Automatic Control Of The Temperature Modifier Patents (Class 315/117)
  • Publication number: 20140056322
    Abstract: The existing diodes in an LED or laser diode package are used to measure the junction temperature of the LED or laser diode. The light or laser emissions of a diode are switched off by removing the operational drive current applied to the diode package. A reference current, which can be lower the operational drive current, is applied to the diode package. The resulting forward voltage of the diode is measured using a voltage measurement circuit. Using the inherent current-voltage-temperature relationship of the diode, the actual junction temperature of the diode can be determined. The resulting forward voltage can be used in a feedback loop to provide temperature regulation of the diode package, with or without determining the actual junction temperature. The measured forward voltage of a photodiode or the emissions diode in a diode package can be used to determine the junction temperature of the emissions diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leo Del Castillo, Dawson Yee
  • Publication number: 20130334966
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a cooling mechanism driving portion for driving a cooling mechanism in such a manner that an element temperature of a light source element which is detected by an element temperature detecting portion reaches a target temperature, and a control portion for calculating a dew point temperature of the cooling mechanism and controlling the cooling mechanism driving portion and a light source element driving portion by using the calculated dew point temperature and the element temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji KUMANO, Makoto KURIAKI, Takumi KIJIMA, Yasuhito TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8587567
    Abstract: A display apparatus according to the present invention using a cold cathode fluorescent lamp as a light source includes: a gradient detector which detects a condition in which one end of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is disposed higher than an other end thereof; and a controller which conducts control so that emitted luminance of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is inhibited when the condition in which the one end of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is disposed higher than the other end thereof is detected by the gradient detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kengo Mori
  • Patent number: 8564201
    Abstract: A lamp is operated with main and auxiliary amalgams. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a lamp includes an auxiliary amalgam-based material that releases mercury at an elevated temperature that is above an operating temperature of the lamp, and that absorbs mercury at temperatures below the elevated temperature. During a start-up period, the auxiliary amalgam-based material is heated to cause the material to release mercury for generating light in the lamp. After the start-up period, the auxiliary amalgam-based material is allowed to cool below the elevated temperature and absorb mercury, while the lamp continues to operate for generating light using a main amalgam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Jozef Petrus Maria Rooijackers
  • Patent number: 8541948
    Abstract: An operating device for operating at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp which has a first and a second electrode coil may include a unit for providing a variable that is correlated with the Hg vapor pressure in the at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp comprises at least one unit for capturing emission spectra of at least specifiable spectral ranges, wherein the unit for capturing emission spectra may include at least one light receiving unit which is arranged in the beam path of the at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit Beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Armin Konrad, Roger Hunt, Martin Zachau, Ralph Hoeck
  • Publication number: 20130241415
    Abstract: Lighting systems having unique configurations are provided. For instance, the lighting system may include a light source, a thermal management system and driver electronics, each contained within a housing structure. The light source is configured to provide illumination visible through an opening in the housing structure. The thermal management system is configured to provide an air flow, such as a unidirectional air flow, through the housing structure in order to cool the light source. The driver electronics are configured to provide power to each of the light source and the thermal management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Stanton Earl Weaver, Thomas Elliot Stecher, Charles Erklin Seeley, Glenn Howard Kuenzler, Charles Franklin Wolfe, JR., Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Rajdeep Sharma, Satish Prabhakaran, Tunc Icoz
  • Publication number: 20130214685
    Abstract: Thermal management and control techniques for light emitting diode and other incandescent replacement light technologies using a current controller are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony Catalano, Daniel Harrison, John Hall
  • Patent number: 8482207
    Abstract: A temperature controlling system for a LED module includes at least one LED unit, at least one fan, at least one temperature sensor and a controlling device. The controlling device generates a driving signal for controlling the rotating speed of the fan based on a temperature detection signal transmitted from the temperature sensor, so that the fan can generate a compulsive airflow for dissipating the heat generated by the LED unit. According to the present invention, the working temperatures of the respective LED units can be kept the same, and a uniform heat-dissipating effect can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Hsien Sun, Bor-Haw Chang
  • Publication number: 20130148085
    Abstract: A light source lamp lighting device includes a light source lamp, cooling means for cooling the light source lamp, an extinguishing time measurer that calculates extinguishing time information indicating an extinguishing period when the light source lamp was last switched off to a present time, a storage that stores lighting performance, which is a history of successes and failures of lighting the light source lamp, a plurality of cooling times corresponding to an extinguishing period when the light source lamp is switched off indicated by the extinguishing time information as a cooling time for causing the cooling means to operate, and a first threshold set with respect to the lighting performance, and a controller that reads out, in lighting the light source lamp, the lighting performance, the cooling time stored in the storage based on the extinguishing period when the light source lamp is switched off calculated by the extinguishing time measurer, and the first threshold and, when a number of successes of
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8446108
    Abstract: A system including a calibration module, a selection module, and a control module. The calibration module is configured to generate calibration data for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The calibration data include current through the LEDs and corresponding luminosities of the LEDs. The selection module is configured to select one of a plurality of templates corresponding to the LEDs. The selected template includes at least one of temperature, current, and voltage characteristics of the LEDs. The control module is configured to determine a temperature of the LEDs and adjust current through the LEDs based on the temperature, the selected template, and the calibration data to maintain a luminosity of the LEDs at a predetermined luminosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Wanfeng Zhang, Radu Pitigoi-Aron
  • Publication number: 20130107220
    Abstract: A projector includes a light source, a temperature adjustment mechanism, a memory, and a temperature controller. The light source is configured to emit light for displaying an image. The temperature adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a temperature of the light source. The memory is configured to store an image to be displayed, before the image is displayed. The temperature controller is configured to determine a temporal change in brightness of the image to be displayed, based on the image to be displayed that is stored in the memory, and control the temperature of the light source by the temperature adjustment mechanism based on the temporal change in brightness of the image to be displayed, before the image to be displayed is actually displayed and the brightness of the image is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8384290
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system adaptable to a cooling appliance. The illumination system includes a lighting module, a mode switch and a controller. Specifically, the lighting module includes at least one lighting device; the mode switch is used to determine a power mode for the lighting module; and the controller provides corresponding power to the lighting device according to the power mode. In one embodiment, the illumination system further includes a heating module having a heater for providing heat to the controller. In another embodiment, the lighting device is disposed near the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Top Energy Saving System Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Kuei Tsai
  • Patent number: 8384301
    Abstract: A light source system capable of dissipating heat includes a AC power supply for outputting a first power, a switch device for adjusting an output ratio of the first power according to a light setting, a light emitting device for generating a light source, and a control device for generating an active signal sequence, an heat-dissipation signal sequence and a burst signal according to lighting features of the light emitting device, and combining the active signal sequence and the heat-dissipation signal sequence, to generate a driving signal sequence, for timely outputting the driving signal sequence according to the burst signal, so as to generate the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: AMIC Technology Corporation, Power Up, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chuan Wang
  • Patent number: 8378594
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the light output of a lamp, where lamp efficacy is estimated as a function of estimated lamp temperature and instantaneous input power, or as a function of estimated lamp temperature only. Whether efficacy is estimated as a function of temperature and power, or as a function of temperature only can depend on changes in the lamp operating scenario. The techniques estimate lamp temperature by tracking energy input to and losses from (losses such as radiation, conduction, emission) the lamp arc tube, and determine the corresponding instantaneous light producing ability. The techniques may further be implemented to deliver the appropriate power command to obtain a desired light output. The techniques can be applied towards a general control in which arbitrary or custom light output vs. time paths are produced, and may be implemented by a processor programmed or otherwise configured to execute the desired control scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Nancy H. Chen
  • Publication number: 20120326610
    Abstract: A lighting unit for illuminating a habitat is provided. The lighting unit includes a housing and a light emitter. The operating parameters of the lighting unit may be adjusted to mimic different natural conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Justin Lawyer, Patrick Clasen, Timothy Marks, Mark Lindenmoyer
  • Publication number: 20120306372
    Abstract: A method for demisting a glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover is disposed on a display panel. A heating unit is attached onto the glass cover. The method includes detecting a humidity value between the glass cover and the display panel by a humidity sensor and determining whether to start the heating unit to heat the glass cover according to the humidity value by a control circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Ching-Hung Yang
  • Publication number: 20120299481
    Abstract: Control systems and methods that directly measure the actual junction temperature of LEDs utilize internal electrical measurements, thereby dispensing with external sensors and/or wires. In various embodiments, the actual junction LED temperature is obtained based on the measured electrical properties, such as the voltage across and/or current passing through the LEDs, during operation. The measured junction temperature may be used in a closed-loop feedback configuration to control the power applied to the LED in order to avoid overheating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TerraLUX, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Lionel Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120301151
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical transceiver for use in optical fiber communications and/or telecommunications systems and, more specifically, a low power consumption, long range pluggable transceiver. The transceiver generally comprises a photodiode with a transimpedance amplifier (PIN-TIA); an electro-absorption modulated laser (EML); an optical detector; and a directly modulated laser (DML) driving module connected between the PIN-TIA and EML laser configured to drive the EML laser. A low power-consumption DML driving module is utilized to drive the EML laser, so as to further reduce power consumption. An impedance matching circuit can be applied to modulate an electro-absorption (EA) modulator of the EML laser with maximum efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Zhaoyang HU, Lingqiong Zeng, Thomas Liljeberg
  • Publication number: 20120280620
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) assembly is provided having a LED and a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the LED. An active cooling circuit receives temperature input from the temperature sensor. The temperature input is indicative of the temperature of the LED. An active cooling system cools the LED. The active cooling system being controlled by the active cooling circuit to control a temperature of the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEPHEN M. JACKSON, MATTHEW EDWARD MOSTOLLER, MOHAMMAD S. AHMED, GERALD J. WINGLE, JR.
  • Patent number: 8294389
    Abstract: A thermally efficient liquid motion lamp maintains the proper temperature of liquids within the lamp to provide desired motion while using a minimal amount of energy. The lamp includes a submerged heater and a second heater in the base of the lamp, and an efficient non-incandescent light source for illuminating liquids in the lamp. A sensor measures the temperature of the liquids inside the lamp and the control system controls the heaters to first heat the lamp to operating temperature using the submerged heater and to maintain the temperature within operating limits at the base of the lamp using the second heater. The non-incandescent light source is preferably an LED and may be multi-color or an Ultra Violet (UV) LED cooperating with UV dyes in the liquids, but may be any highly efficient light source. The color and intensity of the LED may be controlled to follow music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Louis J. Finkle
  • Patent number: 8283868
    Abstract: An integrated Light Emitting Diode (LED) device including multiple LEDs connected to a circuit board, integrated circuit (IC) drivers connected to the circuit board, and a first alternating current (AC) terminal and a second AC terminal connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: American Bright Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: George Lee, Arthur Young, John Yang
  • Publication number: 20120248985
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for controlling the temperature of light sources within physiological sensors in order to regulate the wavelengths emitted by the light sources. The sensors may include a temperature control element that is designed to provide heating and/or cooling to the light sources. The sensors also may include a temperature sensor designed to detect the temperature of the light sources. Based on the detected temperature, a controller can vary the amount of heating and/or cooling provided by the temperature control element to maintain the temperature of the light sources at a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Andy S. Lin, Youzhi Li, Bo Chen, Daniel Lisogurski, Friso Schlottau
  • Patent number: 8228000
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided, which may include an input; an output; an inverter, configured to provide an AC supply voltage from a DC supply voltage; a control device configured to drive the inverter, the control device being configured to initiate a preheating phase once a preheating criterion has been met; a resonant circuit having a resonant inductor and having a resonant capacitor; and a transformer configured to preheat electrodes of a gas discharge lamp; wherein the primary winding of the transformer is connected in series with the resonant capacitor and is connected directly to the reference potential of the control device, and an electrical switch is coupled in parallel with the primary winding of the transformer, which switch has a control connection, which is coupled to the control device being configured to transfer the electrical switch into its electrically conducting switching state once the starting criterion has been met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: OSRAM AG
    Inventor: Bernd Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20120161633
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided which includes a drive section which applies electric current to a light source which is a semiconductor element emitting light with application of electric current, at least one heat sink which is mounted with the light source and transfers heat generated by the emission of the light source, and a temperature measurement section which is mounted to the heat sink and measures temperature of the heat sink which is used for estimating temperature of the light source. The light source and the drive section are mounted to the same heat sink or to the heat sinks which are thermally coupled to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Nishitani, Takahito Nishii, Tsutomu Kamizono, Takahiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20120153830
    Abstract: An LED cooling system comprising of a Peltier cooler. The Peltier cooler comprising of a top cooling plate and bottom heating plate. The top cooling plate is capable of directly contacting an LED housing such that heat generated by an LED in the LED housing can be transferred from the LED housing by said Peltier cooler; A control circuit electrically connected to said Peltier cooler to control the amount of power is supplied to said Peltier cooler; said amount of power supplied to said Peltier cooler is determined by the temperature of said LED housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Salvatore Guerrieri
  • Patent number: 8198792
    Abstract: The electrodeless discharge lamp comprises: a bulb provided with a substantially-spherical spherical portion and a neck portion extending from the spherical portion; a base connected to the neck portion; a protrusion formed at an apex of the spherical portion; and an induction coil that causes light emission by discharge developed in the bulb. The electrodeless discharge lamp satisfies the formula below: t?6?10959×X+25?t+6??(Formula) where X=(B×S)/(L×A), B=W/(4×?×(D/20)2), S=?×(d/20)2, L=?×(d/10), W (W) denotes the lamp input power, D (mm) denotes the diameter of the spherical portion, d (mm) denotes the diameter of a portion at a joint surface between the neck portion and the base, and A (mm) denotes the distance from a largest-diameter portion of the spherical portion to the joint surface, and t is the temperature (° C.) at the tip of the protrusion during downward stable lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsuzuki, Kazuhiko Sakai, Kohji Hiramatsu, Atsunori Okada
  • Publication number: 20120139419
    Abstract: An optical transmission module includes a light source element for emitting a predetermined light signal transmitted through an optical fiber, the light source element having lower characteristics in a low-temperature state than those in a high-temperature state, a driver circuit for driving the light source element, and a heat transfer member connected to each of the light source element and the driver circuit to transfer heat between the light source element and the driver circuit. The optical transmission module with such configuration can stably operate in a wide temperature range while achieving power saving and cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Takemasa TAMANUKI
  • Publication number: 20120112637
    Abstract: A lamp is operated with main and auxiliary amalgams. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a lamp includes an auxiliary amalgam-based material that releases mercury at an elevated temperature that is above an operating temperature of the lamp, and that absorbs mercury at temperatures below the elevated temperature. During a start-up period, the auxiliary amalgam-based material is heated to cause the material to release mercury for generating light in the lamp. After the start-up period, the auxiliary amalgam-based material is allowed to cool below the elevated temperature and absorb mercury, while the lamp continues to operate for generating light using a main amalgam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Cornelis Jozef Petrus Maria Rooijackers
  • Publication number: 20120112638
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a controller that is configured to provide thermal management for the lighting system by distributing excess energy in the lighting system through multiple power dissipation circuits. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system is a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system having one or more light sources selected from a group consisting of at least one light emitting diode and at least one compact fluorescent lamp. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the plurality of power dissipation circuits in accordance with a thermal management strategy to dissipate the excess energy in the phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system. The particular thermal management strategy is a matter of design choice. The power distribution circuits include two of more of: a controlled switch path power dissipation circuit, a controlled link path power dissipation circuit, and a controlled flyback path power dissipation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Eric J. King
  • Publication number: 20120104951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing lamp restrike time are provided. In a lighting apparatus having a housing, a reflector, and a lamp positioned so that at least a portion of the outer jacket of the lamp is within the reflector, a circulating device is operated when the lamp is off and a temperature inside the housing is above a predefined temperature. The circulating device circulates air around the outer jacket of the lamp to cool the lamp so the restrike time is reduced without the need for a starting device with a starting voltage high enough to restart the lamp when the lamp is hot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Taubert, Amir P. Fallahi, Raymond Christian Rice, II
  • Patent number: 8169146
    Abstract: A metal halide lamp capable of delaying the rate of deformation in an electrostrictive phenomenon caused by the discharge of a ferroelectric ceramic capacitor when dielectric breakdown is initiated between the electrodes of an arc tube thereby preventing breakage accident, wherein a starting circuit, housed in parallel connection together with an arc tube in an outer tube of a metal halide lamp has in serial connection, a ferroelectric ceramic capacitor that is charged and discharged when a voltage at a predetermined coercive voltage or higher is applied thereby outputting a starting pulse at a high voltage from a ballast, a semiconductor switch that turns to a conduction state when a voltage of a predetermined breakover voltage or higher is applied, and a time constant control resistor that delays the discharge time of electric charges discharged from the capacitor when dielectric breakdown is initiated in the arc tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Koichi Naitoh, Akiyoshi Maehara
  • Publication number: 20120098434
    Abstract: A light assembly, and an associated method, provides color-mixed light generated by light emitter diode elements. A temperature sensor is position to sense temperature levels proximate to the LED light-emitter elements. And, a coolant flow generator is configured in a feedback arrangement to generate coolant fluid to dissipate thermal energy generated during operation of the LED elements to maintain the temperature levels at a constant temperature or within an allowable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: WYBRON, INC.
    Inventor: John H. Sondericker, III
  • Publication number: 20120081007
    Abstract: A temperature controlling system for a LED module includes at least one LED unit, at least one fan, at least one temperature sensor and a controlling device. The controlling device generates a driving signal for controlling the rotating speed of the fan based on a temperature detection signal transmitted from the temperature sensor, so that the fan can generate a compulsive airflow for dissipating the heat generated by the LED unit. According to the present invention, the working temperatures of the respective LED units can be kept the same, and a uniform heat-dissipating effect can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Hsien Sun, Bor-Haw Chang
  • Publication number: 20120068605
    Abstract: A motor-drive circuit includes: an output transistor configured to supply a drive current to a motor for a cooling fan; a switching-control circuit configured to control switching of the output transistor so that the motor rotates in a first direction, or rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a switching circuit configured to, when a first time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the first direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the first direction and thereafter rotates in the second direction, and configured to, when a second time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the second direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the second direction and thereafter rotates in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ON Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshitomi, Masashi Tanabe, Syunji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120062120
    Abstract: A thermal foldback circuit protects a lamp circuit component from overheating by limiting power to the lamp in response to an over-temperature condition. The amount of limiting is adjusted based at least in part on an input from an external power-reduction source, such as a dimmer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Scott A. Riesebosch
  • Patent number: 8115395
    Abstract: A self-dusting lamp device includes a housing, a heat-dissipating module, a lighting element and a controlling unit. The housing has an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion on the outer periphery thereof. The heat-dissipating module has a heat-dissipating fan mounted in the housing. The lighting element is coupled to the heat-dissipating module for illumination. The controlling unit has a driving circuit electrically connected to the heat-dissipating fan and a direction controlling circuit electrically connected to the driving circuit. The direction controlling circuit controls the heat-dissipating fan to rotate in a normal direction for dissipating heat or to rotate in a dusting direction for dusting down the housing through the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Masaharu Miyahara, Heng-Yu Hu
  • Patent number: 8111011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the drive signal of an LED luminaire is provided and includes an LED light source assembly, an ambient sensor circuit, a comparator circuit, and a driver circuit. The ambient sensor circuit provides an ambient signal to the LED light source assembly, which is a function of the ambient (such as temperature, humidity or air visibility) proximate to the LED light source assembly. The comparator circuit provides a bidirectional ambient adjustment signal to the driver circuit, which is a function of the ambient signal and a reference signal. And the driver circuit provides an adjustable drive signal to the LED light source assembly, which is a function of the bidirectional ambient adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Leotek Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chin-Wang Tu, Shih Chang Wang, Chen-Ho Wu
  • Patent number: 8106592
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of driving a discharge lamp (1), wherein a blackening value (N) is determined, which blackening value (N) represents a level of blackening of the interior of the lamp (1), and a recovery parameter (2, T) is calculate based on the blackening value (N). When the lamp power is increased above the saturation power level, the lamp (1) is driven according to the recovery parameter (2, T) for the duration of a specific recovery time. The invention further describes a driving arrangement (70, 70?), and a projector system (10) comprising a high-pressure discharge lamp (1) and such a driving arrangement (70, 70?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Tom Munters, Pavel Pekarski, Carsten Deppe
  • Publication number: 20110260623
    Abstract: The present invention includes a laser element, a laser-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of a laser element, a harmonic generation element that converts the wavelength of a laser light output by the laser element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of the harmonic generation element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the harmonic generation element, a storage unit that stores therein a relationship between the temperature of the laser element and a target temperature of the harmonic generation element at which a power of the laser light output by the harmonic generation element reaches a maximum, and a controlling unit that controls the harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit so that the temperature of the harmonic generation element is adjusted to the target temperature obtained from the temperature of the measured laser element in accordance with the relations
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Shoji Morita, Takayuki Yanagisawa
  • Publication number: 20110241548
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system adaptable to a cooling appliance. The illumination system includes a lighting module, a mode switch and a controller. Specifically, the lighting module includes at least one lighting device; the mode switch is used to determine a power mode for the lighting module; and the controller provides corresponding power to the lighting device according to the power mode. In one embodiment, the illumination system further includes a heating module having a heater for providing heat to the controller. In another embodiment, the lighting device is disposed near the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GE INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Kuei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110241549
    Abstract: A light generating system comprising: a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) and a stability control system for controlling the spectral stability of the SSEs. In a particular case, the stability control system may comprise: a power regulator to regulate power supplied to a sub-set of the plurality of SSEs; a constant current circuit connected to the power regulator to provide a constant current to the sub-set of SSEs; a current regulation set point connected to the constant current circuit; and a controller configured to set the regulation set point based on metrology relating to the state of the SSEs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. WOOTTON
  • Publication number: 20110234103
    Abstract: An operating device for operating at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp which has a first and a second electrode coil may include a unit for providing a variable that is correlated with the Hg vapor pressure in the at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp comprises at least one unit for capturing emission spectra of at least specifiable spectral ranges, wherein the unit for capturing emission spectra may include at least one light receiving unit which is arranged in the beam path of the at least one Hg low-pressure discharge lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Armin Konrad, Roger Hunt, Martin Zachau, Ralph Hoeck
  • Patent number: 8022631
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source including a lighting device, such as a solid state lighting device, which emits light, a phosphor material which converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the lighting device to light of a different wavelength. A controller adjusts a ratio of on time to off time of a current waveform supplied to the lighting device. This enables the color of light emitted by the light source to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, William Winder Beers, Andrew Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7968828
    Abstract: A method of operating an electron bombardment heating apparatus, in which thermions emitted from filaments are accelerated and impinged upon a heating plate, so as to heat the heating plate, wherein a peripheral wall of a heated material supporting member having a heating plate as a ceiling thereof is made up of multi-staged peripheral wall portions, which are stacked vertically and different in the radius thereof, and those peripheral wall portions are connected with each other by a ring-like horizontal wall. With this, thermal stress which is caused due to the difference of temperature between the lower end portion of the heated material supporting member and the heating plate when heating up the heating plate can be mitigated, thereby preventing breakage in the heated material supporting member if conducting heating and cooling upon the heating plate, repetitively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sukegawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigetaka Haga
  • Publication number: 20110121737
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: LIGHT AND SOUND DESIGN LTD.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A. Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 7948186
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight control circuit includes an inverter, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit, and a frequency setting circuit. The inverter is configured to provide an alternating current voltage to a lamp. The PWM circuit is configured to provide a pulse control signal to the inverter. The frequency setting circuit is configured to regulate a frequency of the pulse control signal provided by the PWM circuit according to a temperature of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Shun-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 7922334
    Abstract: A projector having optical components, a power source unit, and a light source unit. The projector is capable of lowering its internal temperature utilizing: a first, second, and third fan (41, 42, 43) provided near the optical components for introducing external air from outside the projector to cool the optical components; and a fourth, fifth, and sixth exhaust fan (16, 17, 18). The fourth fan (16) blows the air that was taken in by the first, second, and third fan (41, 42, 43) and has cooled the optical components, onto the light source unit to further cool the light source unit. The fifth and sixth exhaust fans (17, 18) discharge the air that has cooled the light source unit and power supply unit out of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Technology Center (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wanjun Zheng, Yanyun Yan, Xiangdong Liang, Xiangfei Kong, Yun Wang, Xiaoling Mao, Yi Guan, Yanshan Huang, Toshihiro Saruwatari, Shoji Okazaki, Tadashi Renbutsu
  • Publication number: 20110080098
    Abstract: A sound adapting luminaire produces an amount of cooling output that depends on the ambient sound. When the ambient sound is high, the lamp is cooled more aggressively, since more fan noise is acceptable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeremiah J. Harris
  • Publication number: 20110050104
    Abstract: A thermally efficient liquid motion lamp maintains the proper temperature of liquids within the lamp to provide desired motion while using a minimal amount of energy. The lamp includes a submerged heater and a second heater in the base of the lamp, and an efficient non-incandescent light source for illuminating liquids in the lamp. A sensor measures the temperature of the liquids inside the lamp and the control system controls the heaters to first heat the lamp to operating temperature using the submerged heater and to maintain the temperature within operating limits at the base of the lamp using the second heater. The non-incandescent light source is preferably an LED and may be multi-color or an Ultra Violet (UV) LED cooperating with UV dyes in the liquids, but may be any highly efficient light source. The color and intensity of the LED may be controlled to follow music.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Louis J. Finkle
  • Patent number: 7893624
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight control circuit includes an inverter, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit, and a frequency setting circuit. The inverter is configured to provide an alternating current voltage to a lamp. The PWM circuit is configured to provide a pulse control signal to the inverter. The frequency setting circuit configured to regulate a frequency of the pulse control signal provided by the PWM circuit according to an environment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Shun-Ming Huang