Controlled Power Dissipation In A Switch Path In A Lighting System
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a controller configured to control a boost switch in a switching power converter of a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system, wherein the controller is configured to control a power dissipation circuit to control dissipation of excess energy by at least the boost switch during a controlled power dissipation phase, and the controlled power dissipation phase occurs after a charging phase begins and before an end of a subsequent flyback phase of the switching power converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lighting system includes one or more methods and systems to control dissipation of excess power in the lighting system when the power into a switching power converter from a leading edge, phase-cut dimmer is greater than the power out of the switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes a controller that controls dissipation of excess energy in the lighting system to prevent a premature disconnection of the phase-cut dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the controller actively controls power dissipation by generating one or more signals to actively and selectively control power dissipation in the lighting system. By actively and selectively controlling power dissipation in the lighting system, the controller intentionally dissipates power when the power into the lighting system should be greater than the power out to a lamp of the lighting system. In at least one embodiment, the controller creates one or more intermixed and/or interspersed power dissipation phases with one or more switching power converter charging and/or flyback phases.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a controller configured to control a boost switch in a switching power converter of a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system, wherein the controller is configured to control a power dissipation circuit to control dissipation of excess energy by at least the boost switch during a controlled power dissipation phase, and the controlled power dissipation phase occurs after a charging phase begins and before an end of a subsequent flyback phase of the switching power converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
a controller configured to control a boost switch in a switching power converter of a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system, wherein the controller is configured to control the boost switch in an efficient mode and a power dissipation mode, wherein in the efficient mode, the controller is configured to operate the boost switch to minimize power dissipation in the boost switch and in the power dissipation mode the controller is configured to operate the boost switch to increase dissipation of energy in the boost switch relative to any power dissipation in the boost switch during operation in the efficient mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
controlling a boost switch in a switching power converter of a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system during a power dissipation phase to dissipate excess energy by at least a power dissipation circuit that includes the boost switch, wherein the controlled power dissipation phase occurs after a charging phase begins and before an end of a subsequent flyback phase of the switching power converter. - View Dependent Claims (21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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22. The method of claim 22 the method further comprising:
controlling the current source to sink a constant current through the boost switch during the controlled power dissipation phase.
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35. A method comprising:
controlling a boost switch in a switching power converter of a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system in an efficient mode and in a power dissipation mode, wherein controlling the boost switch in the efficient mode comprises; operating the boost switch to minimize power dissipation in the boost switch; and wherein controlling the boost switch in the power dissipation mode comprises; operating the boost switch to increase dissipation of energy in the boost switch relative to any power dissipation in the boost switch during operation in the efficient mode. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
Specification