CA2198173A1 - Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method - Google Patents
Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA2198173A1 CA2198173A1 CA002198173A CA2198173A CA2198173A1 CA 2198173 A1 CA2198173 A1 CA 2198173A1 CA 002198173 A CA002198173 A CA 002198173A CA 2198173 A CA2198173 A CA 2198173A CA 2198173 A1 CA2198173 A1 CA 2198173A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- micro
- controller
- voltage
- lamp
- intensity discharge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
- H05B41/288—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
- H05B41/2885—Static converters especially adapted therefor; Control thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
- H05B41/288—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
- H05B41/2881—Load circuits; Control thereof
- H05B41/2882—Load circuits; Control thereof the control resulting from an action on the static converter
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
- H05B41/288—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
- H05B41/2881—Load circuits; Control thereof
- H05B41/2882—Load circuits; Control thereof the control resulting from an action on the static converter
- H05B41/2883—Load circuits; Control thereof the control resulting from an action on the static converter the controlled element being a DC/AC converter in the final stage, e.g. by harmonic mode starting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
- H05B41/288—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
- H05B41/2885—Static converters especially adapted therefor; Control thereof
- H05B41/2887—Static converters especially adapted therefor; Control thereof characterised by a controllable bridge in the final stage
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
- H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
- H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
- H05B41/288—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
- H05B41/292—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
- H05B41/2928—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the lamp against abnormal operating conditions
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
- Y10S315/07—Starting and control circuits for gas discharge lamp using transistors
Abstract
The present invention is related to a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system. This system comprises the following elements: a boost pre-regulator means to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to facilitate proper lamp power regulation, an inverter means to convert the high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM modulated square wave voltage, a lamp matching network and filter means to convert the high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current facilitating the proper lamp power regulation, a lamp current and voltage sensing means to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across the high intensity discharge lamp and to feed the lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to facilitate proper functioning of the high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands provided to monitor and control all elements of this system. The micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to the boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust the high voltage DC bus. The micro-controller means is also adapted to send drive signals to the inverter means to generate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of the inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of the high intensity discharge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate acoustical resonance.
modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current facilitating the proper lamp power regulation, a lamp current and voltage sensing means to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across the high intensity discharge lamp and to feed the lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to facilitate proper functioning of the high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands provided to monitor and control all elements of this system. The micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to the boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust the high voltage DC bus. The micro-controller means is also adapted to send drive signals to the inverter means to generate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of the inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of the high intensity discharge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate acoustical resonance.
Description
MICRO-CONTROLLER-OPERATED HIGH INTENSlTY DISCHARGE LAMP
BALLAST SYSTEM AND METHOD
The present invention is related to high intensity discharge hmp electronic ballast, and more particularly to a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge hmp ballast system and method.
There is known US 5,381,076 related to a metal halide electronic ballast comprising a 5 power supply, metal halide hmp, inverter, resonant circuit, coupling capacitor, and a controller responsive to at least a predetermined set point control voltage and to output voltage of the resonant circuit.
There are also known electronic ballasts for metal halide lamps described by Faelmrich and Rash in the "Journal ofthe Illuminating F~ineering Society, Summer 1988" referrin~ to various 10 possibi1ities for operating metal halide hmps, and in particular going into details for de~in~: a ballast for double-ended HQI hmps with hot restrike charact~ri~i~ s One of such samples shows a typical block-diagram of electronic ballast for metal halide lamps with square wave hmp current comprising two invertors, limiting the lamp current and control circuitry.
Behaviour of metal halide lamps with conv~nti~nql and electronic ballasts have been described by Rash and Statnic in the "Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Summer 1991", and is related to reahzation of a regulated electronic ballast for the metal hahde lamp in a resonqnce-free frequency gap below the fim~qmPntql resonances, at frequencies that are 5 easily generated.
SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTION
Broadly, the present invention relates to a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system CO~)li:i ,g:
10 a boost pre-regulator means adapted to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to fq.~ilhqte a proper lamp power regulation;
an inverter means adapted to convert said high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a l~mp mqtrhing network and filter means adapted to convert said high frequency FM
15 modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current f~il*~q,ting the proper lamp power re~llqti-n;
a lamp current and voltage sensing means adapted to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp and to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to fP ilitqte proper functinnin~ of said high intensity discharge 20 lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commqn~ls provided to monitor and control all ~1 .". .~l ~ of said system.
In another embodiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high vohage DC bus, and said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to genarate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of said inverta means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate an acoustical resonqnce. Said micro-controller means further comprises a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all G~ '1 S and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system, and said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current.
In yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of proces~;ng said lamp current and said lamp voltage. Said system further co~ ;ses a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller means, and wherein said micro-controller is adapted to regulate the power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid ov~rheqtm~ of said inverter means, and as a result, ov~rhpqting of said complete system. Said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system.
In still another embodiment, said system further comprises:
an input RFI filter means adapted to filter out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means and a full-wave rectifier means adapted to convert an input line AC voltage into a rlloqting DC
voltage, wherein said p~ qting DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means. Said micro-controller means further comprising an in(li~in~ system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to in~ e various protection stqhlses ofthe co_plete 5 system, and said micro-controller means is adapted to automqtirally adjust the power fed through said inverter means to fqrilh,q,te the constant lamp power. The adjl1sting ofthe power fed to said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator feedb~q.~ loop of said boost pre-regulator means, and said lamp mqtr11ing network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up cltn.1hinn necç~cqry to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said start-up 10 c,r -- ~1*ion is provided by means of generating a high AC voltage on start up. Said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave configuration which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave configuration, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total hqrmonic distortion.
