CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE

• US 20090273305A1
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sehat Sutardja
• Inventors: Sutardja, Sehat
• Granted Patent: US 8,120,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/309
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2856 against internal abnormal circuit conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2986 against internal abnormal circuit conditions

Abstract

A ballast module regulates power output to a fluorescent light. The ballast module includes a component. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the component. A control module adjusts power output to the fluorescent light based on the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor. The control module adjusts power to the fluorescent light by reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or increasing the power output to the fluorescent light.

Claims

1. A ballast module for regulating power output to a fluorescent light, the ballast module comprising:

a component;

a temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the component; and

a control module to adjust power output to the fluorescent light based on the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor,

wherein the control module adjusts power to the fluorescent light by reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or increasing the power output to the fluorescent light.

2. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module reduces the power output to the fluorescent light by reducing voltage or current output to the fluorescent light.

3. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the component comprises an electrolytic capacitor.

4. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module reduces the power output to the fluorescent light for a predetermined period in response to the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

5. The ballast module of claim 4, wherein the predetermined period lasts indefinitely.

6. The ballast module of claim 4, wherein, after the predetermined period, the control module increases the power output to the fluorescent light.

7. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module reducing the power output to the fluorescent light comprises:

the control module turning off the power to the fluorescent light.

8. A control system comprising:

the ballast module of claim 1;

a power source; and

a switch to provide power from the power source to the ballast module.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the switch comprises a three-way switch.

10. The control system of claim 8, wherein the ballast module further comprises:

a rectifier having an input and an output,

wherein the input of the rectifier is in communication with the power source via the switch, and the output of the rectifier is in communication with the component and the control module.

11. A method for operating a ballast module that regulates power output to a fluorescent light, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of a component of the ballast module; and

adjusting power output to the fluorescent light based on the sensed temperature of the component,

wherein adjusting power to the fluorescent light comprises reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or increasing the power output to the fluorescent light.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein reducing the power output to the fluorescent light comprises reducing voltage or current output to the fluorescent light.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the component comprises an electrolytic capacitor.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the power output to the fluorescent light is reduced for a predetermined period in response to the sensed temperature of the component exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined period lasts indefinitely.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, after the predetermined period, the power output to the fluorescent light is increased.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein reducing the power output to the fluorescent light comprises turning off the power to the fluorescent light.