Dual range power supply
First Claim
1. A power supply for use with first and second input voltage ranges to provide power to first and second loads, each of said voltage ranges having a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, the minimum voltage of said second input voltage range being greater than the maximum voltage of said first voltage range, said power supply comprising:
- a power input where an input voltage is applied;
a threshold voltage detector responsive to the input voltage applied to said power input, said threshold voltage detector configured to detect a threshold voltage greater than said first voltage range maximum voltage and generate a threshold signal when exposed to said threshold voltage;
a latch circuit responsive to a latch voltage less than said threshold voltage but greater than said first voltage range maximum voltage to maintain said threshold signal so long as said latch voltage is present;
first and second current sources; and
first and second electrical connections that change from a first state to a second state in response to said threshold signal, said first electrical contact connecting the first load and said first current source in said first state and connecting said first load in series with said second load in said second state, said second electrical contact connecting said input voltage to said second load in said first state and said input voltage to said latch circuit in said second state,wherein said first and second loads are connected between said input voltage and said first and second current sources, respectively, when said input voltage is less than said threshold voltage and said first and second loads are connected in series between said input voltage and said second current source when said input voltage is greater than said threshold voltage and said threshold signal is maintained and said first and second electrical connections remain in said second states so long as said input voltage is greater than said latch voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed power supply is compatible with two voltage ranges, the midpoint or mean of the higher voltage range being approximately double the midpoint or mean of the lower voltage range. Two equivalent loads and two current sources are re-configured using a relay in response to a detected input voltage exceeding a pre-determined threshold voltage. The disclosed circuit re-configures the load being driven to match the input voltage, rather than re-configuring the voltage to match the load.
13 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power supply for use with first and second input voltage ranges to provide power to first and second loads, each of said voltage ranges having a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, the minimum voltage of said second input voltage range being greater than the maximum voltage of said first voltage range, said power supply comprising:
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a power input where an input voltage is applied; a threshold voltage detector responsive to the input voltage applied to said power input, said threshold voltage detector configured to detect a threshold voltage greater than said first voltage range maximum voltage and generate a threshold signal when exposed to said threshold voltage; a latch circuit responsive to a latch voltage less than said threshold voltage but greater than said first voltage range maximum voltage to maintain said threshold signal so long as said latch voltage is present; first and second current sources; and first and second electrical connections that change from a first state to a second state in response to said threshold signal, said first electrical contact connecting the first load and said first current source in said first state and connecting said first load in series with said second load in said second state, said second electrical contact connecting said input voltage to said second load in said first state and said input voltage to said latch circuit in said second state, wherein said first and second loads are connected between said input voltage and said first and second current sources, respectively, when said input voltage is less than said threshold voltage and said first and second loads are connected in series between said input voltage and said second current source when said input voltage is greater than said threshold voltage and said threshold signal is maintained and said first and second electrical connections remain in said second states so long as said input voltage is greater than said latch voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing power to first and second loads from an applied voltage having first and second voltage ranges, each of said voltage ranges having a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, the minimum voltage of said second voltage range being greater than the maximum voltage of said first voltage range, said method comprising:
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connecting a first voltage detector to said applied voltage, said voltage detector responsive to a threshold applied voltage greater than the maximum voltage of said first voltage range to generate said a signal, connecting said first load between said applied voltage and a current source and connecting said second load between said applied voltage and a current source in the absence of said first signal; connecting said first and second loads in series with each other and connecting said series connected first and second loads between said applied voltage and a current source if said first signal is present, and when said first signal is present, connecting said applied voltage to a latch circuit constructed to maintain said first signal so long as said applied voltage is at least equal to a latch voltage greater than the maximum voltage of said first voltage range but less than said threshold applied voltage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An LED driver circuit comprising:
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an input where an input voltage is applied; an input voltage switch responsive to an input voltage greater than a first predetermined voltage to generate a first signal; first and second current sources; a first LED load connected to said input voltage; a second LED load connected to said second current source; first and second sets of electrical connections, each set of electrical connections having first and second states and responsive to said first signal to switch from said first state to said second state, said first set of electrical connections connecting said first LED load to said first current source when in said first state and connecting said first LED load in series with said second LED load when in said second state, and said second set of electrical connections connecting said input voltage to said second LED load when in said first state and disconnecting said input voltage from said second LED load when in said second state. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification