Hybrid light source
US8228002B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B45/39
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid light source comprises a discrete-spectrum lamp (for example, a fluorescent lamp) and a continuous-spectrum lamp (for example, a halogen lamp). A control circuit individually controls the amount of power delivered to the discrete-spectrum lamp and the continuous-spectrum lamp in response to a phase-controlled voltage generated by a connected dimmer switch, such that a total light output of the hybrid light source ranges throughout a dimming range. The discrete-spectrum lamp is turned off and the continuous-spectrum lamp produces all of the total light intensity of the hybrid light source when the total light intensity is below a transition intensity. The continuous-spectrum lamp is driven by a continuous-spectrum lamp drive circuit, which is operable to conduct a charging current of a power supply of the dimmer switch and to provide a path for enough current to flow through the hybrid light source, such that the magnitude of the current exceeds rated latching and holding currents of a thyristor of the dimmer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.