Method For Dimming Non-Linear Loads Using An AC Phase Control Scheme And A Universal Dimmer Using The Method

• US 20090284182A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marko Cencur
• Original Assignee: Marko Cencur
• Inventors: CENCUR, Marko
• Granted Patent: US 8,339,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/307
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/08 by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices in converters H02M5/00; with regulation G05F1/44
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3924 by phase control, e.g. using a triac H05B41/3922 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]

Abstract

A universal dimmer for adjusting the output from linear and non-linear loads using an AC power control method incorporating phase angle control is disclosed which has a switching element, a load current measurement element for measuring the current passing through the load, a current evaluator for evaluating the current passing through the load, and a firing angle adjuster such as a regulator or transforming element. The current passing through the load is measured and evaluated so as to direct the firing angle adjuster to adapt firing angles of the switching element in such way that a load RMS current is proportional to an input signal to the dimmer, regardless of the type of load being controlled. The universal dimmer is capable of dimming the output from linear and non-linear loads using a variable power delivery method using AC power line phase angle control to vary output power of linear and non-linear loads, ranging from regular linear loads such as incandescent lamps, to non-linear loads, such as LED lamps, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs'"'"'), etc. as well as linear loads with large phase shift, that is, inductive and capacitive loads.

Claims

1. A universal dimmer for adjusting the output from linear and non-linear loads using an AC power control method incorporating phase angle control comprising:

a switching element;

a load current measurement element for measuring the current passing through the load;

means for evaluating the current passing through the load; and

,

a firing angle adjustment element, which may be a regulator, wherein the means for measuring the current measures the current and the means for evaluating evaluate parameters of the load current, the firing angle adjustment element adapting firing angles of the switching element in such way that the load RMS current is proportional to an input signal, regardless of the type of load being controlled.

2. The dimmer of claim 1 wherein the regulator sets a start and an end conduction angle for each half period in such a way that the load current is proportional to the input signal value.

3. The dimmer of claim 1 wherein the load current evaluation determines the current RMS.

4. The dimmer of claim 1 where the firing angles are identical for both half periods

5. The dimmer of claim 1 wherein the evaluating means determines a load current time distribution.

6. The dimmer of claim 5 further comprising means for transforming the input signal value to a conduction angle for each half period, based on the load current time distribution, such that the load current is proportional to the input signal value.

7. The dimmer of claim 1 wherein the firing angle adjustment element is a transforming element 28 which transforms the input values to corresponding firing angles directly.

8. The dimmer of claim 7 wherein the transformation is based on measured load current time distribution.

9. The dimmer of claim 6 wherein the firing angles are identical for both half periods.

10. A universal dimmer for adjusting the output from linear and non-linear loads using an AC power control method incorporating phase angle control comprising:

a switching element;

a load current measurement element for measuring the current passing through the load;

means for evaluating the current passing through the load, the means for measuring the current measuring the current and the means for evaluating the load current used to determine a measured load current distribution; and

,

a transforming element for transforming input values to corresponding firing angles based on the measured load current distribution in such way that the load RMS current is proportional to an input signal, regardless of the type of load being controlled.

11. A method for adjusting the output from linear and non-linear loads in response to a selected input signal, using an AC power control method incorporating phase angle control comprising:

providing a switching element;

measuring the current passing through the load;

evaluating parameters of the current passing through the load; and

,

using the measurement of the load and the evaluated parameters of the load current, to adapt firing angles of the switching element in such way that the load current is made proportional to an input signal, regardless of the type of load being controlled.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising setting a start and an end conduction angle for each half period in such a way that the load current is proportional to the input signal value.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the load current evaluation determines the current RMS.

14. The method of claim 11 where the firing angles are identical for both half periods

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the evaluating means determines a load current time distribution.

16. The dimmer of claim 15 further comprising transforming the input signal value to a conduction angle for each half period, based on the load current time distribution, such that the load current is proportional to the input signal value.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a transforming element for transforming the input values to corresponding firing angles directly.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the transformation is based on measured load current time distribution.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the firing angles are identical for both half periods.