Configurable LED driver/dimmer for solid state lighting applications

• US 9,320,093 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mate, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lumastream Canada Ulc
• Inventors: Tikkanen, David, Booth, Christopher Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US14/590,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20150108912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/32 Pulse-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/36 Circuits for reducing or suppressing harmonics, ripples or electromagnetic interferences [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/385 using flyback topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/39 Circuits containing inverter bridges
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/60 Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control

Abstract

The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for configuring and powering light fixture loads for a LED low voltage distribution system. The method and apparatus include converting power being supplied for powering the set of light fixture loads and then limiting this converted power to a set of multiple current outputs supplied to the light fixture loads. The multiple current outputs are then split or regrouped prior to being delivered to the light fixture loads.

Claims

1. A method of configuring and powering a set of light fixture loads in a light emitting diode (LED) low voltage distribution system comprising:

converting power for powering the set of light fixture loads;

limiting converted power to multiple current outputs supplied to the set of light fixture loads;

splitting or regrouping the multiple current outputs prior to delivery of the multiple current outputs to the set of light fixture loads;

receiving a protocol from an external transmitter;

converting the protocol into a data stream; and

translating the data stream to LED control information;

wherein the LED control information is used for controlling the limited power.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting converted power comprises:

limiting converted power to the multiple current outputs being supplied to a set of Organic LED (OLED) or LED light fixture loads.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting converted power comprises:

limiting power to a calibrated value when an event failure occurs.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein limiting power to a calibrated value comprises:

limiting power to less than 100 watts.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein converting power for powering comprises:

receiving power via a set of input channels.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising delivering power to the set of light fixture loads via a set of output channels.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein splitting or regrouping comprises:

splitting the set of input channels into the set of output channels.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein splitting or regrouping comprises:

regrouping the set of output channels from the set of input channels.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein converting power comprises:

receiving an alternating current (AC) power;

converting the AC power to a low voltage direct current (DC) power; and

converting the low voltage DC power to the multiple current outputs.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after receiving the protocol:

adjusting at least one of the multiple current outputs in accordance with the protocol; and

delivering the adjusted at least one current output to an associated light fixture load.

11. A method of configuring and powering a set of light fixture loads in a light emitting diode (LED) low voltage distribution system comprising:

converting power for powering the set of light fixture loads;

limiting converted power to multiple current outputs supplied to the set of light fixture loads;

splitting or regrouping the multiple current outputs prior to delivery of the multiple current outputs to the set of light fixture loads;

receiving a data stream from an external transmitter; and

translating the data stream to LED control information;

wherein the LED control information is used for controlling the limited power.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein limiting converted power comprises:

limiting converted power to the multiple current outputs being supplied to a set of Organic LED (OLED) or LED light fixture loads.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein limiting converted power comprises:

limiting power to a calibrated value when an event failure occurs.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein limiting power to a calibrated value comprises:

limiting power to less than 100 watts.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein converting power for powering comprises:

receiving power via a set of input channels.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising delivering power to the set of light fixture loads via a set of output channels.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein splitting or regrouping comprises:

splitting the set of input channels into the set of output channels.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein splitting or regrouping comprises:

regrouping the set of output channels from the set of input channels.

19. The method of claim 11 herein converting power comprises:

receiving an alternating current (AC) power;

converting the AC power to a low voltage direct current (DC) power; and

converting the low voltage DC power to the multiple current outputs.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising, after receiving the data stream:

adjusting at least one of the multiple current outputs in accordance with the data stream; and

delivering the adjusted at least one current output to the associated light fixture.