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:
Apr. 23, 1996
Filed:
Apr. 25, 1991
Nicholas F Maiale, Jr, Emmaus, PA (US);
Donald F Hausman, Emmaus, PA (US);
Nutron Electronics Co., Inc, Coopersburg, PA (US);
Abstract
Reverse phase-controlled dimming of an a.c.-powered load is accomplished by switching power to the load on and off during each half cycle. In one embodiment of the present invention, power is switched on when line voltage is substantially equal to load voltage and off at a selected time later in the half cycle or at any time that the voltage across the switch exceeds a predetermined value. Preferably, switching is accomplished with a pair of field effect transistors. The load preferably includes a capacitor from load hot to neutral. The present circuit permits quiet dimming of incandescent lamp loads without the need for complex circuitry. It is particularly well adapted for dimming low voltage lamps using a converter solid state transformer.