Method and apparatus for dimming fluorescent lights
US4651060A · kind A · utility
58Cited by
10References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/07
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dimmer for fluorescent lights utilizes a standard A.C. phase control at normal line A.C. frequencies to control the line power to the standard fluorescent light ballast and thereby control the illumination level of the light. During the "off" time of the A.C. line signal, a high frequency signal is applied to the ballast which supplies additional power through the ballast to the filament of the light but is substantially blocked by the ballast from the discharge portion of the light so does not substantially affect the illuminating output of the light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.