Frequency modulated ballast with loosely coupled transformer
First Claim
1. A controller for regulating power delivered to a load, said controller comprising:
- a) a power supply circuit;
b) a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the power supply circuit, wherein said voltage controlled oscillator has an input and an adjustable frequency output; and
c) a loosely coupled transformer having at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, wherein the at least one primary winding is electrically connected to the adjustable frequency output, and wherein the at least one secondary winding is electrically connected to supply current to the load, wherein said current is responsive to said adjustable frequency output.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A frequency dependent controller utilizes a loosely coupled transformer, which controller is adapted to change the operating characteristics of the transformer by varying its operating frequency in accordance with the requirements of a load to be supplied with power. If the transformer is operated at a single frequency, the maximum current that can be delivered is limited by the reactance of the transformer. If the transformer is operated over a frequency range by the controller, the maximum current and other operating characteristics of the transformer are a function of both the magnetic shunt and its then current operating frequency. Frequency control of a loosely coupled transformer permits precision electronic regulation of the transformer'"'"'s operating characteristics and is suitable for control of a variety of devices, such as gas discharge lamps, DC to DC converters, AC to DC power and high voltage supplies, motor control and variable heaters.
66 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A controller for regulating power delivered to a load, said controller comprising:
-
a) a power supply circuit; b) a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the power supply circuit, wherein said voltage controlled oscillator has an input and an adjustable frequency output; and c) a loosely coupled transformer having at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, wherein the at least one primary winding is electrically connected to the adjustable frequency output, and wherein the at least one secondary winding is electrically connected to supply current to the load, wherein said current is responsive to said adjustable frequency output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An electronic ballast for supplying power to a gas discharge lamp having a brightness, said electronic ballast comprising:
-
a) a power supply circuit; b) a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the power supply circuit, wherein said voltage controlled oscillator has an input and an adjustable frequency output; and c) a loosely coupled transformer having at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, wherein the at least one primary winding is electrically connected to the adjustable frequency output, and wherein the at least one secondary winding is electrically connected to the lamp, wherein said brightness is responsive to said adjustable frequency output. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for regulating electrical current utilizing a loosely coupled transformer connected to a load, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) supplying power to a voltage controlled oscillator to thereby create an output having a frequency; b) supplying the output to the loosely coupled transformer to thereby supply current to a load; and c) adjusting the frequency of the output to thereby adjust the current delivered to the load according to reactance in the loosely coupled transformer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
-
-
27. An electronic ballast for supplying power to a gas discharge lamp having a brightness, said electronic ballast comprising:
-
a) a power supply circuit; b) a voltage controlled oscillator connected to the power supply circuit, wherein said voltage controlled oscillator has an input and an adjustable frequency output; c) a loosely coupled transformer having at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, wherein the at least one primary winding is electrically connected to the adjustable frequency output, and wherein the at least one secondary winding is electrically connected to the lamp, and wherein said transformer has a ferromagnetic core including two openings that define a center member, with the primary winding and the secondary winding each wound through the two openings and around the center member; and d) a potentiometer connected to the input, wherein the brightness is responsive to the potentiometer.
-
Specification