Energy Savings, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.

Motorola Lighting, Inc.

Koninlijke Philips Electronics N.v.

Kent E Crouse

Peter W Shackle

William Lawrence Keith

Ronald J Bezdon

Randy G Russell

Patrick J Keegan

George Grouev

Ling Wang

Gueorgui L Grouev

Michael W Bandel

Grigoriy Mirskiy

John G Konopka

Donald G Huvaere

Andrew C Brown

Boyko Boykov

James Cai

Jacek Cachel

James Neal Van Pelt

A RF wireless sensor interface () interfaces one or more of a variety of sensors () to a RF wireless network (). A power converter () of the interface () converts a primary power (P) into a DC power (P) that is supplied to the sensor(s) (). A microcontroller () of the interface () receives sensor detection information (SDI) from the sensor(s) () in response to the sensor(s) () receiving the DC power (P) from the power converter (). A RF transmitter/transceiver () of the interface () executes a sensor detection information RF transmission (SDI) and/or a sensor control signal RF transmission (SCS) to the RF wireless network () in response to the microcontroller () receiving the sensor detection information (SDI). The power converter (), the microcontroller () and the RF transmitter/transceiver () are located within a modular housing ().

Universal RF wireless sensor interface

A lighting commissioning device and method including a lighting commissioning device for commissioning of a lighting device in a lighting system, the lighting commissioning device including an indication detectorresponsive to indication from the lighting device and generating a lighting device indication signal, a change detectorresponsive to the lighting device indication signaland generating an indication detected signal, and a control unitreceiving the indication detected signaland being operably connected to the lighting system.

Lighting commissioning device and method

A software controlled electronic dimming ballast for preheating, striking, and varying the dimming level of a lamp. In one embodiment, the ballast includes an EMI filter circuit, an AC/DC converter circuit, a PFC circuit, an inverter circuit, and a software controlled microcontroller circuit. The microcontroller circuit includes a microcontroller and software for generating inverter control signals that cause the inverter circuit to preheat, strike, and varying the dimming level of the lamp. The inverter control signals are generated based on dimming control and lamp dimming level feedback signals. The ballast also includes a lamp dimming level feedback signal conditioning circuit for generating the lamp dimming level feedback signals. Alternative embodiments of the ballast are also described.

Software controlled electronic dimming ballast

A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cellresponsive to control lightfrom the light source and generating control charging power; a capacitor storing the control charging powerand generating control supply power; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiverpowered by control supply powerand generating a communications signalto the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceivermonitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control lightwhen the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.

System and method for charging a control device from a lighting system

The electronic ballast with lamp type determination for an electronic ballast providing power to a lamp filamentincludes a filament current sensing circuitoperably connected to the lamp filamentand generating a sensed filament current signal, and a microprocessor Ureceiving the sensed filament current signal and operably connected to control the power to the lamp filament. The microprocessor Uis programmed to heat the lamp filament by applying the power at a first frequency, measure the filament characteristics, and determine lamp type from the measured filament characteristics. The microprocessor Ucan also be programmed to update operating parameters for the electronic ballast to suit the determined lamp type.

Electronic ballast with lamp type determination

An electronic ballast includes open circuit voltage regulation comprises an filament current sensing circuitoperably connected to an output of the electronic ballast and generating a sensed output voltage signal, and a regulating pulse width modulator Ureceiving the sensed output voltage signal and operably connected to control voltage at the output of the electronic ballast, the regulating pulse width modulator Uhaving an output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator Ulimits the voltage at the output of the electronic ballast when the sensed output voltage signal exceeds the output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator Ucan limit the output voltage by limiting the pulse width to the high voltage driver and the resonant half bridge. The filament current sensing circuitcan sense the output voltage indirectly, such as by sensing tank current, or can sense the output voltage directly.

Gas discharge lamps may conduct current from the common rail to earthen ground through a fixture containing the lamps. A transistor is coupled in series in the current path to the common rail. When the ballast is placed in a quiescent state, the transistor is rendered non-conducting, thereby solating the lamps from the common rail and preventing flicker. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control electrode of the transistor is coupled to a source of low voltage and the transistor is rendered non-conducting when the source of low voltage is turned off. The lamps can also be isolated from the common rail by using a semiconductor switch in the rectifier section or by referencing the output of the inverter to the high voltage rail.

Electronic ballast having open circuit in output

A digitally controlled electronic ballast, on command, optically transmits its identification signature or other data by CW modulation of the luminosity of one or more lamps connected to the ballast. The data is transmitted by momentarily interrupting the lamp current to mark the beginning and the end of successive periods, wherein the periods represent either a logic one or a logic zero in accordance with the data to be transmitted. Each ballast has a unique identification, which is included in the transmitted digital data. A receiver monitors the luminosity of a lamp and compares instantaneous luminosity to average luminosity to detect the beginning and end of each period.

Light modulating electronic ballast

An electronic ballast includes a zener diode in series with the bulk capacitor of the ballast to provide a charging voltage for a small capacitor that powers a power factor correction circuit within the ballast. A SCR in parallel with the zener diode shuts off the zener diode after the power factor correction circuit begins operation.

Fast starting, surge limited, electronic ballast

An insulating enclosure for an electronic ballast has at least one major surface and a thermally conductive heat spreader at the major surface. The heat spreader is thermally coupled to at least one of the electronic components within the ballast and has an area greater than the area of the component as measured parallel with the major surface. The electronic components are thermally coupled to the heat spreader by a thermally conductive, deformable means such as caulk or by domes or dimples in the heat spreader that accommodate the variations in height among the electronic components. An electrically insulating layer can be located between the heat spreader and some of the components to prevent the heat spreader from electrically shorting the components.

Heat spreader for electronic ballast

An ballast includes a variable frequency boost circuit and a driven half-bridge inverter having a series resonant, direct coupled, parallel output. A control circuit includes a variable frequency driver section, a multivibrator section, and a sensing section. The variable frequency driver changes frequency smoothly, i.e. without discontinuities. The multivibrator section acts as a switch that is enabled or disabled by the sensing section for controlling the frequency of the inverter. Lamp current is required for continued operation of the control circuit. The multivibrator section controls starting by causing the inverter to produce an output signal having a trapezoidal envelope. In the event of an arc, the control circuit quenches the arc and the multivibrator periodically pulses the lamp to attempt to re-start the lamp.

Electronic ballast deriving auxilliary power from lamp output

An instant start ballast includes a variable frequency boost circuit and a driven half-bridge inverter having a series resonant, direct coupled, parallel output. A control circuit includes a variable frequency driver section, a multivibrator section, and a sensing section. The variable frequency driver changes frequency smoothly, i.e. without discontinuities. The multivibrator section acts as a switch that is enabled or disabled by the sensing section for controlling the frequency of the inverter. Lamp current is required for continued operation of the control circuit. The multivibrator section controls starting by causing the inverter to produce an output signal having a trapezoidal envelope. In the event of an arc, the control circuit quenches the arc and the multivibrator periodically pulses the lamp to attempt to re-start the lamp.

Electronic ballast producing voltage having trapezoidal envelope for

An electronic ballast for a gas discharge lamp includes an AC to DC converter for changing alternating current at power line voltage to direct current and an inverter powered by the converter and having a series resonant, direct coupled output coupled to the lamp. The inverter includes an AC switch having a diode bridge defining an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal and a transistor connected across the DC diagonal. The primary winding of a filament transformer is connected across the AC diagonal of the bridge and the transistor is coupled to the microprocessor for controlling current through the primary winding. The microprocessor is programmed to close the AC switch while the lamp is starting and to open the switch after the lamp is started, thereby cutting off the filaments from a source of power and reducing the power consumed by the ballast during normal operation. A resistor in series with the transistor is used to detect filament resistance and provide an indication of lamp type.

Electronic ballast with filament cut-out

A microprocessor controlled, electronic ballast operates a lamp at nominal settings and shifts the operation of the ballast away from nominal settings to reduce interference. The shift is randomized by a test--flip--�shift! routine that prevents all ballasts from attempting the same correction at the same time. On DC input voltage, the frequency of the boost controller is varied to reduce EMI. The ballast operates in bands according to the input voltage. Some bands correspond to full brightness, some to a fixed amount of dimming, and some to a variable amount of dimming. In the event of an abrupt change in load, the microprocessor changes the frequency of the inverter, thereby reducing output power and gradually unloading the boost circuit and maintaining power to the microprocessor.

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Hanover Park, IL, United States of America

Kent E Crouse