Patent ID: 8987994
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising: a thyristor adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for conducting a load current from the AC power source to the electrical load, the thyristor having a gate for conducting a gate current to render the thyristor conductive; a gate coupling circuit comprising a voltage-controlled controllably conductive device operatively coupled to the gate of the thyristor for conducting the gate current through the gate of the thyristor; a control circuit generating a gate drive signal for rendering gate coupling circuit conductive to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during each half-cycle of the AC power source, the control circuit comprising a power supply adapted to conduct a charging current through the load to generate a supply voltage; and an RF receiver for receiving an RF signal, the control circuit operatively coupled to the RF receiver for rendering the thyristor conductive in response to the RF signal; wherein the control circuit is operable to maintain the thyristor conductive after the firing time, such that the thyristor is able to remain conductive independent of the magnitude of the load current conducted through the thyristor and to conduct the load current to and from the electrical load during a single half-cycle of the AC power source.