Thermal Responsive Regulator Patents (Class 315/309)
  • Publication number: 20140167643
    Abstract: Systems and methods of variably controlling a driver signal to a light emitting device located proximate to a burner assembly of an appliance are provided. The driver signal can be adjusted based on a signal indicative of a temperature in a region proximate the light emitting device. The signal indicative of a temperature of the burner assembly temperature can be generated by a temperature senor or the signal can be based on an anticipated temperature profile of the burner assembly. The driver signal can be adjusted based on the signal indicative of the temperature of the burner assembly temperature using pulse width modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Payam Motabar, Paul Bryan Cadima, James Carter Bach
  • Patent number: 8754589
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Digtial Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8754593
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Jackson, Matthew Edward Mostoller, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Gerald J. Wingle, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140159612
    Abstract: A lighting device capable of generating warm or neutral white light using blue light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), red LEDs, and/or luminescent material that responds to blue LED emission is disclosed. The lighting device includes multiple first solid-state light-emitting structures (“SLSs”), second SLSs, and balancing resistor element. The first SLS such as a string of blue LED dies connected in series is able to convert electrical energy to blue optical light, which is partially turned into longer wavelength emission by the luminescent material. The second SLS such as a red LED die is configured to convert electrical energy to red optical light, wherein the second SLSs are connected in series. While the first SLSs and second SLSs are coupled in parallel, the balancing resistor element provides load balance for current redistribution between the first and second SLSs in response to fluctuation of operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGELUX, INC.
    Inventor: TAO TONG
  • Patent number: 8749177
    Abstract: Representative embodiments of the disclosure provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting system has a first emitted spectrum at full intensity and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Representative embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting system to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Point Somee Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Anatoly Shteynberg, Harry Rodriguez, Bradley M. Lehman, Dongsheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 8749175
    Abstract: A system and method for driving one or more LEDs by regulating their brightness by controlling the LEDs' average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal, and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a PI or PID controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. Current is provided through an inductor and a power switch during an on time of the power switch. The ampseconds of the inductor are measured at an off time and compared with a periodic ramp signal. A set reference signal is also compared with the periodic ramp signal. Based on the comparisons between the ramp signal, the measured ampseconds, and the reference signal, a control signal is generated to regulate the peak current through the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Point Somee Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Anatoly Shteynberg, Harry Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8736197
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus (100) includes one or more first LEDs (202) for generating a first spectrum of radiation (503), and one or more second LEDs (204) for generating a second different spectrum radiation (505). The first and second LEDs are electrically connected in series between a first node (516A) and a second node (516B), between which a series current (550) flows with the application of an operating voltage (516) across the nodes. A controllable current path (518) is connected in parallel with one or both of the first and second LEDs so as to at least partially divert the series current, such that a first current (552) through the first LED(s) and a second current (554) through the second LED(s) are different. Such current diversion techniques may be employed to compensate for shifts in color or color temperature of generated light during thermal transients, due to different temperature-dependent current-to-flux relationships for different types of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Datta, Ihor Lys
  • Patent number: 8729828
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated circuit controller for ballast with preheat/repreheat filament and ignition time control. A charge/discharge circuit is connected to a capacitor to provide the charge/discharge path for the capacitor. It charges when integrated circuit controller without errors and discharges when error occurred during lamp operation or power tripped. A control circuit is coupled to the charge/discharge circuit to control the charge/discharge circuit to charge or discharge the capacitor. A compare circuit is coupled to the charge/discharge circuit to compare a voltage signal on the capacitor from the charge/discharge circuit with threshold voltages for timing control and providing a preheat signal and an ignition signal. A control logic circuit is coupled to the control circuit to control the control circuit and coupled to the compare circuit to receive the preheat signal and the ignition signal for preheating the filament and igniting the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Gwo-Hwa Wang, Jea-Sen Lin, Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 8729833
    Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8723430
    Abstract: A lamp assembly provides both instant light through use of an incandescent/halogen light/lamp source and an energy saving type light provided by a compact fluorescent light/lamp source. Both light sources are enclosed within a common envelope or outer bulb. First and second thermal sensors are provided in the lamp envelope at spaced locations to monitor the temperature of the lamp. When the sum of these two temperatures reaches a preselected value, power to the incandescent lamp source is terminated. Alternatively, when the difference these two temperatures reaches a preselected value, power to the incandescent lamp source is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Lucz, Laszlo Bankuti, Qi Long, Devin Sun
  • 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: 20140111111
    Abstract: An amount of filament voltage supplied by a reconfigurable ballast may be adjusted based on a lamp type with which the ballast is operating. The filament voltage may be reconfigured dynamically and/or may be reconfigured via a user-provided value. An electronic dimming ballast may include a control circuit configured to control generation of the AC filament voltage in accordance with a reconfigurable AC filament voltage value. Reconfiguring an electronic dimming ballast may include reconfiguring an AC filament voltage applied by the electronic dimming ballast to a filament of a lamp installed in the electronic dimming ballast. Reconfiguring the AC filament voltage may include computing a hot-to-cold cathode resistance ratio associated with the filament. Reconfiguring the AC filament voltage may include determining whether the computed hot-to-cold cathode resistance ratio is within a range specified for the electronic dimming ballast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jonathan Robert Quayle, Brent M. Gawyrs
  • Patent number: 8704463
    Abstract: A temperature control method for light emitting diode (LED) is disclosed, and the method comprises the following steps: acquiring the present temperature of the LED during the light emission of the LED; obtaining a driving electric current corresponding to the present temperature based on the present temperature of the LED; and driving the LED based on the driving electric current. This invention further discloses a temperature control device for the LED and a liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Poshen Lin, Liangchan Liao, Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8704458
    Abstract: A light emitting system includes: first, second, and reference light emitting components having first, second, and reference forward voltages when driven under constant current, respectively; an instrumentation amplifier for generating a temperature detection voltage with a magnitude dependent on the reference forward voltage of the reference light emitting component; first and second compensation voltage modules each generating a respective one of first and second compensation voltages based at least on the temperature detection voltage; and first and second power control modules providing first and second driving currents through the first and second light emitting components according to the first and second compensation voltages and the first and second forward voltages, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Tai-Ping Sun, Chia-Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 8704461
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that a current that is supplied to a light emitting element that serves as a light source can be controlled with low power consumption in accordance with either of a voltage change in input power supply and a change in ambient temperature. This vehicle lighting device is configured in such a manner as to take out a reference voltage that is input to a switching controller 5 from a voltage dividing resistor R2 that is connected between a constant voltage source Vcc and a ground terminal GND. A current control circuit 10C for voltage change is provided to between an input power supply Vin and the ground terminal GND. Further, a current control circuit 10A for temperature change is provided to between the constant voltage source Vcc and the ground terminal GND.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 8680790
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for connecting a light emitting diode (LED) to a driver. The electrical connector includes a housing, a driver input contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power output of the driver, and an LED output contact held by the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power input of the LED. An electrical path is defined between the driver input contact and the LED output contact for supplying electrical power from the driver to the power input of the LED. The electrical connector includes a temperature monitor and control (TMC) module operatively connected to a temperature sensor for receiving a temperature associated with the LED. The TMC module is configured to control the flow of electrical power from the driver input contact to the LED output contact based on the temperature received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Jackson, Mohammad S. Ahmed, Robert Rix, Matthew Mostoller, Gerald Wingle, John Akins
  • Patent number: 8674626
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of failure alerting systems for LED lamps and LED lamps having the same. An illustrative failure alerting system comprises a photodetector configured to detect an actual light output from the at least one LED, a regulator configured to receive a signal from the photodetector when the actual light output is below a target light output and to increase a current to the at least one LED to maintain the target light output, and a low light output indicator configured to receive a signal from the photodetector when the actual light output remains below the target light output and to produce a low light output signal. A thermal sensor can also be included and configured to sense an operating temperature of the LED and to control the regulator to increase the current and the target light output to ensure the operating temperature does not exceed the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: iLumisys, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Siemiet, John Ivey
  • Patent number: 8669719
    Abstract: A light-emitting system includes first and second solid-state light-emitting components, a current source providing a constant current through the second solid-state light-emitting component, a first instrumentation amplifier detecting a second forward voltage across the second solid-state light-emitting component so as to generate a first detection voltage having a magnitude dependent on the second forward voltage, a compensation voltage module operable to generate a compensation voltage having a magnitude related to the second forward voltage according to the first detection voltage and two reference voltages, and a power control module detecting a first forward voltage across the first solid-state light-emitting component and providing a driving current therethrough that is dependent on the compensation voltage and the first forward voltage and that varies according to ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Tai-Ping Sun, Chia-Hung Wang, Li-Wen Mao
  • Patent number: 8664857
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a substrate attached to one edge side of a radiator and a cover may be attached to cover the substrate. Heat-radiating fins may be provided on the other edge side of the radiator and an air-cooling unit may be rotatably provided inside the heat-radiating fins, thereby enabling freely rotation. In one or more examples, a case storing a circuit part is attached to the other edge side of the radiator and a cap is provided to the case. By the air flow from the air-cooling unit, the heat-radiating fins are caused to be a part of the ventilation path to allow for ventilation of the inside of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Betsuda, Takumi Suwa, Hitoshi Kawano, Akiko Saito, Makoto Bessho, Yusuke Shibahara, Hiroki Tamai, Nobuo Shibano, Keiichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8653757
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter for driving one or more LED (38), which converter comprises an integrated circuit (12) having a switch mode power circuit (24) and a 5 temperature sensing circuit (40) for providing an output indicating a temperature of said integrated circuit (12), the arrangement being such that, in use, said integrated circuit consumes power, some of which power is dissipated in said integrated circuit as heat causing a rise in said internal temperature, and wherein a change in said output from said temperature sensing circuit (40) is used by said integrated circuit to 10 adjust said consumed power whereby said internal temperature may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Bobby Jacob Daniel
  • Patent number: 8653758
    Abstract: In a circuit (1) for sensing a property of light there are provided a first circuit element (7) that is sensitive to light and that is realized to generate an output signal (I1) during a measurement time period (?tM), wherein the output signal (I1) is generated according to light to which the first circuit element (7) is exposed and the temperature (T) of the first circuit element (7), and a second circuit element (8) that is realized to increase the temperature (T) of the first circuit element (7) during a warming time period (?tW) that precedes the measurement time period (?tM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher, Christoph Martiny
  • Patent number: 8648549
    Abstract: After discharge has begun in a high pressure discharge lamp, constant current control is performed so a lamp current becomes 4 [A]. Then, the current supplied to a pair of electrodes in the lamp is controlled so an electrode tip temperature t [degrees C.] at this time and an electrode tip temperature T [degrees C.] during stable lighting satisfy the relationship t [degrees C.]<=1.1 T [degrees C.]. When a power of the lamp reaches a rated power value, power control is changed to constant power control. This method enables suppressing an excessive rise in the temperature of the electrode tips in an initial lighting interval from lighting commencement until stable lighting, thereby preventing an increase in arc length due to melting of the electrode tips. Accordingly, illuminance does not readily decrease, particularly in a lamp unit including a high pressure discharge lamp mounted to a reflecting mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20140015447
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe the use of a power supply to provide power to an LED load. The power supply provides a present output current to the LED, and receives a temperature signal representing the operating temperature of the LED. A target output current is determined, for instance based on the temperature signal. An output current rate of change is determined, and the power supply adjusts the output current to the LED at the determined rate of change until the output current is substantially equal to the target current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Fuqiang Shi, Qiu Sha, Xiaolin Gao, Gordon Chen
  • Publication number: 20140015446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for derating current and for derating current for a camera flash. The method comprises monitoring a local junction temperature of a module. The local junction temperature is converted into a local junction current. The local junction current is then compared with a reference current, which is independent of temperature. After the current comparison and subtraction is made, a derate control current is obtained to generate the LED reference current. After the temperature crosses the temperature threshold, the derate control current is derated. Both the temperature threshold and current derate slope are programmable and precisely controlled. The LED output current is regulated and proportional to the LED reference current. If the local junction temperature is greater than the temperature threshold, the LED output current is derated at the moment of the camera flash to avoid thermal overload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xinli Peng, Troy Stockstad, Ricardo T. Goncalves
  • Publication number: 20130334984
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a LED PAPI (10) with condensation protection. The condensation protection may suitably comprise passive components, such as gaskets and seals (26, 36) and a desiccant (48), and/or active components, such as a defroster (39) and/or a heater (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: John Hesch, JR., David L. Ruffini, Glenn Alan Morrow, Richard Schweder
  • Patent number: 8610377
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Colin Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8604716
    Abstract: An LED drive circuit that sufficiently exhibits the performance of an LED element to obtain a favorable luminance at room temperature, includes a constant-current circuit including an LED element, a constant-current output unit, and a temperature sensing element having a negative resistance-temperature coefficient. The LED element is connected to the constant-current output unit in series. The constant-current output unit is connected to the LED element in parallel. Due to changes in the resistance value of the constant-current output unit caused by changes in temperature, the value of a current passing through the LED element is increased at room temperature and the value of a current passing through the temperature sensing element is reduced at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Ito, Yoshinori Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8604703
    Abstract: An inductive LED lamp bulb comprising a male connector, casing, LED, lamp panel and PIR sensor, of which the male connector is set at upper part of the casing, both LED and lamp panel are set at lower part of the casing; moreover, the lamp panel covers said LED, while a controller is embedded into said casing, which is also equipped with a timing switch and a contrast switch; said PIR sensor of a removable structure is mounted at the lower part of the casing, and protruded from said lamp panel; said controller is electrically connected with LED, PIR sensor, timing switch and contrast switch; thus, the utility model can be used as a common LED lamp bulb with more control functions and broader range of applications by disassembling easily the PIR sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Living Style Electric Appliance Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Xian-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20130319992
    Abstract: An appliance and method for variably controlling a drive signal to a light emitting device of the appliance based on a temperature value indicative of a temperature within a chamber of the appliance is provided. The light emitting device can be included in a display or disposed within a chamber of the appliance to provide illumination. The light intensity level of the light emitting device can be controlled based on the temperature value indicative of a temperature within the chamber. The temperature value indicative of a temperature within the chamber can be a value detected within the chamber, a value detected on a surface of the chamber, or a value that anticipates the temperature within the chamber. The light intensity can be controlled with a driving signal to the light emitting device. For instance, the light intensity can be controlled using pulse width modulation of the driving signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Xavier Meusburger
  • Publication number: 20130313995
    Abstract: A dimmable driver comprising a dimming control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Laurence P. Sadwick
  • Publication number: 20130309131
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to lamp ballast systems, generally including a lamp, at least one temperature sensor, a ballast and a processor. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned proximate to the lamp or incorporated into the lamp. The ballast provides an electrical current to the lamp. The processor receives a sensed temperature from the at least one temperature sensor and, in response to the sensed temperature, directs a control signal to the ballast to regulate the electrical current provided to the lamp to maintain the lamp at an optimal operating temperature. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to methods of maintaining a lamp at an optimal operating temperature, generally including providing a lamp ballast system, receiving a sensed temperature, and directing a control signal to the ballast to regulate the electrical current provided to the lamp to maintain the lamp at the optimal operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Rolf Engelhard
  • Patent number: 8587205
    Abstract: In a lighting device, sets of LEDs are employed using the natural characteristics of the LEDs to resemble incandescent lamp behavior when dimmed, thereby obviating the need for sophisticated controls. A first set of at least one LED produces light with a first color temperature, and a second set of at least one LED produces light with a second color temperature. The first set and the second set are connected in series, or the first set and the second set are connected in parallel, possibly with a resistive element in series with the first or the second set. The first set and the second set differ in temperature behavior, or have different dynamic electrical resistance. The light device produces light with a color point parallel and close to a blackbody curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Berend Jan Willem Ter Weeme, William Peter Mechtildis Marie Jans, Theo Gerrit Zijlman, Gazi Akdag, Erik Martinus Hubertus Petrus Van Dijk, Paul Johannes Marie Julicher, Bertrand Johan Edward Hontele
  • Patent number: 8587224
    Abstract: Provided are a variable field effect transistor (FET) designed to suppress a reduction of current between a source and a drain due to heat while decreasing a temperature of the FET, and an electrical and electronic apparatus including the variable gate FET. The variable gate FET includes a FET and a gate control device that is attached to a surface or a heat-generating portion of the FET and is connected to a gate terminal of the FET so as to vary a voltage of the gate terminal. A channel current between the source and drain is controlled by the gate control device that varies the voltage of the gate terminal when the temperature of the FET increases above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun-Tak Kim, Bongjun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130293120
    Abstract: A ballast. The ballast includes a lamp driver and a controller. The lamp driver is configured to power a gas discharge lamp, and the controller includes a non-volatile memory configured to save one or more parameters related to operation of the gas discharge lamp in the non-volatile memory. The controller is further configured to control the lamp driver based on the one or more parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Scott Averitt, Paul Wickett
  • Patent number: 8575865
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for maintaining a target white point on a light emitting diode based backlight. In one embodiment, the backlight may include two or more strings of light emitting diodes, each driven at a respective driving strength. Each string may include light emitting diodes from a different color bin, and the respective driving strengths may be adjusted, for example, through pulse width modulation or amplitude modulation, to maintain the target white point. In certain embodiments, the driving strengths may be adjusted to compensate for shifts in the white point that may occur due to temperature or aging. A controller may adjust the driving strengths based on feedback from a temperature sensor, from an optical sensor, from a user input, or from calibration data included within the backlight or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Jun Qi, John Z. Zhong, Victor H. Yin, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8567990
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a substrate attached to one edge side of a radiator and a cover may be attached to cover the substrate. Heat-radiating fins may be provided on the other edge side of the radiator and an air-cooling unit may be rotatably provided inside the heat-radiating fins, thereby enabling freely rotation. In one or more examples, a case storing a circuit part is attached to the other edge side of the radiator and a cap is provided to the case. By the air flow from the air-cooling unit, the heat-radiating fins are caused to be a part of the ventilation path to allow for ventilation of the inside of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Betsuda, Takumi Suwa, Hitoshi Kawano, Akiko Saito, Makoto Bessho, Yusuke Shibahara, Hiroki Tamai, Nobuo Shibano, Keiichi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130271042
    Abstract: In a light emitting device and system providing white light with various color temperatures are provided, a light emitting device includes a light emitting element (LED) that is operated by a driving bias and emits first light, and a phosphor layer including a phosphor that partially wavelength-converts first light and emits second light, thereby emitting white light using the first light and the second light, wherein the phosphor has a maximum conversion efficiency at a first level of the driving bias, and the LED has a maximum conversion efficiency at a second level of the driving bias, the first level being different from the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 8558782
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for maintaining a target white point on a light emitting diode (LED) based backlight. In one embodiment, the backlight may include two or more groups of LEDs, each driven at a respective driving strength. Each group may include LEDs of a different chromaticity, and the respective driving strengths may be adjusted, for example, by varying the duty cycles, to maintain the target white point. To ensure that the white point may be maintained over an operational temperature range of the backlight, the LEDs may be selected so that the chromaticities of each group of LEDs are separated by at least a minimum chromaticity difference. Further, the LEDs may be selected so that at the equilibrium temperature of the backlight, the LEDs may produce the target white point when driven at substantially equal driving strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chenhua You, Jean-Jacques Philippe Drolet, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130264959
    Abstract: To provide a lighting device in which the luminance of an EL element is maintained even when the EL element deteriorates so that degradation of the lighting device is reduced, the lighting device includes a surface light source portion including an organic EL element, and a control circuit portion provided in a base portion. The control circuit portion counts a lighting time of the organic EL element and controls the luminance of the organic EL element in accordance with the lighting time. Accordingly, the lighting device in which the luminance of an EL element is maintained regardless of degradation of the EL element so that degradation of the lighting device is reduced can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 8552661
    Abstract: A vehicle multi-energy illuminating system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Yefim Kriger
  • Patent number: 8547037
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled LED lighting device can be provided in which a temporal increase in the temperature of the tubing and the circulation pump when the LED light sources are turned off is prevented to ensure high reliability. The liquid-cooled LED lighting device can include an LED light source, a liquid cooling system including a heat receiving jacket and a radiator, an LED light source-driving power supply for supplying power to the LED light source, and a liquid cooling system-driving power supply for supplying power to the liquid cooling system. The LED lighting device can include a control unit, such as a timer circuit. The control unit can maintain supply of the power to the liquid cooling system for a predetermined period of time after supply of the power to the LED light source is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Yasushi Hiramoto, Mitsuo Yamada, Teruo Koike
  • Publication number: 20130249415
    Abstract: An LED apparatus includes an LED component and a current-limiting device. The LED component includes at least one LED having a corresponding current-limiting resistance value. The current-limiting device includes a plurality of PTC devices connected in series. The plurality of PTC devices are capable of effectively sensing the temperature of the LED and are electrically coupled to the LED component. The resistance value of the current-limiting device increases with the increment of sensed temperature. The current-limiting device has a resistance close to or equal to the current-limiting resistance value at a temperature at which the LED operates normally. When the temperature of the LED gradually increases to an abnormal temperature, current allowable to be flowed through the current-limiting device gradually decreases to be lower than LED operating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: POLYTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chun Teng TSENG, David Shau Chew Wang
