling input of the converter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of starting an electronic ballast of the type having an active electronic preregulator that takes a predetermined start-up time to reach steady state operating condition supplying power to a self-resonant electronic converter, the method comprising the steps of applying power to a power input of the preregulator; and delaying oscillation of the electronic converter for a period longer than the start-up time, such that the preregulator achieves substantially steady-state output.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of starting an electronic ballast of the type having an active electronic preregulator that takes a predetermined start-up time to reach steady state operating condition supplying power to a self-resonant electronic converter, the method comprising the steps of applying power to a power input of the preregulator; and delaying oscillation of the electronic converter for a period longer than the start-up time, such that the preregulator achieves substantially steady-state output.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |