Patent · US Expired

Incandescent light regulation and intensity controller

US4902958A · kind A · utility

67Cited by
2References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1988
Grant dateFeb 20, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A regulation and intensity controller for prolonging the life of an incandescent lamp controls the root mean square voltage across the lamp by converting AC voltage to a DC voltage and by applying the DC voltage to the lamp through a switch and an inductor in series connection with the lamp. The switch is opened and closed according to a duty cycle that will produce a constant average voltage across the lamp. The switch is closed at fixed intervals and is opened by a circuit that is responsive to the instantaneous current through the lamp and to a voltage signal produced by integrating an error signal that represents the difference between the lamp voltage and a reference voltage. In this manner, the average voltage across the lamp is regulated and ripple is kept within a level such that the average voltage is a close representation of root mean square voltage. Additionally, the cycle-by-cycle current through the lamp is closely regulated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.