Starting circuit for an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A starting circuit for an electrodeless HID lamp comprising a series resonant LC circuit of variable impedance, provides a starting voltage to a fixed or movable starting probe substantially simultaneously with the application of power to the excitation coil from the main power source. In a preferred embodiment the starting, circuit provides a starting signal to a gas probe starter of the type including a fixed starting electrode couplets to a starting chamber which contains a relatively low-pressure gas and is attached to the outer wall of the arc tube. Resonant operation of the starting circuit results in the application of a sufficiently high voltage to ignite a glow discharge in the …