Control circuit with improved functionality for non-linear and negative resistance loads
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
- means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply;
means for providing a control signal to control said supply of amplitude modulated DC power to the load, said control signal having a variable power content which is controlled by a voltage signal input of said control signal providing means; and
means for adjusting the power content of said control signal, said adjusting means further including a primary current supply for establishing a rate of change of said voltage signal input, and a supplemental current supply which is selectively gated for increasing said rate of change of said voltage signal input to adjust said power content during a predetermined time period.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to providing a load control circuit for non-linear or negative-resistance loads, such as gaseous-discharge lamps, having improved cost-effective control and control. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a controlled start feature is provided which is relatively cost-effective to implement and manufacture. Further, by reducing the complexity and costs associated with such functionality, additional functionality can be provided without substantially increasing the cost of the control circuit.
27 Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control said supply of amplitude modulated DC power to the load, said control signal having a variable power content which is controlled by a voltage signal input of said control signal providing means; and means for adjusting the power content of said control signal, said adjusting means further including a primary current supply for establishing a rate of change of said voltage signal input, and a supplemental current supply which is selectively gated for increasing said rate of change of said voltage signal input to adjust said power content during a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control said supply of amplitude modulated DC power to the load; and means, responsive to said current supplied to said load for producing a lamp current detection signal as an enable signal input to the control signal providing means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; and means for controlling said supply of amplitude modulated DC power to said load with first and second switches which are driven by first and second switching signals, respectively 180°
out of phase with one another, said first and second switches establishing a dead band between switching off of said first switch and switching on of said second switch by establishing said first and second switching signals as pulses which have a decay time that is faster than a rise time of said pulses. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. Apparatus for controlling energy supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control an inverter which supplies power from said supply of the amplitude modulated DC power to the load; means responsive to said amplitude modulated DC supply for producing a high-voltage detection signal, said control signal providing means further including; means for inhibiting said control signal when said high-voltage detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control an inverter which supplies power from said supply of the amplitude modulated DC power to the load; and means responsive to ambient temperature within said apparatus for providing a thermal detection signal, said control signal providing means further including; means for inhibiting said control signal when said thermal detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. Apparatus for controlling energy supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load formed as a lamp having at least one filament for insertion into a socket, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control said supply of the amplitude modulated DC power to the load; and means responsive to a level of current through said at least one filament to enable said control signal providing means. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. Apparatus for controlling power supplied to a non-linear or negative-resistance load formed as a lamp having at least one filament for insertion into a socket, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an amplitude modulated DC power supply; means for providing a control signal to control an inverter which supplies power from said supply of the amplitude modulated DC power to the load; and means for summing a current supplied to said load and a current proportional to an external current source to produce a dimming control signal, said control signal providing means being responsive to said dimming control signal to reduce power supplied to said load from said amplitude modulated DC power supply.
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Specification