~n yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a micro-controller-operated 15 high intensity discharge lamp ballast method comprising the following steps:
converting a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus by means of a boost pre-regulator means adapted to fiqçilitqte a proper lamp power reglllqtion;
conveIting said high voltage DC bus by means of an inverter means into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp mqtrhing network and filter means;
20 converting said high frequency FM mo.lnlqted square wave vohtage by means of said lamp mqtrhin~ network and filter means into a high frequency FM modulated current frr.ilhr~in~ the proper lamp power re~llsti-n;
sensing a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp by means of a lamp current and lamp voltage sensing means adapted to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to ff~ilitqte proper fimcti-)ning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commqn~s adapted to monitor and control all c1~ of said system.
~n still another e~odiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high voltage DC bus, and said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to generate a high frequency ~I modulated gating and shaping of said inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp and to ehminate an acoustical resonance. Said micro-controller means fuIther co~lises a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all e1~nn~nts and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system, and said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current. Said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of processing said lamp current and said lamp voltage.
Tn yet another embodiment, said method further comprises a step of re~ ing ofthe power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means by means of a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller, wherein said micro-2198i 73 controller is adapted to regulate power supp]ied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid overhe?ting of said inverter means, and as a result, overheating ofthe complete and system. Said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system. Said method fulther comprises steps of:
fihering out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means by means of an input RE;I filter means;
converting and input line AC vokage into a plllcs~in~ DC voltage by means of a full-wave rectifier means, wherein said pnl~ ~i~ DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
In still another embodiment, said micro-controller means further comprises an indicating system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to infli~ate various protection st~tll~s ofthe complete system, and said micro-controller means is adapted to automqti~qlly adjust the power fed through said inverter means to f~cilit~te the constant lamp power. The adj lsti~ ofthe power fed through said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator fee~bac~ loop of said boost pre-regulator means, and said lamp mqt-~hin~ network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up conditinn necessary to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said staIt-up con~lhi~ n is provided by means of g~et~ring a high AC vokage on start up. Said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave coii~ alion which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave conli~u,alion, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total harmonic distortion.
~ ~ ~8 ~ 73 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWlNGS
Fig. 1 shows a general block-diagram of a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to the present invention.
Figs 2 and 3 shows a pre~elled embodiment ofthe electronic circuitry ofthe system shown on Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a flow-chart ofthe micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
I~efPrnng to drawings, Figs 1-3 show a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system CO~yli~g and input RFI filter 1 cnn~;~ting of capacitors C3, C4, and a di~e~ ial choke Ll (see Fig. 2) including a low-pass filter to smooth out the fast current pulses drawn by a boost pre-regulator stage. Such an arrangement permits the ballast to draw pure sine-wave current in conrm~tinn with the boost pre-regulator 3 . These components of input RFI fLker 15 1 in combination with capacitors C l, C2, C5, and resistor Rl shown on Fig. 2 provide fihering against conductive EMI from the ballast into the 120 volt Mains. F.lP.mPnt Vl provides voltage surge ~u~pression to the input ofthe ballast.
The AC Mains voltage is fed to a full-wave bridge rectifier 2 which produces full-waved rectified pnl~qting DC voltage. In this case, a cap~c;~Qr C8 (see Fig. 2) provides some smoothing 20 ofthis pul~sting voltage, especially at high frequPnc;es.
It must be emphs~i7~d that the input RFI Iter 1 and full-wave rectifier 2 are necescqry - 2 1 98 1 7~
only in case the power is supplied by AC utility lines. If the ballast is supplied by DC current from a stand-by battery, ~1F ..~ s 1 and 2 are not used and may be by-passed.
The ballast system ofthe present invention furt~her co~lises the boost pre-regulator and active power factor colle.ilion 3 consisting of e1ement~ Ul (see Fig. 3), L2, D8, Q2, Cl 1 (see Fig.
5 2) and associated components. One ofthe functions ofthe boost pre-regulator 3 is to convert the 170 V peak pulsating DC vokage to a re~llsted 400 V pure DC supply bus. In this case, the output reglllstic~n level is adjl~stqble and will be ~liecl~$sed later.
The boost pre-regulator 3 is a variable frequency PWM switching system that switches the inductor current to track the input AC half-wave shape. This provides an average inductor current 10 that is almost a perfect sine-wave after filt~nn~: by c~a-i~or C8 of Fig. 2 and the input RFI
filter 1. The inductor or ballast current is in phase with the input voltage. As a result, the Mains input "sees" a sine-wave inductor current in phase with sine-wave input voltage which provides to achieve near unity power factor with very low total hsrmr~nic distortion. Such an alTangement is a very important feature of the typical boost pre-regulator.
A voltage regulator loop of boost pre-regulator 3 fed through chip Ul (see Fig. 3) through OP-AMP chip U4c of Fig. 3 is controlled by a micro-controller chip U3 (Fig.3) which is used to autom~qti~qlly adjust the power fed through the inverter stage thus in~lnng constant lamp power.
Secondary and tertiary winding on boost inductor L2(see Fig.2) form a current 20 transformer action necessqry to supply in conjl- ~ction with voltage regulators Ql and U4 of Fig.3, current in two voltages (+15V and +5V) to all logic and low-voltage circuits 3A ofthe ballast system.
Boost pre-regulator allows to achieve a line power factor around 0.99 with total h~rmonic distortion under 5%, which, in combination with an inveIter 4, leads to a very power-effi~;Pnt ballast. Pre-regulator 3 also permits the ballast to keep the lamp to operate through several cycles 5 of Mains current drop-out, which provides constant lamp power over a very wide range of input line voltages.
