Thermal management in a lighting system using multiple, controlled power dissipation circuits

摘要

A lighting system includes a controller that is configured to provide thermal management for the lighting system by distributing excess energy in the lighting system through multiple power dissipation circuits. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system is a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system having one or more light sources selected from a group consisting of at least one light emitting diode and at least one compact fluorescent lamp. In at least one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the plurality of power dissipation circuits in accordance with a thermal management strategy to dissipate the excess energy in the phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system. The particular thermal management strategy is a matter of design choice. The power distribution circuits include two of more of: a controlled switch path power dissipation circuit, a controlled link path power dissipation circuit, and a controlled flyback path power dissipation circuit.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a controller configured to (i) select a plurality of power dissipation circuits during any operating mode of the controller in accordance with a thermal management strategy to dissipate excess energy in the selected plurality of power dissipation circuits in a phase cut compatible, dimmable lighting system and (ii) responding to heating conditions in the controller by activating the plurality of power dissipation circuits to distribute heat generation in the controller in accordance with the thermal management strategy, wherein the dimmable lighting system includes one or more light sources selected from a group consisting of at least one light emitting diode and at least one compact fluorescent lamp.