Importance

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Abstract

Ballast apparatus operates a HID lamp at high frequency and high power factor. Series-connected current-limiting input inductor and input capacitor connect across apparatus input and are tuned off resonance to pass predetermined lagging current. An additional input capacitor is connected across input terminals to that input power factor approaches unity. Full-wave diode bridge has input connected across series-connected input capacitor and filter capacitor connects across bridge rectifier output. During normal operation, the filter capacitor develops a DC potential which is current limited by series-connected inductor and capacitor. Inverter has input connected across filter capacitor and inverter an output that drives the HID lamp through a high-voltage generating and variable impedance resonant circuit. When HID lamp is not operating, resonant circuit impresses high voltage across lamp to start same in warm or cold condition and resonant circuit exhibits relatively low impedance which decreases current-limited potential across filter capacitor. When HID lamp is normally operating, resonant circuit exhibits relatively high impedance which increases DC potential across filter capacitor. Additional pair of series-connected diodes connect across bridge rectifier output and incandescent lamp connects between predetermined input terminal and voltage responsive control and switching means, which connects to interconnection of additional diodes. Voltage responsive switching means responds to decreased voltage across filter capacitor when HID lamp is not operating to energize standby incandescent lamp. When HID lamp is operating, voltage-responsive switching means responds to increased voltage across filter capacitor to maintain incandescent lamp de-energized.

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First Claim