US4250432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch dimmer circuit
Assignee: ELECTRONIC BALLAST TECHNOLOGY Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1979-04-16
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1999-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A touch dimmer switch incorporating an integrated circuit for controlling a thyristor dimming circuit, has a touch control connected in a high impedance, unidirectionally conducting circuit, and a filter circuit for filtering out ambient electrical noise. The touch control is isolated from the AC power source so that the polarity of connection to the power source is not critical.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Kohler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:17
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/08; H05B39/083; H05B39/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control circuit incorporating a circuit means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor interconnected in series with a load and a source of AC power, comprising in combination, a source of DC potential for powering said circuit means, an operating transistor having two terminals interconnected between a source of DC potential and an input terminal of said circuit means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a first non-oscillating conducting state, a touch sensor, and a connecting circuit including said sensor for interconnecting a control terminal of said transistor with a DC reference potential electrically isolated from said AC power source, whereby operation of said touch sensor causes said operating transistor to assume a second non-oscillating conducting state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control circuit incorporating a circuit means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor interconnected in series with a load and a source of AC power, comprising in combination, a source of DC potential for powering said circuit means, an operating transistor having two terminals interconnected between a source of DC potential and an input terminal of said circuit means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a first non-oscillating conducting state, a touch sensor, and a connecting circuit including said sensor for interconnecting a control terminal of said transistor with a DC reference potential electrically isolated from said AC power source, whereby operation of said touch sensor causes said operating transistor to assume a second non-oscillating conducting state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a diode connected in series with said touch sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a low pass filter connected with said operating transistor for filtering out AC signals induced in said connecting circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said touch sensor is a two terminal device and wherein said connecting means includes first high impedance connecting means for connecting one terminal of said touch sensor to said DC potential and second high impedance means connecting one terminal of said touch sensor to said reference potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said touch sensor incorporates two spaced-apart conductors exposed to being touched by an operator's hand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control incorporating means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor connected in series with the load and a source of AC power comprising in combination an operating transistor having two terminals connected between a source of operating voltage and an input terminal of said controlling means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a non-oscillating conducting state, a touch sensor located remotely from said operating transistor and connected thereto by a high impedance connecting circuit, and a filter connected to said operating transistor for filtering out AC signals induced in said connecting circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control incorporating means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor connected in series with the load and a source of AC power comprising in combination an operating transistor having two terminals connected between a source of operating voltage and an input terminal of said controlling means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a non-oscillating conducting state, a touch sensor located remotely from said operating transistor and connected thereto by a high impedance connecting circuit, and a filter connected to said operating transistor for filtering out AC signals induced in said connecting circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said operating voltage is a DC voltage, and including means interconnecting said touch sensor with said DC voltage and means including a diode and a capacitor separating one side of said DC voltage from said AC power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, including a diode in said connecting circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control incorporating means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor connected in series with a load and a source of AC power, comprising in combination, an operating transistor having two terminals connected between a source of operating voltage and an input to said controlling means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a non-oscillating state, and a touch sensor located remotely from said operating transistor and connected thereto by a high impedance connecting circuit, said high impedance circuit incorporating a series connected diode for permitting only undirectional current flow through said circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A touch sensitive dimmer control incorporating means for controlling the phase of conduction of a thyristor connected in series with a load and a source of AC power, comprising in combination, an operating transistor having two terminals connected between a source of operating voltage and an input to said controlling means, bias means for maintaining said operating transistor in a non-oscillating state, and a touch sensor located remotely from said operating transistor and connected thereto by a high impedance connecting circuit, said high impedance circuit incorporating a series connected diode for permitting only undirectional current flow through said circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, including a filter connected to said operating transistor for filtering out AC signals induced in said connecting circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |