Industrial lighting control system

• US 20020175642A1
• Filed: 02/26/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Andersen, Bo Lundager, Fuselier, Christopher Scott, von Kannewurff, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/683,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175642A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/22 with communication between the lamps and a central unit

Abstract

A lighting control system including: a first control unit for operating a first light fixture, the first control unit arranged to receive a signal from an input device, the first control unit arranged to control the input device; and a second control unit for operating a second light fixture, the second control unit in operable communication with the first control unit.

Claims

1. A lighting control system comprising:

a first control unit for operating a first light fixture, said first control unit arranged to receive a signal from an input device, said first control unit arranged to control said input device; and

a second control unit for operating a second light fixture, said second control unit in operable communication with said first control unit.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a current controller in electrical communication with said first control unit.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a current sensor in electrical communication with said first control unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said input device includes an indicator in operable communication with said first control unit, said first control unit causing said indicator to illuminate when said current sensor indicates that current fails to flow.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said input device includes a timer, said timer arranged for counting hours-of-operation of a lamp, said timer includes means for resetting said timer when said lamp is replaced with a new lamp, said first control unit causes said indicator to illuminate in response to said timer having counted a selected number of said hours-of-operation for indicating that said lamp is due to be replaced.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said timer is a count-down timer and includes a turn wheel for resetting said hours-of-operation and displaying a remaining number of hours of said hours-of-operation.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said input device includes a turn-on delay timer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said turn-on delay timer includes a predetermined time setting.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said input device includes a photo-sensor for detecting ambient light conditions.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said input device includes an infrared transceiver.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller in electronic communication with said first control unit and said second control unit.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computer network in electronic communication with said controller.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a supervisory system controlling said first control unit.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a current controller in electrical communication with said first control unit.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a current sensor in electrical communication with said first control unit.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said input device includes an indicator in operable communication with said first control unit, said first control unit causing said indicator to illuminate when said current sensor indicates that current fails to flow.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said input device includes a timer, said timer arranged for counting hours-of-operation of a lamp, said timer includes means for resetting said timer when said lamp is replaced with a new lamp, said first control unit causes said indicator to illuminate in response to said timer having counted a selected number of said hours-of-operation for indicating that said lamp is due to be replaced.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said timer is a count-down timer and includes a turn wheel for resetting said hours-of-operation and displaying a remaining number of hours of said hours-of-operation.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said input device includes a turn-on delay timer.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said turn-on delay timer includes a predetermined time setting.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein said input device includes a photo-sensor for detecting ambient light conditions.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein said input device includes an infrared transceiver.

24. The system of claim 14, further comprising a controller in electronic communication with said first control unit and said second control unit.

25. The system of claim 14, further comprising a computer network in electronic communication with said controller.

26. The system of claim 14, further comprising a supervisory system controlling said first control unit.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a circuit breaker in electrical communication with said power line.

29. The system of claim 27, further comprising a controller communicating with said first control unit and said second control unit.

30. The system of claim 27, further comprising a supervisory system controlling said first control unit and said second control unit.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein said power line is in electrical communication with a first branch circuit, said first control unit is disposed on said first branch circuit.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said branch circuit includes a second branch circuit, said second control unit disposed on said second branch circuit.

33. The system of claim 32, further comprising a first circuit breaker disposed on said first branch circuit and a second circuit breaker disposed on said second branch circuit.

14. A lighting control system comprising:

a plurality of light fixtures;

a plurality of control units; and

wherein a first control unit of said plurality of control units is in electrical communication with a first light fixture of said plurality of light fixtures, said first control unit arranged to receive a signal from an input device, said first control unit arranged to control said input device; and

a second control unit for operating a second light fixture of said plurality of light fixtures, said second control unit in operable communication with said first control unit.

27. A light control system comprising:

a power line;

a first light fixture in electrical communication with said power line;

a first control unit in electrical communication with said power line, said first control unit controls said first light fixture;

a second control unit in electrical communication with said power line, said second control unit controls a second light fixture;

wherein said first control unit communicates with said second control unit through said power line.