METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWERING ONE OR MORE LOADS FROM AN AC SOURCE USING A CAPACITIVE BALLAST
First Claim
1. A system for powering a set of loads from an alternating current source using a capacitive ballast, comprising:
- a current limiting protection component that shields the set of loads against current from line transients;
a reactive ballast that produces a leading current draw relative to the voltage from the alternating current source; and
a transient protection component that suppresses line transients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described are circuits and methods for powering one or more loads from an ac source using a capacitive ballast. The circuit comprises a capacitive voltage divider that limits current to the loads, includes a first capacitor that operates as a ballast creating a leading current draw relative to the voltage from an alternating current source, and includes a second capacitor that protects the set of light emitting diodes by suppressing line transients. The circuit is able to compensate for the predominately inductive power factor of typical residential and building loads (e.g., appliances, etc.), because of its leading current draw. As a consequence the circuit can utilize at least part of the inductive current load that would otherwise be reflected back to the source or wasted.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for powering a set of loads from an alternating current source using a capacitive ballast, comprising:
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a current limiting protection component that shields the set of loads against current from line transients; a reactive ballast that produces a leading current draw relative to the voltage from the alternating current source; and a transient protection component that suppresses line transients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A circuit, comprising:
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a resistor that protects a set of light emitting diodes against current from line transients; a first capacitor that acts as a ballast and creates a leading current draw relative to the voltage from an alternating current source; and a second capacitor that protects the set of light emitting diodes by suppressing line transients. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A capacitive ballast circuit facilitating control of a set of light emitting diodes, comprising:
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a current limiting device that protects the set of light emitting diodes against current from line transients, wherein the current limiting device is at least one of a resistor, fuse, or fusible resistor; and a capacitive voltage divider that includes a first capacitor that operates as a ballast and creates a leading current draw relative to the voltage from an alternating current source, and a second capacitor that protects the set of light emitting diodes by suppressing line transients, wherein the voltage divider provides a voltage to the set of light emitting diodes that is a fraction of the voltage from the alternating current source. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification