Multiple intensity lamp controller and lighting system

• US 4,587,457 A
• Filed: 02/19/1982
• Issued: 05/06/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Lind, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wise, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US06/350,153
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 315/64, 315/82, 315/149, 315/154, 315/158, 315/159, 315/194, 315/199, 315/66, 315/74, 315/122
• US Class Current: 315/64
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/081 by measuring the incident light H05B39/083 takes precedence

Abstract

A multiple intensity lamp controller and lighting system utilizing a multiple filament lamp having a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with a power source and having a variable impedance coupled across the secondary filament. The intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively bright when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively low. Conversely, the intensity of the multiple filament lamp is made comparatively dim when the value of the variable impedance is made comparatively high.

Claims

1. A multiple intensity lamp controller adapted to be coupled to a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each of other and to a power source, comprising a variable impedance coupled across said secondary filament wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively bright when the valve of said variable impedance is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when the value of said variable impedance is comparatively high;

whereby any range of failure in the value of said variable impedance will result in said multiple filament lamp still being lit.

2. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 1 wherein said variable impedance is responsive to ambient light level.

3. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 2 wherein the value of said variable impendance is comparatively low when said ambient light level is comparatively high and wherein the value of said variable impedance is comparatively high when said ambient light level is comparatively low.

4. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 3 wherein said variable impedance has a region in the range of the value of said variable impedance which is inversely proportional to said ambient light intensity.

5. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 4 wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectively variable by cycling the value of said variable impedance between a high impedance value and a low impedance value.

6. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 5 wherein said variable impedance has a duty cycle determined by the proportion of time said variable impedance has said high impedance value compared to said low impedance value and wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectivey variable by varying said duty cycle.

7. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 4 wherein said power source is an alternating current power source.

8. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 7 wherein the value of said variable impedance is effectively variable in value by being a high impedance during a portion of a cycle of said alternating current power source and being a low impedance during the remainder of said cycle of said alternating current power source.

9. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 8 wherein said variable impedance comprises:

a variable resistance responsive to said ambient 1ight level; and

switching means responsive to said variable resistance, said switching means for selectively allowing a low impedance path across said variable impedance.

10. A multiple intensity lamp controller as in claim 9 wherein said variable impedance further comprises a filter coupled across said switching means.

11. A multiple intensity lighting system adapted to be coupled to a power source, comprising:

a multiple filament lamp having at least a primary filament and a secondary filament coupled in series with each other and with said power source; and

variable impedance means coupled across said secondary filament, said varaible impedance means for providing a variable impedance value, wherein the intensity of said mulitple filament lamp is comaratively bright when said impedance value is comparatively low and wherein the intensity of said multiple filament lamp is comparatively dim when said impedance value is comparatively high.

12. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 11 wherein said variable impedance means is responsive to ambient light level.

13. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 12 wherein said impedance value is comparatively low when said ambient light level is comparatively high and wherein said impedance value is comparatively high when said ambient light level is comparatively low.

14. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 13 wherein said variable impedance means has a region in the range of the value of said impedance value which is inversely proportional to said ambient light intensity.

15. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 14 wherein said impedance value is effectively variable by cycling said impedance value between a high impedance value and a low impedance value.

16. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 15 wherein said variable impedance means has a duty cycle determined by the proportion of time value said variable impedance means has said high impedance value compared to said low impedance value and wherein said impedance value is effectively variable by varying said duty cycle.

17. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 14 wherein said power source is an alternating current power source.

18. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 17 wherein said impedance value is effectively variable in value by being a high impedance during a portion of a cycle of said alternating current power source and being a low impedance during the remainder of said cycle of said alternating current power source.

19. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 18 wherein said variable impedance means comprises:

a variable resistance responsive to said ambient light level; and

switching means responsive to said variable resistance, said switching means for selectively allowing a low impedance path across said variable impedance means.

20. A multiple intensity lighting system as in claim 19 wherein said variable impedance means further comprises a filter coupled across said switching means.