Pulsating Or A.c. Supply Patents (Class 315/246)
  • Patent number: 8773034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply system and a method for providing a load (L) with electrical power from either a first or a second AC grid source (10L, 10H) that supply different first and second AC voltages, respectively. In a particular example, said grid sources may belong to the US and the European mains, respectively, and the load may be a lamp with mains compatible LEDs (Ch1-Ch4). The power supply system comprises a first and a second connector device (30L, 30H) for connecting a converter circuit (20) to the first or the second AC grid source (10L, 10H), respectively. Moreover, the second connector device (30H) comprises a transformation circuit (D1-D4) for transforming the second AC voltage such that it yields a similar output voltage of the converter circuit (20) as the first AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Harald Josef Gunther Radermacher
  • Patent number: 8760069
    Abstract: A method for operating a high pressure discharge lamp, with the high pressure discharge lamp being operated by a current inverter with a square wave lamp current having a positive phase with positive current flow and a negative phase with negative current flow, and with the current inverter being controlled by a control arrangement wherein the method comprises the steps of measuring a value for the positive current flow representing the lamp wattage or the square wave lamp current, measuring a value for the negative current flow representing the lamp wattage or the square wave lamp current; calculating a predetermined setpoint value in each case from a guide variable of a lamp wattage or of the square wave lamp current and the measured value for the phase with positive current flow; calculating a predetermined setpoint value in each case from a guide variable of a lamp wattage or of the square wave lamp current and the measured value for the phase with negative current flow; and outputting the two predetermin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Alois Braun, Walter Limmer, Maximilian Schmidl
  • Publication number: 20140167641
    Abstract: In a lighting apparatus containing a high pressure discharge lamp, an alternating current supplied to the discharge lamp at the time of steady lighting of the frequency (basic frequency) selected from a range between 60 and 1000 Hz and a low frequency having a frequency selected from a range between 5 and 200 Hz lower than the basic frequency is generated alternately. The frequency of the low frequency wave is changed in response to the change of the lighting voltage of the discharge lamp. The supply period of the basic frequency is increased and decreased little by little by every predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: USHIO DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Imamura, Takanori Samejima, Minoru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8749166
    Abstract: An OLED has a characteristic threshold voltage (V2) above which the OLED is to be considered ON. A method for driving an OLED (20) includes the steps of switching the OLED on and off. According to the invention, a method for driving an OLED (20) includes of avoiding driving the OLED within a voltage range between zero and a predetermined voltage level (Vx) higher than zero, wherein this predetermined voltage level (Vx) may be in the order of said characteristic threshold voltage (V2). As a result, damage to the OLED is prevented or reduced, resulting in increased reliability of the OLED in terms of life time expectancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Coen Adrianus Verschuren
  • Publication number: 20140152183
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an LED lighting apparatus. The LED lighting apparatus includes a converter for transforming rectified voltage in accordance with a switching operation according to a driving pulse and outputting the transformed voltage, a current regulator for generating the driving pulse having a pulse width varied in response to a control signal and the amount of current of the converter and switching the operation of the converter using the generated driving pulse, and a peripheral circuit module for providing the control signal for controlling the dimming of an LED lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SILICON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Guen KIM, Sang Young Lee, Gyeong Sik Mun, Ki Chul An
  • Publication number: 20140145638
    Abstract: Electronic devices require correct power in order to operate correctly. Receiving an incorrect power signal could potentially result in immediate and/or long term harm to the electronic device and/or catastrophic conditions. Certain devices, such as programmable logic controller (“PLC”) modules, may provide variable power to electronic devices, such as field devices comprising sensors and/or actuators. The present inventors have recognized that deciphering between AC and DC input signals before coupling electronic devices to such power sources may advantageously avoid harmful and/or catastrophic conditions. Aspects of the present invention provide an electronic circuit for deciphering between an AC and a DC input signal. Systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Terdan, Sean P. Overberger, SR.
  • Patent number: 8736196
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes; a light source, an inverter which provides the light source with an input voltage, and a printed circuit board (“PCB”) connected to the light source, wherein the PCB includes a protection circuit which detects an open-lamp-protection voltage which varies according to a change of the input voltage and changes a reference voltage according to the change of the input voltage, wherein the protection circuit turns off the inverter when the detected open-lamp-protection voltage is higher than the changed reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd., Korea Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Gun Lee, Ki-Bok Jang, Moon-Shik Kang, Sung-Kyu Park, Hyun-Ho Seo
  • Publication number: 20140139325
    Abstract: A process for transfer of signals is provided between a first control unit and at least a second control unit, wherein the first control unit, based on the input data, selects at least a first signal that is to be transferred, and the first control unit has at least one signal output, at which a first PWM signal can be emitted, wherein a first PWM signal is encoded and assigned to each selected at least one first signal, and wherein the second control device has one first signal input, which receives the first PWM signal and the second control device evaluates the first PWM signal received and detects the first signal and, based on the first signal transferred, creates a subsequent control instruction. A related device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jürgen Griebel, Andreas Haas, Peter Ruppert
  • Publication number: 20140132177
    Abstract: A white LED lighting device driven by a pulse current is provided, which consists of blue, violet or ultraviolet LED chips, blue afterglow luminescence materials A and yellow luminescence materials B. Wherein the weight ratio of the blue afterglow luminescence materials A to the yellow luminescence materials B is 10-70 wt %:30-90 wt %. The white LED lighting device drives the LED chips with a pulse current having a frequency of not less than 50 Hz. Because of using the afterglow luminescence materials, the light can be sustained when an excitation light source disappears, thereby eliminating the influence of LED light output fluctuation caused by current variation on the illumination. At the same time, the pulse current can keep the LED chips being at an intermittent work state, so as to overcome the problem of chip heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SICHUAN SUNFOR LIGHTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MING ZHANG, KUN ZHAO, DONG-MING LI
  • Publication number: 20140125234
    Abstract: A dimming system including a motion and/or light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Laurence P. Sadwick
  • Patent number: 8716951
    Abstract: The invention discloses an illumination controlling circuit coupled between a household electricity input and an illumination lamp. The illumination controlling circuit includes a dimmer module, a sampling-and-holding circuit, a differential circuit, an integrator circuit and a clamping circuit. The dimmer circuit is used for generating a dimming signal which includes a plurality of waveform pulses. The sampling-and-holding circuit samples from the dimming signal, so as to obtain an average waveform pulse. The differential circuit is used for extracting a voltage difference of the average waveform pulse. The integrator circuit performs integration on the average waveform pulse according to the voltage difference, so as to generate a direct current voltage signal. When a level of the direct current voltage signal exceeds a threshold voltage level of the clamping circuit, the direct current voltage signal is used for driving the illumination lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Kuang Chen, Po-Shen Chen, Feng-Ling Lin, Hui-Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20140117871
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Chris Dimberg, Timothy S. Majewski, Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Publication number: 20140111106
    Abstract: A ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp includes an inverter configured to generate a lamp supply voltage signal, and a voltage regulator coupled to the inverter and configured to generate a regulation signal. The regulation signal is used by the inverter to maintain the lamp voltage signal at a substantially constant voltage. A thermistor circuit is coupled between the lamp supply voltage signal and the voltage regulator and configured to detect a temperature of the ballast. The lamp supply voltage signal is varied by the regulation signal in accordance with the detected temperature of the ballast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hongbin Wei, Gang Yao, David Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140103832
    Abstract: A traffic lamp and a method of controlling the traffic lamp based on a power signal are provided. The traffic lamp can include a controller and a light emitting element. When a plurality of light emitting elements is included in the traffic lamp, each light emitting element is coupled with a separate controller. Each controller can be configured to include a predetermined light emitting timing sequence for the corresponding light emitting element. When the power signal is supplied to the traffic lamp, each controller determines a power signal characteristic such as a frequency or a period of the power signal and controls a light output of the light emitting element based on the power signal characteristic and the light emitting timing sequence. A plurality of light emitting elements can be synchronized using the power signal applied to the traffic lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Morne Neser, Truong-Khoa Nguyen, Christian Poirier
  • Patent number: 8698411
    Abstract: In a discharge lamp lighting apparatus comprising a short arc type discharge lamp and a power supply unit, a relation of the natural frequency fe (Hz) of the electrodes, the ripple frequency fd (Hz) of the alternating current that is supplied to the discharge lamp, and the ripple power Pr (W) of the alternating current, satisfies a formula: Pr ? ? f e - f d ? · ( - 0.13 × Vh Va + 3.0 ) , wherein the volume of the electrode head portion is represented as Vh and the volume of the segment of the electrode axis portion that projects into the arc tube is represented as Va. When the alternating current supplied to the discharge lamp satisfies the formula, it is possible to prevent or control damage in the electrode axis portion, since vibration produced in the electrodes during lighting of the discharge lamp is small even if the discharge lamp is lighted for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kontani, Takashi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140097763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the operation of an LED and to a method for controlling the drive current thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the operation of an LED, which is capable of driving a direct current-operated LED module or an alternating current-operated LED module using alternating current power, and to a method for controlling the drive current of the apparatus. According to the present invention, the drive current of an LED array can be output in the form of a sine wave by a constant-current regulation or constant-power regulation even when input voltage varies, thus suppressing harmonics, improving the power factor, minimizing flicker, and preventing a temperature increase in the LED array and in an LED operation control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA ELECTROTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Kim, Myung Hyo Ryu, Ju Won Baek, Kill Soo Seo, Hyoung Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8692476
    Abstract: A boost circuit for an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight driver circuit is disclosed; said boost circuit includes a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) chip, a second capacitor, and a signal processing circuit. A VCC pin of the PWM chip is coupled to the input node, and the PWM chip is utilized to generate a PWM signal. One end of the second capacitor is coupled to an output pin of the PWM chip, and the second capacitor is utilized to filter out a direct current component of the PWM signal. One terminal of the signal processing circuit is coupled to the second capacitor, and another terminal thereof is coupled to a gate of the switch. The signal processing circuit is used to adjust the filtered PWM signal for generating corresponding high levels and low levels. A regulator is omitted in the present invention, therefore reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xin-Ming Gao
  • Publication number: 20140091722
    Abstract: A load control device, such as an electronic ballast, for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as one or more fluorescent lamps, comprises a power converter having an inductor and a power switching device coupled to the inductor, a load control circuit adapted to be coupled to the electrical load, and a control circuit operable to calculate an average input power of the load control device. The control circuit may be operable to calculate a cumulative output power of the power converter while the ballast is preheating filaments of the lamps, and to subsequently determine a fault condition in the lamps in response to the calculated cumulative output power of the power converter. Further, the control circuit may be operable to transmit a digital message including the calculated average input power of the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jonathan Robert Quayle, Alexander J. Rovnan, Mark S. Taipale, Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 8686667
    Abstract: A lighting power source provides AC or DC power as needed to power an electric light source. A first switching element and a diode are coupled in series across output ends of a DC power source, with a second switching element coupled across the diode. An inductor forms an output loop with the diode. A driving capacitor has a first end coupled to a node between the first switching element and the diode. A charging power source is coupled to a second end of the driving capacitor and supplied with power from the DC power source. During a charging operation, a control circuit charges the driving capacitor by turning on the second switching element while maintaining the first switching element in an OFF state. During a normal operation which follows the charging operation the control circuit repeatedly turns on/off the first switching element while maintaining the second switching element in the OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Mishima, Katunobu Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 8686660
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (35) is described, which comprises a light-emitting structure designed to emit light when it is powered, and a delay structure designed to delay a propagation of at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom) having a temporal relationship with one another and such a signal strength that a part of the light-emitting structure is driven in dependence on coincidence of the power signal pulses at said part of the light-emitting structure, and a terminal structure designed to receive the at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom) and to feed the delay structure at its different positions with the at least two power signal pulses (4a_left, 4b_right, 4a_top, 4b_bottom). A circuit for powering said light-emitting structure, as well as a method of operating said organic light-emitting diode (35) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Harald J. G. Radermacher
  • Patent number: 8686668
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining at least a holding current in a leading-edge phase-cut dimmer during a period of transient voltage variations, the apparatus connectable to the dimmer and connectable to a load connected to draw current from the dimmer. The apparatus may comprise an edge detector connected to receive a voltage from the dimmer and generate a leading-edge signal in response to a leading-edge of a phase-cut waveform, and a current offset circuit connected to receive the leading-edge signal and draw a supplementary offset current in response to the leading-edge signal, wherein the supplementary offset current is sufficient to maintain at least a holding current in the dimmer during the period of transient voltage variations. The current offset circuit may comprise a holding current circuit which also draws supplementary current in response to an instantaneous value of load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski, Milen Moussakov, Gregory Bernard Sheehan, Tom William Thornton, Thomas George Foxall
  • Patent number: 8680787
    Abstract: An LED driver for controlling the intensity of an LED light source includes a power converter circuit for generating a DC bus voltage, an LED drive circuit for receiving the bus voltage and controlling a load current through, and thus the intensity of, the LED light source, and a controller operatively coupled to the power converter circuit and the LED drive circuit. The LED drive circuit comprises a controllable-impedance circuit coupled in series with the LED light source. The controller adjusts the magnitude of the bus voltage to a target bus voltage and generates a drive signal for controlling the controllable-impedance circuit. To adjust the intensity of the LED light source, the controller controls the magnitudes of both the load current and the regulator voltage. The controller controls the magnitude of the regulator voltage by simultaneously maintaining the magnitude of the drive signal constant and adjusting the target bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 8680708
    Abstract: In response to turning-on of a lock-type power switch, an initial controller outputs a first voltage for a first period and a gate is turned on for the period via a first driver responsive to the first voltage, then DC power is supplied to a main circuit. During the period, a control processor causes a voltage output section to start outputting a second voltage so that the gate is turned on via a second driver to continue the DC power supply. When no event has been generated for a second period, the second voltage from the voltage output section is stopped to turn off the gate, thus the power supply to the main circuit is shut off. Once a power from outside is switched from OFF to ON while the power switch kept ON, the power supply to the main circuit is resumed via the controller and first driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tamotsu Shirai
  • Patent number: 8680788
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a semiconductor light-emitting element enables stable dimmed lighting from very low luminance output to rated luminance output by use of a switching power source operating in a discontinuous mode. The driver circuit includes a DC-DC converter, an output sensor, and a feedback controller. The DC-DC converter includes a burst dimming controller for intermittently stopping an ON/OFF operation of a power switch of the DC-DC converter, thereby reducing a current flowing to the semiconductor light-emitting element. The output sensor detects at least one of the current provided to the semiconductor light-emitting element or the voltage of the semiconductor light-emitting element. The feedback controller adjusts an ON time of the power switch during the ON/OFF operation such that a detected value of the output sensor approaches a target value. Near a dimming control lower limit, power is blocked from the feedback controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sana Esaki, Akinori Hiramatu
  • Patent number: 8680771
    Abstract: A controller is configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp to supply power to the lamp from a supply voltage. The controller is further configured to receive customization data encoded in the supply voltage. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the controller receives the customization data via one or more power terminals of the lamp. Phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data, and each phase cut angle encodes N symbols of data. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). In at least one embodiment, the customization data alters the controller from one state to another state in accordance with data represented by phase cuts in the supply voltage that encode the customization data. Examples of customization data include calibration data and configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Grisamore, William A. Draper, Eric J. King, Michael A. Kost, John L. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20140077718
    Abstract: A two-wire lighting control device, may include a controllably conductive device, a signal generation circuit, and a filter circuit. The controllably conductive device may apply an AC line voltage to a load, being conductive for a first duration of time and non-conductive for a second duration of time within a half-cycle of the AC line voltage. The signal generation circuit may generate a non-zero-magnitude signal. And, the filter circuit may receive a signal from the controllably conductive device during the first duration of time and the non-zero-magnitude signal from the signal generation circuit during the second duration of time. The non-zero-magnitude signal may, in effect, fill-in or complement the signal from the controllably conductive device, and any delay variation as a function of the firing angle of the controllably conductive device through the filter circuit may be mitigated by the presence of the non-zero-magnitude signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: William Zotter, Bingrui Yang, Henry Kite
  • Patent number: 8674619
    Abstract: A high frequency power supply device includes a high frequency power generation unit configured to output a high frequency power to be supplied to a load and a control unit configured to detect a mean value of the high frequency power to control the high frequency power generation unit. A power change period detection unit detects a period of a level change of the high frequency power that is detected at an output side of the high frequency power generation unit due to a periodic change of a level of a high frequency power that is given to a load from another high frequency power supply device as a power change period TZ. A control period setting unit sets a control period TC to an appropriate value in accordance with the power change period TZ detected by the power change period detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daihen Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Nakamori, Tatsuya Ikenari, Daisuke Maehara, Masao Umehara, Satoru Hamaishi
  • Publication number: 20140062332
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply device including a wired controller receiving AC power to generate a driving voltage, and outputting a lighting driving signal, a wireless controller wirelessly receiving a lighting control signal and outputting the lighting control signal to the wired controller, and a standby power supply unit receiving a reference standby voltage based on the driving voltage, storing the reference standby voltage, and supplying the reference standby voltage to the wireless controller as standby power. In the lighting control device based on wired/wireless communication, the power is always obtained from the super capacitor to turn on the wireless controller, so that the turn-on state of the power generator of the wired controller is not always required. The power consumption is reduced by reducing the standby power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dae Hun KIM
  • Patent number: 8664894
    Abstract: A method is described for driving a fluorescent lamp (L) with variable light output within a dimming range between a low dimming level and a high dimming level. The lamp power and the lamp current are monitored. At high dimming level the lamp control is based on current control; at low dimming level, the lamp control is based on power control; at intermediary levels the lamp control is based on both current and power control. A first measuring signal (Ilamp) indicating lamp current and a second measuring signal (Plamp) indicating lamp power are obtained. An error signal (Serr) is calculated as a function of the said two measuring signals and as a function of dim level. With increasing dim level, the contribution of the first measuring signal (Ilamp) to the error signal (Serr) increases while the contribution of the second measuring signal (Plamp) to the error signal (Serr) decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Jan Zwerver
  • Patent number: 8664872
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a gas discharge lamp. The apparatus includes an electronic ballast and a controller. The electronic ballast includes a half bridge configuration, a full bridge configuration, a first network, and a second network. The electronic ballast is controlled by a controller that causes the half bridge configuration to ignite an arc between electrodes of the gas discharge lamp in an igniter function that uses the first network, to switch the electronic ballast from the half bridge configuration to the full bridge configuration after the arc is ignited so that a buck inverter function using the second network sustains the arc between the electrodes of the gas discharge lamp, and to provide a transient operation function to the buck inverter function to produce a spike voltage that is used to re-ignite the arc between the electrodes of the gas discharge lamp when the arc extinguishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Fukuda, Yiyoung Sun
  • Publication number: 20140055052
    Abstract: In order to control of dimming of solid state lighting devices (SSL) a driver circuit drives the SSL subject to an input voltage using a phase-cut dimmer. The driver circuit comprises a transistor operable in two modes, either alternating between on/off states or continuously controlling a current through the transistor. A power converter network provides a switched-mode power converter in conjunction with the transistor when operated in the first mode generating a drive voltage for the SSL. The control unit controls the transistor to selectively operate in one of the two modes; to control the transistor to determine that the input voltage exceeds an input voltage threshold; and to control a drive current through the SSL based on a measurement of a phase-cut angle thereby controlling an illumination level of the SSL device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Zudrell-Koch, Nebojsa Jelaca
  • Patent number: 8659241
    Abstract: A light emitting diode lamp includes: two first pins which are provided at one side thereof; two second pins which are provided at the other side thereof; a light emitting diode (LED) module which is disposed between the two first pins and the two second pins; a circuit connecting at least two of the two first pins and the two second pins to the LED module; and a protection circuit including a fuse which is disposed at a front end of the LED module to protect the LED module in case of generation of high voltage. The circuit is configured to have a direction from a front end of the LED module to the other end thereof as a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Sea-Kyoung Huh
  • Publication number: 20140049184
    Abstract: A field emission display is also provided. The field emission display includes a plurality of pixel units. Each of the plurality of pixel units includes a first electrode located on the insulating substrate; a plurality of first electron emitters located on and electrically connected to the first electrode; a first phosphor layer located on the first electrode; a second electrode located on the insulating substrate and spaced from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode extends at least partly around the first electrode; a plurality of second electron emitters located on and electrically connected to the second electrode; and a second phosphor layer located on the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: PENG LIU, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Publication number: 20140049186
    Abstract: A driver is connectable to an external power supply and configured to output variable electrical power for one or more loads, such as LEDs. A module including a microcontroller is operable to output a control signal that automatically varies the electrical power outputted by the driver. The microcontroller is further configured to be powered by the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ruud Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Fortini, Pierre Deschenes, Andrew Dan Bendtsen
  • Publication number: 20140042916
    Abstract: An electrically powered flame simulator comprises at least two light sources, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the light sources for intermittently illuminating at least one of the light sources independently of other light sources such that the light sources together provide the effect of a flickering movement, and a power source for providing power to the integrated circuit. The flame simulator may be mounted in a decorative or ornamental device such as a candle or fire log, or used on decorative clothing, or may be part of a hazard or warning system. One or more solid state light sources may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Winvic Sales Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Gutstein, Monita Liu
  • Publication number: 20140042917
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit includes an LED control circuit and a power stage circuit. The LED control circuit shifts an input pulse width modulation (PWM) signal toward a higher frequency direction in a frequency domain to generate an output PWM signal having a duty cycle substantially the same as a duty cycle of the input PWM signal. The power stage circuit outputs an LED driving current according to the output PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsing-Chien YANG, Wen-Hsin Cheng, Ying-Hao Hsu, Lan-Ting Hsu, Tsung-Hau Chang
  • Patent number: 8648530
    Abstract: A fluorescent lighting device includes a ballast and a tube. An amalgam is located within the tube. A resistive heater is operatively coupled with the ballast, to receive electrical power from the ballast while the fluorescent lighting device is in an OFF state. The resistive heater is mounted near the amalgam to transfer heat to the amalgam while the fluorescent lighting device is in the OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Schmidt, Peter Lucz, Jacint Gergely, Zsolt Bagoly, Tamas Daranyi
  • Patent number: 8637876
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package having the same. The light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting cells including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer; a first electrode layer connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer of a first light emitting cell of the plural light emitting cells; a plurality of second electrode layers under the light emitting cells, a portion of the second electrode layers being connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer of an adjacent light emitting cells; a third electrode layer disposed under a last light emitting cell of the plural light emitting cells; a first electrode connected to the first electrode layer; a second electrode connected to the third electrode layer; an insulating layer around the first to third electrode layers; and a support member under the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Youl Lee, Jung Hyeok Bae, Ji Hyung Moon, Juno Song
  • Patent number: 8637897
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate and a plurality of light emitting cells arranged on the substrate. Each of the light emitting cells includes a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed therebetween to emit blue light. An interconnection structure electrically connects the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of one light emitting cell to the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of another light emitting cell. A light conversion part is formed in a light emitting region defined by the light emitting cells and includes a red and/or a green light conversion part respectively having a red and/or a green light conversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Won Kim, Tae Sung Jang, Jong Gun Woo, Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8638044
    Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling an aspect of an apparatus are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the control apparatus comprises a dimmer that includes a variable impedance. In certain embodiments of the invention, the dimmer may be a TRIAC dimmer having a voltage at a gate electrode of the TRIAC that is always below a trigger voltage for the TRIAC such that the TRIAC never turns on and the remaining components within the TRIAC dimmer can be used as discreet components in a larger circuit. In the control apparatus, the dimmer may be coupled to a signal generation circuit that may generate an output signal whose frequency (period) is dictated at least in part by an impedance of the variable impedance. The output signal may be used to control an aspect of an apparatus such as the intensity, color or color temperature for a lighting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Arkalumen Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Edward Briggs
  • Patent number: 8632205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED lighting module using AC power, where an AC-driven LED lighting is implemented by a simplified rectifier circuit and by adjusting the number of LED elements, without using a dedicated circuit configuration such as SMPS, and the LED modules are arranged in a way to enable a multiplicity of unit modules to be driven with a single power supply. The LED lighting module using AC power contains a power supply which receives AC power; unit modules, each having at least two LED sets connected together, each having one LED element or plural interconnected LED elements driven by an input power; and rectifier circuits, each being separately installed to which the power is input, for rectifying AC power which is input through the power supply when a multiplicity of unit modules form a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Hyun-Seop Shim
  • Publication number: 20140015435
    Abstract: A low-temperature LED lighting and power supply device has a low power-consuming power supply control module and an LED lighting module electrically connected therewith. The LED lighting module is composed of at least one light source driver and an LED light source. The low power-consuming power supply control module at least has a surge suppression unit, a voltage-dividing-limiting unit, a current-limiting unit, and a steady voltage filtering unit. Accordingly, the present invention allows LED lighting equipment to be applied in a wider power supply range and operated under a low-temperature and low power-consuming state so as to meet economic and practical demands and environmental protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Shun-An Liao
  • Patent number: 8629625
    Abstract: A method for providing universal voltage input to a solid state lighting fixture (140) supplied by an AC line voltage includes converting an analog voltage signal corresponding to the line voltage to digital values indicating a waveform of the line voltage (S312) and calculating slopes corresponding to rising edges of the waveform using select values of the digital values (S453). A value of the line voltage is determined based on the calculated slopes (S458).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Gregory Campbell, Igor Shikh
  • Patent number: 8629624
    Abstract: A load control device, such as an electronic ballast, for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as one or more fluorescent lamps, comprises a power converter having an inductor and a power switching device coupled to the inductor, a load control circuit adapted to be coupled to the electrical load, and a control circuit operable to calculate an average input power of the load control device. The control circuit may be operable to calculate a cumulative output power of the power converter while the ballast is preheating filaments of the lamps, and to subsequently determine a fault condition in the lamps in response to the calculated cumulative output power of the power converter. Further, the control circuit may be operable to transmit a digital message including the calculated average input power of the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jonathan Robert Quayle, Alexander J. Rovnan, Mark S. Taipale, Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 8624519
    Abstract: The operation of gas discharge devices involves stabilizing drive stage with a highly dynamic load exhibiting both negative resistance and non-linear behavior. Stabilization is typically accomplished by inserting impedance in series with the plasma load so the combination impedance has a voltage division that is characterized by the intersection of the linear series impedance and the instantaneous voltage-current. This is stable as long as there is an ample excess of voltage driving the plasma/series impedance complex. However providing series impedance that insures stable operation over varying power levels, lamp types/chemistries and changes resulting from aging can lead to inefficient operation as a result of either high voltage/power drops in the series impedance or a high source voltage driving smaller impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robertson Transformer Co.
