A Novel Discrete Dimming Ballast for Linear Fluorescent Lamps

A novel discrete dimming ballast for linear fluorescent lamps is proposed in this paper. A proposed dimming control circuit is combined with a ballast module for multiple lamps to realize control of three discrete lighting levels. Compared with conventional step dimming or ON-OFF control methods, the proposed discrete dimming method has the following advantages: 1) digital signal is generated by the dimming control circuit to control the lamps\u27 turn- ON and -OFF, which makes the system more reliable and integrated; 2) the proposed discrete dimming system replaces relays, which are necessary in conventional lamp ON-OFF control, and therefore decreases the system cost; 3) the proposed dimming ballast can be installed by keeping the original wiring system. This makes the upgrading of a lighting system more effective and efficient; 4) the dimming control circuit also provides a good isolation for operating the low-voltage wall switches by hand safely. Both theoretical, simulation, and experimental results are in good agreement

Technology Progress Dynamics of Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have been expected as one of the energy saving technologies for their characteristics of lower energy consumption and longer life cycle compared to incandescent lamps. Although the price of CFLs has declined significantly during the past 10 years, they are still 10 times as expensive as incandescent lamps. This report examines the technological development of CFLs by using learning curve that relates cost to cumulative production and estimates the future cost reduction of CFLs. Promotion programs of CFLs those greatly influence on the market expansion are also surveyed and future prospects are discussed finally

Energy saving controller for fluorescent lamps

Although fluorescent lamp is a very efficient lighting device in daily life, still the high harmonic distortion and low power factor cause unnecessary energy consumption. In today’s environment demanding energy efficiency, it is important to reduce this energy loss by integrating an energy saving controller in the electromagnetic ballast of fluorescent lamps. The research presented in this thesis investigates the design and implementation of a new energy saving controller for electromagnetic fluorescent lamp network. The newly developed controller attempts to reduce power losses in both the electromagnetic ballasts and fluorescent lamps by regulating the incoming supply voltage to an optimum level. In addition, the new controller is able to adjust the illuminance level of working environment lightings under either dark or bright condition. Moreover, the function of the new controller is extended with time scheduling control capability, where the switching of lighting systems can be controlled at predetermined times based on occupancy schedule. Both simulation and practical results show that the implemented controller reduces energy consumption by at least 37.5%, by reducing the incoming supply voltage by 15%. In addition, it is desirable to have variable illuminance level control to decrease the energy losses. The experimental results show that the illuminance output level of electromagnetic ballast fluorescent lamps can be decreased by 50% using the new controller while maintaining unity power factor. Integration of the new energy saving controller into electromagnetic ballast fluorescent lamps impressively outperforms the existing electronic dimmable ballast. This new controller brings great ideas for energy saving in the use of fluorescent lamps

Implementation of a voltage multiplier integrated HID ballast circuit with dimming control for automotive application

Author name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengAuthor name used in this publication: D. H. WangPower Electronics Research Centre, Department of Electrical Engineering2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2013

Dielectrophoresis-Based Particle Sensor Using Nanoelectrode Arrays; Multi-Dimensional Damage Detection for Surfaces and Structures; ULTRA: Underwater Localization for Transit and Reconnaissance Autonomy; Autonomous Cryogenic Leak Detector for Improving Launch Site Operations; Submillimeter Planetary Atmospheric Chemistry Exploration Sounder; Method for Reduction of Silver Biocide Plating on Metal Surfaces; Silicon Micromachined Microlens Array for THz Antennas; Forward-Looking IED Detector Ground Penetrating Radar; Fully Printed, Flexible, Phased Array Antenna for Lunar Surface Communication, Battery Charge Equalizer with Transformer Array; An Efficient, Highly Flexible Multi-Channel Digital Downconverter Architecture; Dimmable Electronic Ballast for a Gas Discharge Lamp; Conductive Carbon Nanotube Inks for Use with Desktop Inkjet Printing Technology; Enhanced Schapery Theory Software Development for Modeling Failure of Fiber-Reinforced Laminates; High-Performance, Low-Temperature-Operating, Long-Lifetime Aerospace Lubricants; Carbon Nanotube Microarrays Grown on Nanoflake Substrates; Differential Muon Tomography to Continuously Monitor Changes in the Composition of Subsurface Fluids; Microgravity Drill and Anchor System; 20 Granular Media-Based Tunable Passive Vibration Suppressor; 21 Miga Aero Actuator and 2D Machined Mechanical Binary Latch; Micro-XRF for In Situ Geological Exploration of Other Planets; Hydrogen-Enhanced Lunar Oxygen Extraction and Storage Using Only Solar Power; Uplift of Ionospheric Oxygen Ions During Extreme Magnetic Storms; Miniaturized, High-Speed, Modulated X-Ray Source; Hollow-Fiber Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator 25 High-Power Single-Mode 2.65-micrometers InGaAsSb/AlInGaAsSb Diode Lasers; Optical Device for Converting a Laser Beam Into Two Co-aligned but Oppositely Directed Beams; A Hybrid Fiber/Solid-State Regenerative Amplifier with Tunable Pulse Widths for Satellite Laser Ranging; X-Ray Diffractive Optics; SynGenics Optimization System (SynOptSys); 29 CFD Script for Rapid TPS Damage Assessment; radEq Add-On Module for CFD Solver Loci-CHEM; Science Opportunity Analyzer (SOA) Version 8; 30 Autonomous Byte Stream Randomizer; Distributed Engine Control Empirical/Analytical Verification Tools; Dynamic Server-Based KML Code Generator Method for Level-of-Detail Traversal of Geospatial Data; Automated Planning of Science Products Based on Nadir Overflights and Alerts for Onboard and Ground Processing; Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation; Risk-Constrained Dynamic Programming for Optimal Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing; Scheduling Operations for Massive Heterogeneous Clusters; Deepak Condenser Model (DeCoM); Flight Software Math Library; Recirculating 1-K-Pot for Pulse-Tube Cryostats; 35 Method for Processing Lunar Regolith Using Microwaves; Wells for In Situ Extraction of Volatiles from Regolith (WIEVR); and Estimating the Backup Reaction Wheel Orientation Using Reaction Wheel Spin Rates Flight Telemetry from a Spacecraft

