Osram Sylvania Inc.

Osram Gmbh

Sivakumar Thangavelu

Afroz M Imam

Mustansir Kheraluwala

Lin Yang

Michael Ardai

Suraj Gajendar

John G Konopka

Markus Ziegler

Sameer Sodhi

Young G Kang

Systems, methods, and computer program products for remote configuration of one or more power supplies, particularly lighting power supplies, are disclosed. A configuration signal that includes a setting for a parameter is generated and then transmitted to a power supply. The power supply decodes the configuration signal and, if one or more certain conditions are met, configures the power supply according to information provided in the configuration signal.

Remote configuration of lighting power supply

Lighting control interface techniques and corresponding circuitry are provided. The techniques include receiving a first signal potentially representative of a first lighting control signal, and receiving a second signal potentially representative of a second lighting control signal, and determining if either of the first and second signals complies with a first or second lighting control protocol. The lighting control signal may be applied to the same interface connector (regardless of the protocol), thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated interface connectors. In some cases, the techniques further include determining that a dummy control signal is manifesting in the first and/or second signals, thereby indicating that no lighting control signal is being applied. Depending on the resulting determination, the techniques may include, for example, setting output lighting power according to a pre-established value, or according to the first or second lighting control protocol.

Multi-standard lighting control interface circuit

Methods of protecting an electrical device, such as a ballast, from damage due to an inrush current, and devices incorporating such methods, are disclosed. A loss of input power received by the ballast is detected. In response, the ballast is entered into a standby mode. The ballast is able to remain in the standby mode for a standby period of time. The input power is monitored during the standby period of time to measure a start time. Measurement of the start time is triggered by the ballast receiving input power again. The ballast is entered into an active mode when the measured start time exceeds a protection time. The protection time corresponds to an amount of time needed for an inrush current to dissipate following input power again being received by the ballast, protecting the ballast from possible damage due to the inrush current.

Inrush current protection

A driver circuit includes a plurality of switches, forming two switching legs, each of at least two switches and connected between two DC voltage buses. The switches are matched to form diagonal pairs. The driver circuit also includes a load circuit connecting the legs, with a first inductor connected between one leg's switches, and a second inductor connected between the other leg's switches, and lamp terminals between the inductors and in series with the second inductor. The driver circuit also includes a capacitor in parallel with the series-connected lamp terminals and the second inductor, and a control circuit connected to the plurality of switches. During a commutation period, a diagonal pair operates in a non-conductive state and the other in a conductive state, until a current through the first inductor reaches a predefined value. Then the other operates in a non-conductive state until the current through the first inductor reaches zero.

Transition mode commutation for inverter

A control circuit for a lamp. The control circuit is used in conjunction with an alternating current (AC) variable voltage power source to energize the lamp. The control circuit includes a voltage sensing component for sensing the voltage of an voltage input signal from the power source for energizing the lamp. The control circuit includes a controller configured to estimate a delay angle as a linear function of the sensed voltage. The control circuit includes an AC converter for modifying the voltage input signal according to the estimated delay angle to generate an AC voltage output signal having a constant root mean square voltage for energizing the lamp.

AC delay angle control for energizing a lamp

A ballast including an H-bridge type inverter for driving a lamp and a filter circuit that includes a buck inductor is disclosed. The buck inductor is a primary winding of a transformer, and a secondary winding of the transformer provides power to a controller of the ballast. The controller operates the inverter in various pre-ignition modes of operation such that prior to ignition, the open circuit voltage (OCV) (i.e., voltage across the lamp) and buck inductor current are controlled to transfer sufficient power from the primary of the transformer to the secondary winding of the transformer to power the controller. No switches of the inverter are turned on while there is a non-zero current through the filter circuit.

Starting an electronic ballast

A circuit () for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (), output terminal (), a charging circuit (R,C), a transformer () having a primary winding () and a secondary winding (), a MOSFET (), and a clamping diode (D). During operation, ignitor circuit () provides a high voltage (V) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit () provides an ignition voltage (V) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit () may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.

Circuit for igniting a high intensity discharge lamp

A dimming control system includes a first circuit ( ) and a second circuit ( ). First circuit ( ) is coupled in series with the AC line source ( ) and receives brighten and dim commands from a user. The brighten and dim commands are communicated to second circuit ( ) by momentarily altering the AC voltage waveforms observed by second circuit ( ). Second circuit ( ) provides an adjustable output signal that is coupled to inverter circuitry within an electronic dimming ballast. The output signal is adjusted by the second circuit ( ) in dependence on the observed AC voltage waveforms.

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Billerica, MA, United States of America

Sivakumar Thangavelu