Dimming control system and method for a fluorescent lamp
US5757145A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The illumination intensity of a fluorescent lamp is controlled in response to control signals generated at a remote location on the power supply conductors of a lamp circuit and decoding those control signals at the fluorescent lamp to control the illumination intensity. A dimming controller is connected in the lamp circuit remote from the lamp and generates first and second control signals indicative of a request to increase or decrease, respectively, the lamp illumination intensity. The control module is connected in the lamp circuit to fluorescent lamp and the control module receives the control signals. The control module continually increases and decreases the illumination intensity of the lamp in response to the first and second control signals, respectively. The illumination intensity is controlled by adjusting a time point within each half-cycle of applied power where the lamp is extinguished. A third control signal generated by the dimming controller and decoded by the control module ceases the adjustment in the extinguishing point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.