Lightolier Incorporated

Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC

The Genlyte Group Incorporated

Raymond T Griffin

Steven R Carson

Scott A Spear

John Eric King

Davood B Motlagh

Michael J Slovak

A repeater amplifier boosts weak control signals on a PLC network, with noise discrimination and signal firewall protection. The AC supply voltage is filtered by a high frequency blocking filter to block external noise signals. Operating power for network signaling devices and the repeater amplifier is derived from the clean AC supply voltage. Noise discrimination and signal firewall protection are provided by amplifying and repeating only those receiver pulse signals that (a) have an analog amplitude that exceeds a predetermined analog threshold value, (b) occur during intervals that control data signal modulation is being applied to the filtered AC supply voltage and (c) occur at a frequency within a predetermined frequency band centered on the transmitted power line carrier (PLC) modulation frequency.

Repeater amplifier with signal firewall protection for power line carrier communication networks

A remotely accessible power controller communicates power reduction command signals by power line carrier (PLC) signaling over existing AC power distribution conductors for automatically disconnecting building lighting loads. Turn-off command signals from a local or remote controller automatically disconnect building lighting loads according to a time-of-day schedule to comply with mandated energy consumption codes applicable to the automatic shutoff of electrical lighting. Load shedding (selective turn off and/or dimming) command signals transmitted from public or private utility companies automatically disconnect or reduce building lighting loads in accordance with load curtailment agreements to limit total connected power consumption below an agreed level. The power controller is connected by a minimum amount of retrofit wiring into an existing end-user alternating current power distribution network, for example, a building power distribution network having AC power conductors that service multiple lighting loads interconnected in one or more power phase groups. Each dimming lighting load is equipped with an addressable dimming module for decoding and executing dimming and turn-on and turn-off power reduction commands. Fluorescent lamps are equipped with addressable electronic dimming ballasts.

Remotely accessible power controller for building lighting

Lighting control faceplate

An abnormal or unbalanced load operating condition is detected in a single lamp ballast circuit or in either lamp of a two-lamp ballast circuit by feedback voltage signals that are proportional to the flow of current through the cathodes of each lamp. The analog feedback signals are combined algebraically by a summing circuit that produces a null (zero) value corresponding with normal lamp operation, and produces a non-zero value in response to abnormal cathode current flow. The non-zero value is compared with the reference value to generate a shut-down signal. In one embodiment, the cathode currents are sensed by primary windings of a toroid transformer, and the feedback signals are the magnetic flux components that are generated in response to cathode current flow through the current sensing windings. In another protective circuit embodiment, feedback signals derived from the positive and negative portions of an asymmetrical waveform appearing across the power input pins of a lamp are compared and summed together to produce an output voltage that triggers a shut-down signal if the energy content of the positive portion or of the negative portion of the asymmetrical waveform is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Ballast shut-down circuit responsive to an unbalanced load condition in

A kickstart system and method for operating gas discharge lamps is disclosed wherein the amplitude and frequency of the starting voltage are raised for a predetermined period of time to ionize the gas within the lamp and thereafter reduced to steady state operating levels.

Electronic ballast power supply for gas discharge lamp including booster

An electronic ballast for starting gas discharge lamps provides lamp power regulation within a predetermined range, but allows power regulation to drop out in response to load shedding conditions.

Electronic ballast with lamp power regulation and brownout accommodation

A face plate assembly has a removable decorator insert card which is retained within a face plate housing without screw fasteners. The face plate housing has an elongated slot which opens into a device cavity in which a touch switch is mounted. The decorator insert card is adapted for slidable insertion into and withdrawal out of the device cavity through the housing slot. The face plate assembly is releasably attached to the yoke strap of a wiring device mounted in a wall box by press-fit connectors. In one embodiment, the decorator insert card can be installed and replaced by releasing the face plate housing from the press-fit connector, and inserting or withdrawing the decorator insert card through a hidden housing slot formed in a back plate portion of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the decorator insert can be installed and replaced without requiring removal of the face plate assembly by inserting or withdrawing the decorator insert card through a housing slot which intersects a web along the top edge of the face plate housing.

Face plate with decorator insert

A junction box mounted infrared motion detector is set forth. It incorporates push button controls mounted on a box which has a Fresnel lens looking into the immediate vicinity and which encloses an infrared detector to sense an intruder. An ambient light photocell responsive to visible light is also included to enable the device to be switched off in the daytime and on at nighttime. The circuit controls a remotely powered lamp or other alarm device. The electrical current to the lamp is adjustable by means of a slide control.

Preset light controller including infrared sensor operable in multiple

A control circuit for a fractional horsepower fan motor connected between hot and neutral wires in and AC circuit is shown. The control circuit includes two or more duplicate branches. Each branch is serially connected, and each branch includes a triac, series resistor and series capacitor. The triac has a gate terminal which is connected to an optical coupling circuit for isolation and responds to a control signal from a low voltage small current source. In an alternative embodiment, a single triac and optical coupling circuit can be used with different capacitors being switched in or out of the circuit.

Switching circuit providing adjustable capacitive series voltage

A control switch having an air gap safety lever, a novel slide arrangement, and a illuminated on-off control switch. The air gap safety lever is mounted on the control switch in such a manner that no power may flow through the circuits until the unit has been installed and the front cover plate mounted. The slide arrangement employs a thin clip which provides an aesthetically appealing slide control, the clip having special dimples which allow nearly frictionless movement. The illuminated on-off control switch utilizes a light piping which conveys light from an LED to the on-off button, the light piping doubling as a mechanical link between the on-off button and a momentary contact switch mounted inside the control switch. Also, a novel frame is disclosed which secures all mechanical and electrical components of the switch together without the necessity of attaching the back box, which simplifies test and repair before shipment of the unit from the factory.

Control switch

Combined escutcheon and power switch

A control switch having an air gap safety lever, a novel slide arrangement, and an illuminated on-off control switch. The air gap safety lever is mounted on the control switch in such a manner that no power may flow through the circuits until the unit has been installed and the front cover plate mounted. The slide arrangement employs a thin clip which provides an aesthetically appealing slide control, the clip having special dimples which allow nearly frictionless movement. The illuminated on-off control switch utilizes a light piping which conveys light from an LED to the on-off button, the light piping doubling as a mechanical link between the on-off button and a momentary contact switch mounted inside the control switch. Also, a novel frame is disclosed which secures all mechanical and electrical components of the switch together without the necessity of attaching the back box, which simplifies test and repair before shipment of the unit from the factory.

A slide-type switch for controlling electrical output to a light or motor. The switch includes a printed circuit board having a sliding variable resistor mounted thereon. When the variable resistor is adjusted for minimum current flow, the slide on the variable resistor comes into contact with an actuator arm also mounted on the printed circuit board. The actuator arm then becomes detached from a butt contact, breaking the circuit. A novel knob arrangement is also disclosed for use with standard all face plates.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Raymond T Griffin