LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 20120319477A1
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alva Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alva Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Brownlee, Michael Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/479,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20120319477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/23
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/065 for lighting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies

Abstract

Lighting system utilizing electricity from energy storage and/or alternative energy source during peak usage times to power a load. In one instance, a series of batteries are configured to provide any desired voltage (e.g. 12V for LED lighting and 108V DC for an electric motor for a fan).

Claims

1. An assembly for selecting and utilizing a power source for electrical energy in a building comprising

a. a first power line providing electrical energy from an alternative energy source

b. a second power line providing electrical energy to and from an electrical energy storage system, wherein the electrical energy storage system comprises a first electrical energy storage medium and a second electrical energy storage medium

c. a third power line providing electrical energy from a power grid

d. an AC to DC converter having (i) a DC side and (ii) an AC side in electrical communication with the third power line

e. a controller in electrical communication with the DC side of the AC to DC converter to supply DC power to at least one of

f. a DC power load associated with the building, wherein the DC power load is other than a load caused by energy storage, and

g. a PWM configured to convert the DC electrical energy to pulsed DC electrical energy having a wave-form other than sinusoidal and frequency other than 50 Hz-60 Hz and wherein the PWM is in electrical communication with a pulsed-DC load associated with the building

h. wherein the controller is additionally configured to switch among the first power line, the second power line, and the third power line based on the cost of electrical power obtained from the power grid.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to receive first information representative of cost of electrical power obtained from the power grid.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising electrical energy storage media comprising one or more batteries.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein a number N of said batteries having a voltage V are arranged in series such that the series has a voltage N×

V, and wherein the batteries are connected to conductors and switches that enable a first subset of said batteries to provide electricity at a first voltage less than N×

V.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the batteries are connected to a second set of conductors and switches configured to charge batteries other than the first subset of said batteries.

6. The assembly of claim 4 wherein a second subset of said batteries provide electricity at second voltage not equal to the first voltage.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the first subset of batteries provide a voltage suitable for DC lighting or pulsed DC lighting.

8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the second subset of batteries provides a voltage sufficient to run a DC motor.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said voltage provided by the second subset of batteries is between about 12V and 800V.

10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the first subset of batteries is positioned in proximity to DC lighting.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the first subset of batteries is positioned on or in a lamp or lamp fixture into which the lamp is inserted.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the first subset of batteries is in electrical communication with the DC lighting.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to pulse the pulse width modulator to provide an additional data signal superimposed on the pulsed DC power signal.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulsed DC signal is periodic.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulsed DC signal is not periodic.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to utilize electricity from solar power and having a voltage between about 12V and 800V.

17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to provide DC power to LED lighting.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the DC power is pulsed DC power and the LED lighting has LEDs with opposite polarity in a lighting circuit.

19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to provide DC power to an electric motor.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the DC power is DC power pulsed above and below thresholds and sufficient for driving the electric motor.

21. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to grid power supply and in standby uses grid power only to assess its availability for use for the AC and/or DC load.

22. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to grid power supply and in standby uses grid power only to power a pulse width modulator when the energy storage source and the alternative energy source are not powering DC loads.

23. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to grid power supply and in peak charge times for grid power uses the grid power only to power a pulse width modulator when the batteries and optional alternative energy source are sufficient to power DC loads.

24. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising at least one selected from a dimmer, multiple switches controlling a single light circuit, 3-way and 4-way switch wiring, a motion sensor, a timer, a camera, a photocell, and a biometric device, each of which encodes a data signal on the DC power signal or the pulsed DC power signal.

25. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising existing building wiring for the DC or pulsed DC load that is unchanged except for insertion of at least one selected from the pulse width modulator and the controller at an existent electrical box.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein a former AC return line in an enclosure not grounded to earth is configured to carry a low DC voltage or a high DC voltage and an earth wire is configured to be DC ground.

27. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller obtains information on load and in response

a. switches more or fewer batteries into use in series or in parallel depending on required voltage and required amperage;

b. switches an alternative energy source into or out of use;

c. switches the power grid into or out of use; and

/or

d. decreases the electrical load by changing pulse width modulation.

28. The assembly of claim 1 having plural individually controllable lamps on the same circuit, wherein each individually controllable lamp has a controller configured to read a digital data signal encoded on the power signal and each individually controllable lamp is configured to turn on in response to a digital data signal unique to that lamp.