Light control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. System for controlling the intensity of artificial illumination in a predetermined space incidentally also illuminated by natural light, said system comprising in combination:
- variable intensity source means for artificial illumination for said space;
means for detecting intensity of said natural light in said space in substantial distinction to the intensity of said artificial illumination and for providing a control signal as a function of the detected intensity of said natural light; and
controllable means for varying the intensity of said artificial illumination from said source as a function of (a) said control signal and (b) a gain control function which is independent of any detected light intensity and dependent upon physical characteristics of said predetermined space.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an area illuminated by both artificial and natural light sources, a control system is implemented to reduce the energy consumption by proportionately dimming the artificial sources to a level such that the sum of natural plus artificial light is held essentially constant. Use of an open loop sensing scheme allows the control system to operate over a wide range of conditions with no oscillations and good control of the total illumination level.
90 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. System for controlling the intensity of artificial illumination in a predetermined space incidentally also illuminated by natural light, said system comprising in combination:
-
variable intensity source means for artificial illumination for said space; means for detecting intensity of said natural light in said space in substantial distinction to the intensity of said artificial illumination and for providing a control signal as a function of the detected intensity of said natural light; and controllable means for varying the intensity of said artificial illumination from said source as a function of (a) said control signal and (b) a gain control function which is independent of any detected light intensity and dependent upon physical characteristics of said predetermined space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An open loop system for controlling the intensity of artificial illumination in a predetermined enclosed space incidentially also illuminated by natural light, said system comprising in combination:
-
fixedly positioned photosensor means for detecting intensity of said natural light in said space in substantial distinction to the intensity of said artificial illumination, and for providing an electrical signal as a function of the detected light intensity; means for providing artificial illumination for said space at an intensity inversely proportional to mA+b where A is the amplitude of said electrical signal, b is a first constant the value of which is predeterminable, and m is a second predeterminable constant, the value of which is independent of any detected light intensity and is dependent upon physical characteristics of said enclosed space.
-
-
12. A system for controlling the intensity of artificial illumination in a predetermined space bounded by a ceiling and incidentially also illuminated by natural light, said system comprising, in combination:
-
variable intensity source means mounted at said ceiling for providing artificial illumination to said space; means mounted at said ceiling for detecting intensity of said natural light in said space in substantial distinction to the intensity of said artificial illumination and for providing a control signal as a function of the detected intensity of said natural light; and controllable means for varying the intensity of said artificial illumination from said source as a function of said control signal.
-
-
13. An open loop for controlling the intensity of artificial illumination in a predetermined enclosed space incidentally also illuminated by natural light, said system comprising in combination:
-
fixedly positioned photosensor means for detecting intensity of said natural light in said space in substantial distinction to the intensity of said artificial illumination, and for providing an electrical signal as a first function of the detected light intensity; and means for providing artificial illumination for said space at an intensity as a second function of (a) said electrical signal and (b) a third function independent of any detected light intensity and dependent upon physical characteristics of said enclosed space.
-
Specification