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Lighting

The lighting of both exteriors and interiors is a field within electrical and lighting engineering, where important technological changes have been taking place oriented towards environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. LED technology has been gradually gaining ground in the world of lighting over other technologies due to its high lighting and energy efficiency and savings. However, some problems related to overheating or associated regulation are emerging. This has prompted the search for new, more efficient, and sustainable forms of lighting. This book presents successful cases related to energy efficiency and lighting that may be of great interest to those trying to enter the world of scientific research

Improving Building Sustainability: Lighting Life Cycle Optimization and Management, and HVAC Demand Response

Residential and commercial buildings represent 39% of global energy carbon emissions. In the U.S., buildings consume 40% of the total energy consumption and thus represent a substantial energy saving opportunity. Additionally, building energy flexibility, or the ability to reduce or move demand to a different time, is playing an increasingly important role in grid modernization and renewable integration by helping to balance supply. Material efficiency is another foundation to sustainability, as many energy-efficient and renewable technologies depend on the use of specialty materials, which are dwindling in supply and many face geopolitical conflicts. This dissertation advances methods of life cycle analysis and data analytics while addressing some of these issues and opportunities in three key aspects – how to choose better products, how to better manage products at their end of life, and how to use energy more effectively. Chapter 2 and 3 examine the keep vs. replace conundrum by studying the replacement of residential and commercial lighting, in which the rapidly changing LED technology creates unclear tradeoffs with incumbent lighting in terms of cost, energy savings, and emissions. The results suggest that while LED lighting offers competitive performance and life cycle cost as fluorescent lighting, there is less advantage (or benefit) for immediate LED adoption in a lower use, upfront cost-sensitive, or slowly decarbonizing grid situation. Chapter 4 evaluates the life cycle impacts of recovering rare earth and critical metals from spent linear fluorescent and LED fixtures, respectively. This chapter also assesses the impacts of extended use and modular (component) replacement to assess the value of reverse logistics (reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling). The results show that both types of metal extraction create net environmental impacts, which can be mitigated with process optimization and waste preprocessing to increase extraction efficiency. While modular replacement leads to overall lower environmental burdens, full replacement can offer incentive for LED recycling as their metal-heavy housing structure and heat sink are attractive to recyclers. Chapter 5 performs piecewise log-linear-Fourier regressions on whole-home smart meter data and outdoor temperature data to disaggregate the thermostatically controlled loads from whole-home consumption and to estimate the technical thermal demand response potentials in the Midwest. The results suggest that single family buildings, being the higher energy users and larger customer base than multi-family, can provide higher per customer and aggregated demand flexibility. However, multi-family buildings, particularly those with a central HVAC system, may have the advantage of pooled demand across multiple units and should therefore be considered accordingly. By examining the three decision-making questions related to technology and product selection (Chapter 2 - 3), waste management and material recovery (Chapter 4), and energy use and demand response (Chapter 5), the research helps inform decision making for building managers and energy consumers, and provide industry with insights regarding product design, reverse logistics, and demand response program recruitment.PHDMech Eng & Nat Res Env PhDUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163086/1/lixiliu_1.pd