METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULATING RESISTIVE LOADS
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one load having a first current-to-voltage characteristic; and
a converter circuit coupled to the at least one load to alter the first current-to-voltage characteristic in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable behavior of the at least one load when the at least one load is connected in series with at least one other load to draw power from a power source,wherein a first current conducted by the apparatus when the apparatus draws power from a power source is independent of a second current conducted by the load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for simulating resistive loads, and facilitating series, parallel, and/or series-parallel connections of multiple loads to draw operating power. Current-to-voltage characteristics of loads are altered in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable and/or desirable behavior of multiple loads drawing power from a power source. Exemplary loads include LED-based light sources and LED-based lighting units. Altered current-to-voltage characteristics may cause a load to appear as a substantially linear or resistive element to the power source, at least over some operating range. In connections of multiple such loads, the voltage across each load is relatively more predictable. In one example, a series connection of multiple loads with altered current-to-voltage characteristics may be operated from a line voltage without requiring a transformer.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one load having a first current-to-voltage characteristic; and a converter circuit coupled to the at least one load to alter the first current-to-voltage characteristic in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable behavior of the at least one load when the at least one load is connected in series with at least one other load to draw power from a power source, wherein a first current conducted by the apparatus when the apparatus draws power from a power source is independent of a second current conducted by the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one light source having an operating voltage VL, an operating current IL, and a first current-to-voltage characteristic based on the operating voltage VL and the operating current IL; and a converter circuit coupled to the at least one light source to provide the operating voltage VL the converter circuit configured such that the apparatus conducts a terminal current IT and has a terminal voltage VT when the apparatus draws power from a power source, wherein; the operating voltage VL of the at least one light source is less than the terminal voltage VT of the apparatus; the terminal current IT of the apparatus is independent of the operating current IL or the operating voltage VL of the at least one lighting unit; and the converter circuit alters the first current-to-voltage characteristic in a predetermined manner to provide a second current-to-voltage characteristic for the apparatus, based on the terminal voltage VT and the terminal current IT, that is significantly different from the first current-to-voltage characteristic; and the second current-to-voltage characteristic facilitates a predictable behavior of the at least one load when the at least one load is connected in series with at least one other load to draw power from the power source. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method, comprising:
altering a first current-to-voltage characteristic of at least one load in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable behavior of the at least one load when the at least one load is connected in series with at least one other load to draw power from a power source, wherein a first current conducted from the power source is independent of a second current conducted by the at least one load. - View Dependent Claims (27)
Specification