Emergency lighting supervisory system

• US 4,799,039 A
• Filed: 05/08/1987
• Issued: 01/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dual-Lite Manufacturing, Inc. (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kozek, Edward P., Balcom, James E., Alderman, Arnold N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/048,530
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 340/333, 340/515, 340/516, 340/506, 340/635, 340/636, 340/825.06, 307/66, 320/22, 320/48
• US Class Current: 340/333
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/065 for lighting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2853 against abnormal power supply conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 State of charge of battery

Abstract

An emergency lighting supervisory system monitors utility power so as to automatically connect emergency lights to a battery source when utility power fails. The system continuously monitors selected parameters and, automatically, periodically tests the system under simulated full-load emergency conditions and annunciates the results of these tests. Such periodic tests also enhance battery capacity. The system also provides a closed loop three-mode battery charging control circuit. It can optionally communicate its status as well as receive commands from an external computer or other source by means of a data communication interface.

Claims

1. An emergency lighting supervisory system for entering emergency mode operation that causes at least one emergency lamp to be energized from emergency battery power upon sensing an emergency condition such as utility power failure comprising:

A. a battery for providing emergency power;

B. a battery charger for maintaining the battery in a fully charged state;

the battery charger comprising means for providing a constant current charging of the battery upon system installation or after the battery has provided emergency power, thereafter providing an equalization voltage to the battery having a value greater than the nominal charging voltage presented to the battery, wherein this equalization voltage is provided for a set period of time, and thereafter providing a float voltage having a value equal to the nominal charging voltage to the battery, such charging continuing until a transfer to emergency battery power is needed;

C. at least one lamp to be illuminated by the battery when emergency power is provided;

D. means, interconnected to the utility power, the battery and the lamp, for sensing the utility power voltage and for initiating the transfer from utility power to battery emergency power when utility power is not present, when the utility power voltage falls below a threshold value, or when self-testing of the emergency lighting system is performed;

E. means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters, said means including

1. timer generating means including means for generating outputs which occur on a multi-day basis,

2. self-test control means responsive to said timing output for initiating a self-test for a period of time, said means including means for activating the transfer means so as to place the system in a simulated emergency operating mode, and

3. means for monitoring and displaying the status of system parameters when the self-test condition is activated, including means for determining current flow through the lamp so as to ascertain if the lamp is operating properly, said current flow means including means for visually annunciating the determination of an improperly operating lamp, means for determining if a battery induced voltage is applied to the lamp so as to determine if transfer of battery power has occurred, said applied voltage determining means including means for visually annunciating the determination of improper transfer of battery power to the lamp, and means for determining if the battery voltage is below a predetermined level indicative of a faulty battery condition, said battery voltage determining means including means for visually annunciating the determination of a faulty battery condition; and

F. communication means for transfer of the status of the system parameters from the self-test procedure to an interconnected device as well as to provide for initiation of a self-test procedure upon receipt of a request from an interconnected device.

2. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the communication means comprises input/output means for receipt and transfer of information between the emergency lighting supervisory system and an external communicating device, as well as code/decode circuitry for translating received information into appropriate inputs to the system as well as sensed system parameters coding for transfer to the external communicating device.

3. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 2 wherein the communicating means incorporates a read/write line for controlling receipt and transmission of information to the external communicating device as well as five data lines representative of the on or off state of information to be received or transmitted by the communicating means.

4. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring and displaying the status of the system comprises a status indicator for annunciating the battery charging status, including whether the charger is in the constant current, equalization, or float voltage modes, and also whether any sensed system parameter has failed during a self-test procedure.

5. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for monitoring and displaying the status of the system comprises means for annunciating a bad lamp, a bad printed circuit board, or a bad battery condition sensed during the self-test procedure and wherein said means includes means for signalling the status indicator of this condition.

6. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the float and equalization charging voltages inversely proportional to the ambient temperature of the system so as to minimize the probability of overcharging or undercharging the battery.

7. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the communication means includes means for decoding a received message indicative of the length of time that the self-test procedure is to occur, and wherein the self-test control means is responsive to such a decoded message so as to set the period of time of the self-test to the decoded message value.

8. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the timer generating means of the periodic self-testing means generates an output on an approximately one-month and six-month basis, wherein the one-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of approximately five minutes and wherein the six-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes.

9. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 8, further comprising circuit connectable resistors for selecting a 30-, 60-, 90- or 120-minute self-test duration.

10. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters further includes an externally activated switch for initiating the self-test control means for a predetermined length of time.

11. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 10 wherein the predetermined length of time for the externally activated self-test is approximately five minutes.

12. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated includes means for maintaining the status of the tested parameters even if there is a subsequent loss of utility power.

13. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 12 further comprising battery reset means for resetting said maintaining means when a system is initially installed or a new battery is installed.

14. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 12 wherein the maintaining means includes electronic latches.

15. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further including means for disconnecting the battery from the lamp normally illuminated by the battery during loss of utility power if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined level, whereby over-discharge of the battery is prevented.

16. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 15 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

17. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 16 further comprising means for annunciating the condition of the battery voltage being above or below the predetermined values of the inhibiting means.

18. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 17 further comprising initial battery reset means for sensing the resetting of the battery such as occurs when an emergency lighting system is installed, wherein the battery reset means prevents activation of the battery inhibitor for a set predetermined length of time or until equalization charging of the battery occurs if such equalization charging occurs before expiration of said set predetermined length of time.

19. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 16 further comprising means for adjusting the predetermined values against which the sensed battery voltage is compared, wherein said adjusting is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature of the system.

20. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

21. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further including means for sensing the level of electrolyte in the battery and for annunciating a low electrolyte level if the sensed level is below a predetermined amount.

22. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 21 further comprising means for inhibiting the battery charger if a low electrolyte level is sensed.

23. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further including an alarm driver for activating an external alarm wherein the alarm driver is activated whenever a sensed parameter is outside of a normal operating value.

24. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 23 further including a manually operable switch for disabling the alarm driver if desired.

25. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 wherein a supervisory circuit integrated circuit incorporates the means for performing periodic self-testing of the emergency lighting supervisory system parameters as well as at least a portion of the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated.

26. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a unit ready indicator which generates an output indicative of proper operation of the unit when the battery charger is in a float voltage mode and no sensed parameter is outside of its acceptable value.

32. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 2 further including means for sensing the level of electrolyte in the battery and for annunciating a low electrolyte level if the sensed level is below a predetermined amount.

33. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 32 further comprising means for inhibiting the battery charger if a low electrolyte level is sensed.

27. An emergency lighting supervisory system for entering emergency mode operation that causes at least one emergency lamp to be energized from emergency battery power upon sensing an emergency condition such as utility power failure comprising:

A. a battery for providing emergency power;

B. a battery charger for maintaining the battery in a fully charged state;

wherein the battery charger comprises means for providing a constant current charging of the battery upon system installation or after the battery has provided emergency power, thereafter providing an equalization voltage to the battery having a value greater than the nominal charging voltage presented to the battery, wherein this equalization voltage is provided for a set period of time, and thereafter providing a float voltage having a value equal to the nominal charging voltage to the battery, such charging continuing until a transfer to emergency battery power is needed;

C. at least one lamp to be illuminated by the battery when emergency power is provided;

D. means, interconnected to the utility power, the battery and the lamp, for sensing the utility power voltage and for initiating the transfer from utility power to battery emergency power when utility power is not present or when self-testing of the emergency lighting system is performed; and

E. means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters, said means including

1. timer generating means including means for generating outputs which occur on a multi-day basis,

2. self-test control means responsive to said timing outputs for initiating a self-test for a period of time, said means including means for activating the transfer means so as to place the system in a simulated emergency operating mode, and

3. means for monitoring the status of system parameters when the self-test condition is activated wherein said means include means for determining if the battery voltage is below a predetermined level indicative of a faulty battery condition, means for determining current flow through the lamp so as to ascertain if the lamp is operating properly and means for determining if a battery induced voltage is applied to the lamp so as to determine if transfer of battery power has occurred.

28. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 further comprising communication means for transfer of the status from the self-test procedure to an interconnected device as well as to provide for initiation of a self-test procedure upon receipt of a request from an interconnected device.

29. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 wherein a supervisory circuit integrated circuit incorporates the means for performing periodic self-testing of the emergency lighting supervisory system parameters as well as at least a portion of the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated.

30. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 further including an alarm driver for activating an external alarm wherein the alarm driver is activated whenever a sensed parameter is outside of a normal operating value.

31. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 30 further including a manually operable switch for disabling the alarm driver if desired.

34. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 wherein the timer generating means of the periodic self-testing means generates an output on an approximately one-month and six-month basis, wherein the one-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of approximately five minutes and wherein the six-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes.

35. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 34 further comprising circuit selectable resistors for selecting a 30-, 60-, 90- or 120-minute self-test duration.

36. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 wherein the means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters further includes an externally activated switch for initiating the self-test control means for a predetermined length of time.

37. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 36 wherein the predetermined length of time is approximately five minutes.

38. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 further including means for disconnecting the battery from the lamp normally illuminated by the battery during loss of utility power if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined level, whereby over-discharge of the battery is prevented.

39. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 38 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

40. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 39 further comprising means for annunciating the condition of the battery voltage being above or below the predetermined values of the inhibiting means.

41. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 40 further comprising initial battery reset means for sensing the resetting of the battery such as occurs when an emergency lighting system is installed, wherein the battery reset means prevents activation of the battery inhibitor for a set predetermined length of time or until equalization charging of the battery occurs if such equalization charging occurs before expiration of said set predetermined length of time.

42. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 39 further comprising means for adjusting the predetermined values against which the sensed battery voltage is compared, wherein said adjusting is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature of the system.

43. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 27 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

44. An emergency lighting supervisory system for entering emergency mode operation that causes at least one emergency lamp to be energized from emergency battery power upon sensing an emergency condition such as utility power failure comprising:

A. a battery for providing emergency power;

B. a battery charger for maintaining the battery in a fully charged state;

wherein the battery charger comprises means for providing a constant current charging of the battery upon system installation or after the battery has provided emergency power, thereafter providing an equalization voltage to the battery having a value greater than the nominal charging voltage presented to the battery, wherein this equalization voltage is provided for a set period of time, and thereafter providing a float voltage having a value equal to the nominal charging voltage to the battery, such charging continuing until a transfer to emergency battery power is needed;

C. at least one lamp to be illuminated by the battery when emergency power is provided;

D. means, interconnected to the utility power, the battery and the lamp, for sensing the utility power voltage and for initiating the transfer from utility power to battery emergency power when utility power is not present or when self-testing of the emergency lighting system is performed;

E. means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters, said means including

1. timer generating means including means for generating outputs which occur on a multi-day basis,

2. self-test control means responsive to said timing outputs for initiating a self-test for a period of time, said means including means for activating the transfer means so as to place the system in a simulated emergency operating mode, and

3. means for monitoring the status of system parameters when the self-test condition is activated wherein said means include means for determining if the battery voltage is below a predetermined level determining current flow through the lamp so as to ascertain if the lamp is operating properly and means for determining if a battery induced voltage is applied to the lamp so as to determine if transfer of battery power has occurred; and

F. communication means for transfer of the status of the system parameters from the self-test procedure to an interconnected device as well as to provide for initiation of a self-test procedure upon receipt of a request from an interconnected device.

45. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 wherein the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated includes means for maintaining the status of the tested parameters even if there is a subsequent loss of utility power.

46. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 45 further comprising battery reset means for resetting said maintaining means when a system is initially installed or a new battery is installed.

47. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 46 wherein the maintaining means includes electronic latches.

48. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 further including means for disconnecting the battery from the lamp normally illuminated by the battery during loss of utility power if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined level, whereby over-discharge of the battery is prevented.

49. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 48 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

50. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 49 further comprising means for annunciating the condition of the battery voltage being above or below the predetermined values of the inhibiting means.

51. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 50 further comprising initial battery reset means for sensing the resetting of the battery such as occurs when an emergency lighting system is installed, wherein the battery reset means prevents activation of the battery inhibitor for a set predetermined length of time or until equalization charging of the battery occurs if such equalization charging occurs before expiration of said set predetermined length of time.

52. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 further comprising means for inhibiting the operation of the battery charger if the sensed battery voltage is above or below predetermined values.

53. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 52 further comprising means for adjusting the predetermined values against which the sensed battery voltage is compared, wherein said adjusting is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature of the system.

54. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 further including means for sensing the level of electrolyte in the battery and for annunciating a low electrolyte level if the sensed level is below a predetermined amount.

55. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 54 further comprising means for inhibiting the battery charger if a low electrolyte level is sensed.

56. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 further including an alarm driver which is activated whenever a sensed parameter is outside of a normal operating value.

57. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 56 further including a manually operable switch for disabling the alarm driver if desired.

60. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 further comprising a status indicator for annunciating the battery charging status, including whether the charger is in the constant current, equalization, or float voltage modes, and also whether any sensed system parameter has failed during a self-test procedure.

61. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 60 further comprising a failure indicator which annunciates the bad lamp, bad printed circuit board, or bad battery condition sensed during the self-test procedure and wherein said indicator includes means for signalling the status indicator of this condition.

62. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 61 wherein the communication means includes means for decoding a received message indicative of the length of time that the self-test procedure is to occur, and wherein the self-test control means is responsive to such a decoded message so as to set the period of time of the self-test to the decoded message value.

63. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 62 wherein the timer generating means of the periodic self-testing means generates an output on an approximately one-month and six-month basis, wherein the one-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of approximately five minutes and wherein the six-month output causes the self-test control means to initiate a self-test for a period of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes.

64. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 63, further comprising circuit connectable resistors for selecting a 30-, 60-, 90- or 120-minute self-test duration.

65. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 64 wherein the means for performing periodic self-testing of emergency lighting supervisory system parameters further includes an externally activated switch for initiating the self-test control means for a predetermined length of time.

66. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 65 wherein the predetermined length of time for the externally activated self-test is approximately five minutes.

67. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 66 wherein the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated includes means for maintaining the status of the tested parameters even if there is a subsequent loss of utility power.

68. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 67 further comprising battery reset means for resetting said maintaining means when a system is initially installed or a new battery is installed.

69. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 68 wherein the maintaining means includes electronic latches.

70. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 44 wherein a supervisory circuit integrated circuit incorporates the means for performing periodic self-testing of the emergency lighting supervisory system parameters as well as at least a portion of the means for monitoring system parameters when the self-test condition is activated.

58. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 89 wherein the communication means comprises input/output means for receipt and transfer of information between the emergency lighting supervisory system and an external communicating device, as well as code/decode circuitry for translating received information into appropriate inputs to the system as well as sensed system parameters coding for transfer to the external communicating device.

59. An emergency lighting supervisory system as defined in claim 58 wherein the communicating means incorporates a read/write line for controlling receipt and transmission of information to the external communicating device as well as five data lines representative of the on or off state of information to be received or transmitted by the communicating means.