Dynamic power recovery system

• US 5,212,478 A
• Filed: 12/11/1991
• Issued: 05/18/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Moseley, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US07/807,963
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/310 CP, 340/638, 323/239, 307/38, 307/115, 307/125, 307/126, 307/135, 307/140, 307/141.4, 315/291, 315/293, 315/294, 315/307, 315/312, 315/314, 315/86, 315/87, 315/292, 315/316, 315/360, 364/145
• US Class Current: 340/4.3
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/70 Regulating power factor; Regulating reactive current or power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/00 Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/088 by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A dynamic system is provided by which an electrically-powered load recovers from a power outage after power is restored. In one embodiment, full power is applied to the load when power is first restored and load power is then gradually reduced to a final value. In another embodiment, load power goes from full on to a low value in a series of steps. Initial and final power levels, as well as the sequence of power reductions (or increases), are determined by the system parameters. The system finds particular advantage when the load is controllable by a wireless transmitter.

Claims

1. A system for dynamically controlling power supplied from a source to a load comprising, in combination:

a) means for detecting the reapplication of power to said system after interruption of power from said source, said detecting means generating a signal in response to said reapplication,

b) microcomputer means for setting to a first predetermined non-zero initial value the power supplied to said load in response to said signal generated in response to said detected reapplication of power, said microcomputer means for setting being further responsive to a command signal generated by at least one operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation, wherein said microcomputer means for setting power supplied to said load has separate operating routines for responding to said means for detecting said reapplication of power and for responding to each of said at least one operable means so as to separately adjust said power supplied to said load to a plurality of different values and

c) means for changing the first predetermined value of said power in a predetermined manner.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is devoid of means for retaining, after interruption of power, information concerning the value of power supplied to said load before said power interruption.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first non-zero initial value is a substantial fraction of the power deliverable to said load by said source.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first non-zero initial value provided by said microcomputer means for setting is reduced, by said means for changing, to a predetermined second value, after a predetermined interval of time, said predetermined interval of time being determined by said microcomputer means for setting.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said reduction to said second predetermined value is accomplished in a single step.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said reduction to said second predetermined value is accomplished in a plurality of steps.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said reduction to said second predetermined value is accomplished substantially continuously during said time interval.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said load is a lighting load, having a variable light intensity output.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation is a manual device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said manual device comprises a pushbutton switch for raising and lowering said operating power to said lighting load.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said manual device comprises a plurality of pushbutton switches for selecting among a plurality of predetermined levels of operating power to said lighting load.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said manual device means comprises a position-sensing touch element.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said manual device is located on a transmitter, said transmitter being adapted for remotely controlling power to said lighting load.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising second manually operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation, said second manually operable control means generating a command signal which is responded to by said means for setting.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said means for setting responds to the last received command signal from either said manual device located on said transmitter or said second manually operating means.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein said command signal of said operable control means is responded to by said means for setting by discontinuing the setting of said first predetermined non-zero initial value of power to said load.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for detecting said reapplication of power, said means for setting said power supplied to said load, said means for changing the value of said power and said manually operable control means are all contained within a single housing which is adapted to be mounted in a standard electrical wallbox.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising means to control power to a plurality of additional loads, wherein power supplied to each load is independently set to a first predetermined non-zero initial value in response to detection of reapplication of power and subsequently changed independently in a predetermined manner.

19. A system for dynamically controlling power supplied from a source to a load comprising, in combination:

a) means for detecting the reapplication of power to said system after interruption of power from said source, said detecting means generating a signal in response to said reapplication,

b) microcomputer means for setting to a first predetermined initial value the power supplied to said load in response to said signal generated in response to said detected reapplication of power, said microcomputer means for setting being further responsive to a command signal generated by at least one operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation, wherein said microcomputer means for setting power supplied to said load has separate operating routines for responding to said means for detecting said reapplication of power and for responding to each of said at least one operable means so as to separately adjust said power supplied to said load to a plurality of different values and

c) means for changing the first predetermined value of said power subsequently supplied to said load to a plurality of predetermined values in a predetermined sequence of discrete steps.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said load is a lighting load, having a variable light intensity output.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein said first predetermined initial value is a substantial fraction of the power deliverable to said load by said source.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said first predetermined initial value is reduced to a predetermined second value in said predetermined sequence of discrete steps.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein said first predetermined initial value is substantially instantaneously reduced to a second predetermined value after a first predetermined interval of time and is then substantially returned to said first predetermined initial value after a second predetermined interval of time, said power supplied to said load continuing to alternate between said first predetermined initial value and said second predetermined value.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein said first predetermined initial value is a small fraction of the power deliverable to said load by said source.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said first predetermined initial value is increased to a predetermined second value in said predetermined sequence of discrete steps.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein said first predetermined initial value is substantially instantaneously increased to a second predetermined value after a first predetermined interval of time and is then substantially instantaneously returned to said first predetermined initial value after a second predetermined interval of time, said power supplied to said load continuing to alternate between said first predetermined initial value and said second predetermined value.

27. The power system of claim 19 wherein said system is devoid of means for retaining, after interruption of power, information concerning the value of power supplied to said load before said power interruption.

28. The power control system of claim 20 wherein said operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation is a manual device.

29. A system for dynamically controlling power supplied from a source to a lighting load, comprising, in combination:

a) means for detecting the reapplication of power to said system after interruption of power from said source, said detecting means generating a signal in response to said reapplication, and

b) microcomputer means for varying the power to said lighting load, between first and second predetermined non-zero values in a predetermined sequence in response to said signal generated in response to said detected reapplication of power, said microcomputer means for varying being further responsive to a command signal generated by at least one operable control means for immediately returning the system to normal operation, wherein said microcomputer means for varying power supplied to said lighting load has separate operating routines for responding to said means for detecting said reapplication of power and for responding to each of said at least one operable means so as to separately adjust said power supplied to said lighting load to a plurality of different values.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said power to said lighting load is varied sinusoidally between said first and second predetermined values.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein said power to said lighting load ramps substantially linearly between said first and second predetermined values.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein said power to said lighting control system alternates substantially instantaneously between said first and second predetermined values at predetermined times.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein said operable control means for are manual devices and each generates a command signal.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said command signals generated by said manual controls are responded to by said means for setting by discontinuing said setting of said first and second predetermined non-zero values.