As it was previously mPntionP~l it is possible to operate the boost pre-regulator and active power factor correction 3 (hence, the whole ballast system) with DC current instead of AC line voltage. In this case, ~le.~f ~~e of blocks 1 and 2 of Fig. 1 can be by-passed with DC fed to the 10 capacitor 8. However, those ~ s of blocks 1 and 2 may be left in place since the ballast can operate on either AC or DC inputs. DC operation is very useful in case no AC voltage is available, such as in e~ergf~cy battery operation, aboard a ship, etc.
The high voltage DC is fed to the inverter's 4 stage co~ligu~ed in half-bridge mode. The gate drive shaping and level shi~ing for the high-side is pe~ruI.lled in block 4A by means of chip 15 Ul which also introduces a dead time of luS to prevent cross-con~1ction ofthe power output MOSFETS Q3 and Q5 of Fig. 2. The high-side drive is performed by means of a boot-strap action of elements D9, C 15 and Q5(see Fig.2) at every switching period. The drive shaping IC chip Ul shown on Fig. 2 receives its signals from micro-controller U3 (Fig. 3) of block 8. Due to the nature ofthe half-bridge switching and the output lamp mqtching LCC filter network 5, the 20 MOSFET output c~ are always switched at zero voltage which conl~ e to low-loss "soft-switching" charactPrig~ s ofthe output stage.
-As a result, inverter 4 provides a high frequency FM modulated square-wave driving voltage to feed the lamp matching network 5 CO~li~g e1Pnl-pnts L3, C16 and C17 shown on Fig. 2. The lamp matching network 5 is provided to match the output on the inverter 4 to the high intensity discharge lamp. The inductor L3 and carac;~Qr C17 (see Fig.2) are provided to l~mit 5 current supplied to the lamp at the operating frequency. As a result, lamp mqt~hing network and filter 5 converts the high frequency FM m~ dn1qted square-wave voltage into a high frequency FM
modulated current that provides a proper power to the lamp. When there is no load resistance (the lamp is "o~'), upon a:~stn of a drive voltage to the LCC circuit of block 5, a very high voltage appears across the capacitor C16 of Fig. 2 due to the tuned resonance action ofthese 10 components. This high voltage is enough to strike an arc in the high intensity discharge tube.
~nce the arc is struck, the loaded "Q" of the LCC is sllffi~;qnt to mqintqin the proper arc current with the appropliale driving voltage. ln view ofthe LCC resonant starting, the arc is struck with a sine-wave voltage which poses much less stress on lamp electrodes and socket assembly as compared to conventional pulse starting. The fact that the l~mp is powered by a sine-wave current 15 and voltage which are in phase prolongs the life ofthe lamp's electrodes; this is also a very important feature ofthe present invention.
Components U4A with associated passive ~ shown on Fig. 3 form a peak detectinn circuit 6A that senses the voltage across the high intensity discharge arc tube. This voltage is properly scaled, rectified and l.ulr~ed to be fed into the _icro-controller's 8 voltage A/D chqnnPl 20 This DC voltage has a direct relation with arc tube voltage.
~imilqrly, e1enl~nt U4B with its associated passive components shown on Fig. 3 form a '- ~19~1 73 peak-detecting circuit 6 provided to sense the current across the metal halide arc tube. This current sensing circuit 6 is adapted to fq-ri1it~q~te scaling, rectifying and peak-detecting of the voltage across current tran~~ secondary of lamp inductor L3 (see Fig. 2). This DC voltage has a direct relation to the arc tube current that is also fed to the current A/D channel of the 5 micro-controller 8.
Integrated circuit or sensor Q4 shown on Fig. 2 forms an active OP-AMP temperature sensor 7 which produces a DC voltage in proportion to temperature. This DC voltage is fed to the temperature A/D channel ofthe micro-controller 8. Sensor Q4 is mounted beside the output power MOSFETS Q3 and Q5 (see Fig.2) ofthe inverter 4 and is provided to contimlqlly monitor 10 temperature ofthe power MOSFETS since those c~ s are the most prone to break down due to overhPqti~ If sensor Q4 is not used, a jumper is required between pins 2 and 3 of block 7 of Fig. 2.
The micro-controller 8 is the most essPntiql e1V -.. ~1 ofthe present invention and comprises a chip U3 (see Fig.3) which is adapted to fq.~ilhqte proper functinning ofthe complete ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands shown in the flow-chart of Fig. 4 and through de~1icated software codes shown in the enclosed Appendix co~lq.; il~g a sequence ofthose codes.
The micro-controller 8 provides the following functions:
Drive frequency and mod~ q~tion The inverter's 4 driving frequency is synthesised by means of micro-controller 8 through a look-up table program code. This synthesis is altered periodically to provide a sort of digital FM
Ll 98~ 73 modnlstinn that continuously shif~s the drive frequency about a center point. This system is very crucial for ol)lai..,. g stable operation of the arc lamp at high frequencies and for eliminating the phenomena known as "acoustic resonance" which is common to all high-intensity discharge lamps at high freql~n~;e~ The modlllsti-m is altered at lamp start-up to provide proper drive frequency 5 to achieve reson?-ce ofthe output LCC network that provides the high voltage necessar,vto strike the arc;
Lamp power re~ll,s,tion The DC voltage from the lamp current and lamp voltage shaping and buffer circuits 6 and 6A
are fed into 8-bit A/D converters in the micro-controller 8. The digital words corresponding to 10 actual lamp current and voltage are processed (multiplied) by software to produce an average lamp power function. This data is then compared to a pre-set value in memory. Since, in the high intensity discharge lamp, the arc voltage is a function of lamp }ife, any change in arc voltage is reflected back to this pre-cal~llsted lamp power fil~ m which also resides in ~ Ol~. As arc voltage increases, the micro-controller software outputs a 6-bit digital output which switches " in"
15 di~el~l resistor values in the boost pre-regulator DC feed~aclr loop. The result is that DC
voltage which is fed to the lamp inverter is ad~l~ted to reduce lamp arc current as arc voltage increases in order to obtain constant lamp power. If this is not done, lamp arc power will shoot up and, as a result, will shorten the lamp life and cause colour shii~ in the arc, which is highly undesirable. Also, on lamp start-up, the DC inverter voltage is s.-1Jmstecl purposely higher to 20 provide a higher arc current which would cause the lamp to run up to its operating point in a shorter length oftime. As a conc1~lcictn the micro-controller provides power re~llstion by means _ 2 1 ~8 1 73 of signals sent to boost pre-regulator through DC fee(lbac~ loop which adjust voltage fed to inverter. The main puIpose of such an arrangement is to obtain constant lamp power.
Protection system:
There are ~ l'OUS protection sub-rouli.,cs in the operating software ofthe present invention 5 which are provided to ensure proper operation of all e1~ and to prevent damage of the ballast system in the following manner:
- Tfthe arc does not strike within a predetermined length oftime, the micro-controller will put the ballast into a waiting mode for appro~i~lely 2 minutes. If this not done, the output stage inverter would be de~lloyed. A~er the waiting period is over the system will try to re-start the lamp. I~, 10 after lO re-start tries the arc is still not "on", the ballast will enter a "sleep" mode, and the system would have to be re-set by cycling the Mains power. This feature also protects the ballast if there is no lamp attached;
-In case the ballast lamp leads are shorted together (or if an incqn~escent lamp is attached), the system will go through the waiting state cycling routine as described above;
15 -The micro-controller software with IC chip U4D and associated components shown on Fig. 3 (Power-up Timer 7A of Fig. l) (along with an A/D channel) provide a power-on delay which provides a waiting-state of 45 seconds if the ballast Mains voltage is turned off and on more than once. This prevents damage of the ballast in the event that the Mains voltage is cycled off and on for whatever reason.
20 - The temperature sensor voltage is fed into another 8-bit A/D channel in the micro-controller and is loaded into ~ lloly which is a function ofthe actual ballast temperature. The software then 2 ~ 98 1 73 compares this data to pre-set values in ~ -ol~y, and if these values are exceeded, the ballast cuts back the DC inverter voltage which would cut back lamp power consequently lowering the temperature ofthe power components supplying power to the lamp. If a high temperature limit is reached, the micro-controller will shut down the drive to the lamp until the temperature drops back to a pre-set value. This monitoring system allows to protect the lamp, ballast and fixture against excessive temperatures.
4. Tnl1ic,q,tin~ system:
The in~lic~qting system may co~l;se visual or aural inllicatQrs which show various protection st~q.~l~es ofthe complete ballast system~ such as:
-lamp out-ofcircuit;
-lamp short-circuit;
-lamp hot-restrike;
-ballast over-temperature;
-ballast power-on delay;
-lamp arc ignition, etc.
Above are only a few appli~qtionc illustrating various ~ituqtion~ and these features can by tailored to suit the particular application at hand.
The present micro-controller-operated system has the following advantages if compared to all known systems:
- the electronic ballast according to the present invention allows to use a new low-wattage colour-corrected high intensity discharge lamps which are now available on the market. Using a micro-controller re~llqted system, these lamps would not be subject to undesirable colour-shi~ing which is inherent to all known high intensity discharge lamps;
- the new protection system incorporated into the ballast operating software facilitates a very reliable lamp-ballast combination by means of eliminating all common failure modes that known 5 electronically or magnetically ballasted systems would usually experience;
-the new in~ qting system provides a unique way of int~.rfq.~.~n~ the end-user with the lamp-ballast system making troubleshooting easier, and this system can be tailored for di~
applications;
- most importantly, the micro-controller driven system provides a high intensity discharge lamp 10 ballast which is reliable, versatile, upgradable, compact and cheap, since less parts are used for this new system.
Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been satisfied by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the Patent Stqt~ltes~ only the best mode and p~ e~led embo-l;...- .l~ ofthe present invention has been presented and described in detail, it 15 is to be lm~lerstQod that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation ofthe true scope and breadth ofthe invention, references should be made to the following claims.
BALLAST SYSTEM AND METHOD
The present invention is related to high intensity discharge hmp electronic ballast, and more particularly to a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge hmp ballast system and method.
There is known US 5,381,076 related to a metal halide electronic ballast comprising a 5 power supply, metal halide hmp, inverter, resonant circuit, coupling capacitor, and a controller responsive to at least a predetermined set point control voltage and to output voltage of the resonant circuit.
There are also known electronic ballasts for metal halide lamps described by Faelmrich and Rash in the "Journal ofthe Illuminating F~ineering Society, Summer 1988" referrin~ to various 10 possibi1ities for operating metal halide hmps, and in particular going into details for de~in~: a ballast for double-ended HQI hmps with hot restrike charact~ri~i~ s One of such samples shows a typical block-diagram of electronic ballast for metal halide lamps with square wave hmp current comprising two invertors, limiting the lamp current and control circuitry.
Behaviour of metal halide lamps with conv~nti~nql and electronic ballasts have been described by Rash and Statnic in the "Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Summer 1991", and is related to reahzation of a regulated electronic ballast for the metal hahde lamp in a resonqnce-free frequency gap below the fim~qmPntql resonances, at frequencies that are 5 easily generated.
SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTION
Broadly, the present invention relates to a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system CO~)li:i ,g:
10 a boost pre-regulator means adapted to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to fq.~ilhqte a proper lamp power regulation;
an inverter means adapted to convert said high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a l~mp mqtrhing network and filter means adapted to convert said high frequency FM
15 modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current f~il*~q,ting the proper lamp power re~llqti-n;
a lamp current and voltage sensing means adapted to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp and to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to fP ilitqte proper functinnin~ of said high intensity discharge 20 lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commqn~ls provided to monitor and control all ~1 .". .~l ~ of said system.
