System and method for selectively dimming an LED
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lighting fixture adapted to be dimmable by a thyristor-based dimmer, the fixture comprising:
- a power conditioning unit adapted to accept an AC electrical input and having an output, the power conditioning unit comprising;
a switching MOSFET;
a control circuit adapted to output a switching clock cycle and duty cycle that are generally fixed during normal operation of the power conditioning unit, the duty cycle and clock cycle adapted to gate the switching MOSFET;
a transformer having a primary winding configured to store electrical energy when the MOSFET is gated on, a secondary winding of the transformer receiving electrical energy from the primary winding and delivering it to the outlet; and
an over-voltage protector configured to automatically adjust the duty cycle to prevent damage due to a non-normal operating condition in which the load voltage exceeds a rated voltage of the fixture;
a lighting unit connected to the power conditioning unit output and adapted to receive electric power therefrom, the lighting unit comprising one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs);
wherein the duty cycle, clock and transformer are chosen so that the primary winding discharges substantially all of the energy stored therein at least once per a predetermined number of clock cycles.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an LED ballast circuit for dimming one or more LEDs using a phase controlled dimmer switch. The LED ballast circuit has a power conditioning unit which includes a substantially fixed duty cycle clock for outputting a clock cycle and a transformer configured to store energy and discharge a substantial portion of the stored energy once per clock cycle in order to power one or more LEDs. The LED ballast circuit and load collectively behave like a resistor.
75 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A lighting fixture adapted to be dimmable by a thyristor-based dimmer, the fixture comprising:
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a power conditioning unit adapted to accept an AC electrical input and having an output, the power conditioning unit comprising; a switching MOSFET; a control circuit adapted to output a switching clock cycle and duty cycle that are generally fixed during normal operation of the power conditioning unit, the duty cycle and clock cycle adapted to gate the switching MOSFET; a transformer having a primary winding configured to store electrical energy when the MOSFET is gated on, a secondary winding of the transformer receiving electrical energy from the primary winding and delivering it to the outlet; and
an over-voltage protector configured to automatically adjust the duty cycle to prevent damage due to a non-normal operating condition in which the load voltage exceeds a rated voltage of the fixture;a lighting unit connected to the power conditioning unit output and adapted to receive electric power therefrom, the lighting unit comprising one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs); wherein the duty cycle, clock and transformer are chosen so that the primary winding discharges substantially all of the energy stored therein at least once per a predetermined number of clock cycles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of dimming an LED using a thyristor-based dimmer, comprising:
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providing an LED; providing an LED driver comprising a transformer and an operating frequency clock that is has a substantially fixed operating switching frequency once the operating switching frequency is set;
providing a variable resistor configured to adjust the operating switching frequency, and adjusting the variable resistor to set the switching frequency;providing a thyristor-based dimmer adapted to supply a power to the LED driver; supplying power to the transformer as a function of the duty cycle so as to charge the transformer; wherein the transformer is adapted to substantially fully discharge at least once per a predetermined number of clock cycles; and directing at least a portion of the energy discharged from the transformer to the LED. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A light emitting diode dimming circuit for use with a thyristor-based dimmer switch, the light emitting diode dimmer circuit comprising:
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a switching MOSFET; a control circuit configured to provide a clock frequency and a duty cycle gate drive signal for controlling the MOSFET, the frequency and duty cycle being generally fixed during normal operation; a transformer configured to store energy and discharge substantially all of the stored energy at least once per a predetermined number of clock cycles;
a variable resistor configured to adjust the operating switching frequency, and adjusting the variable resistor to adjust the switching frequency; andone or more light emitting diodes configured to receive at least a portion of energy discharged by the transformer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification