A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A LOAD
First Claim
1. A device having two terminals connectable in series to an AC power source and a load for switching an AC power signal from the AC power source to the load, the device comprising in a single enclosure:
- a first terminal for connecting to the AC power source;
a second terminal for connecting to the load;
a first electrically controlled switching component comprising a first switch connected between third and fourth terminals that is controlled by a first signal at a fifth terminal;
a second electrically controlled switching component comprising a second switch connected between sixth and seventh terminals that is controlled by a second signal at an eighth terminal; and
a logic circuit coupled to output the first and second signals respectively to the fifth and eighth terminals;
wherein the first and second switches are coupled in series to pass the AC power signal between the first and second terminals,wherein the device is powered only from the AC power signal,and wherein the device is configured to be in first and second states, wherein in the first state the first and second switches are controlled by the logic circuit to pass the AC power signal between the first and second terminals to power the load, and wherein in the second state the first and second switches are controlled by the logic circuit to stop the AC power signal between the first and second terminals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for switching AC power to a lamp (or other load) via a two terminal switch device. The switch device comprises a first electrically controlled switch, such as a triac or relay, and a second electrically controlled resistance or switch connected in series to the first switch. A diode is connected in parallel to the second switch. When the first switch is open, only a leakage current is flowing through the switch device, supplied to an AC/DC converter for producing a low DC voltage to the switch device logic and other low-voltage circuits and for charging a capacitor. When the first switch is closed, the second switch is controlled to be conductive for allowing powering the lamp from the AC power. During part of a positive half-cycle of the AC voltage, a closed loop regulates a DC voltage over the second switch terminals for providing a low DC voltage for charging a capacitor. At least during a negative half-cycle of the AC voltage, the low DC voltage is provided from the capacitor.
43 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A device having two terminals connectable in series to an AC power source and a load for switching an AC power signal from the AC power source to the load, the device comprising in a single enclosure:
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a first terminal for connecting to the AC power source; a second terminal for connecting to the load; a first electrically controlled switching component comprising a first switch connected between third and fourth terminals that is controlled by a first signal at a fifth terminal; a second electrically controlled switching component comprising a second switch connected between sixth and seventh terminals that is controlled by a second signal at an eighth terminal; and a logic circuit coupled to output the first and second signals respectively to the fifth and eighth terminals; wherein the first and second switches are coupled in series to pass the AC power signal between the first and second terminals, wherein the device is powered only from the AC power signal, and wherein the device is configured to be in first and second states, wherein in the first state the first and second switches are controlled by the logic circuit to pass the AC power signal between the first and second terminals to power the load, and wherein in the second state the first and second switches are controlled by the logic circuit to stop the AC power signal between the first and second terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41-194. -194. (canceled)
Specification