    Inventor: Denny D. Beasley
  • Patent number: 8622575
    Abstract: A lighting assembly having a socket adaptor and a microprocessor for receiving user input and selectively actuating at least one LED based on that user input. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the socket adaptor. A processor-readable medium is in electrical communication with the microprocessor. An LED assembly comprising at least one plurality of LEDs is electrically connected to the microprocessor. A lens encloses the LED assembly and the microprocessor. An input device is electrically connected to the microprocessor to receive user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Magic Bulb, LLC
    Inventors: Turner Lucas Zeutzius, Joey B. Adkins
  • Patent number: 8618745
    Abstract: A light emitting element drive apparatus capable of outputting the lowest voltage satisfying drive conditions and having high light emitting efficiency and low power loss, and a portable apparatus using the same, comprising an LED drive apparatus to which LEDs of different drive voltages required for emitting light are connected in parallel and driving one or more LEDs, wherein the LED drive apparatus has drive circuits connected to the corresponding LEDs among a plurality of LEDs and driving the corresponding LEDs with luminances based on set values and power supply circuits for deciding a drive voltage value required for the highest light emission among one or more LEDs driven to emit light based on drive states of drive circuits (for example terminal voltages of the current source) and supplying a drive voltage having at least the decided value to LEDs in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Tsuchida, Junji Saito, Kazuo Sudo
  • Publication number: 20130334960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroluminescent device (100) comprising a pair of electroluminescent stacks (101,102), each stack comprising a first electrode layer (103,104), a second electrode layer (105,106) and an electroluminescent layer (107,108) being located between the first and second electrode layers (103-105,104-106), an electrical connection (115,116) between the two stacks (101,102),each of the second electrode layers comprising a conductive plate, the two conductive plates forming a pair of receiver electrodes for capacitive power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Adrianus Sempel, Dave Willem Van Goor, Henricus Theodorus Van Der Zanden
  • Patent number: 8610365
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the controller senses a leading edge, phase cut AC input voltage value to a switching power converter during a cycle of the AC input voltage. The controller senses the voltage value at a time prior to a zero crossing of the AC input voltage and utilizes the voltage value to determine the approximate zero crossing. In at least one embodiment, by determining an approximate zero crossing of the AC input voltage, the controller is unaffected by any disturbances of the dimmer that could otherwise make detecting the zero crossing problematic. In at least one embodiment, the controller approximates the AC input voltage using a function that estimates a waveform of the AC input voltage and determines the approximate zero crossing of the AC input voltage from the approximation of the AC input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. King, John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8604712
    Abstract: An LED luminaires power supply that isolates dangerous line power from the LED luminaires. The power supply's footprint may enable retrofitting in existing lighting fixtures (e.g., replace ballast in florescent tube troffer). The power supply may individually power a plurality of LED luminaires based on power requirements of the individual LED luminaires. The power supply may receive and interpret TRIAC dimmer signals and/or other lighting protocol commands and provide dimming and/or other lighting scenarios to the LED luminaires. The power supply may include identification readers to read identification and/or power requirements for the LED luminaires being powered thereby (stored in luminaires or in adapters connected to luminaires). The LED luminaires driven by the power supply may include individual lighting fixtures (e.g., LED tubes, LED bulbs), a plurality of LED light arrays in a single light fixture (e.g., LED street lights, LED high hats), or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Keystone L.E.D. Holdings LLC
    Inventors: John R. Bloom, Walter M. Bloom, Richard A. Frantz, Daniel J. Clark