General Electric Company

Other

Premier Power Systems, Inc.

William Peil

Robert J McFadyen

Thomas A Brown

Marc A Dissosway

Ricky F Bitting

James E Harris

John M Davenport

Joseph P Hesler

Spiro Vamvakas

Robert J Crosby

Donald W Perkins

Nicholas A Schmitz

John F Zeigler, Iii

Ying-Chen Hwang

Morris W Mashburn, Iii

William K Guzek

To provide a high intensity lighting circuit of improved efficiency and reduced electromagnetic interference generation, a DC xenon lamp is driven by a three phase AC source through a three phase, full wave bridge rectifier.

High intensity lighting circuit

The invention relates to a DC power supply utilizing DC to AC to DC conversion with pulse to pulse current mode IC controlled PWM modulation at an above-sonic repetition rate (e.g., 30 Khz) in a degenerative feedback loop to achieve output regulation. The powder supply, which includes a step-down transformer and a choke input LC filter, is designed for energizing a short-arc, lamp and provides glow to arc transition energization, regulated run energization, and igniter controls. Output regulation may be either of current or power and is based on using a current emulating the current flowing into the filter choke or using both the emulating current and a voltage sensed in a separate secondary winding of the transformer. A novel ramp generating circuit which preserves loop sensitivity at high power loads and a novel method of powering the controlling IC are also disclosed.

Regulated DC power supply

A power supply for a Xenon lamp of a projection television includes a pulse-width-modulator that is included in a power regulating outer feedback loop and in a current-mode inner feedback loop. A current sensing transformer, responsive to a current in a chopper arrangement of the power supply, generates a signal that is coupled to a lowpass filter. The filter generates a ramping portion of each pulse of a control signal that is coupled to a current sensing terminal of the pulse-width-modulator. A switch operating synchronously with a horizontal sync signal is coupled across a capacitor of the lowpass filter to completely discharge the capacitor prior to the beginning of each ramping portion.

Pulse-by-pulse current mode controlled power supply

The invention relates to compact means for turning power on and off and regulating that power as it is supplied to a pulsed transmitting module in a phased array radar system. The arrangement comprises an operational amplifier, which compares the voltage across the module with a gated programmable digital voltage reference, and a high bandwidth power transistor serially connected with the load, the conductivity of which is controlled to adjust the load voltage to the reference value. Capacitive coupling prevents burnout of the transmitting module from a sustained 'on' signal and a capacitive feedback connection at the operational amplifier limits the rise time of the voltage supplied to the load to avoid ringing. The use of a 'switch' in a regulating mode reduces the amount of local storage capacity required to achieve comparable regulation, and leads to a power conditioner for an individual transmitting module, which is both compact and of high performance. The programmable nature of the voltage reference allows for convenient 'tapering' of the power supplied from each module to the associated antenna element.

Regulating switch for transmitting modules in a phased array radar

The invention relates to the distribution of power and control commands to a plurality of pulsed T/R modules coupled to the antenna elements of a phased array radar and arranged in rows and columns. The novel power distribution system includes a large number of small capacitors, at least one per module, a lesser number of large capacitors, at least one at each end of each row, and bus bars dimensioned for a very small r.f. impedance for supplying peak power in a timely manner to the modules from the large capacitors. Each row has four large (1KW) dc power supplies for providing the average power. The power conditioning elements within the modules are of reduced bulk while achieving 'droop' free operation. The control commands are carried by lower current capacity runs on a layer laminated to the bus bar. Connectors attached to the laminated bus bar and indexed at the module positions provide high power and control commands. The arrangement permits automated testing of the connections and is of high reliability.

Power distribution system for a phased array radar

An arrangement is disclosed for controlling the power applied to two remote loads energized from a common ac line. An example is a circuit for controlling fan speed and lamp brightness, both loads being installed in a common ceiling fixture, and requiring only a two conductor interconnection to a wall mounted control circuit. An exemplary control circuit employs two conventional controllers, each having a bidirectional, semiconductor switch, (e.g., a triac) having a manually adjustable conduction duty cycle for power control. The control circuit includes shunt and series diodes for mutual isolation of the controllers and for allocating one controller to one load and the other controller to the other load. The arrangement simplifies installation costs in requiring only a two conductor control connection, and is economic in its selection of components for the control function.

Dual load remote power control for a ceiling fan

In a motor speed or torque control circuit for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) used in a ceiling fan, a pulse width modulator operating at an above audible pulse repetition rate is used in combination with means to adjust the motor voltage to achieve a large (20 to 1) range of smooth fan speed adjustment. The pulse width modulator, which takes the form of a comparator, has as inputs an invariant sawtooth voltage waveform, and a smooth, adjustable control voltage dependent on the voltage supplied to the motor. A steady state or pulsed output is produced dependent on whether intersections occur at the comparator input. The active output state of the pulse width modulator is used to control the application of power to the motor. The control circuit permits speed or torque control from a wall location, or on the ceiling fixture combining the motor. The speed or torque control circuitry is designed for use in a maximally integrated ECM control circuit. The invention also concerns a method of controlling the torque or speed of an ECM.

Speed or torque control circuit for an electronically commutated motor

The invention discloses a control circuit for an electronically commutated motor which performs essential internal commutation and control functions and responds to external controls, usually user operated. The invention is embodied in a ceiling fan which is subject to controls over motor speed or torque and direction of rotation. The control circuit uses a differential transconductance amplifier, which is periodically balanced, for commutation timing, and control logic, which includes a bidirectional counter, designed for uniformity in count duration, irrespective of the count, direction of counting, or changes in direction of counting, and a five rank decoding structure which selects the unenergized winding stage for sensing, selects the energized winding stages for suitably sensed energization, and responds to both direction and energy controls. The internal control includes circuit protection when power is first turned on. The invention also includes an integrated circuit having the foregoing features and a novel method of operating an electronically commutated motor.

Control circuit for an electronically commutated motor, an integrated

An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament. The transistor switch is controlled in its operation by control logic provided by an integrated circuit, which provides a complex control sequence, optimized for minimum electromagnetic interference for normal starts, 'hot restarts', and a failure state, called 'End of Life' in which starting attempts are discontinued.

Lighting unit with improved control sequence

In a motor control circuit for an electronically commutated reversible motor used in a ceiling fan, a control is used to reduce the voltage supplied to the motor for variable speed or torque operation. At the same time, a substantially smooth control voltage, dependent on the variable voltage supplied to the motor, is produced. This control voltage, which is used to enhance the adjustment rate, is applied to control a pulse width modulator, which produces output pulses which also control the flow of energy to the motor. When the control voltage reaches a value slightly past the desired minimum speed or torque setting, a signal is generated to change the direction of motor rotation. Means are provided to delay the actual reversal to protect the power switches in the control circuit. When power is first applied, the initial direction of motor rotation is set by a switch on the ceiling fan. The control circuit permits control of motor reversal from a wall location. The control circuitry is designed for use in a maximally integrated ECM control circuit. The invention also concerns a method of controlling an ECM, including reversal, and reversal combined with torque or speed control.

Control circuit for an electronically commutated motor including

An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The lighting unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network containing a three transistor switch. The transistor switch is used to provide dc and low frequency (120 Hz) energization to the filament, and high frequency energization for both filament and arc lamp. The high frequency energization, which starts and transitions the arc lamp, is discontinued after the arc lamp is started. In the final run state, the arc lamp, which is serially connected with the filament across the dc supply, is ballasted by the filament. The transistor switch is controlled in its operation by an integrated circuit.

Lighting unit having power supply with improved switching means

An energy efficient lighting unit is described designed for functional similarity to the incandescent light used in the home. The light unit utilizes a metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source. The lighting unit includes means for converting 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network comprising an inverter operating at above audible frequencies (e.g. 30-40 KHz). The operating network produces a sequence for the arc lamp and the standby filamentary light source appropriate to each operating state of the arc lamp.

Lighting unit

The present invention relates to a threshold amplifier suited to integrated circuit fabrication of a process employing CMOS technology. The threshold amplifier is designed to sense current producing a first or a second logic level as a function of a current threshold. The amplifier comprises a p-channel device and a n-channel device serially connected across the bias supply. The gate to source voltages of the two devices are respectively controlled by a diode connected p-channel device similarly serially connected across the bias supply with a diode connected n-channel device, the source of the latter being returned to ground via a current carrying resistance also in the second series path. The output level which is taken at the drain inter-connection between the devices in the first series path depends on the relative conductivity of the two devices which is in turn affected by the induced voltage drop in the source connected resistance in the second series path. The threshold voltage may be controlled by the geometry ratio between the n-channel devices, and the current setting in the second series path.

Threshold amplifier for IC fabrication using CMOS technology

The present invention relates to a lighting unit having low and high light levels and employing an efficient arc lamp as the source of light during the high level setting. The unit employs a filamentary light source for the production of light during low light level operation, the filament acting as a resistive ballast for the arc lamp during high level operation. Practical embodiments operate in a conventional three-way light socket with the sequences being off, low, high and low, and off, low, high, and high.

Arc lamp lighting unit with low and high light levels

A lighting unit is described utilizing an energy efficient metal vapor arc lamp as the main source of light supplemented by a standby filamentary light source producing light when the arc lamp is being started. The lighting unit is designed as a more efficient replacement for the incandescent lamp. The lighting unit includes means for conversion of 60 hertz ac to dc, and a dc energized operating network, including a ferrite transformer and an intermittently operated switching transistor serially connected with a load consisting of the filament or the arc lamp, or both, to which regulated output power is provided. The operating network produces an output with minimum dissipation adapted to each operating state of the arc lamp, including the provision of a high ignition potential, adequate power for the lamp during the glow to arc transition, warm-up and ballasting. In addition, while the arc lamp is being started, the operating network provides power for lighting the standby filament.

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North Syracuse, NY, United States of America

William Peil