TWI433602B - System and method for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures - Google Patents

Description

System and method for current and/or temperature control of lamps

The present invention relates to luminaires, and in particular to systems and methods for current and/or temperature control of luminaires.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/712,856, filed on March 1, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. The priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/840,352, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Luminaires have been used since the introduction of electricity as a source of electricity in buildings and other environments. Modern luminaires typically include at least one light source (such as a light bulb or lamp) and a housing that supports and/or encloses the light source and connects it to an electrical power source (eg, via a light socket and wiring). The luminaire can be attached to the ceiling, wall or other part of the building structure and can also be combined with other components. For example, a combination of a luminaire and a fan appliance (eg, a ceiling fan) is commonly used, for example, to provide a fan/light combination.

Generally, luminaires have some limitations on the amount of current and/or temperature they can withstand under normal, safe, and/or other desirable operating conditions (eg, due to their structure or design). For example, many luminaires are designed to safely withstand the currents and temperatures typically generated during operation connected to one or more of the 120 volt power sources. Such safe operating restrictions (also known as ratings) are typically marked on the luminaire to inform the user.

However, whether intentionally (for example, to obtain more light) or inadvertently occurring, it is often possible to install a light source that may cause a current and/or temperature above the rated current and/or temperature in the luminaire (eg For a 60 watt rating of 75 watt bulbs). This operation of a luminaire having a source of light greater than its rated source of light may result in anomalous, unsafe, or otherwise undesirable conditions that may cause operational losses and, for example, due to excessive heat, smoke, and/or fire. Significant damage to the luminaire and the surrounding environment.

Accordingly, it would be apparent that there is a need for a system and method for controlling the current and/or temperature of a luminaire to avoid operational losses and/or damage that may occur when a luminaire is used with a source greater than the rated source. The present invention is therefore primarily directed to providing such systems and methods.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments described herein, the present invention provides a system and method for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire. An exemplary system of the present invention can include an inductor configured to communicate with a luminaire, sense a current flow or temperature of the luminaire, and transmit an input signal regarding the current flow or temperature; a variable switch configured to The luminaire is in communication and responsive to the control signal to regulate the current flow of the luminaire; and a controller in communication with the inductor and the variable switch and configured to monitor the input signal transmitted by the sensor, the input The signal is compared to a condition and the control signal is transmitted to the variable switch to control its operation.

An exemplary method of the present invention can include: an exemplary system for providing current and/or temperature control of the luminaire; monitoring current flow or temperature of the luminaire by transmitting the input signal from the inductor to the controller; and responding The controller determines that the input signal satisfies the condition, and transmits the control signal to the variable switch via the controller to adjust the current flow of the luminaire.

Referring next to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system 100 for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire. System 100 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 150. System 100 includes an inductor 110 that is typically configured (configured, engineered, etc.) to sense (measure, monitor, detect, etc.) one or more characteristics of luminaire circuit 150 and/or luminaire (not shown). (conditions, parameters, etc.), and information about the sensed characteristics (eg, magnitude, frequency, etc.) is transmitted to other devices or components. For example, the inductor 110 can be configured to sense current flow through one or more portions of the luminaire circuit 150 or its surroundings, such as the depicted current flow 155, and to correlate information about current flow (eg, amount) The value, amount, etc.) is communicated to another device or component of system 100. As another example, the inductor 110 can be configured to sense the temperature of one or more portions of the luminaire circuit 150 and/or the luminaire, or a temperature around it, such as the temperature 165 depicted near the load 160, and Information of the temperature is communicated to another device or component of system 100. The sensor 110 can be configured to sense the luminaire circuit 150 or other characteristics of the luminaire and communicate its related information, as will be apparent from the disclosure herein.

System 100 also includes a variable switch 120 that is configured to switch (eg, turn on and/or off) one or more operational characteristics of luminaire circuit 150. For example, the variable switch 120 can be configured to turn on or off current flow 155 through the luminaire circuit 150. In addition, the variable switch 120 can be configured to turn the current flow 155 or other operational characteristic on and off with a certain cycle and/or frequency to affect the overall nature of the operational characteristics and to effectively adjust the operational characteristics. For example, with respect to current flow 155, variable switch 120 can be configured to turn it on and off with a cycle frequency that effectively modifies (eg, reduces, increases, etc.) through one of luminaire currents 150 or The resulting current flows 155 for multiple portions, such as through load 160. For example, this feature will be understood with respect to modifying the magnitude of the alternating current (AC) operational characteristics. Moreover, it will be apparent from the disclosure herein that the variable switch 120 can be configured to switch other operational characteristics of the luminaire circuit 150 and switch in other ways (ie, except for on/off, cycle frequency, etc.).

System 100 further includes a controller 130 that is typically in communication with inductor 110 and variable switch 120, as depicted in FIG. Controller 130 is typically configured to monitor and/or control operation of one or more components in communication with controller 130, such as the operation of inductor 110 and variable switch 120. For example, controller 130 can monitor one or more inputs (eg, signals, such as current, voltage, etc.) received from inductor 110. As another example, controller 130 may control the operation of variable switch 120 by transmitting to one or more outputs (eg, signals, such as current, voltage, etc.) of variable switch 120. It will be appreciated that the controller 130 can be configured to monitor or control other components (devices, systems, etc.), such as other components of the luminaire circuit 150.

The aforementioned components of system 100, namely sensor 110, variable switch 120, and controller 130, may be formed from one or more of a number of materials and/or components by one or more of a number of methods or processes. , manufacturing, etc.), as will be apparent from the disclosure herein. For example, the inductor 110, the variable switch 120, and/or the controller 130 can include one or more electrical components (such as conductors, resistors, capacitors, transformers, etc.), electronic components (such as transistors, semiconductors, Integrated circuits, wafers, boards, etc.), computing components (such as electronic logic, programmable logic, microprocessors, computing processors, etc.). Several examples of such components that may be included by inductor 110, variable switch 120, and/or controller 130 are discussed below with respect to FIGS. 2 through 4. Moreover, some examples of the operation of one or more of such elements of system 100 will be discussed below with respect to FIGS. 5-8. It should also be noted that elements of system 100, such as inductor 110, variable switch 120, and controller 130, may be separate components or integrated in various combinations, as will be apparent from the disclosure herein.

As noted above, system 100 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 150. The luminaire circuit 150 can include various components, but typically includes at least one load 160, and can further include the regulator 170 depicted in FIG. The load 160 typically includes a light source, such as a light or bulb, that can be used to provide light from the installed luminaire. Regulator 170 typically includes an inductor, a capacitor, and/or other such components or equivalents thereof that can provide filtering or other adjustments to various characteristics (eg, undesirable characteristics) present in luminaire circuit 150. For example, the regulator 170 can filter or otherwise adjust for interference or other undesirable characteristics caused by the operation of the load 160 or one or more components of the system 100 (eg, the variable switch 120). It will be apparent from the disclosure herein that the inclusion and use of load 160, regulator 170, and/or other components within luminaire circuit 150 will be possible, as will the possible components of such components and the method or process for making such components.

2 shows a diagram of a first exemplary circuit 200 of system 100 for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire shown in FIG. Similar to system 100 of FIG. 1, exemplary circuit 200 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 250. Circuit 200 can include a current sensor 212 configured to sense current flow 255 through luminaire circuit 250. As will be apparent from the disclosure herein, current sensor 212 can include one or more of a number of components (components, devices, etc.). For example, current sensor 212 can include a transformer that is in communication with (eg, connected to, affixed with, etc.) luminaire circuit 250 and controller 230 such that current sensor 212 can induce current flow 255 and characterize it ( For example, magnitude, polarity, etc.) are communicated to controller 230 (eg, via a signal such as current, voltage, etc.). As another example, current sensor 212 can include a converter configured to sense current flow 255 and communicate its characteristics to controller 230.

The circuit 200 can also include a temperature sensor 216 that is configured to sense the temperature of one or more portions of the luminaire circuit 250 or luminaire, or the temperature around it, such as the temperature of the light source 260 (discussed below) or a temperature in the vicinity thereof. As will be apparent from the disclosure herein, temperature sensor 216 can also include one or more of a number of components. For example, temperature sensor 216 can include a thermal resistance device (or thermistor, as depicted in FIG. 2) that is in communication with luminaire circuit 250 and/or luminaire and controller 230 such that temperature sensor 216 can sense temperature, And its characteristics (eg, magnitude, variation, etc.) are communicated to controller 230 (eg, via a signal, such as current, voltage, etc.). As another example, temperature sensor 216 can include a converter configured to sense the temperature of one or more portions of luminaire circuit 250 and/or the luminaire or the temperature thereof, and communicate its characteristics to the controller 230.

Current sensor 212 and temperature sensor 216 are examples of inductors 110 discussed above with respect to FIG. It should be understood and appreciated from the disclosure herein that current sensor 212, temperature sensor 216, or both sensors 212, 216 may be included and/or utilized in circuit 200. Accordingly, some embodiments of the invention may include current sensor 212, other embodiments may include temperature sensor 216, and still other embodiments may include both current sensor 212 and temperature sensor 216, as for FIG. The example is depicted.

The current 200 also includes a triac 222, which is an example of the variable switch 120 discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, and configured to turn the current flow 255 on and off with a cycle frequency, In order to modify the current flow 255 through the light source 260 and/or other components of the luminaire circuit 250. Triacs are known in the art and include how to fabricate and use a triac in relation to embodiments of the present invention. Thus, as is known in the art, the triac 222 includes two master terminals that are coupled to the luminaire circuit 250 and that allow current flow 255 to pass therethrough and include a gate terminal that is coupled to the control The device 230 receives a signal that affects the operation of the triac 222 relative to the current flow 255.

As noted above, the circuit 200 also includes a controller 230 that is coupled to the current sensor 212 and/or the temperature sensor 216 (as described above, depending on whether one or both of the circuits 200 are included) and three-terminal bidirectional controllable The switch 222 is connected. As described below, in some embodiments, the controller 230 can also be in communication with the remote control 235. Controller 230 is an example of controller 130 discussed above with respect to FIG. The controller 230 is configured to receive signals from the current sensor 212 and/or the temperature sensor 216 and to transmit the output signal to the three terminals according to the nature of their input signals (eg, magnitude, frequency, variation, etc.) The operation of the triac control switch 222 is controlled by the gate terminal of the bidirectional controllable switch 222. Thus, the controller 230 can be said to trigger the triac 222 (as is known in the art) based on input received from the current sensor 212 and/or the temperature sensor 216. In some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 230 may also control other characteristics that affect the luminaire circuit 250, such as turning the feed of the luminaire circuit 250 from a power source (not shown) on or off, or modifying the brightness of the light source 260 ( For example, as a dimmer control). Based on the disclosure herein, it will be appreciated that the controller 230 (similar to the controller 130) can include one or more of a number of components that provide such configuration and functionality, such as one or more electrical components, electronic components, computing components. Etc. (Some examples of which are presented above with respect to Figure 1). In this regard, some examples of the operation (function, processing, etc.) of controller 230 will be further discussed below with respect to FIGS. 5-8. Some specific examples of components of controller 230 may include a Samsung S3C9454 8-bit universal controller or an OKI MSM64164C 4-bit microcontroller unit. It will also be appreciated that the combination of one or more components of controller 230 and triac 222 can form a system that is similar to a dimmer control or dimmer switch of a lamp. Moreover, the triac 222 can alternatively be another type of semiconducting switching device, as is known in the art.

As previously described, there may also be a remote control 235 in communication with the controller 230. As is known in the art, the remote control 235 can allow a user to remotely transmit signals to the controller 230 (e.g., wirelessly via radio frequency signals) that can affect the operation of the controller 230, and thus affect The operation of other components of circuit 200, such as triac 222. In this regard, the remote control 235 can be used to turn the light source 260 on or off or to modify the brightness of the light source 260 (eg, as a dimmer), for example, by operation of the controller 230. As will be apparent from the disclosure herein, remote control 235 can be used to control other operations.

As also noted above, circuit 200 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 250. This luminaire circuit 250 can include a light source 260, which is an example of the load 160 discussed with respect to FIG. As is known in the art, light source 260 can be a light bulb, lamp, or other component that outputs some form of energy (eg, visible light) as current flow 255 passes therethrough. The luminaire circuit 250 can also include an inductor or RF coil 270, which is an example of the regulator 170 discussed with respect to FIG. As is known in the art, RF coil 270 can filter out undesirable characteristics of current flow 255, voltage (not shown), or other signals within luminaire circuit 250. It is also known that such undesirable characteristics may include interference (eg, radio interference, harmonic interference, etc.) caused by one or more components in communication with the luminaire circuit 250, such as the triac 222. Poor operation of the light source 260 (eg, flicker, inadvertent darkening, etc.) may result.

3 shows a diagram of a second exemplary circuit 300 of system 100 for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire shown in FIG. Similar to system 100 of FIG. 1, exemplary circuit 300 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 350. Similar to circuit 200 of FIG. 2, circuit 300 can include current sensor 212, and instead or additionally includes temperature sensor 216, which has been discussed above with respect to FIG. Circuitry 300 also includes a three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch 222, which is also discussed above with respect to FIG.

The circuit 300 further includes a controller 330 that is similar to the controller 230 discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, but also includes a relay 332 that can be integrated with or separate from the controller 330 (as depicted). As depicted in FIG. 3, controller 330 can be in communication with current sensor 212 and/or temperature sensor 216, and also with triac 222, relay 332, and in some embodiments, remotely Control member 235 is in communication, and remote control member 235 has also been discussed above with respect to FIG. As also depicted, relay 332 can include switches (contacts, terminals, etc.) that can direct current flow 355 through one of at least two paths 1, 2 when the relay is in operation. Relays are known in the art and include how to manufacture and use relays in relation to embodiments of the present invention.

Adding a relay 332 to the controller 330 allows the triac 222 to be bypassed by an additional circuit 380 that can be included in the luminaire circuit 350. This additional circuitry 380 can include a direct path (e.g., a short circuit) to the light source 260 or another circuit (device, system, etc.) that can affect the operation of the light source, such as a dimmer circuit, not shown. By providing a bypass for the triac 222, the relay allows the additional circuitry 380 to be used while avoiding interference or other undesirable features, connecting the triac 222 and the additional circuitry 380 together or This interference or other undesirable characteristics may occur in the case of other operations together. For example, if the additional circuit 380 is a dimmer that also includes a three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch and an RF coil, this additional circuit 380 is known in the art to incorporate a three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch 222 and RF. Operation of coil 270 may cause undesired operation of light source 260 and/or other components of circuit 300 or luminaire circuit 350. Some examples of the operation of controller 330 and relay 332 are discussed further below with respect to Figures 5-8.

The luminaire circuit 350 (which the circuit 300 can be connected to and/or integrated therein) can include a light source 260 and an RF coil 270 similar to the luminaire circuit 250 of FIG. Details of light source 260 and RF coil 270 have been discussed above with respect to FIG. As depicted in FIG. 3, as described above, in some embodiments of the invention, RF coil 270 (eg, along with triac 222) may be disconnected from luminaire circuit 350 by relay 332 (eg, , bypassed).

4 shows a diagram of a third exemplary circuit 400 of system 100 for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire shown in FIG. Similar to system 100 of FIG. 1, exemplary circuit 400 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 450. Circuit 400 is similar to circuit 300 of FIG. 3 and includes current sensor 212 and/or temperature sensor 216 and relay 332, which have been described above with respect to FIG. The circuit 400 also includes a controller 430 that is similar to the controller 330 described above except that it is not in communication with the triac. Some examples of the operation of controller 430 and relay 332 are discussed further below with respect to Figures 5-8.

Instead of a triac, the circuit 400 includes a diode 422, which is another example of the variable switch 120 of FIG. Dipoles are known in the art and include how to make and use diodes in relation to embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be apparent from the disclosure herein that when the diode 422 is switched to be in operation by the relay 332, resulting in a current flow 455 through the source 260 (which is, for example, approximately the original current flow 455 in the luminaire circuit 450). At half), the diode 422 can change the current flow 455 (eg, between full flow and no flow).

Similar to the luminaire circuit 350 of FIG. 3, the luminaire circuit 450 can include a light source 260 and an RF coil 270. Additionally, one of the paths 1-3 of the relay 332 can be in communication with the depicted additional circuitry 380, which can be included in the luminaire circuit 450. Light source 260, RF coil 270, and additional circuitry 380 have been described above with respect to FIG. 3, for example.

With regard to the foregoing discussion of Figures 1 through 4, it should be noted that various systems and/or circuits have been described that include elements in various positions relative to one another. However, the described elements (and other elements) may alternatively be positioned in many variations within the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the term luminaire as used herein may refer to a system (structure, device, etc.) that includes a luminaire circuit, or that the terms are used interchangeably to refer to the entire system or portions thereof, such as a circuit portion. .

The following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with respect to FIGS. 5-8 may include illustrative references to elements discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-5, which are suitable for ease of description. It should be understood, however, that such references are by way of limitation, and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, it should be understood that some steps of the exemplary methods (sub-methods, processes, etc.) described below may be (respectively) before or after other steps of the methods, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. Execute, or execute in parallel or in combination with other steps.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method 500 of current and/or temperature control of a luminaire. This method may be performed by controller 130 and/or other components of system 100 (which have been discussed above with respect to FIG. 1). The method 500 begins at step 502, where the controller 130 monitors one or more characteristics of the luminaire circuit 150 and/or the luminaire via one or more inputs from the sensor 110. The method proceeds to step 504 where controller 130 determines if one or more of the monitored characteristics meet the corresponding condition. For example, controller 130 can be configured to compare an input from inductor 110 with one or more predetermined values to determine whether the (the) input meets a predetermined comparison condition (eg, less than, equal to, greater than, etc.) .

If the corresponding condition is not met in step 504, the method proceeds to step 506 where controller 130 transmits one or more outputs to variable switch 120 to permit normal and/or existing current flow 155 to reach load 160. Come and respond. The method then proceeds from step 506 back to step 502. However, if the corresponding condition is met in step 504, the method proceeds to step 508 where controller 130 transmits (eg, reduces, increments, etc.) by transmitting one or more outputs to variable switch 120. The current flow 135 of the load 160 responds. Modifications to current flow 155 can be performed in accordance with the desired program as described below. The method then proceeds from step 508 back to step 502.

6 shows a flow chart of a first sub-method 600 of a method 500 of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire shown in FIG. This sub-method 600 can be performed, for example, by the controller 230 and/or other components of the circuit 200 discussed above with respect to FIG. Sub-method 600 begins at step 602, where controller 230 monitors current flow 255 via one or more inputs from current sensor 212 and/or monitors temperature via one or more inputs from temperature sensor 216 (eg, The temperature of one or more portions of the luminaire circuit 250 or luminaire, or the temperature around it, depends on whether the circuit 200 contains one or both inductors.

Sub-method 600 proceeds to step 604 where controller 230 determines if the monitored current is greater than a desired (e.g., predetermined, preset, etc.) level, or determines if the monitored temperature is greater than a desired level. If the current monitored in step 604 is not greater than the desired level or the monitored temperature is not greater than the desired level, sub-method 600 proceeds to step 606 where controller 230 transmits one or more outputs to three The bidirectionally controllable switch 222 is configured to maintain the triac 222 "on" and permit normal (existing, desired, etc.) current flow 255 to reach the source 260. For example, it is known in the art that a triac can conduct current when a sufficient (eg, bias) voltage is applied to its gate terminal until the current drops below a threshold. Thus, in step 606, controller 230 may apply this bias voltage to the triac 222 cyclically (eg, at or about 60 cycles per second of a typical AC power source) as often as possible. The gate terminal such that the three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch 222 conducts current flow 255 as if it were essentially a closed switch or a short circuit (eg, when the polarity is changed, there may be a flow when the current drops below the threshold) Kind of interruption). Sub-method 600 then proceeds from step 606 back to step 602.

However, if the current monitored in step 604 is greater than the desired level or the monitored temperature is greater than the desired level, then sub-method 600 proceeds to step 608 where controller 230 sends one or more outputs to three The two-way controllable switch 222 is configured to cycle "on" and "off" the three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch 222 to reduce (reduce, reduce, etc.) the light source according to a desired procedure (examples discussed below) The current of 260 flows 255. For example, according to the same principles as the operation of the triac 222 as described above, the controller 230 can cyclically apply a bias voltage to the gate of the triac 222 at a lower frequency. The extremes cause the triac to switch between conducting current and non-conducting current, thereby effectively reducing current flow 255 traveling to source 260. Sub-method 600 then proceeds from step 608 back to step 602.

The controller 230 can perform the above control for steps 602, 604, 606, 608 by a number of methods (processes, steps, etc.) in accordance with the components included in the configuration controller 230 (as will be apparent from the disclosure herein). (Operation, function, etc.). For example, if controller 230 is configured to include programmable logic, it can be programmed to perform such operations accordingly.

As mentioned above, the controller 230 can cause the triac 222 to operate in accordance with a desired program (common program, protocol, etc.) to reduce current flow 255. An example of one of the required procedures is that controller 230 causes triac to switch current flow 255 by a predetermined (pre-set, pre-calculated, fixed, etc.) amount (eg, such as 25%, 50%, 75%) Equal percentage). Another example of this required procedure is that controller 230 causes triac to switch current flow 255 to a predetermined amount (eg, 1 amp, 2 amps, etc.). Yet another example of such a desired procedure is that controller 230 causes triac to reduce current flow 255 to bring temperature (eg, temperature of one or more portions of luminaire circuit 250 or luminaire or its surroundings) The temperature) is maintained below a certain maximum value (eg, less than 90 degrees Celsius). Such a procedure as described above may include the controller maintaining and/or modifying the triac 222 based on the resulting current 255 induced by the current sensor 212 and/or based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 216. Operation. Moreover, other such required programs to reduce current flow 255 may be performed by the controller, as will be apparent from the disclosure herein.

7 shows a flow chart of a second sub-method 700 of method 500 for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire shown in FIG. This sub-method 700 can be performed, for example, by controller 330 and/or other components of circuit 300 discussed above with respect to FIG. Steps 702, 704 of sub-method 700 are essentially the same as steps 602, 604 of sub-method 600 described above. In step 706 of sub-method 700 (if the current monitored in step 704 is not greater than the desired level or the monitored temperature is not greater than the desired level, then this step is reached), controller 330 will either A plurality of outputs are sent to relay 332 to cause them to switch current flow 355 through path 1 to light source 260 via additional circuitry 380. During this step 706, the controller 330 may or may not send one or more outputs to the triac 222 as it is bypassed by the luminaire circuit 350 via the relay 332 and the additional circuitry 380. Sub-method 700 then proceeds from step 706 back to step 702.

In step 708 of sub-method 700 (if the current monitored in step 704 is greater than the desired level or the monitored temperature is greater than the desired level, then this step is reached), controller 330 will one or more The output is sent to relay 332 to cause it to switch current flow 355 through path 2 to light source 260 via triac 222. Also during this step 706, the controller 330 sends one or more outputs to the triac 222 to cycle "on" and "off" the triac 222 to The current flow 355 to the light source 260 is reduced as described above for the desired procedure described in step 608. Sub-method 700 then proceeds from step 708 back to step 702.

8 shows a flow chart of a third sub-method 800 of the method 500 of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG. 5. This sub-method 800 can be performed, for example, by controller 430 and/or other elements of circuit 400 discussed above with respect to FIG. Steps 802, 804, 806 of sub-method 800 are essentially the same as steps 702, 704, 706 of sub-method 700 described above. In step 808 of sub-method 800 (if the current monitored in step 804 is greater than the desired level or the monitored temperature is greater than the desired level, then this step is reached), controller 330 will have one or more The output is sent to relay 332 to cause it to switch current flow 455 via diode 422 through path 2 to source 260. As discussed above, the diode 422 can reduce the current flow 455, for example, to about half of the previous current flow 455 in the luminaire circuit 450. Sub-method 800 then proceeds from step 808 back to step 802.

9 and 10 show diagrams of a fourth exemplary circuit 900 of system 100 for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire. Similar to system 100 of FIG. 1, exemplary circuit 900 can be in communication with and/or integrated with luminaire circuit 350. Similar to circuit 200 of FIG. 2, circuit 900 can include a current sensor or current sense circuit 912, and alternatively or additionally include the temperature sensor discussed above with respect to FIG. Circuitry 900 also includes a bypass driver circuit or bypass 920 for switching to normal lamp control operation when limiting controller circuit failure, where normal operation includes the lamp being at full power dissipation, as described in more detail below.

To ensure that the lamp limiter controller function will not be prevented from illuminating in a particular environment due to branch circuit failure, a fail-safe mechanism or branch circuit is used. If a fault occurs in the controller branch circuit, the ambient load or lamp operates normally, i.e., the lamp is illuminated to full strength without the circuit reducing the current.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of circuit 900 including bypass 920. In use, controller 930 provides a control command signal (0V) to "turn on" PNP-type transistor 932 and NPN-type transistor 933 while powering circuit 900 with an active neutral and line circuit from a conventional power supply. The collector of transistor 933 is at a lower voltage potential of 24V DC supplied by Zener diode 935. The coil of electromechanical relay 937 is energized ("on") to allow the electrical contact of electromechanical relay 937 to switch from NC (normally closed) to NO (normally open), thereby connecting bulb 960 to the three-terminal bidirectional controllable矽 Switch the lamp driver anode pin 938.

Shunt capacitor 941 provides transient rejection of the 60 Hz low frequency line voltage from the line and neutral circuit conductors that are attached to the controller power supply by capacitor 944, varistor 945, capacitor 946, diode 947, and diode 948. Zener diode 935 provides a suitable voltage rail for 6V DC for proper operation of transistor 932.

In the event that this electrical connection is established, controller 930 electrically monitors and regulates the amount of current flowing through the filaments of various wattage rated incandescent bulbs. If the inductive branch circuit senses a maximum current of 2.5A (.190W) (for example), the electrical connection established by the relay 937 switching contact provides an appropriate adjustment driven by the triac control bulb driver circuit. Light control signal. At this point, the intensity of the wired incandescent bulb is commanded to be completely bright. If there is an open or short condition due to aging or faulty electronic components and/or board trace degradation, the controller provides a +5V signal or Hi Z (impedance) load to resistor 950, thereby commanding transistors 932 and 933. disconnect. The voltage potential at the lower side of the collector circuit 937/transistor 933 collector circuit will be equivalent to the 24V DC power supply provided by the Zener diode 935, thereby deactivating the coil of the electromechanical repeater ("off" ). The single pole single cast electrical contact is then switched from NO to NC. The electrically connected incandescent bulb 960 load is then disconnected from the triac switch bulb driver branch circuit. The electrical ground is then connected to the bulb, thereby establishing a closed circuit that "turns on" the bulb at full strength with normal current. The term normal current is intended to mean a current that has not been altered, reduced, modified, or otherwise altered to substantially reduce current (eg, for dimming purposes). Of course, some internal resistance may occur, as well as other current changes due to electrical components used in the circuit, especially in the bypass circuit. However, such small changes in current do not substantially change the current, and thus the current is still set to be equivalent to normal current or unregulated current.

It will be appreciated that the bypass circuit or other bypass circuit can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments shown herein and equivalent circuits.

It can thus be seen that there is now a system and method for controlling the current and/or temperature of a luminaire to avoid operational losses and/or damage that may occur when a luminaire is used with a source greater than the rated source, but it is also in the event of a failure. The dimming operation of the circuit is bypassed. It is to be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, the various elements of the described exemplary embodiments may be recognized by those skilled in the art or in light of this disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that various modifications of the invention may be made in the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

1, 2. . . path

100. . . Lamp current and / or temperature control system

110. . . sensor

120. . . Variable switch

130. . . Controller

150. . . Lamp circuit

155. . . Current flow

160. . . load

165. . . temperature

170. . . Regulator

200. . . First exemplary circuit

212. . . Current sensor

216. . . Temperature sensor

222. . . Three-terminal bidirectional controllable switch

230. . . Controller

235. . . Remote control

250. . . Lamp circuit

255. . . Current flow

260. . . light source

270. . . RF coil

300. . . Second exemplary circuit

330. . . Controller

332. . . Relay

350. . . Lamp circuit

355. . . Current flow

380. . . Extra circuit

400. . . Third exemplary circuit

422. . . Dipole

430. . . Controller

450. . . Lamp circuit

455. . . Current flow

900. . . Fourth example circuit

912. . . Current sensing circuit

920. . . Bypass driver circuit

930. . . Controller

932. . . PNP type transistor

933. . . NPN type transistor

935. . . Zener diode

937. . . Electromechanical relay

938. . . Three-terminal bidirectional controllable 矽 switch bulb driver anode pin

341. . . Shunt capacitor

944. . . Capacitor

945. . . rheostat

946. . . Capacitor

947. . . Dipole

948. . . Dipole

950. . . Resistor

960. . . light bulb

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire.

2 is a diagram of a first exemplary circuit of a system for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram of a second exemplary circuit of the system for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG. 1.

4 is a diagram of a third exemplary circuit of the system for current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG. 1.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method of current and/or temperature control of a luminaire.

6 is a flow chart of a first sub-method of the method of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG.

7 is a flow chart of a second sub-method of the method of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG.

8 is a flow chart of a third sub-method of the method of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of FIG.

9 is a fourth exemplary block diagram of a system for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire.

Figure 10 is a diagram of the system of current and/or temperature control of the luminaire of Figure 9.

100. . . Lamp current and / or temperature control system

110. . . sensor

120. . . Variable switch

130. . . Controller

150. . . Lamp circuit

155. . . Current flow

160. . . load

165. . . temperature

170. . . Regulator

Claims (21)

A system for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire, comprising: an inductor configured to communicate with a luminaire to sense a current flow or a temperature of the luminaire and to communicate one of the current flow or temperature input a variable switch that is configured to communicate with the luminaire and that regulates the current flow of the luminaire in response to a control signal; a controller in communication with the inductor and the variable switch, and configured Monitoring the input signal transmitted by the sensor, comparing the input signal to a condition, and transmitting the control signal to the variable switch to control its operation; and a bypass circuit configured to be in the inductor When the variable switch or the controller fails, a normal current is applied to the lamp. The system of claim 1, wherein the inductor comprises at least one of a transformer, a thermistor or a converter. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is one of a predetermined current parameter or a predetermined temperature parameter. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable switch comprises at least one of a three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch, a diode or a half conduction switch device. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable switch and at least a portion of the controller comprise a dimmer circuit. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a conductor, a resistor, a capacitor, a transformer, a transistor, a semiconductor, an integrated circuit, a chip, a circuit board, an electronic logic, and a At least one of program logic, a microprocessor or a computing processor. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with a remote control and to operate at least in part via the remote control. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with the luminaire and to switch the current flow within the luminaire circuit between at least two paths, one of the paths being in communication with the variable switch. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a relay in communication with the controller and configured to communicate with the luminaire and to switch between the at least two paths in response to transmitting a signal from the controller The current flow within the luminaire circuit, wherein one of the paths is in communication with the variable switch. A method of current and/or temperature control of a luminaire, comprising: providing an inductor configured to communicate with a luminaire to sense a current flow or a temperature of the luminaire and to communicate the current sensed a flow or temperature input signal; providing a variable switch configured to communicate with the luminaire and adjusting the current flow of the luminaire in response to a control signal; providing a controller, the controller The inductor and the variable switch are in communication and configured to monitor the input signal transmitted by the sensor, compare the input signal to a condition, and transmit the control signal to the variable switch to control its operation; Transmitting the input signal from the inductor to the controller to monitor the current flow or the temperature of the luminaire; in response to the controller determining that the input signal satisfies the condition, transmitting the control signal to the controller via the controller Changing the switch to adjust the current flow of the luminaire, the adjustment comprising one in case the sensor, the controller or the monitoring of the current flow fails A bypass mode that applies a normal current to the luminaire without variably reducing the current. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the current flow comprises adjusting in response to the controller determining that the input signal satisfies one of a condition equal to or exceeding a predetermined current parameter or a condition equal to or exceeding a predetermined temperature parameter The current of the luminaire flows. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the current flow comprises transmitting the control signal to the variable switch via the controller to maintain or reduce the current flow of the luminaire. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the current flow comprises reducing the current flow according to a predetermined procedure, the program comprising reducing the current flow by a predetermined amount or reducing the current flow to a predetermined amount . The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the current flow comprises transmitting the control signal to a dimmer circuit comprised of the variable switch and at least a portion of the controller. A system for current and/or temperature control of a luminaire, comprising: an inductor component for sensing a current flow or temperature of a luminaire and transmitting an input signal relating to one of the current flow or temperature; a controller component for responding Controlling the current flow by the input signal received from the inductor component, the controller component reducing the current in response to an overload input signal, the controller component also including a bypass for the control In the event of a failure of the component, a normal current is directed to the luminaire. The system of claim 15 wherein the controller component includes a variable switch configured to communicate with the luminaire and to adjust the current flow of the luminaire in response to a control signal. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller component includes a controller in communication with the inductor and the variable switch and configured to monitor the input signal transmitted by the sensor, the input signal being A conditional comparison is made and the control signal is transmitted to the variable switch to control its operation. The system of claim 17, wherein the bypass is configured to apply a normal current to the luminaire if the sensor, the variable switch, or the controller fails. The system of claim 15 wherein the inductor comprises at least one of a transformer, a thermistor or a converter. The system of claim 16, wherein the variable switch comprises at least one of a three-terminal bidirectionally controllable switch, a diode or a half conduction switch device. The system of claim 17, wherein the variable switch and at least a portion of the controller comprise a dimmer circuit.