Patent ID: 6188208
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
A cycle-skipping control system, comprising:an AC switch for coupling to an AC line power source;a zero-crossing detector for detecting when a cycle of the AC line power crosses zero voltage in order to detect the beginning of each AC line cycle;a random number generator for generating a random number during each line cycle; anda comparator for comparing each random number generated by the random number generator to a predetermined fraction of full-load power, the comparator providing a logic level output if the random number is less than the predetermined fraction, the comparator providing an opposite logic level output if the random number is greater than the predetermined fraction, the output of the comparator being coupled to the AC switch such that the AC switch is turned on or off for the duration of each line cycle according to the state of the comparator output at the onset of the cycle, whereby when the system is operated for a duration significantly greater than the period of one AC cycle, the average number of cycles of AC line power being provided to a load corresponds to the predetermined fraction of full-load power.