Reverse phase-controlled dimmer with integral power adjustment means

A circuit for controlling power from an a.c. line to a load, wherein

• said circuit comprises, in combination,
• (a) switch means to turn power to said load on and off and
• (b) control means to
• (i) cause said switch means to turn on when line voltage is substantially equal to zero and
• (ii) cause said switch means to turn off at a selected time later during each half cycle and
• said load comprises
• (c) a rectifier to convert said a.c. power to d.c. and
• (d) a filter capacitor in closed series relationship with the d.c. side of said rectifier.

A circuit for controlling power from an a.c. line to a load, wherein

• said circuit comprises, in combination,
• (a) switch means to turn power to said load on and off,
• (b) control means including integral means for adjusting the power delivered to said load so as to
• (i) cause said switch means to turn on when line voltage is substantially equal to load voltage and
• (ii) cause said switch means to turn off at a selected time later during each half cycle, said later time being selectively determined by the integral means for adjusting the power delivered to said load,
• (c) supply and return legs to and from said load, and
• (d) a capacitor having a first terminal connected to said supply leg and a second terminal connected to said return leg;
• and said load comprises an incandescent lamp.

A circuit for controlling power from an a.c. line to a load, wherein

• said circuit comprises, in combination,
• (a) switch means to turn power to said load on and off,
• (b) control means to
• (i) cause said switch means to turn on when line voltage is substantially equal to zero and
• (ii) cause said switch means to turn off at a selected time later during each half cycle,
• (c) supply and return legs to and from said load, and
• (d) a capacitor having a first terminal connected to said supply leg and a second terminal connected to said return leg
• and said load comprises an incandescent lamp.

A circuit for controlling power from an a.c. line to a load, wherein

• said circuit comprises, in combination,
• (a) switch means to turn power to said load on and off and
• (b) control means to
• (i) cause said switch means to turn on when line voltage is substantially equal to zero and
• (ii) cause said switch means to turn off at a selected time later during each half cycle and
• said load comprises a fan.

A circuit for controlling power from an a.c. line to a load, wherein

• said circuit comprises, in combination,
• (a) switch means to turn power to said load on and off and
• (b) control means to
• (i) cause said switch means to turn on when line voltage is substantially equal to zero and
• (ii) cause said switch means to turn off at a selected time later during each half cycle and said load comprises a converter for operating low voltage incandescent lamp.