In another embodiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high vohage DC bus, and said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to genarate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of said inverta means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate an acoustical resonqnce. Said micro-controller means further comprises a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all G~ '1 S and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system, and said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current.
In yet another embodiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of proces~;ng said lamp current and said lamp voltage. Said system further co~ ;ses a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller means, and wherein said micro-controller is adapted to regulate the power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid ov~rheqtm~ of said inverter means, and as a result, ov~rhpqting of said complete system. Said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system.
In still another embodiment, said system further comprises:
an input RFI filter means adapted to filter out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means and a full-wave rectifier means adapted to convert an input line AC voltage into a rlloqting DC
voltage, wherein said p~ qting DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means. Said micro-controller means further comprising an in(li~in~ system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to in~ e various protection stqhlses ofthe co_plete 5 system, and said micro-controller means is adapted to automqtirally adjust the power fed through said inverter means to fqrilh,q,te the constant lamp power. The adjl1sting ofthe power fed to said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator feedb~q.~ loop of said boost pre-regulator means, and said lamp mqtr11ing network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up cltn.1hinn necç~cqry to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said start-up 10 c,r -- ~1*ion is provided by means of generating a high AC voltage on start up. Said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave configuration which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave configuration, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total hqrmonic distortion.
~n yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a micro-controller-operated 15 high intensity discharge lamp ballast method comprising the following steps:
converting a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus by means of a boost pre-regulator means adapted to fiqçilitqte a proper lamp power reglllqtion;
conveIting said high voltage DC bus by means of an inverter means into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp mqtrhing network and filter means;
20 converting said high frequency FM mo.lnlqted square wave vohtage by means of said lamp mqtrhin~ network and filter means into a high frequency FM modulated current frr.ilhr~in~ the proper lamp power re~llsti-n;
sensing a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp by means of a lamp current and lamp voltage sensing means adapted to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to ff~ilitqte proper fimcti-)ning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commqn~s adapted to monitor and control all c1~ of said system.
~n still another e~odiment ofthe present invention, said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high voltage DC bus, and said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to generate a high frequency ~I modulated gating and shaping of said inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp and to ehminate an acoustical resonance. Said micro-controller means fuIther co~lises a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all e1~nn~nts and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system, and said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current. Said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of processing said lamp current and said lamp voltage.
Tn yet another embodiment, said method further comprises a step of re~ ing ofthe power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means by means of a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller, wherein said micro-2198i 73 controller is adapted to regulate power supp]ied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid overhe?ting of said inverter means, and as a result, overheating ofthe complete and system. Said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system. Said method fulther comprises steps of:
fihering out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means by means of an input RE;I filter means;
converting and input line AC vokage into a plllcs~in~ DC voltage by means of a full-wave rectifier means, wherein said pnl~ ~i~ DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
In still another embodiment, said micro-controller means further comprises an indicating system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to infli~ate various protection st~tll~s ofthe complete system, and said micro-controller means is adapted to automqti~qlly adjust the power fed through said inverter means to f~cilit~te the constant lamp power. The adj lsti~ ofthe power fed through said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator fee~bac~ loop of said boost pre-regulator means, and said lamp mqt-~hin~ network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up conditinn necessary to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said staIt-up con~lhi~ n is provided by means of g~et~ring a high AC vokage on start up. Said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave coii~ alion which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave conli~u,alion, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total harmonic distortion.
~ ~ ~8 ~ 73 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWlNGS
Fig. 1 shows a general block-diagram of a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to the present invention.
Figs 2 and 3 shows a pre~elled embodiment ofthe electronic circuitry ofthe system shown on Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a flow-chart ofthe micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
I~efPrnng to drawings, Figs 1-3 show a micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system CO~yli~g and input RFI filter 1 cnn~;~ting of capacitors C3, C4, and a di~e~ ial choke Ll (see Fig. 2) including a low-pass filter to smooth out the fast current pulses drawn by a boost pre-regulator stage. Such an arrangement permits the ballast to draw pure sine-wave current in conrm~tinn with the boost pre-regulator 3 . These components of input RFI fLker 15 1 in combination with capacitors C l, C2, C5, and resistor Rl shown on Fig. 2 provide fihering against conductive EMI from the ballast into the 120 volt Mains. F.lP.mPnt Vl provides voltage surge ~u~pression to the input ofthe ballast.
The AC Mains voltage is fed to a full-wave bridge rectifier 2 which produces full-waved rectified pnl~qting DC voltage. In this case, a cap~c;~Qr C8 (see Fig. 2) provides some smoothing 20 ofthis pul~sting voltage, especially at high frequPnc;es.
It must be emphs~i7~d that the input RFI Iter 1 and full-wave rectifier 2 are necescqry - 2 1 98 1 7~
only in case the power is supplied by AC utility lines. If the ballast is supplied by DC current from a stand-by battery, ~1F ..~ s 1 and 2 are not used and may be by-passed.
The ballast system ofthe present invention furt~her co~lises the boost pre-regulator and active power factor colle.ilion 3 consisting of e1ement~ Ul (see Fig. 3), L2, D8, Q2, Cl 1 (see Fig.
5 2) and associated components. One ofthe functions ofthe boost pre-regulator 3 is to convert the 170 V peak pulsating DC vokage to a re~llsted 400 V pure DC supply bus. In this case, the output reglllstic~n level is adjl~stqble and will be ~liecl~$sed later.
The boost pre-regulator 3 is a variable frequency PWM switching system that switches the inductor current to track the input AC half-wave shape. This provides an average inductor current 10 that is almost a perfect sine-wave after filt~nn~: by c~a-i~or C8 of Fig. 2 and the input RFI
filter 1. The inductor or ballast current is in phase with the input voltage. As a result, the Mains input "sees" a sine-wave inductor current in phase with sine-wave input voltage which provides to achieve near unity power factor with very low total hsrmr~nic distortion. Such an alTangement is a very important feature of the typical boost pre-regulator.
A voltage regulator loop of boost pre-regulator 3 fed through chip Ul (see Fig. 3) through OP-AMP chip U4c of Fig. 3 is controlled by a micro-controller chip U3 (Fig.3) which is used to autom~qti~qlly adjust the power fed through the inverter stage thus in~lnng constant lamp power.
Secondary and tertiary winding on boost inductor L2(see Fig.2) form a current 20 transformer action necessqry to supply in conjl- ~ction with voltage regulators Ql and U4 of Fig.3, current in two voltages (+15V and +5V) to all logic and low-voltage circuits 3A ofthe ballast system.
Boost pre-regulator allows to achieve a line power factor around 0.99 with total h~rmonic distortion under 5%, which, in combination with an inveIter 4, leads to a very power-effi~;Pnt ballast. Pre-regulator 3 also permits the ballast to keep the lamp to operate through several cycles 5 of Mains current drop-out, which provides constant lamp power over a very wide range of input line voltages.
As it was previously mPntionP~l it is possible to operate the boost pre-regulator and active power factor correction 3 (hence, the whole ballast system) with DC current instead of AC line voltage. In this case, ~le.~f ~~e of blocks 1 and 2 of Fig. 1 can be by-passed with DC fed to the 10 capacitor 8. However, those ~ s of blocks 1 and 2 may be left in place since the ballast can operate on either AC or DC inputs. DC operation is very useful in case no AC voltage is available, such as in e~ergf~cy battery operation, aboard a ship, etc.
The high voltage DC is fed to the inverter's 4 stage co~ligu~ed in half-bridge mode. The gate drive shaping and level shi~ing for the high-side is pe~ruI.lled in block 4A by means of chip 15 Ul which also introduces a dead time of luS to prevent cross-con~1ction ofthe power output MOSFETS Q3 and Q5 of Fig. 2. The high-side drive is performed by means of a boot-strap action of elements D9, C 15 and Q5(see Fig.2) at every switching period. The drive shaping IC chip Ul shown on Fig. 2 receives its signals from micro-controller U3 (Fig. 3) of block 8. Due to the nature ofthe half-bridge switching and the output lamp mqtching LCC filter network 5, the 20 MOSFET output c~ are always switched at zero voltage which conl~ e to low-loss "soft-switching" charactPrig~ s ofthe output stage.
-As a result, inverter 4 provides a high frequency FM modulated square-wave driving voltage to feed the lamp matching network 5 CO~li~g e1Pnl-pnts L3, C16 and C17 shown on Fig. 2. The lamp matching network 5 is provided to match the output on the inverter 4 to the high intensity discharge lamp. The inductor L3 and carac;~Qr C17 (see Fig.2) are provided to l~mit 5 current supplied to the lamp at the operating frequency. As a result, lamp mqt~hing network and filter 5 converts the high frequency FM m~ dn1qted square-wave voltage into a high frequency FM
modulated current that provides a proper power to the lamp. When there is no load resistance (the lamp is "o~'), upon a:~stn of a drive voltage to the LCC circuit of block 5, a very high voltage appears across the capacitor C16 of Fig. 2 due to the tuned resonance action ofthese 10 components. This high voltage is enough to strike an arc in the high intensity discharge tube.
~nce the arc is struck, the loaded "Q" of the LCC is sllffi~;qnt to mqintqin the proper arc current with the appropliale driving voltage. ln view ofthe LCC resonant starting, the arc is struck with a sine-wave voltage which poses much less stress on lamp electrodes and socket assembly as compared to conventional pulse starting. The fact that the l~mp is powered by a sine-wave current 15 and voltage which are in phase prolongs the life ofthe lamp's electrodes; this is also a very important feature ofthe present invention.
Components U4A with associated passive ~ shown on Fig. 3 form a peak detectinn circuit 6A that senses the voltage across the high intensity discharge arc tube. This voltage is properly scaled, rectified and l.ulr~ed to be fed into the _icro-controller's 8 voltage A/D chqnnPl 20 This DC voltage has a direct relation with arc tube voltage.
~imilqrly, e1enl~nt U4B with its associated passive components shown on Fig. 3 form a '- ~19~1 73 peak-detecting circuit 6 provided to sense the current across the metal halide arc tube. This current sensing circuit 6 is adapted to fq-ri1it~q~te scaling, rectifying and peak-detecting of the voltage across current tran~~ secondary of lamp inductor L3 (see Fig. 2). This DC voltage has a direct relation to the arc tube current that is also fed to the current A/D channel of the 5 micro-controller 8.
Integrated circuit or sensor Q4 shown on Fig. 2 forms an active OP-AMP temperature sensor 7 which produces a DC voltage in proportion to temperature. This DC voltage is fed to the temperature A/D channel ofthe micro-controller 8. Sensor Q4 is mounted beside the output power MOSFETS Q3 and Q5 (see Fig.2) ofthe inverter 4 and is provided to contimlqlly monitor 10 temperature ofthe power MOSFETS since those c~ s are the most prone to break down due to overhPqti~ If sensor Q4 is not used, a jumper is required between pins 2 and 3 of block 7 of Fig. 2.
The micro-controller 8 is the most essPntiql e1V -.. ~1 ofthe present invention and comprises a chip U3 (see Fig.3) which is adapted to fq.~ilhqte proper functinning ofthe complete ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands shown in the flow-chart of Fig. 4 and through de~1icated software codes shown in the enclosed Appendix co~lq.; il~g a sequence ofthose codes.
The micro-controller 8 provides the following functions:
Drive frequency and mod~ q~tion The inverter's 4 driving frequency is synthesised by means of micro-controller 8 through a look-up table program code. This synthesis is altered periodically to provide a sort of digital FM
Ll 98~ 73 modnlstinn that continuously shif~s the drive frequency about a center point. This system is very crucial for ol)lai..,. g stable operation of the arc lamp at high frequencies and for eliminating the phenomena known as "acoustic resonance" which is common to all high-intensity discharge lamps at high freql~n~;e~ The modlllsti-m is altered at lamp start-up to provide proper drive frequency 5 to achieve reson?-ce ofthe output LCC network that provides the high voltage necessar,vto strike the arc;
Lamp power re~ll,s,tion The DC voltage from the lamp current and lamp voltage shaping and buffer circuits 6 and 6A
are fed into 8-bit A/D converters in the micro-controller 8. The digital words corresponding to 10 actual lamp current and voltage are processed (multiplied) by software to produce an average lamp power function. This data is then compared to a pre-set value in memory. Since, in the high intensity discharge lamp, the arc voltage is a function of lamp }ife, any change in arc voltage is reflected back to this pre-cal~llsted lamp power fil~ m which also resides in ~ Ol~. As arc voltage increases, the micro-controller software outputs a 6-bit digital output which switches " in"
15 di~el~l resistor values in the boost pre-regulator DC feed~aclr loop. The result is that DC
voltage which is fed to the lamp inverter is ad~l~ted to reduce lamp arc current as arc voltage increases in order to obtain constant lamp power. If this is not done, lamp arc power will shoot up and, as a result, will shorten the lamp life and cause colour shii~ in the arc, which is highly undesirable. Also, on lamp start-up, the DC inverter voltage is s.-1Jmstecl purposely higher to 20 provide a higher arc current which would cause the lamp to run up to its operating point in a shorter length oftime. As a conc1~lcictn the micro-controller provides power re~llstion by means _ 2 1 ~8 1 73 of signals sent to boost pre-regulator through DC fee(lbac~ loop which adjust voltage fed to inverter. The main puIpose of such an arrangement is to obtain constant lamp power.
Protection system:
There are ~ l'OUS protection sub-rouli.,cs in the operating software ofthe present invention 5 which are provided to ensure proper operation of all e1~ and to prevent damage of the ballast system in the following manner:
- Tfthe arc does not strike within a predetermined length oftime, the micro-controller will put the ballast into a waiting mode for appro~i~lely 2 minutes. If this not done, the output stage inverter would be de~lloyed. A~er the waiting period is over the system will try to re-start the lamp. I~, 10 after lO re-start tries the arc is still not "on", the ballast will enter a "sleep" mode, and the system would have to be re-set by cycling the Mains power. This feature also protects the ballast if there is no lamp attached;
-In case the ballast lamp leads are shorted together (or if an incqn~escent lamp is attached), the system will go through the waiting state cycling routine as described above;
15 -The micro-controller software with IC chip U4D and associated components shown on Fig. 3 (Power-up Timer 7A of Fig. l) (along with an A/D channel) provide a power-on delay which provides a waiting-state of 45 seconds if the ballast Mains voltage is turned off and on more than once. This prevents damage of the ballast in the event that the Mains voltage is cycled off and on for whatever reason.
20 - The temperature sensor voltage is fed into another 8-bit A/D channel in the micro-controller and is loaded into ~ lloly which is a function ofthe actual ballast temperature. The software then 2 ~ 98 1 73 compares this data to pre-set values in ~ -ol~y, and if these values are exceeded, the ballast cuts back the DC inverter voltage which would cut back lamp power consequently lowering the temperature ofthe power components supplying power to the lamp. If a high temperature limit is reached, the micro-controller will shut down the drive to the lamp until the temperature drops back to a pre-set value. This monitoring system allows to protect the lamp, ballast and fixture against excessive temperatures.
4. Tnl1ic,q,tin~ system:
The in~lic~qting system may co~l;se visual or aural inllicatQrs which show various protection st~q.~l~es ofthe complete ballast system~ such as:
-lamp out-ofcircuit;
-lamp short-circuit;
-lamp hot-restrike;
-ballast over-temperature;
-ballast power-on delay;
-lamp arc ignition, etc.
Above are only a few appli~qtionc illustrating various ~ituqtion~ and these features can by tailored to suit the particular application at hand.
The present micro-controller-operated system has the following advantages if compared to all known systems:
- the electronic ballast according to the present invention allows to use a new low-wattage colour-corrected high intensity discharge lamps which are now available on the market. Using a micro-controller re~llqted system, these lamps would not be subject to undesirable colour-shi~ing which is inherent to all known high intensity discharge lamps;
- the new protection system incorporated into the ballast operating software facilitates a very reliable lamp-ballast combination by means of eliminating all common failure modes that known 5 electronically or magnetically ballasted systems would usually experience;
-the new in~ qting system provides a unique way of int~.rfq.~.~n~ the end-user with the lamp-ballast system making troubleshooting easier, and this system can be tailored for di~
applications;
- most importantly, the micro-controller driven system provides a high intensity discharge lamp 10 ballast which is reliable, versatile, upgradable, compact and cheap, since less parts are used for this new system.
Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been satisfied by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the Patent Stqt~ltes~ only the best mode and p~ e~led embo-l;...- .l~ ofthe present invention has been presented and described in detail, it 15 is to be lm~lerstQod that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation ofthe true scope and breadth ofthe invention, references should be made to the following claims.
