Discharge lamp ignitor which adjusts the amplitude of ignition pulses
First Claim
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1. An ignitor circuit for igniting a gas discharge lamp, said circuit comprising:
- pulse generating means for generating pulsatory voltages;
amplifying means for amplifying the pulsatory voltages from said pulse generating means to ignition pulses for the discharge lamp;
first, measuring means for measuring the amplitude of the ignition pulses from said amplifying means; and
second means for changing the pulsatory voltages from said pulse generating means for changing the amplitude of the ignition pulses from said amplifying means in dependence on the amplitude of the ignition pulses measured by said measuring means.
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Abstract
An ignitor circuit for a gas discharge lamp includes a transformer and means for generating pulsatory voltages across a primary winding of the transformer to generate ignition pulses by means of a secondary winding of the transformer. The ignitor circuit further includes first means for measuring an amplitude of the ignition pulses, and second means for changing the pulsatory voltage across the primary winding, and thus changing the amplitude of the ignition pulses, in dependence on the measured amplitude of the ignition pulses. The ignitor circuit is capable of generating a suitable ignition pulse over a wide range of connection cable lengths.
10 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An ignitor circuit for igniting a gas discharge lamp, said circuit comprising:
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pulse generating means for generating pulsatory voltages; amplifying means for amplifying the pulsatory voltages from said pulse generating means to ignition pulses for the discharge lamp; first, measuring means for measuring the amplitude of the ignition pulses from said amplifying means; and second means for changing the pulsatory voltages from said pulse generating means for changing the amplitude of the ignition pulses from said amplifying means in dependence on the amplitude of the ignition pulses measured by said measuring means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ignitor circuit for operation with a transformer connected to a gas discharge lamp, said ignitor comprising:
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pulse generating means for generating voltage pulses of a predetermined pulse width for application to the transformer, the transformer amplifying the voltage pulses into ignition pulses for the discharge lamp; first, measuring means for measuring the ignition pulses from the transformer; and second means coupled to said measuring means and pulse generating means for increasing the pulse width of said voltage pulses from said pulse generating means if the ignition pulses measured by said measuring means have an amplitude below a predetermined minimum value. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification