Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an improved dimming driver circuitry, system and a method thereof. The dimming driver circuitry is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by one or more light sources, the dimming driver circuitry being connected to a dimmer that provides to it an alternating current (AC) signal. The dimming driver circuitry may in some examples not include a processing unit. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples apply amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. In some of these examples, the dimming driver circuitry may begin to apply at substantially the same time pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an improved phase controlled dimming LED driver circuitry, system and a method thereof, which is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by a light source, said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry being connected to a phase control dimmer that provides to it a regulated alternating current (AC) signal, wherein said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry does not include a microprocessor and pulse width modulates its output current, provided to said light source, at a frequency unrelated to the AC signal frequency. Further, the phase controlled dimming driver circuitry applies amplitude modulation (AM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) substantially simultaneously to the output current provided to the light source.

Abstract: A flicker-free method and a control circuit is used in conjunction with a conventional AC dimmer coupled to a main-AC supply to continuously control an intensity of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) over substantially a full range of the dimmer. The control circuit has a controllable source of DC voltage that is configured for coupling to at least one LED and that is powered independently of an output of the AC dimmer thereby isolating the LED voltage from the output of the AC dimmer; and a controller coupled to the source of DC voltage. The controller is powered independently of the output of the AC dimmer and is responsive to a firing angle of the AC dimmer for varying a level of the DC voltage as a function of said firing angle.

Abstract: An igniter circuit (10) for an HID lamp (11) has a DC input (VBUS) for coupling to a source of DC voltage, and an output (23, 24) for coupling to the HID lamp. A resonant ignition circuit (12) operating at a controlled resonant frequency is coupled to the DC input for producing successive bursts of voltage having a frequency equal to the resonant frequency and having an amplitude that increases with time. The resonant ignition circuit (12) feeds the bursts of voltage across the output of the igniter until an HID lamp coupled thereto reaches breakdown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an improved dimming driver circuitry, system and a method thereof. The dimming driver circuitry is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by one or more light sources, the dimming driver circuitry being connected to a dimmer that provides to it an alternating current (AC) signal. The dimming driver circuitry may in some examples not include a processing unit. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples apply amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. In some of these examples, the dimming driver circuitry may begin to apply at substantially the same time pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system and current limiting circuit configured to limit the excess output current passing through a load, said current limiting circuit comprising a resistor connected in series with said load and in parallel with a switch, which is initially turned OFF, wherein said switch is turned ON, thereby shorting said resistor, when the output voltage applied to said load is decreased by a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an improved phase controlled dimming LED driver circuitry, system and a method thereof, which is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by a light source, said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry being connected to a phase control dimmer that provides to it a regulated alternating current (AC) signal, wherein said phase controlled dimming driver circuitry does not include a microprocessor and pulse width modulates its output current, provided to said light source, at a frequency unrelated to the AC signal frequency. Further, the phase controlled dimming driver circuitry applies amplitude modulation (AM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) substantially simultaneously to the output current provided to the light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamp illumination system and method for sharing power to an electrical DC load that exceeds a capacity of a first DC power supply between the first DC power supply and a second DC power supply such that in combination all of the power supplies are able to provide rated load power, said method comprising: connecting across the load the first and second DC power supplies each having a respective partial series resonance converter that produces during alternate switching cycles an output voltage across respective resonance capacitors thereof and each converter being operable in clamping mode; and operating the converter of the first DC power supply in clamping mode so as to limit an output voltage across the respective resonance capacitors thereof and thereby prevent the first DC power supply from attempting to source a load that exceeds a nominal power rating of the first DC power supply within a predetermined accuracy, whereby any power shortfall to the load is provided by th

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing a flicker-free method and a control circuit for use in conjunction with a conventional AC dimmer coupled to a mains AC supply to continuously control an intensity of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) over substantially a full range of the dimmer, the control circuit comprising: a controllable source of DC voltage that is configured for coupling to at least one LED and that is powered independently of an output of the AC dimmer thereby isolating the LED voltage from the output of the AC dimmer; and a controller coupled to the source of DC voltage, the controller being powered independently of the output of the AC dimmer and being responsive to a firing angle of the AC dimmer for varying a level of the DC voltage as a function of said firing angle.

Abstract: A startup circuit (30) for a power supply (44), has an input (31) for connecting to a source of high voltage thereto, and an output rail (33) for feeding rectified voltage to the power supply. A first energy storage device (35) is coupled to the output rail for storing energy when voltage is first applied to the input, and a second energy storage device (37) is coupled to an output of the power supply for storing energy when a voltage appearing at the output of the power supply reaches substantially steady state. A switching circuit (36, 50) is coupled to the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device and is responsive to the first energy storage device having sufficient energy for transferring the energy to the second energy storage device and disconnecting the first energy storage device from the output rail.

Abstract: A method for reducing acoustic noise produced during use of a lamp dimmer detects whether the dimmer is a leading edge (101) or a trailing edge dimmer (102). A nominal firing time of a leading edge dimmer is determined and a post-correction applied to a voltage applied to the dimmer starting from the nominal firing time so as to build-up the voltage gradually during a predetermined post-correction time period and thereby reduce the rate of rise of the leading edge thereof. A nominal cutoff time of a trailing edge dimmer is determined and a pre-correction applied to a voltage applied to the dimmer starting from the nominal cut-off time so as to diminish the voltage gradually during a predetermined pre-correction time period and thereby reduce the rate of rise of the leading edge thereof. Other methods are disclosed for soft starting filament lamps and controlling dimmer circuits.

Abstract: A startup circuit (30) for a power supply (44), has an input (31) for connecting to a source of high voltage thereo, and an output rail (33) for feeding rectified voltage to the power supply. A first energy storage device (35) is coupled to the output rail for storing energy when voltage is first applied to the input, and a second energy storage device (37) is coupled to an output of the power supply for storing energy when a voltage appearing at the output of the power supply reaches substantially steady state. A switching circuit (36, 50) is coupled to the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device and is responsive to the first energy storage device having sufficient energy for transferring the energy to the second energy storage device and disconnecting the first energy storage device from the output rail.

Abstract: A controller for reducing acoustic noise produced during use of a leading edge dimmer, includes a leading edge controller responsive to an input voltage fed thereto for producing a control signal upon detection of a leading edge, and a linear switch coupled to the leading edge controller and responsive to the control signal for linearly switching the input voltage so that a rate of rise of the leading edge is decreased. A trailing-edge controller may be coupled to a leading-trailing edge detector and responsive to detection of a trailing edge dimmer for disabling the leading edge controller and decreasing a rate of decline of the trailing edge of the input voltage.

Abstract: A controller for reducing acoustic noise produced during use of a leading edge dimmer, includes a leading edge controller responsive to an input voltage fed thereto for producing a control signal upon detection of a leading edge, and a linear switch coupled to the leading edge controller and responsive to the control signal for linearly switching the input voltage so that a rate of rise of the leading edge is decreased. A trailing-edge controller may be coupled to a leading-trailing edge detector and responsive to detection of a trailing edge dimmer for disabling the leading edge controller and decreasing a rate of decline of the trailing edge of the input voltage.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for supplying operating power to a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp. The ballast includes a full-wave rectifier connected to an AC power line to produce an unregulated pulsating DC output which is applied to a power factor correction (PFC) circuit. The PFC circuit includes a first semiconductor electronic switch whose activation is controlled to bring the input current and voltage in time-phase with one another, thereby imparting a high power factor rating to the ballast. The pulsating DC output of the PFC circuit is applied to a storage capacitor circuit which is charged thereby, the capacitor circuit including a second electronic switch whose activation is controlled to discharge the capacitor so as to cause the capacitor circuit to yield in its output, a regulated DC which is fed to a power control (PC) circuit. The PC circuit includes a third electronic switch whose activation is controlled to maintain the wattage of power supplied to the HID lamp at the rated wattage of the lamp.

Abstract: A track lighting hybrid illumination system comprising a power supply circuit (11, 41, 22) having an input for connecting to a voltage source (12, 42) of low frequency for providing an output voltage with altered electrical characteristics, and a pair of conductors (19, 23, 43, 48) coupled to an output of the power supply circuit. A first lamp (29, 25, 31) is coupled to the conductors via a second power supply circuit (28, 26, 34), and at least one further lamp (29, 24, 25, 31) with electrical power requirements of a different characteristic to the first lamp coupled to the conductors.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for supplying operating power to a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp. The ballast includes a full-wave rectifier connected to an AC power line to produce an unregulated pulsating DC output which is applied to a power factor correction (PFC) circuit. The PFC circuit includes a first semiconductor electronic switch whose activation is controlled to bring the input current and voltage in time-phase with one another, thereby imparting a high power factor raring to the ballast. The pulsating DC output of the PFC circuit is applied to a storage capacitor circuit which is charged thereby, the capacitor circuit including a second electronic switch whose activation is controlled to discharge the capacitor so as to cause the capacitor circuit to yield in its output, a regulated DC which is fed to a power control (PC) circuit. The PC circuit includes a third electronic switch whose activation is controlled to maintain the wattage of power supplied to the HID lamp at the rated wattage of the lamp.

Abstract: A track lighting hybrid illumination system comprising a power supply circuit having an input for connecting to a voltage source of low frequency for providing an output voltage with altered electrical characteristics, and a pair of conductors coupled to an output of the power supply circuit. A first lamp is coupled to the conductors via a second power supply circuit, and at least one further lamp with electrical power requirements of a different characteristic to the first lamp coupled to the conductors.

Abstract: An electronic transformer for lighting includes a rectifier coupled to an inverter an output transformer (T1, T10) and a drive transformer (T2, T11). A protection mechanism (VR1, VR2) is responsively coupled to a winding of the output transformer and to a winding of the drive transformer such that the voltage across each of the windings are approximately equal and opposite during normal operation but differ substantially during a short-circuit.

Abstract: A low voltage illumination system, comprising a pair of terminals for connecting to a source of low frequency a.c. voltage, a frequency converter coupled to the source of a.c. voltage for converting the low frequency a.c. voltage to high frequency a.c. voltage, and a step down transformer coupled to an output of the frequency converter for converting to high frequency, low voltage a.c. A synchronous rectifier is coupled to a secondary of the step down transformer for converting the high frequency low voltage a.c. to a low magnitude nominally d.c. voltage, and a pair of conductors is connected to the low magnitude nominally d.c. voltage for connecting low voltage lamps thereto. Optionally, the step down transformer is of planar design and an integral overload protection circuit is provided responsive to a drop in output impedance across the conductors commensurate with an overload for interrupting power thereto.