Systems and methods for converting alternating current to drive light-emitting diodes
AssigneeColorado Energy Research Technologies, LLC
InventorsWayne J. Powell, Robert D. Boehmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for converting alternating current from at least two types of electronic ballasts for fluorescent bulbs into direct current for an array of LEDs. The device is assembled such that it can fit into existing fluorescent bulb fixtures. Alternating current from a contemplated electronic ballast can have one of two peak-to-peak voltages and the circuitry of the device will convert either alternating current into approximately the same direct current. In doing so, the array of LEDs is illuminated providing an LED alternative to fluorescent light bulbs.
Claims14
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system for driving an array of LEDs using an electronic ballast supplying alternating current, wherein the array of LEDs have a manufacturer's specification of a current value and a voltage value required for activating the array of LEDs, comprising:
- a first circuitry coupled to the array of LEDs and configured to convert an alternating current having a first peak-to-peak voltage into a first direct current and further configured to feed the first direct current into the array of LEDs,
- wherein the first circuitry comprises:
- (1) a first set of capacitors configured to convert the alternating current having the first peak-to-peak voltage to a modified alternating current having a reduced peak-to-peak voltage based on the manufacturer's specification for LEDs in the array of LEDs, and (2) at least one full-wave rectifier configured to convert the alternating current with the reduced peak-to-peak voltage to the first direct current;
- a second circuitry coupled to the array of LEDs and configured to convert an alternating current having a second peak-to-peak voltage into a second direct current and further configured to feed the second direct current into the array of LEDs;
- and
- a switching circuitry configured to switch an input alternating current between the first circuitry and the second circuitry based on a peak-to-peak voltage of the input alternating current.
A method of driving an array of LEDs using a conventional alternating current ballast, wherein a manufacturer has specified a required voltage for activating the array of LEDs, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching, by a switching circuitry, an alternating current received from the conventional alternating current ballast between a first circuitry and a second circuitry based on a peak-to-peak voltage of the alternating current;
- when the alternating current has a first peak-to-peak voltage less than a threshold amount, converting, by the first circuitry, the alternating current having the first peak-to-peak voltage into a first direct current based on the required voltage specified by the manufacturer to feed into the array of LEDs;
- and
- when the alternating current has a second peak-to-peak voltage larger than the threshold amount, converting, by the second circuitry, the alternating current having the second peak-to-peak voltage into a second direct current based on the required voltage specified by the manufacturer to feed into the array of LEDs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.