Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A pulse generating apparatus for a xenon lamp, comprising: base current means for generating a constant DC current having a first prescribed current level for turning on the xenon lamp; and pulse current means for adding a pulse current having a second prescribed current level greater than the first current level and a prescribed pulse duration within a prescribed repetition period to the constant DC current, the base current means and pulse current means satisfying the following equations: 1.4≦Imax/Imini≦6 0.2≦t/T≦0.7 T≦1/40 where Imax is the sum of the first prescribed current level and the second prescribed current level, Imini is the first prescribed current level, T is the prescribed repetition period, and t is the prescribed pulse duration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A pulse generating apparatus for a xenon lamp, comprising: base current means for generating a constant DC current having a first prescribed current level for turning on the xenon lamp; and pulse current means for adding a pulse current having a second prescribed current level greater than the first current level and a prescribed pulse duration within a prescribed repetition period to the constant DC current, the base current means and pulse current means satisfying the following equations: 1.4≦Imax/Imini≦6 0.2≦t/T≦0.7 T≦1/40 where Imax is the sum of the first prescribed current level and the second prescribed current level, Imini is the first prescribed current level, T is the prescribed repetition period, and t is the prescribed pulse duration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base current means includes a ballast.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further including a shutter for interrupting the path of light from the xenon lamp only during the portion of the repetition period other than the prescribed pulse duration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pulse current means includes means for generating a plurality of pulse current elements having the second prescribed current level and a prescribed pulse duration during one interrupting period of the shutter, the prescribed pulse duration t being the sum of the pulse duration of each pulse current element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for lighting a xenon lamp, including the steps of: generating an operating pulse current, which has a periodic pulse current element and a constant base current element, and which satisfies the equations: 1.4≦Imax/Imini≦6 0.2≦t/T≦0.7 T≦1/40 where Imax is the sum of the current levels of the pulse current element and the base current element, Imini is the current level of the base current element, t is the pulse duration of the pulse current element, and T is the repetition period of the pulse current element; and applying the operating pulse current to the xenon lamp.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for lighting a xenon lamp, including the steps of: generating an operating pulse current, which has a periodic pulse current element and a constant base current element, and which satisfies the equations: 1.4≦Imax/Imini≦6 0.2≦t/T≦0.7 T≦1/40 where Imax is the sum of the current levels of the pulse current element and the base current element, Imini is the current level of the base current element, t is the pulse duration of the pulse current element, and T is the repetition period of the pulse current element; and applying the operating pulse current to the xenon lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 5 further including step of intermittently interrupting the path of light from the xenon lamp during the period when the pulse current element is absent.