POWER CONTROL UNIT

• US 20120299498A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sloan Company Incorporated (Sloan)
• Original Assignee: Sloan Company Incorporated (Sloan)
• Inventors: Quaal, Bruce, Koteles, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,320,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/210
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The present invention generally provides a power control unit adapted to provide adjustable levels of a controlled output power signal, such as but not limited to a pulse width modulated signal or a serial binary signal. One embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention comprises a housing holding internal electronic components. This housing further comprises input and output wiring extending out of the housing and internally connected to the electronic components. The electronic components further comprise circuitry capable of providing at least 2 levels of the controlled output power signal. The present invention also includes lighting systems incorporating a power control unit according to the invention.

Claims

1. A power control unit, comprising:

a housing holding internal electronic components;

input and output wiring extending out of said housing and internally connected to said electronic components;

said electronic components further comprising circuitry capable of providing an adjustable output power signal in response to environmental conditions;

at least one switch configured to cooperate with said electronic components to control a power level of said output power signal.

2. The power control unit of claim 1 wherein said output power signal comprises a pulse width modulated signal.

3. The power control unit of claim 1 wherein said output power signal comprises a serial binary signal.

4. The power control unit of claim 1 further comprising circuitry capable of providing at least 2 power levels of said output power signal.

5. The power control unit of claim 4 wherein said power levels of said output power signal are adjustable.

6. The power control unit of claim 1 further comprising circuitry capable of providing at least 4 power levels of said output power signal.

7. The power control unit of claim 6 wherein said at least 4 power levels of power output are 96%, 80%, 60% and 0%.

8. The power control unit of claim 1 further comprising at least 2 switches which determine output level.

9. The power control unit of claim 1 further comprising a power supply connected to said input of said power control unit.

10. The power control unit of claim 1 further comprising a dimmer control circuitry adapted to reduce said power level of said output power signal.

11. The power control unit of claim 10 wherein said at least one switch cooperates with said dimmer control circuitry to control said power level of said output power signal.

12. The power control unit of claim 10 said dimmer control circuitry configured to receive a sensor signal, wherein said dimmer control circuitry controls said power level of said output power signal in response to said sensor signal.

13. The power control unit of claim 12 further comprising a sensor adapted to provide said sensor signal to said dimmer control circuitry.

14. The power control unit of claim 13 wherein said sensor comprises an occupancy sensor.

15. The power control unit of claim 1 wherein said power control unit is connected in line with other modules.

16. The power control unit of claim 15 wherein said other modules comprise at least an occupancy sensor.

17. The power control unit of claim 1 wherein said electronic components are on a printed circuit board (PCB).

18. The power control unit of claim 17 wherein said housing further comprises an overmolded portion.

19. The power control unit of claim 18 wherein said PCB is mounted within said overmolded portion.

20. The power control unit of claim 19 wherein an area surrounding the PCB is filled with a sealant.

21. The power control unit of claim 20 wherein said sealant is a thermoplastic hotmelt.

22. A lighting system with adjustable power consumption, comprising:

at least one light emitting unit;

a power supply; and

a power control unit capable of providing an adjustable output power signal in response to environmental conditions.

23. The lighting system of claim 22 wherein said output power signal comprises a pulse width modulation signal.

24. The lighting system of claim 22 wherein said output power signal comprises a serial binary signal.

25. The lighting system of claim 22 further comprising a display unit comprising said at least one light emitting unit and a display area.

26. The lighting system of claim 25 said at least one light emitting unit adapted to illuminate said display area.

27. The lighting system of claim 22 further comprising a dimmer unit capable of adjusting the light output of said at least one light emitting unit.

28. The lighting system of claim 27 wherein said dimmer unit is adapted to adjust the light output of said at least one light emitting unit in response to environmental conditions.

29. The lighting system of claim 22 said power control unit adapted to provide at least 2 power levels of said output power signal.

30. The lighting system of claim 22 said power control unit adapted to provide at least 4 power levels of said output power signal.

31. The lighting system of claim 30 wherein said at least 4 power levels of said output power signal are set to 96%, 80%, 60% and 0%.

32. The lighting system of claim 27 wherein said dimmer unit dims the light output of said at least one lighting unit to 50%, 25%, or 12.5% of said power level.

33. The lighting system of claim 27 wherein said dimmer unit functionality is built within said power control unit.

34. The lighting system of claim 22 further comprising an occupancy sensor adapted to detect said environmental conditions and transmitting a sensor signal to said power control unit.

35. The lighting system of claim 34 wherein said power control unit adjusts said output power signal in response to said sensor signal.