Fast reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a fast reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp comprising:
- a ballast operatively coupled to said lamp, and configured to receive power from a power supply;
a timer circuit configured to enter a timing phase and produce a quantum of timing information when said lamp ceases to receive power from said power supply; and
a control circuit configured to receive said quantum of timing information and permit said ballast to restrike said lamp based on said quantum of timing information;
wherein said timer circuit is powered internally during said timing phase;
wherein said timer circuit further comprises a resistive-capacitive circuit configured to be charged by said power supply when said lamp is receiving power from said power supply, to discharge when said timer circuit is in said timing phase, and to output a timer voltage; and
wherein said control circuit is configured to permit said ballast to restrike said lamp when said timer voltage drops below a predetermined level which indicates that a cool-down period of said lamp has elapsed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide for the rapid reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for a fast reigntion of a high intensity discharge lamp is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a ballast operatively coupled to the lamp that is configured to receive power from a power supply. The apparatus is also comprised of a timer circuit that enters a timing phase and produces a quantum of timing information when the lamp ceases receiving power from the power supply. This timer circuit does not require external power during the timing phase. The apparatus is additionally comprised of a control circuit that receives the timing information and permits the ballast to reignite the lamp based on the information.
69 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a fast reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp comprising:
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a ballast operatively coupled to said lamp, and configured to receive power from a power supply; a timer circuit configured to enter a timing phase and produce a quantum of timing information when said lamp ceases to receive power from said power supply; and a control circuit configured to receive said quantum of timing information and permit said ballast to restrike said lamp based on said quantum of timing information; wherein said timer circuit is powered internally during said timing phase; wherein said timer circuit further comprises a resistive-capacitive circuit configured to be charged by said power supply when said lamp is receiving power from said power supply, to discharge when said timer circuit is in said timing phase, and to output a timer voltage; and wherein said control circuit is configured to permit said ballast to restrike said lamp when said timer voltage drops below a predetermined level which indicates that a cool-down period of said lamp has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for a fast reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp comprising:
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a ballast operatively coupled to said lamp, and configured to receive power from a power supply; and a resistive-capacitive timer circuit configured to be charged by said power supply, discharge when said lamp ceases to receive power from said power supply, and output a timer voltage; wherein said ballast will not strike said lamp if said timer voltage is above a predetermined voltage level; wherein said timer circuit further comprises a resistive-capacitive circuit configured to be charged by said power supply when said lamp is receiving power from said power supply, to discharge when said timer circuit is in said timing phase, and to output a timer voltage; and wherein said control circuit is configured to permit said ballast to restrike said lamp when said timer voltage drops below a predetermined level which indicates that a cool-down period of said lamp has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for a fast reignition of a high intensity discharge lamp comprising the steps of:
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shifting a timer circuit into a timing phase when said lamp has ceased to receive power from a power supply; producing a quantum of timing information using an internally powered timer system during said timing phase; and limiting a ballast from re-striking said lamp for a time period based at least in part on said quantum of timing information; wherein said timer circuit further comprises a resistive-capacitive circuit configured to be charged by said power supply when said lamp is receiving power from said power supply, to discharge when said timer circuit is in said timing phase, and to output a timer voltage; and wherein a control circuit is configured to permit said ballast to restrike said lamp when said timer voltage drops below a predetermined level which indicates that a cool-down period of said lamp has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification