Hubbell Limited

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc

Christopher Allen Hudson

Isaac Lynnwood Flory, Iv

Krishnan Ramu

Nimal Savio Lobo

Thomas D Hirt

A method for collecting operational parameters of a motor may include controlling the energization of a phase winding of the motor to establish an operating point, monitoring operational parameters of the motor that characterize a relationship between the energization control applied to the motor's phase winding and the motor's response to this control, and collecting information of the operational parameters for the operating point that characterizes the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response. The collected information characterizing the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response may be employed by a neural network to estimate the regions of operation of the motor. And a system for controlling the operation of motor may employ this information, the neural network, or both to regulate the energization of a motor's phase winding during a phase cycle.

Method for controlling motor operation using information characterizing regions of motor operation

Neural network and method for estimating regions of motor operation from information characterizing the motor

A protection circuit for an HID dimming circuit is provided. A resistive component limits the initial current after a relay closes and current flows from a charged capacitor to a second capacitor. An inductive component limits the rate of change of current through the circuit. A voltage limited device limits voltage across the contacts of a solid state relay. The circuit is preferably formed in a small module that is adapted to be plugged into an HID lighting device.

Self-contained, self-snubbed, HID dimming module that exhibits non-zero crossing detection switching

A lamp ignition circuit is provided which can initiate operation of a gas discharge lamp using a driving voltage which is similar in magnitude to the lamp operating voltage. The lamp ignition circuit is useful with a semi-resonant ballast and lamp circuit in which switching operations intrinsic to the lamp shock-excite a series-connected inductor and capacitor into semi-resonant operation corresponding to an energy exchange and transfer during each half-cycle of the alternating current source to drive the lamp to start and maintain operation of the lamp using line voltage. The ignitor circuit has a disabling function following ignition of the lamp which is operable when the operating voltage of the lamp is approximately the line voltage of the power source. The disabling function triggered by an increase in voltage across the ignition circuit following operation of the lamp.

Lamp ignition circuit for lamp driven voltage transformation and ballasting system

An ignitor disabling apparatus is provided to reliably and automatically disable a universal sodium ignitor with hot re-strike capability, or a 120 Hz pulse capability. The ignitor is configured to disable the ignitor portion of a HID lamp if the lamp fails to start. Timing operation of the disabling circuit is achieved using a power supply that ramps to a steady state to provide triggering of a timer circuit. A normally closed, solid state gating device is used for disabling the ignitor to minimize sparks. The disabling apparatus can be retrofit into an existing universal sodium ignitor.

Method and apparatus for disabling sodium ignitor upon failure of discharge lamp

A starter circuit is provided for starting an HID lamp. The circuit de-couples the high voltage starting pulse from the input lines (ballast output lines) so that the starter can function properly regardless of the distance between the ballast and the lamp.

Remote discharge lamp ignition circuitry

An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures. A start controller provides power to the plurality of lighting fixtures. A control power timer connected to the start controller provides a first time period for illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures, wherein the start controller is operable to interrupt power to the plurality of lighting fixtures when the first time period expires. A control timer connected to the control power timer provides a second time period for illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures, wherein the second time period commences and then elapses before the end of the first time period. A control flasher connected to the control timer alternates the plurality of lighting fixtures between a high power state and a low power state during the second time period for illumination. An end user is alerted to the termination of the illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures before termination occurs.

Two-wire lighting control system with indicator for imminent time out period expiration

An ignitor and ignitor monitoring device is provided which is externally and detachably mounted to a high intensity discharge (HID) luminaire. The ignitor monitoring device provides a visual indication of whether or not the ignitor of the lamp in the HID luminaire is functioning. If the lamp is not operating and the indicator is activated, sufficient open circuit voltage is present to operate the ignitor, the ballast in the luminaire is most likely functioning properly, and power is present to operate the luminaire. A service person can assume that the lamp is defective and can replace the lamp as a first attempt to correct the problem with the luminaire. If the lamp is off and the indicator is also not operating, the luminaire is not operating for any of a number of reasons such as a defective ignitor, a defective ballast capacitor, a defective lamp or loss of supply voltage from the power source. A service person can replace the ignitor in a first attempt to repair the luminaire. Replacing the ignitor is the simplest initial repair option since the ignitor is externally mounted on the luminaire.

Externally mountable discharge lamp ignition circuit having visual diagnostic indicator

An ignitor and ignitor monitoring device is provided which is externally and detachably mounted to a high intensity discharge (HID) luminaire. The ignitor monitoring device provides a visual indication of whether or not the ignitor of the lamp in the HID luminaire is functioning. If the lamp is not on and the indicator is activated, sufficient open circuit voltage is present to operate the ignitor, the ballast in the luminaire is most likely functioning properly, and power is present to operate the luminaire. A service person can assume that the lamp is defective and can replace the lamp as a first attempt to correct the problem with the luminaire. If the lamp is off and the indicator is also not operating, the luminaire is not operating for any of a number of reasons such as a defective ignitor, a defective ballast capacitor, a defective lamp or loss of supply voltage from the power source. A service person can replace the ignitor in a first attempt to repair the luminaire. Replacing the ignitor is the simplest initial repair option since the ignitor is externally mounted on the luminaire.

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Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

Christopher Allen Hudson