Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.

The Bendix Corporation

Other

David G Luchaco

Joel S Spira

Dennis M Capewell

Stephen J Yuhasz

Michael J D'Aleo

Jonathan H Ference

Scott R Jurell

Charles R Sullivan

Michael J Rowen

Denis P Darragh

Donald F Hausman

Zalman A Liss

Eric R Motto

Charles C Houng

Elliot G Jacoby

Jason C Killo

Mark Stephen Taipale

Donald R Mosebrook

Russell Lawrence MacAdam

Robin C Moseley

Woodie C Flowers

Philip R Hall

Simo P Hakkarainen

William A Peterson, Jr

David Benjamin Buehler

David H Dowler

Robert G Palmer, Jr

David E Houggy, Jr

Raphael K Tang

John E Longenderfer

Doug W Keeports

Aaron Jungreis

Scott McConnell

Oliver K Mihm

Richard A Wagner

Ian R Hurst

Julian J Raphael

Ronald P Frazer

Kolawole A Otitoju

David E Houggy

James M Yorgey

Robert P Post

Gordon E Windows, Jr

R Scott Hanna

A power management system controls power and energy drawn by a load monitoring total drawn power and energy and modifying load usage. A power meter monitors power drawn by a load and provides a control circuit with an indication of power draw. The control circuit controls the power delivered to the load based on predetermined criteria, such a power threshold. Other sensors and controls such as environment status detectors or emergency commands are used by the control circuit to adjust the power provided to the load, or even to shut off power to the load. The control circuit can be a microprocessor based controller, or can be a remotely located personal computer which interacts with load drivers through a communication link. The control circuit can also have a profile for operation under various criteria, with profile parameters adjustable depending upon conditions. The profile parameters can be adjusted automatically by a control program, or by a user remotely. The control circuit can also drive the load at a known value and compare the power drawn with a stored reference value for the load. The system can thus be evaluated for failed or degraded components based on changes in the expected power draw.

Power/energy management control system

An electronic dimming ballast has a parallel loaded resonant output circuit plus a combination of pulse width modulation and frequency variation to accomplish the dimming of compact fluorescent lamps. The ballast operates at a fixed frequency throughout a selected range of light levels, with dimming control being done completely by duty cycle variation over this range of operation, and then smoothly moves to a variable frequency as the light output moves outside the selected range, with both duty cycle and frequency variation being the means of lamp light output control outside the selected range.

Electronic dimming ballast

A ballast adapted to power a fluorescent lamp as a function of a variable input signal, includes a power stage for providing power to a fluorescent lamp; a control circuit for controlling the power stage as a function of the variable input signal; a control circuit power supply for supplying control power to the control circuit; and a monitor and enabling circuit which permits the ballast to provide power to the lamp only when characteristics of the variable input signal meet predetermined criteria.

System for preventing oscillations in a fluorescent lamp ballast

Apparatus for controlling an electrical device by remote control including a control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having an actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device and a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal. The transmitter/receiver receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the electrical device. A master control unit has at least one actuator and status indicator and a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device. The status indicator indicates the status of the electrical device in response to the status information. A repeater receives the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmits the control information to the control device and receives the status information from the control device and transmits it to the master unit.

Method and apparatus for controlling and determining the status of

A dimming control circuit provides power from an ac source to a compact fluorescent lamp. The circuit generally includes a resonant half-bridge inverter driven by a pulse-duration-modulated voltage, for providing a high-frequency ac voltage between the lamp electrodes. A combination inductive and capacitive snubber circuit reduces switching losses in the inverter and increases the efficiency of the dimming circuit. A low-voltage transformer connected across the resonant portion of the inverter provides voltage to heat the lamp filaments. The filament voltage is substantially constant over a range of pulse-durations providing a dimming range from about 100% to 1% of full light output. A power supply circuit having a power factor of about 0.95 provides both high-voltage and low-voltage dc power to the dimming circuit with minimal losses. A shutdown circuit is provided to shut off power to the lamp if the dimming circuit is miswired or a ground fault occurs.

Circuit for dimming compact fluorescent lamps

An energy-saving lighting control system is selectively operable in either a normal mode, in which certain lighting parameters (e.g., maximum and minimum light levels, fade rates, etc.) are preset and lighting level is determined by which of a plurality of inputs requires the least electrical power, or in an off-normal mode (e.g., a calibration or light-adjustment mode) in which certain parameters are adjustable by manually adjusting the position of a movable member, such as a wiper blade in a potentiometer. A microprocessor-based logic and control unit is adapted to automatically switch from the normal operating mode to the off-normal mode in response to movement of the movable member. After a predetermined time period following the most recent movement of the movable member, the logic and control unit stores the new level of the adjusted parameter, and returns to the normal operating mode. Preferably, the system has multiple outputs by which different types of fluorescent lamp ballasts can be controlled.

Lighting control system with priority override

In a fluorescent lighting controller, a switching circuit operates to selectively couple a bank of electronic ballasts to an AC power source (100-277 Volts, 50-60 Hertz). The switching circuit comprises a pair of relays, preferably connected in parallel, with one of such relays having a controllably conductive device, such as an electronic switch, and preferably a triac, connected in series therewith. With the relays open, an air gap isolates the power source and ballasts. In closing the relays in sequence, one relay provides a conductive path from the power source to the triac. After a suitable delay to allow the relay contacts to stabilize in the closed position, the triac is triggered to provide a conductive path from the power source to the ballasts, and a large current surge (as much as 300 amps) flow to the ballasts. After the current surge has subsided, the other relay is closed to provide a direct conductive path between the power source and ballasts. As a result of this arrangement, the switching circuit is low cost, compact and reliable over an extended period of time.

Two relay switching circuit for fluorescent lighting controller

A hand-held programmer is provided for adjusting various functions of a multi-scene, multi-zone programmable lighting control. The programmer generally includes push-buttons for selecting particular scenes and zones to be programmed and for activating any one of the functions to be adjusted; namely, intensity, fade time, and fade delay. An alphanumeric LCD display includes a number of controllable display areas, adjacent to and aligned with the push-buttons, for identifying the names of the selected scene and zone and the function settings associated with them. A cylindrically elongated rotary encoder, having a knurled, rubbery surface, is easily manipulated to adjust the setting of the activated function and provides kinesthetic feedback, so that its adjustment can be coordinated with a visual perception of the lighting scene. A locking type socket receives a corresponding plug for electrically connecting the programmer to a wall station in any one of a number of lighting areas to provide communication between the programmer and the lighting control. Once connected to a wall station in a particular area, the programmer is prevented from selecting scenes or zones in other areas to prevent inadvertent misadjustments.

Portable programmer for a lighting control

A remote wireless load control system wherein the power supplied to a load can be varied from a remote location using a remote control device not electrically wired to the load. The load control system includes a transmitter and a receiver, each having a control actuator for adjusting the power supplied to the load. Control can be conferred upon either the transmitter or the receiver immediately upon manipulation of the control switch, with the adjustment in power level occurring substantially instantaneously upon manipulation of the control actuator. Transmission of load level information between transmitter and receiver is by digitally pulse-coded infrared signal.

Wireless control system

Wall-mounted lighting control panel

A dimming system, which provides a time-varying current from a power source between the electrodes of a gas discharge lamp, simultaneously provides high-frequency, low-level current between the electrodes to sustain an electric discharge in the lamp when the time varying current alone is insufficient. The system provides reduced starting stress in the lamp and, therefore, longer lamp life by delaying the formation of an arc discharge, during start-up, until the electrodes have been heated. The system can be used with standard magnetic ballasts to provide full-range dimming of gas discharge lamps from 3 to 100 percent light output with minimal striations, lamp drop out, and flicker.

Gas discharge lamp dimming system

A dimming circuit provides power from an ac source to a compact fluorescent lamp. The circuit generally includes a resonant circuit driven by a high-frequency switching inverter and a current feedback control system. The circuit is essentially an ac current source of unusually high impedance and provides substantially symmetrical high-frequency current to the lamp. This allows flicker-free dimming of compact fluorescent lamps over a wide range with good light output stability. A small amount of dc or low-frequency ac current may be simultaneously provided to the lamp. The resulting composite current waveform flowing through the lamp substantially eliminates visible striations over a dimming range from about 100% to 1% of full light output.

Circuit and method for improved dimming of gas discharge lamps

An indicator lamp indicates the status of an electrically-powered load control system by providing dim light when the load power is off and a brighter light when the load power is on. In another embodiment, the lamp not only provides two levels of light to indicate whether or not power is on, but also provides a repetitive flash when power to the system is being controlled by remote control. The indicator lamp can also indicate a break in the load circuit. Depending on the embodiment, the break can cause the lamp to be either off or flashing, regardless of the position of the load power switch. Alternatively, a break in the load circuit can cause the lamp to provide substantially no light if the load power switch is in the 'off' position, with full light in the 'on' position.

Indicator lamp system

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Macungie, PA, United States of America

David G Luchaco