Removable power service module for recessed lighting system

• US 5,177,404 A
• Filed: 06/13/1991
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Poulsen Lighting Incorporated, Wila Leuchten GmbH
• Original Assignee: Poulsen Lighting Incorporated, Wila Leuchten GmbH
• Inventors: Cohen, Howard G., Unger, Helmuth K., Gabrecht, Ludwig
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shingleton, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US07/714,880
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 315/153, 315/154, 315/137, 315/362, 315/363, 315/317, 315/320, 315/312, 315/313, 315/317, 315/314, 315/151, 362/221, 362/226, 362/364, 362/365
• US Class Current: 315/154
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps structurally associated with the discharge lamps H01J61/54, H01J61/56
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/22 with communication between the lamps and a central unit

Abstract

A recessed lighting fixture system comprising a power service module which includes sockets for receiving fluorescent light lamps, a ballast for driving each of the light lamps, and a field adjustable connector which is electrically connected to the sockets and the ballasts. The power service module mounts in a mounting frame assembly which is mounted in the ceiling. A primary terminal block is provided in the mounting assembly and is connected to the main power supply. When mounted in the mounting assembly, the field adjustable connector connects to the primary terminal block, thus connecting the light lamps and ballasts to the main power supply. The field adjustable connector is four-pole pre-wired for providing single phase or dual phase power supply to the ballasts of the respective fluorescent light lamps.

Claims

1. A power service module for use in a recessed lighting fixture system comprising:

a plurality of ballasts;

support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts;

socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of the plurality of ballasts;

terminal block means electrically connected to said socket means and to said plurality of ballasts, said terminal block means for electrical connection to a main power supply and being adjustable so as to provide single phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of ballasts and also adjustable so as to provide multi-phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of ballasts.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein said terminal block means comprises a plurality of phase contact plugs adjustable so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a single phase configuration and also adjustable so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a multi-phase configuration.

3. In a recessed lighting fixture system comprising a mounting frame assembly which fits into the ceiling and includes a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply, the improvement comprising:

a power service module having a plurality of ballasts, support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts, socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of said plurality of ballasts, a field adjustable connector electrically connected to each of said plurality of ballasts and to said socket means, said power service module being removably mounted in said mounting frame assembly with said field adjustable connector mating with the primary terminal block for connecting said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply, wherein said field adjustable connector is adjustable so as to supply single phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps and is also adjustable so as to supply multi-phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein said field adjustable connector comprises a plurality of phase contact plugs and said primary terminal block comprises a plurality of terminal members which receive said plurality of phase contact plugs, said phase contact plugs being adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a single phase configuration and adjustable so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a multi-phase configuration.

5. In combination, a mounting frame assembly which fits into the ceiling and includes a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply, and a power service module having a plurality of ballasts, support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts, socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of said plurality of ballasts, field adjustable connector means electrically connected to each of said plurality of ballasts and to said socket means, said power service module being removably mounted in said mounting frame assembly with said field adjustable connector mating with the primary terminal block for connecting said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply, wherein said field adjustable connector block is adjustable so as to supply single phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps and is also adjustable so as to supply multi-phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said field adjustable connector comprises a plurality of phase contact plugs and said primary terminal block comprises a plurality of terminal members which receive said plurality of phase contact plugs, said phase contact plugs being adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a single phase configuration and also adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a multi-phase configuration.

7. A microprocessor controlled recessed lighting fixture system comprising:

a microprocessor-based energy management system for supplying electrical energy to drive a plurality of fluorescent light lamp fixtures;

a plurality of fluorescent light lamp fixtures each comprising a mounting frame assembly which fits into the ceiling and includes a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply, and a power service module having a plurality of ballasts, support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts, socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of said plurality of ballasts, a field adjustable connector electrically connected to each of said plurality of ballasts and to said socket means, said power service module being removably mounted in said mounting frame assembly with said field adjustable connector mating with the primary terminal block for connecting said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply, wherein said field adjustable connector is adjustable so as to supply single phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps and is also adjustable so as to supply multi-phase power from the main power supply to said plurality of fluorescent light lamps.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said field adjustable connector comprises a plurality of phase contact plugs and said primary terminal block comprises a plurality of terminal members which receive said plurality of phase contact plugs, said phase contact plugs being adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a single phase configuration and also adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect each of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply in a multi-phase configuration.

