Mixed mode control for dimmable fluorescent lamp
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling a dimmable discharge lamp, the method comprising:
- determining whether a load of the dimmable discharge lamp is lower than a load threshold; and
when the load is lower than the load threshold, controlling an output of the dimmable discharge lamp by complementarily adjusting a duty cycle of a first control signal and a duty cycle of a second control signal.
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Abstract
A mixed mode control for dimmable fluorescent lamp provides a smooth and continuous control of output of the lamp. A load threshold, below which the output of the discharge lamp could not be effectively controlled by the conventional frequency control, is determined. During the dimming of the discharge lamp, when the load is not lower than the load threshold, the conventional frequency control is employed. However, when the load is lower than the load threshold, a complementary duty cycle control is used.
52 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a dimmable discharge lamp, the method comprising:
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determining whether a load of the dimmable discharge lamp is lower than a load threshold; and when the load is lower than the load threshold, controlling an output of the dimmable discharge lamp by complementarily adjusting a duty cycle of a first control signal and a duty cycle of a second control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for controlling a dimmable discharge lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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a load detector, determining whether a load of the dimmable discharge lamp is lower than a threshold; and a controller, which receives inputs from the load detector and a dimming controller, wherein when the load is lower than the threshold, the controller outputs a first control signal and a second control signal to control an output of the dimmable discharge lamp by complementarily adjusting a duty cycle of the first control signal and a duty cycle of the second control signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for controlling a dimmable discharge lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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means for detecting whether a load of the discharge lamp is lower than a threshold; and controlling means, which receives inputs from the detecting means and a dimming controlling means, wherein when the load is lower than the threshold, the controlling means outputs a first control signal and a second control signal to control an output of the dimmable discharge lamp by complementarily adjusting a duty cycle of the first control signal and a duty cycle of the second control signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification