Coordinated dimmer compatibility functions
First Claim
1. An apparatus, wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states that occur from:
- D. an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage;
E. an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and
F. an end of state B until a beginning of state A,the apparatus comprising;
a controller configured to;
for state A, enable a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein the impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer;
for state B,enable control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and
control the switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a current threshold; and
for state C, enter an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method includes a controller that is configured to coordinate (i) a low impedance path for a dimmer current, (ii), control of switch mode power conversion and (iii) an inactive state to, for example, to allow a dimmer to function normally from cycle to cycle of an alternating current (AC) supply voltage. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer functions normally when the dimmer conducts at a correct phase angle indicated by a dimmer input setting and avoids prematurely resetting while conducting. In at least one embodiment, by coordinating functions (i), (ii), and (iii), the controller controls a power converter system that is compatible with a triac-based dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the controller coordinates functions (i), (ii), and (iii) in response to a particular dimming level indicated by a phase cut, rectified input voltage supplied to the power converter system.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus, wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states that occur from:
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D. an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; E. an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and F. an end of state B until a beginning of state A, the apparatus comprising; a controller configured to; for state A, enable a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein the impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B, enable control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and control the switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a current threshold; and for state C, enter an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled. - 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 wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states that occur from:
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A. an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; B. an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and C. an end of state B until a beginning of state A; the method comprising; for state A, enabling a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein the impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B; enabling control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and controlling switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a threshold; and for state C, entering an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states that occur from:
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A. an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; B. an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and C. an end of state B until a beginning of state A; the apparatus comprising; for state A, means for enabling a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein the impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B; means for enabling control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and means for controlling switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a threshold; and for state C, means for entering an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled.
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Specification