Patent ID: 6091210
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
An electronic ballast for a high intensity discharge load, comprising:A) electricity source means for delivering a direct voltage including positive and negative outputs;B) inductive means having two contacts and one of said contacts being connected to said positive output;C) a diode having P and N elements with said P element connected to the other contact of said inductive means;D) oscillator means adapted to provide an oscillating signal and said oscillator means includes first and second electronic switching means each having drain and source connections, said first and second electronic switching means having a common connection point with a source of said first switching means connected to the drain of said second switching means, said common connection being connected to said N element and the source of said second switching means being connected to said negative output, and said first electronic switching means further including a freewheel diode connected in series;E) a charging capacitor adapted to apply a periodic voltage and said charging capacitor being connected between the drain of said first switching means and the source of said second switching means so that the voltage stored in said inductive means is periodically transferred to said charging capacitor through said freewheel diode resulting in a voltage applied to said common connection that is higher than the peak voltage provided by said electricity source means; andF) means for providing a resonant frequency to said oscillator means including a gas lamp load and said means for providing a resonant frequency being connected across said first and second switching means.