Method of controlling a ballast, a ballast, a lighting controller, and a digital signal processor
US8692479B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B45/385
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of controlling a ballast in a circuit for a lighting application and connected to a mains power supply is disclosed. The method comprises determining whether a dimmer is present in the circuit; in response to detecting that a dimmer is present, determining a zero-crossing of the power supply and setting a bleeder current through the ballast in dependence on the phase of the power supply within a mains half-cycle; and in response to determining that a dimmer is not present, disabling the bleeder current. A ballast which is controlled by such a method is also disclosed. Additionally, a controller, which may include a digital signal processor, for a ballast and operable according to the above method is disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.