9. A method for controlling overall lighting on-site of a recessed fluorescent light fixture system without rewiring basic supply connections, the method comprising the steps of:

securing a mounting frame assembly into the ceiling, said mounting frame assembly including a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply;

providing a power service module having a plurality of ballasts, support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts, socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of said plurality of ballasts, field adjustable connector means having a plurality of contact plugs, said field adjustable connector means being electrically connected to each of said plurality of ballasts and to said socket means;

adjusting said contact plugs in said field adjustable connector means for electrical connection with said plurality of ballasts according to a selectively chosen one of a plurality of possible lighting configurations so as to control which of said plurality of ballasts selectively receives power from said main power supply;

removably mounting said power service module in said mounting frame assembly with said field adjustable connector means mating with the primary terminal block for connecting said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply.

10. A system for controlling light emitted by a plurality of light fixtures comprising:

a plurality of series of said light fixtures;

light sensor means positioned proximate each of said series of said light fixtures for detecting the level of light proximate thereto and providing an electrical signal representative thereof;

microprocessor controller means connected and responsive to said light sensor means, for providing a plurality of switch control signals, each of said switch control signals corresponding to a particular one of said series of said light fixtures and being indicative of whether power is to be supplied to said particular one of said series of said light fixtures in order to maintain a desired lighting level about said particular one of said series of said light fixtures;

main power supply lines for carrying a plurality of power supply signals;

switch means connected in series with said main power supply lines and responsive to said switch control signals for opening or closing the main power supply lines for a particular one or ones of the power supply signals;

a plurality of sets of series supply lines dedicated to a particular series of said series of said light fixtures, each of said sets of series supply lines dedicated to said series of said light fixtures being connected to corresponding ones of the main power supply lines; and

wherein each of said light fixtures comprises;

socket means for receiving a plurality of light lamps;

driving means connected to said socket means for driving each of the light lamps received in said socket means to cause the light lamps to illuminate;

adjustable connection means connected to said means for driving and said socket means for connecting the light fixture to the corresponding series supply line to provide power to a select one or ones of the light lamps received in the socket means of the light fixture.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said adjustable connection means comprises:

a primary terminal block electrically connected to said corresponding series supply line;

a field adjustable connector electrically connected to said driving means and said socket means and being adjustable so as to power a select one or ones of said light lamps received in said socket means by a corresponding one of said plurality of power supply signals.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said field adjustable connector comprises a plurality of phase contact plugs and said primary terminal block comprises a plurality of terminal members which receive said plurality of phase contact plugs, said phase contact plugs being adjustable in said field adjustable connector so as to connect said select one or ones of said light lamps to said corresponding one of said plurality of power supply signals.

13. A power service module for a recessed lighting fixture, said power service module comprising:

a plurality of ballasts;

support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts;

socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of the plurality of ballasts; and

terminal block means electrically connected to said socket means, and to said plurality of ballasts, said terminal block means being adjustable so as to selectively make electrical contact with a predetermined one or ones of said plurality of ballasts to thereby select which one or ones of said plurality of light lamps receive power from said main power supply.

14. A recessed lighting fixture comprising:

a mounting frame assembly which permanently fits into a ceiling and includes a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply;

a removable power service module comprising a plurality of ballasts;

support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts;

socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of the plurality of ballasts; and

terminal block means electrically connected to said socket means, and to said plurality of ballasts, said terminal block means being adjustable so as to selectively make electrical contact between said main power supply and a predetermined one or ones of said plurality of ballasts to thereby select which one or ones of said plurality of light lamps receive power from said main power supply; and

mounting means to mount said power service module in said mounting frame assembly thereby electrically connecting a select one or ones of said plurality of ballasts to said main power supply based upon the configuration of said terminal block means.

15. A microprocessor controlled recessed lighting fixture system comprising a microprocessor-based energy management system for supplying electrical energy to drive a plurality of fluorescent light lamp fixtures, and a plurality of fluorescent light lamp fixtures each of which comprises:

a mounting frame assembly which permanently fits into the ceiling and includes a primary terminal block electrically connected to a main power supply; and

a power service module removably mounted in said mounting frame assembly, said power service module having a plurality of ballasts, support means for supporting said plurality of ballasts, socket means for receiving a plurality of fluorescent light lamps, each to be driven by a respective one of said plurality of ballasts, and a field adjustable connector electrically connected to said plurality of ballasts and to said socket means, said field adjustable connector mating with the primary terminal block and being adjustable so as to selectively make electrical contact between said main power supply and a predetermined one or ones of said plurality of ballasts to thereby select which one or ones of said plurality of fluorescent light lamps receive power from said main power supply.