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:
Mar. 20, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 18, 2000
Bryce L. Hesterman, Madison, AL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A dimming control interface for dimming ballasts is disclosed. The control interface includes DC voltage source input terminals in series with a pair of input terminals and a high-voltage resistance element to form a current source. The dimming control interface includes an isolated coupling element connected between a pair of dimming control input terminals and a pair of dimming control output terminals, and is operative to generate an output control voltage in response to an input control voltage applied to the input terminals. The dimming control interface further includes voltage clamping element to limit voltages generated in the control interface to safe levels when an external AC power source is connected to the dimming control interface. Similarly, a second high voltage resistance element is connected between one of the dimming control input terminals and the isolated coupling element to limit currents generated by the AC power source to safe levels.