IP Library Granted Patent US 7,218,060
Granted Patent B1
US 7,218,060 · App. 11/370,280 · Granted May 15, 2007

Flyback ballast for fluorescent lamp

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,218,060
App. No.
11/370,280
Granted
May 15, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

A flyback ballast for fluorescent lamps is provided. A transformer is utilized to control the power delivered to the lamp. A first switch is coupled to the first winding of the transformer. A first filter is coupled to a second filter through a first terminal pair of a lamp. The second switch is coupled to the third switch through a second terminal pair of the lamp. A switching signal is provided to the first switch to control the power of the transformer delivered to the filters. A second switching signal and a third switching signal are provided to the second switch and the third switch respectively to control the power delivered to the lamp. No glow discharge is occurred during the preheating interval.

Claims (24)

1. A flyback ballast, comprising:

a transformer, having a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding;

a first switch coupled to the first winding of the transformer to form a flyback converter;

a first rectifier and a second rectifier coupled to the second winding and the third winding, respectively;

a first capacitor coupled to the first rectifier to form a first filter;

a second capacitor coupled to the second rectifier to form a second filter;

a second switch coupled to the first filter;

a third switch coupled to the second filter; and

wherein the first filter is coupled to the second filter through a first terminal pair of a lamp, the second switch is coupled to the third switch through a second terminal pair of the lamp, a switching signal is provided to the first switch to control the power of the transformer delivered to the first filter and the second filter, and a second switching signal and a third switching signal are provided to the second switch and the third switch respectively for controlling the power delivered to the lamp.

2. The flyback ballast as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the energy is stored into the transformer when the first switch is turned on, and the energy is discharged to the second winding and the third winding once the first switch is turned off.

3. The flyback ballast as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flyback converter delivers a first range of the power to the first filter and the second filter during the preheating interval, in which the second switch is on and the third switch is to perform on/off switching to preheat the lamp.

4. The flyback ballast as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flyback converter delivers a second range of the power to the first filter and the second filter under the normal operation, in which the second range of the power is higher than the first range of the power.

5. The flyback ballast as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second switch and the third switch are interchangeably switched on during normal operation.

6. A ballast, comprising:

a transformer having a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding;

a first switch coupled to the first winding of the transformer;

a first filter and a second filter coupled to the second winding and the third winding, respectively;

a second switch coupled to the first filter;

a third switch coupled to the second filter; and

wherein the first filter is coupled to the second filter through a first terminal pair of a lamp, the second switch is coupled to the third switch through a second terminal pair of the lamp, a switching signal is provided to the first switch to control the power of the transformer delivered to the first filter and the second filter, a second switching signal and a third switching signal are provided to the second switch and the third switch respectively to control the power delivered to the lamp.

7. The ballast as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the energy is stored into the transformer when the first switch is turned on, and the energy is discharged to the second winding and the third winding once the first switch is turned off.

8. The ballast as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a first range of power is delivered to the first filter and the second filter during the preheating interval, in which the second switch is turned on and the third switch is to perform on/off switching to preheat the lamp.

9. The ballast as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a second range of power is delivered to the first filter and the second filter for the normal operation, in which the second range of the power is higher than the first range.

10. The ballast as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the second switch and the third switch are interchangeably switched on for the normal operation.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT RECORDED AT REEL 046410, FRAME 0933 Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC; FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064072/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 22, 2018
From: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046410/0933 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2017
From: FAIRCHILD (TAIWAN) CORPORATION (FORMERLY SYSTEM GENERAL CORPORATION)
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042328/0318 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 8, 2016
From: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
To: FAIRCHILD (TAIWAN) CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038906/0030 →