Control system for fluorescent light fixture

• US 8,120,286 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell World Trade Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Sutardja, Sehat
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): A, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US12/502,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 315 49- 51, 315112-118, 315/200.R, 315/209.R, 315272-273
• US Class Current: 315/309
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2856 against internal abnormal circuit conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2986 against internal abnormal circuit conditions

Abstract

A ballast module regulates power output to a fluorescent light. The ballast module includes a component. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the component. A control module adjusts power output to the fluorescent light based on the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor. The control module adjusts power to the fluorescent light by reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or increasing the power output to the fluorescent light.

Claims

1. A ballast module for regulating power output to a fluorescent light, the ballast module comprising:

a component comprising an electrolytic capacitor, wherein the electrolytic capacitor comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the component; and

a control module configured to adjust power output to the fluorescent light based on the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor,

wherein the control module is configured to adjust power to the fluorescent light by selectively (i) reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or (ii) increasing the power output to the fluorescent light, and wherein each of the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to a rectifier and the control module.

2. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to reduce the power output to the fluorescent light by reducing voltage output or current output to the fluorescent light.

3. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to reduce the power output to the fluorescent light for a predetermined period in response to the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

4. The ballast module of claim 3, wherein the predetermined period lasts indefinitely.

5. The ballast module of claim 3, wherein, after the predetermined period, the control module is configured to increase the power output to the fluorescent light.

6. The ballast module of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to turn off the power to the fluorescent light when reducing the power output to the fluorescent light.

7. A control system comprising:

the ballast module of claim 1;

a power source; and

a switch configured to provide power from the power source to the ballast module.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the switch comprises a three-way switch.

9. The control system of claim 7, wherein the ballast module further comprises:

the rectifier having an input and an output,

wherein the input of the rectifier is in communication with the power source via the switch, and

wherein the output of the rectifier is in communication with the component and the control module.

10. A method for operating a ballast module that regulates power output to a fluorescent light, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of a component of the ballast module, wherein the component comprises an electrolytic capacitor, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor comprises a first terminal and a second terminal; and

adjusting power output to the fluorescent light based on the sensed temperature of the component via a control module,

wherein adjusting power to the fluorescent light comprises selectively (i) reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or (ii) increasing the power output to the fluorescent light, and wherein each of the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to a rectifier and the control module.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein reducing the power output to the fluorescent light comprises reducing voltage output or current output to the fluorescent light.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the power output to the fluorescent light is reduced for a predetermined period in response to the sensed temperature of the component exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined period lasts indefinitely.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, after the predetermined period, the power output to the fluorescent light is increased.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein reducing the power output to the fluorescent light comprises turning off the power to the fluorescent light.