TRIAC Low Voltage Dimming Control System
AssigneeInspired LED, LLC
InventorsTanner J. Leland, James J. Levante, Randy J. Wright
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A TRIAC low voltage dimming control system for effectively controlling the dimming of low voltage lighting using a TRIAC dimmer. The TRIAC low voltage dimming control system generally includes a TRIAC analyzer that applies a test voltage to a TRIAC dimmer and measures the amount of time required for the TRIAC dimmer to conduct electricity. Utilizing the measured time for the TRIAC dimmer to conduct electricity, the TRIAC analyzer is able to calculate an approximate state of the TRIAC dimmer and provide a corresponding level of DC electrical power to a DC load.
Claims20
A light dimming control system for low voltage lighting, comprising:
- an analyzer adapted to apply a test voltage to a TRIAC dimmer and to measure a period of time required for said TRIAC dimmer to start conducting electricity after applying said test voltage, wherein said analyzer calculates a state of said TRIAC dimmer based upon said period of time, and wherein said test voltage is comprised of a direct current (DC) voltage;
- a low voltage dimmer in communication with said analyzer, wherein said analyzer transmits a signal to said low voltage dimmer specifying a DC output voltage for said low voltage dimmer;
- and
- a low voltage lighting electrically connected to said low voltage dimmer, wherein said low voltage lighting receives said DC output voltage.
A method of dimming DC voltage lighting based upon a state of a TRIAC dimmer, comprising the steps of:
- providing a control unit comprised of an analyzer and a low voltage dimmer, wherein said low voltage dimmer is adapted to electrically connect to a low voltage lighting and provide a DC output voltage to said low voltage lighting at different levels to dim said low voltage lighting;
- applying a test voltage to a first main terminal and a second main terminal of a TRIAC dimmer, wherein said test voltage is comprised of a DC voltage of at least 30V DC;
- determining a period of time for said TRIAC dimmer to conduct a minimum electric current;
- calculating an illumination level that is inversely proportional to said period of time;
- and
- applying said DC output voltage at a level that corresponds to said illumination level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.