Ignition device
First Claim
1. An ignition circuit arrangement for the ignition of a gas-discharge lamp with which there is associated a supply circuit for providing an ac supply voltage (UN) to the lamp, comprising:
- an ignition transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, a trigger circuit electrically coupled to the primary side, the lamp electrically coupled to the secondary side, said ignition transformer configured to transmit an ignition pulse;
an input energy source for the ignition trigger circuit;
a first switch in the trigger circuit;
a voltage source, in series with the lamp, configured to provide an additional electrical supply during the ignition process beyond the AC supply of the lamp to assist in the ignition process of the lamp;
a controller configured to control the first switch, said controller is further configured to control said voltage source during the ignition process of the lamp; and
a current path configured to bypass the gas-discharge lamp for charging the voltage source, said current path comprises a second switch controlled by the controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ignition circuit arrangement and method for a discharge lamp, with which there is associated a supply circuit for providing an ac supply voltage to the lamp, includes an ignition transformer which is connected to a trigger circuit on the primary side and to the lamp on the secondary side for transmitting an ignition pulse; an input energy source for the ignition trigger circuit; a first switch means in the trigger circuit and a control means which actuates the first switch means. To assist with the ignition process, an energy storage means controllable by the control means, in particular a voltage source controllable by the control means, is arranged in the supply circuit in series with the gas-discharge lamp. The controllable energy storage means serves to provide an additional energy supply during the ignition process beyond the actual ac supply for the lamp.
10 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An ignition circuit arrangement for the ignition of a gas-discharge lamp with which there is associated a supply circuit for providing an ac supply voltage (UN) to the lamp, comprising:
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an ignition transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, a trigger circuit electrically coupled to the primary side, the lamp electrically coupled to the secondary side, said ignition transformer configured to transmit an ignition pulse; an input energy source for the ignition trigger circuit; a first switch in the trigger circuit; a voltage source, in series with the lamp, configured to provide an additional electrical supply during the ignition process beyond the AC supply of the lamp to assist in the ignition process of the lamp; a controller configured to control the first switch, said controller is further configured to control said voltage source during the ignition process of the lamp; and a current path configured to bypass the gas-discharge lamp for charging the voltage source, said current path comprises a second switch controlled by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of igniting a gas-discharge lamp which in operation is supplied with electrical energy by means of an ac supply circuit, said method comprising:
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generating at least one ignition pulse by means of an ignition circuit arrangement having an ignition transformer charging a controllable energy storage means, coupled in series with the gas discharge lamp, configured to provide an additional electrical supply during the ignition process beyond the AC supply of the lamp to assist with the ignition process prior to the production of the at least one ignition pulse; and superimposing at least a part of the energy stored in the controllable energy storage means on the ac supply of the lamp in the ignition process; wherein a charging current path configured to bypass the gas-discharge lamp is connected for charging the chargeable energy storage means prior to the production of the at least one ignition pulse, wherein said charging current path is interrupted prior to the production of the first ignition pulse, said charging current path comprising a switch controlled by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification