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Coordinated dimmer compatibility functions

  • US 9,240,725 B2
  • Filed: 12/11/2013
  • Issued: 01/19/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states for multiple cycles of the dimmer voltage that occur from:

  • (A) an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of the 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 in a next cycle of the dimmer voltage,the apparatus comprising;

    a load;

    a controller configured to;

    for state A, enable a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein an impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer;

    for state B,generating a control signal to 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; and

    a switching power converter, coupled to the controller and the load, configured to receive the control signal, the dimmer voltage, and the dimmer current to convert the dimmer voltage and dimmer current into energy for the load in response to the control signal.

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