Importance

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Abstract

A power system comprising a high voltage, low power transformer that utilizes self-resonance parameters and pulse control techniques for efficiently firing a gas discharge lamp of the type commonly used to form a luminous advertising display. The transformer is fabricated from a material, such that the transformer will have a characteristic self-resonating frequency. The transformer is driven by Direct Current pulses from a source of supply thereof. The widths of the current pulses are controlled so as not to exceed one fourth the wavelength of the self-resonating frequency of the transformer. Performance is optimized when the repetition rate of the current pulses is directly controlled according to the self-resonating frequency of the transformer. By virtue of the present invention, an efficient transformer of relatively low weight, size, and cost is provided by which to fire the lamp of the display and thereby produce an apparent optical intensity that is approximately equal to that available from a conventional gas discharge power transformer. However, the energy consumed by the present transformer is substantially less than that expended by presently available transformers.

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First Claim