Claims (28)
1. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system comprising:
a boost pre-regulator means adapted to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to facilitate a proper lamp power regulation;
an inverter means adapted to convert said high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp matching network and filter means adapted to convert said high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current Facilitating the proper lamp power regulation;
a lamp current and voltage sensing means adapted to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp and to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to facilitate proper functioning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands provided to monitor and control all elements of said system.
a boost pre-regulator means adapted to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to facilitate a proper lamp power regulation;
an inverter means adapted to convert said high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp matching network and filter means adapted to convert said high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current Facilitating the proper lamp power regulation;
a lamp current and voltage sensing means adapted to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp and to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to facilitate proper functioning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands provided to monitor and control all elements of said system.
2. Micro-controller-operate high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high voltage DC bus.
3. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to generate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of said inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate an acoustical resonance.
4. Micro-controller -operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said micro-controller means is further comprising a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all elements and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system.
5. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 4, wherein said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current.
6. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of processing said lamp current and said lamp voltage.
7. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller means, and wherein said micro-controller is adapted to regulate the power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid overheating of said inverter means, and as a result, overheating of said complete system.
8. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system.
9. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said system is further comprising:
an input RFI filter means adapted to filter out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means and a full-wave rectifier means adapted to convert an input line AC voltage into a pulsating DC
voltage, wherein said pulsating DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
an input RFI filter means adapted to filter out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means and a full-wave rectifier means adapted to convert an input line AC voltage into a pulsating DC
voltage, wherein said pulsating DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
10. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said micro-controller means further comprising an indicating system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to indicate various protection statues of the complete system.
11. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 6, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to automatically adjust the power fed through said inverter means to facilitate the constant lamp power.
12. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting of the power fed to said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator feedback loop of said boost pre-regulator means.
13. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said lamp matching network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up condition necessary to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said start-up condition is provided by means of generating a high AC voltage on start up.
14. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system according to claim 1, wherein said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave configuration which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave configuration, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total harmonic distortion.
15. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method comprising the following steps:
converting a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus by means of a boost pre-regulator means adapted to facilitate a proper lamp power regulation;
converting said high voltage DC bus by means of an inverter means into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp matching network and filter means;
converting said high frequency FM modulated square wave voltage by means of said lamp matching network and filter means into a high frequency FM modulated current facilitating the proper lamp power regulation;
sensing a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp by means of a lamp current and lamp voltage sensing means adapted to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to facilitate proper functioning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands adapted to monitor and control all elements of said system.
converting a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus by means of a boost pre-regulator means adapted to facilitate a proper lamp power regulation;
converting said high voltage DC bus by means of an inverter means into a high frequency FM
modulated square wave voltage provided to feed a lamp matching network and filter means;
converting said high frequency FM modulated square wave voltage by means of said lamp matching network and filter means into a high frequency FM modulated current facilitating the proper lamp power regulation;
sensing a lamp voltage and a lamp current across said high intensity discharge lamp by means of a lamp current and lamp voltage sensing means adapted to feed said lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to facilitate proper functioning of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of commands adapted to monitor and control all elements of said system.
16. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to said boost pre-regulator means adapted to adjust said high voltage DC bus.
17. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to send drive signals to said inverter means to generate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shaping of said inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of said high intensity discharge lamp and to eliminate an acoustical resonance.
18. Micro-controller -operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said micro-controller means is further comprising a ballast protection system means adapted to ensure proper operation of all elements and to prevent a damage of said high intensity discharge lamp ballast system.
19. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 18, wherein said micro-controller is adapted to manage said ballast protection system by means of controlling said lamp voltage and said lamp current.
20. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said micro-controller is adapted to control the lamp power by means of processing said lamp current and said lamp voltage.
21. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said method further comprises a step of regulating of the power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means by means of a temperature sensing means adapted to send signals to said micro-controller, wherein said micro-controller is adapted to regulate power supplied to said boost pre-regulator means to avoid overheating of said inverter means, and as a result, overheating of the complete and system.
22 22. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said boost pre-regulator means is further adapted to supply power to all logic and low voltage control circuits of said system.
23. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said method is further comprising a steps of:
filtering out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means by means of an input RFI filter means;
converting and input line AC voltage into a pulsating DC voltage by means of a full-wave rectifier means, wherein said pulsating DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
filtering out a high frequency current components of said boost pre-regulator means by means of an input RFI filter means;
converting and input line AC voltage into a pulsating DC voltage by means of a full-wave rectifier means, wherein said pulsating DC voltage is provided to be fed into said boost pre-regulator means.
24. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said micro-controller means further comprising an indicating system means adapted to provide visual and aural signals provided to indicate various protection statuses of the complete system.
25. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 20, wherein said micro-controller means is adapted to automatically adjust the power fed through said inverter means to facilitate the constant lamp power.
26. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 25, wherein the adjusting of the power fed through said inverter means is provided via a voltage regulator feedback loop of said boost pre-regulator means.
27. Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said lamp matching network and filter means is adapted to create a resonance start-up condition necessary to strike an arc of said high intensity discharge lamp, wherein said start-up condition is provided by means of generating a high AC voltage on start up.
28 Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast method according to claim 15, wherein said boost pre-regulator means is adapted to generate a ballast current of sine-wave configuration which is in phase with an input voltage of sine-wave configuration, thus allowing to achieve a near unity power factor with a very low total harmonic distortion.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002198173A CA2198173A1 (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method |
| US08/805,116 US6072283A (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-24 | Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002198173A CA2198173A1 (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method |
| US08/805,116 US6072283A (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-24 | Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2198173A1 true CA2198173A1 (en) | 1998-08-21 |
Family
ID=25679064
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002198173A Abandoned CA2198173A1 (en) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-02-21 | Micro-controller-operated high intensity discharge lamp ballast system and method |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6072283A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2198173A1 (en) |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |