Circuit and apparatus for controlling a constant current DC driver output
First Claim
1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled to a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through a load coupled between the first and second nodes, the particular current level being determined at least in part by a detected resistance between third and fourth nodes within the DC power source, the control apparatus comprising:
- a voltage control module adapted to be coupled to the first and second nodes and operable to generate a controlled voltage independent of the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes; and
a control module powered by the controlled voltage and adapted to be coupled to the third and fourth nodes, the control module operable to generate a perceived resistance between the third and fourth nodes;
whereby the control module at least in part controls the particular current level set by the DC power source flowing through the load coupled between the first and second nodes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to circuit and apparatus for controlling an output of a constant current driver. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load. The control apparatus may interface with external devices or communication networks in order to receive control commands or information that may be used for control purposes. Overall, the control apparatus is implemented into the system to enable added-value features that the constant current driver would otherwise not be able to implement.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled to a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through a load coupled between the first and second nodes, the particular current level being determined at least in part by a detected resistance between third and fourth nodes within the DC power source, the control apparatus comprising:
-
a voltage control module adapted to be coupled to the first and second nodes and operable to generate a controlled voltage independent of the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes; and a control module powered by the controlled voltage and adapted to be coupled to the third and fourth nodes, the control module operable to generate a perceived resistance between the third and fourth nodes; whereby the control module at least in part controls the particular current level set by the DC power source flowing through the load coupled between the first and second nodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. An apparatus comprising:
-
a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through a load coupled between the first and second nodes, the particular current level being determined at least in part by a detected resistance between third and fourth nodes within the DC power source; and a control apparatus adapted to be coupled to the first and second nodes and operable to generate a controlled voltage independent of the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes;
the control apparatus comprising a control module powered by the controlled voltage and adapted to be coupled to the third and fourth nodes, the control module operable to generate a perceived resistance between the third and fourth nodes;whereby the control module at least in part controls the particular current level set by the DC power source flowing through the load coupled between the first and second nodes.
-
-
25. A lighting apparatus comprising:
-
a lighting module coupled between first and second nodes; a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across the first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through the lighting module, the particular current level being determined at least in part by a detected resistance between third and fourth nodes within the DC power source; and a control apparatus adapted to be coupled to the first and second nodes and operable to generate a controlled voltage independent of the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes;
the control apparatus comprising a control module powered by the controlled voltage and adapted to be coupled to the third and fourth nodes, the control module operable to generate a perceived resistance between the third and fourth nodes;whereby the control apparatus at least in part controls the particular current level set by the DC power source flowing through the lighting module.
-
Specification