Apparatus and method for compensating for reduced light output of a light source having a lumen depreciation characteristic over its operational life
First Claim
1. A method of operating a light source having a rated operating wattage (ROW) and a lumen depreciation characteristic comprising:
- a. operating the light source at a first operating wattage for a first time period of operation;
b. after the end of the first time period, operating the light source at a second actual operating wattage greater than said first operating wattage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and system for compensating for lamp lumen depreciation. The method includes operating the lamp under rated wattage for a period towards the first part of operating life of the lamp. Operating wattage is increased at one or more later times. Energy savings are realized. The increases also restore at least some light lost by lamp lumen depreciation. The apparatus uses a timer to track operating time of the lamp. A few wattage changes made at spaced apart times can be made in a number of ways, including changing capacitance to the lamp, or using different taps on the lamp ballast.
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Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method of operating a light source having a rated operating wattage (ROW) and a lumen depreciation characteristic comprising:
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a. operating the light source at a first operating wattage for a first time period of operation;
b. after the end of the first time period, operating the light source at a second actual operating wattage greater than said first operating wattage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of operating a light source having a lumen depreciation characteristic comprising:
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a. specifying a desired light output from the light source;
b. reducing actual operating wattage below rated operating wattage during an initial period of operation but maintaining approximate desired level output;
c. at several spaced apart times, increasing actual operating wattage an amount to restore light output to desired light output to compensate for lumen depreciation d. so that desired light output is reasonably consistent, but energy consumption is reduced, through the operating life of the light source. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of operating a light source having a lumen depreciation characteristic, the light source adapted to provide a level of illumination to a target area, comprising:
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(a) specifying a desired illumination level for the target area;
(b) operating the light source at an initial operating wattage to provide an initial illumination that at least meets the desired illumination level;
(c) monitoring actual illumination level at the target area;
(d) increasing operating wattage to the lamp when the actual illumination level at the target area drops below a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. An apparatus for compensating for a lumen depreciation characteristic comprising:
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a. a light source producing an initial lumen output at a recommended operating wattage and having a lumen depreciation characteristic;
b. a ballast operatively connectable to the light source through which electrical energy is supplied for operation of the light source;
c. a switch adapted to provide a plurality of electrical paths relative the light source or ballast, each electrical path effecting a different operating wattage to the light source;
d. a timer which monitors cumulative operating time of the light source and e. an actuator adapted to operate the switch at pre-selected times in cumulative operating time monitored by the timer. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. An apparatus for supplying operating wattage to a lamp comprising:
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a. An ED lamp of a rated operating wattage;
b. a connection to the lamp, a connection to source current, and a switching means to select between a plurality of operating wattages including a first operating wattage below said rated operating wattage of said lamp, and at least one operating wattage greater than the first operating wattage but less than the rated operating wattage of said lamp;
c. a timer adapted to measure accumulated time of operation of said lamp;
d. means adapted to be actuated by the timer to actuate the switching means at preselected accumulated times. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68)
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69. An apparatus comprising:
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a. a light fixture comprising;
i. a lamp having a lumen depreciation characteristic and an initial light output at rated operating wattage;
ii. a reflector in which the lamp is positioned;
iii. a mount for the lamp and reflector to a support structure;
iv. a ballast for providing electrical energy to the lamp to produce its light output;
b. a timer to monitor cumulative operation time of a lamp;
c. a circuit for providing a plurality of operating wattages to the lamp;
d. a switch for selecting from the plurality of operating wattages in the circuit;
e. an actuator to actuate the switch based on one or more times from the timer.
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70. A system comprising:
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a. a plurality of light fixtures;
b. each light fixture comprising;
i. a lamp having a lumen depreciation characteristic and an initial light output at rated operating wattage;
ii. a reflector in which the lamp is positioned;
iii. a mount for the lamp and reflector to a support structure;
iv. a ballast for providing electrical energy to the lamp to produce its light output;
c. a timer to monitor cumulative operation time of a lamp;
d. a circuit for providing a plurality of operating wattages to the lamp;
e. a switch for selecting from the plurality of operating wattages in the circuit;
f. an actuator to actuate the switch based on one or more times from the timer.
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71. A method for cost and energy savings for lighting applications using one or more lamps having an LLD characteristic, comprising:
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a. operating the lamp under ROW for a given time period during its operating life;
b. increasing operating wattage towards ROW at a time thereafter before end of normal operating life of the lamp. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification