Patent ID: 6034485
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A61L,C02F,H05B

Abstract:
A low-voltage, non-thermionic, ballast-free gas discharge light-producing system comprising at least one gas discharge device with electrodes spaced in a gaseous discharge medium, a light transmissive envelope confining the gaseous discharge medium at a predetermined pressure between said electrodes, and a power supply, said power supply including a direct current source, a solid state switch means connected between said direct current source and said electrodes and resonant LC free means connecting said solid state switch means to said electrodes, said solid state switch means being operated to generate a substantially square wave alternating current voltage at said electrodes so that the voltage applied to the gaseous medium between said electrodes reverses polarity more rapidly than the pattern of electron and ion density in the tube can shift and electrons throughout the length of the envelope are continually accelerated and will, through several cycles of said square wave voltage create ions throughout the envelope's volume, in steady state operation.