Patent ID: 7091676
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for supplying a supplemental power to the arc of a gas lamp powered by a inverter ballast responsive to instability of a main power supply comprising: a rechargeable battery; a battery charger; a high frequency inverter ballast for supplying power directly to the gas lamp, selectively connectable to the lamp upon a signal indicating instability of the mains power supply to the lamp; an isolation filter interposed between the lamp inverter ballast and the lamp whereby said high frequency inverter ballast is connected to the lamp intermediate the isolation filter and the lamp; a monitor circuit for monitoring the waveform of the mains power supply to the lamp inverter ballast, the monitor circuit detecting and storing a plurality of successive data points representing the waveform and detecting and storing a plurality of successive data points of the next successive waveform, means for comparing successive corresponding data points of the waveform and the next successive waveforms and initiating the operation of the high frequency inverter ballast to supply power to the lamp upon the identification of a predetermined number of consecutive data points of the next successive waveform which deviate by more than a predetermined value from the corresponding stored data points of the waveform.