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Fluorescent-lamp excitation circuit using a piezoelectric acoustic transformer and methods for using same

  • US 5,548,189 A
  • Filed: 06/07/1995
  • Issued: 08/20/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A circuit for operating a fluorescent lamp from a DC power source, the circuit comprising:

  • a regulator having an input coupled to the DC power source, an output, and a control terminal for receiving a feedback signal to control current produced at the output;

    a DC-to-AC converter, having a ceramic transformer, coupled to the output of the regulator, for producing at an output terminal an AC signal sufficient to cause the fluorescent lamp to emit light; and

    a monitoring element for monitoring a current indicative of current conducted by the fluorescent lamp and for generating a feedback signal indicative of current conducted by the fluorescent lamp, the feedback signal being coupled to the regulator to cause the light emitted by the lamp to be regulated.

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