The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 1995
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1993
Dror Manor, Herzliya, IL;
Other;
Abstract
A high power, high efficiency power converter for illumination loads, with low heat dissipation. In the preferred embodiment, the converter utilizes a switching means pair providing a high frequency inverter, provided by a pair of FETs, each arranged in one of a pair of gate driver loops connected to the auxiliary windings of a transformer whose primary winding samples the current through an illumination load. The periodic turn-off and turn-on operation of each of the FET switches is defined as the switching frequency, which is dependent on a Zener diode connected across the FET gate in each of the respective driver loops. The Zener breakdown voltage determines the winding voltage and transformer saturation point, at which time one FET switches off, and the other turns on. Use of FETs as the switching device provides several advantages, including a quicker switching time and reduced switching losses and power dissipation. This allows use of smaller transformers suited to higher switching frequencies, and this in turn enables miniaturization of the power converter, which provides an advantage in indoor illumination applications. A feature of the invention is the provision of an overload protection circuit which interrupts the switching unit function and stops the power converter operation.