Light emitting diode circuits for general lighting

Abstract

Improved circuits minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in LED lighting. Diodes and a capacitor reduce or eliminate blinking and create smooth and continuous infinitely variable dimming. The components supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. Added diodes allow an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surge's/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage. A microprocessor controller with MOSFETs provides an ultra efficient embodiment with near zero power dissipation.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A circuit that minimizes blinking in a light-emitting diode (LED) circuit adapted for connection to an alternating current (AC) line voltage, comprising:
 a light-emitting circuit including a first LED connected in series with a first diode, a second LED connected in series with a second diode, and wherein the first LED and diode are connected in parallel with the second LED and diode such that current flows through the first LED and diode during one half-cycle of the AC line voltage and current flows through the second LED and diode during the other half-cycle of the AC line voltage;   the light-emitting circuit further including a first filter capacitor connected in parallel across the first LED and a second filter capacitor connected in parallel across the second LED; and   a resistor and capacitor connected in series with each other and in series with the light-emitting circuit.   
     
     
         18 . The circuit of  claim 17 , wherein the filter capacitors are electrolytic. 
     
     
         19 . The circuit of  claim 17 , wherein each filter capacitor is thousands of microfarads.