Patent ID: 7196476
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A method for designing an electrode for a fluorescent lamp, the method comprising: providing a first fluorescent lamp containing a first electrode of a first electrode type; receiving a first electrical signal from an output terminal of a first operational amplifier, wherein the first operational amplifier has a first input terminal that is electrically coupled to a first conductive sleeve that surrounds a portion of the first fluorescent lamp that contains the first electrode; determining from the first electrical signal a first magnitude of a cathode fall potential associated with the first electrode; providing a second fluorescent lamp containing a second electrode of a second electrode type, the second electrode type being different from the first electrode type; receiving a second electrical signal from an output terminal of a second operational amplifier, wherein the second operational amplifier has a first input terminal that is electrically coupled to a second conductive sleeve that surrounds a portion of the second fluorescent lamp that contains the second electrode; determining from the second electrical signal a second magnitude of a cathode fall potential associated with the second electrode; and identifying a preferred electrode type based on the first and second magnitudes of cathode fall potential.