Methods and apparatuses for phase-cut dimming at low conduction angles
First Claim
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1. A phase-cut dimming apparatus, comprising:
- an input configured to receive a phase-cut voltage signal that is generated by periodically cutting a periodic input voltage signal at a conduction angle by a phase-cut dimmer;
a rectifier module coupled with the input and configured to rectify the phase-cut voltage signal to generate a rectified phase-cut voltage signal; and
a current generator configured to generate a current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal sufficient for proper operation of the phase-cut dimmer when the conduction angle is below a predetermined value, and not generate the current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal when the conduction angle is not below the predetermined value.
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices are described for sensing a phase-cut dimming signal and outputting a control signal compatible with a switching power circuit. Embodiments of the invention generate at least one of a low-frequency pulse-wave-modulated control signal, an analog output control signal, or a digital (e.g., higher-frequency pulse-wave-modulated) output control signal. Some embodiments further provide preloading and/or startup control functionality to allow proper functioning of the circuitry under small-conduction-angle (i.e., highly dimmed) conditions.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A phase-cut dimming apparatus, comprising:
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an input configured to receive a phase-cut voltage signal that is generated by periodically cutting a periodic input voltage signal at a conduction angle by a phase-cut dimmer; a rectifier module coupled with the input and configured to rectify the phase-cut voltage signal to generate a rectified phase-cut voltage signal; and a current generator configured to generate a current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal sufficient for proper operation of the phase-cut dimmer when the conduction angle is below a predetermined value, and not generate the current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal when the conduction angle is not below the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a switched load using phase-cut dimming, the method comprising:
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receiving a phase-cut voltage signal that is generated by periodically cutting a periodic input voltage signal at a conduction angle with a phase-cut dimmer; detecting the conduction angle from the phase-cut voltage signal; comparing the conduction angle detected from the phase-cut voltage signal with a reference value; and identifying whether to generate a current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal sufficient for proper operation of the phase-cut dimmer, the current being generated when the conduction angle detected from the phase-cut voltage signal is less than the reference value and the current not being generated when the conduction angle detected from the phase-cut voltage signal is greater than the reference value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A phase-cut dimming apparatus, comprising:
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an input configured to receive a phase-cut voltage signal that is generated by periodically cutting a periodic input voltage signal at a conduction angle by a phase-cut dimmer; a rectifier module coupled with the input and configured to rectify the phase-cut voltage signal to generate a rectified phase-cut voltage signal; and a preload module coupled with the rectifier module, comprising; a current generator configured to generate a current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal sufficient for proper operation of the phase-cut dimmer when the conduction angle is below a predetermined value, and not generate the current from the rectified phase-cut voltage signal when the conduction angle is not below the predetermined value; an under-voltage detector module configured to compare a source voltage to an under-voltage threshold level and switch the current generator to generate a current from the rectified phase-cut signal until the source voltage is no longer less than the under-voltage threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification