Induction RF fluorescent lamp with load control for external dimming device

• US 9,460,907 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
• Inventors: Goscha, John R., Roberts, Victor D., Farkas, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, THAI N
• Application Number:
  US14/035,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20140145619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 315/34, 315/85, 315/244, 315/267, 315/291, 315/307, 313/153, 313/160, 313/161, 313/607, 313/635
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/54 supported by a separate part, e.g. base
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/28 Means for producing, introducing, or replenishing gas or vapour during operation of the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/56 One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/048 the field being produced by using an excitation coil
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2806 with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps without electrodes in the vessel, e.g. surface discharge lamps, electrodeless discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3921 with possibility of light intensity variations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

An induction RF fluorescent lamp comprising a dimming device load control facility enabling the induction RF fluorescent lamp to provide for electrical loads required for the proper operation of an external control dimming device, the dimming device load control facility controlling a switched electrical load switched in and out of connectivity within the electronic ballast to provide a load for the external dimming device.

Claims

1. An induction RF fluorescent lamp, comprising:

a lamp envelope filled with a ionizable gas mixture at less than typical atmospheric pressure;

a power coupler comprising at least one winding of an electrical conductor;

an electronic ballast providing appropriate voltage and current to the power coupler; and

a dimming device load control facility enabling the induction RF fluorescent lamp to provide for electrical loads required for the proper operation of an external control dimming device, the dimming device load control facility controlling a switched electrical load switched in and out of connectivity with the electronic ballast to provide a load for the external dimming device;

wherein the switched electrical load is switched out of the circuit during on-time intervals of the external dimming device and switched into the circuit during off-time intervals of the external dimming device.

2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the lamp envelope comprises a re-entrant cavity, wherein the power coupler is located inside the re-entrant cavity.

3. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the power coupler comprises a ferromagnetic core, where the winding wraps around the ferromagnetic core.

4. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the at least one winding of the electrical conductor receives an alternating voltage and current from the electronic ballast to generate an alternating magnetic field and thereby induce an alternating electrical field within the lamp envelope.

5. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the external dimming control device is a TRIAC dimming device.

6. The lamp of claim 1, further comprising an AC-to-DC rectifier between the external dimming control device and the switched electrical load.

7. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the dimming device load control facility detects an external dimming device type for the external dimming control device and automatically adjusts the control of the switched electrical load based on the detected device type.

8. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the detected type is a leading-edge type external dimming device.

9. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the detected type is a trailing-edge type external dimming device.

10. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the detected type is a smart type external dimming device.

11. The lamp of claim 7, wherein the adjustment reduces flicker in the lamp.

12. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the dimming device load control facility uses integrated circuit electronics in the control of the switched electrical load.

13. The lamp of claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit electronics comprise a microcontroller.

14. The lamp of claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit electronics comprises a single package with a combination of analog and digital integrated control circuits.

15. The lamp of claim 14, wherein the combination reduces power consumption and noise.

16. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the switched electrical load is switched into the circuit when the presence of an external dimming device is sensed.