20120133294 | LIGHT DIMMER AND METHOD - A method for controlling an output of a AC current fluorescent lamp, including the steps of predetermining a desired degree of lamp illumination, determining the zero crossing point of a waveform representing an input voltage to the fluorescent lamp, and correlating the desired degree of illumination in relation to the zero crossing point and a cycle position later than the zero crossing point. Input voltage is allowed to flow to the fluorescent lamp beginning at zero voltage and an output feedback load is generated by the fluorescent lamp. The optimized input voltage is prevented from flowing to the fluorescent lamp after the zero crossing point at the correlated position of the input current in relation to the zero crossing point based on the detected output feedback load generated by the fluorescent lamp. A dimmer for carrying out the method is also disclosed. | 05-31-2012 |