  • Publication number: 20130249440
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for driving an LED from a secondary side of a transformer are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the method includes monitoring an input voltage to determine the power level intended to drive the LED. The current flow through the primary side of the transformer is adjusted to make the power actually driving the LED equal to the power intended to drive the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Montu Virendra Doshi, Steven Michael Barrow
  • Publication number: 20130241426
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LED light comprising at least one LED (43) that is arranged on a ceramic support element (32) and is connected thereto in a thermally conducting manner, and an electronic driver (17) that is electrically connected to the LED (43) to supply power and control the power supplied to the LED (43). The driver (17) is connected in a thermally conducting manner to the support element (32) in order to improve the electric control function and performance of the LED (43) in the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CeramTec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Dohn, Christian Schnagl, Alfred Thimm, Karl Degelmann, Ewald Sutor
  • Publication number: 20130241425
    Abstract: In order to supply power and control the power supplied to an LED (43), in particular an LED (43) comprising a ceramic support element (4, 32), an LED driver circuit (17) is designed to regulate the supply current for the LED (43) in accordance with the temperature of the support element (4, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CERAMTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Dohn, Christian Schnagl, Alfred Thimm, Karl Degelmann, Ewald Sutor
  • Patent number: 8531107
    Abstract: A circuit includes a component connected (i) to a rectifier, and (ii) between electrodes of a lamp. The electrodes include a first electrode and a second electrode. A control module is in communication with the rectifier and is configured to receive a temperature signal from a temperature sensor. The temperature signal is indicative of a temperature of the component. The control module is also configured to decrease current to the electrodes for a predetermined period when the temperature of the component is greater than a first predetermined temperature. The control module is further configured to increase the current to the electrodes when the predetermined period expires and independent of the temperature of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 8519633
    Abstract: A pulsed electric operating current that rises during a pulse duration is generated for operating at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor component. For this purpose, in a method for producing a control device for operating the at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor component, a temporal profile of a thermal impedance representative of the at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor component is determined. A profile of the electric operating current that is to be set is determined depending on the determined temporal profile of the thermal impedance. The control device is furthermore designed such that the profile of the operating current that is to be set is set in each case during the pulse duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Zahner, Florian Dams, Peter Holzer, Stefan Groetsch
  • Publication number: 20130214703
    Abstract: A time-multiplexed thermal sensing circuit is provided for control and sensing of two thermistors over a single line electrical coupling. The circuit may include a first diode that selectively couples or isolates a first thermistor from a sense node based on the polarity of an applied voltage to the sense node. The circuit may further include a second diode that selectively couples or isolates a second thermistor from the sense node based on the polarity of the applied voltage to the sense node such that only of the thermistors is coupled to the sense node at any time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Guy P. Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8502479
    Abstract: A current regulating circuit is for connection in series between a light emitting diode (LED) and a power source, and includes: a first resistive unit having a first resistance that is proportional to an operation temperature of the LED when the operation temperature is above a predetermined threshold temperature; and a second resistive unit connected in series with said first resistive unit, and having a second resistance that is inversely proportional to the operation temperature of the LED when the operation temperature is above the predetermined threshold temperature. When the operation temperature of the LED is above the predetermined threshold temperature, an effective resistance of said current regulating circuit attributed to said first and second resistive units is proportional to the operation temperature of the LED, and absolute value of a rate of change of the first resistance is larger than that of the second resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Kao, Po-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 8502478
    Abstract: Provided are a variable field effect transistor (FET) designed to suppress a reduction of current between a source and a drain due to heat while decreasing a temperature of the FET, and an electrical and electronic apparatus including the variable gate FET. The variable gate FET includes a FET and a gate control device that is attached to a surface or a heat-generating portion of the FET and is connected to a gate terminal of the FET so as to vary a voltage of the gate terminal. A channel current between the source and drain is controlled by the gate control device that varies the voltage of the gate terminal when the temperature of the FET increases above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun Tak Kim, Bong Jun Kim