Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for automatic dimmer loading in a cut-phase dimmer-converter arrangement, the method including providing minimum dimmer hold-on current by continuously loading of the dimmer with the current grater than minimum hold-on dimmer current without current measurement means or with using of measurement means by measuring a first current across the dimmer to form a current output signal and compensating for a drop in the dimmer output current by adding a load current across said dimmer to ensure that a total current comprising a sum of the first current and the load current always exceeds a threshold current for continuous operation of the dimmer.

Abstract: An adaptive loader for time varying, non-linear high-impedance power sources (HIS) comprising: an electronic converter, matching the impedance of said HIS to its load; at least one sensor; and a control system, controlling loading factor of the electronic converter to ensures impedance matching between said time varying HIS and its load. The loader may be used for any HIS like piezoelectric, photoelectric, thermoelectric, etc., sources. Impedance matching can be used for energy production, measurement of the input stimuli or both of them. The load may be any active or capacitive load including for example rechargeable battery. A piezoelectric generator producing time varying electrical signal in response to time varying mechanical strain can be used as HIS. For example the piezoelectric generator generates a pulse in response to a mechanical strain caused for example by one of passage of a vehicle or passage of a train.

Abstract: A method for construction of voltage or current power sources receiving an AC input, the power sources based on inclusion of a buffer stage feeding a converter operating with an output driver to a load. The buffer stage includes a buffer capacitance and a control means, such that the consumed input current from the AC input is proportional to the AC input voltage to the power source. The buffer capacitance functions as a charge buffer, enabling maintenance of the consumed input current over the entire period of the AC input voltage, and acting to separate the load from the consumed input current.