Solid State Semiconductor LED Replacement for Fluorescent Lamps
First Claim
1. An apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture;
a DC rectifier connected to the electrical connector;
a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier;
a non-fluorescent light source connected to the voltage converter; and
a housing substantially containing the DC rectifier, voltage converter and non-fluorescent light source, wherein the housing is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in the fluorescent lamp fixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various apparatuses and methods for replacing a fluorescent lamp with a non-fluorescent tube are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, including an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture, a DC rectifier connected to the electrical connector, a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier, and a non-fluorescent light source connected to the voltage converter. The DC rectifier, voltage converter and non-fluorescent light source are substantially contained within a housing that is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in a fluorescent lamp fixture.
195 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to a fluorescent lamp fixture; a DC rectifier connected to the electrical connector; a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier; a non-fluorescent light source connected to the voltage converter; and a housing substantially containing the DC rectifier, voltage converter and non-fluorescent light source, wherein the housing is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in the fluorescent lamp fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of powering an LED replacement tube in a fluorescent lamp fixture, the method comprising:
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receiving an AC voltage input from the fluorescent lamp fixture; and converting the AC voltage to a power source for at least one LED in the LED replacement tube, wherein the converting is performed by a power converter in the LED replacement tube. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for replacing a fluorescent lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect to an AC output of a fluorescent ballast in the fluorescent lamp fixture; a cathode heater simulation circuit switchably connected to the electrical connector, wherein the cathode heater simulation circuit is adapted to simulate a fluorescent tube cathode when a ballast in the fluorescent lamp fixture is in a cathode heating mode; a protection circuit connected to the electrical connector, the protection circuit being adapted to prevent a voltage exceeding a threshold value from passing through the protection circuit; a DC rectifier connected to the protection circuit; a power factor correction circuit connected to the DC rectifier; a startup and feedback circuit connected to the DC rectifier, the startup and feedback circuit being adapted to simulate an electrical behavior of a fluorescent tube in response to a startup sequence from a ballast in the fluorescent lamp fixture; a voltage converter connected to the DC rectifier and adapted to reduce a voltage from the DC rectifier; a current overload protection circuit connected to the voltage converter; a thermal protection circuit connected to the voltage converter, wherein the thermal protection circuit is adapted to reduce a current from the voltage converter in inverse proportion to a temperature of the apparatus; a dimming circuit connected to the voltage converter, wherein the dimming circuit is adapted to controllably reduce a current from the voltage converter; at least one LED connected to the voltage converter; and a housing substantially containing the cathode heater simulation circuit, DC rectifier, power factor correction circuit, startup and feedback circuit, voltage converter, current overload protection circuit, thermal protection circuit, dimming circuit and at least one LED, wherein the housing is physically configured to replace the fluorescent lamp in the fluorescent lamp fixture.
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Specification