Modular lamp power supply system

• US 5,640,061 A
• Filed: 11/05/1993
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Garrett, Randall Dean, Bornhorst, James Martin, Covington, John Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US08/147,284
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 307/150, 307/31, 307/11, 307/154, 307/155, 307/157, 361/695, 361/725, 361/727, 361/391, 362/88, 315/165, 315/307, 315/291, 315/80, 315/95, 223/304
• US Class Current: 307/150
• 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 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations

Abstract

A modular lamp power supply is adapted to provide lamp power supply signals to a plurality of different lamps, each lamp having different power requirements. The power supply can be reconfigured to supply power to a new group of lamps simply by replacing the power circuit modules within the supply chassis.

Claims

1. A modular lamp power supply, comprising:

a chassis;

means for receiving a controlled voltage lamp power supply module and a controlled power lamp mower supply module in said chassis, each of said modules supplying power to a different lamp;

output means associated with each module for delivering controlled voltage power supply outputs from said controlled voltage module, and for delivering controlled-power power supply outputs from said controlled power module; and

said receiving means having means for receiving both types of modules.

2. A modular lamp power supply system, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of connectors in said chassis each including means for receiving lamp power supply modules having one of a plurality of characteristics;

a plurality of electrical components in said chassis accessible to each of said modules;

a plurality of electrical components accessible only by individual ones of said modules;

an AC power supply connector coupled to said chassis for receiving AC power from an external source and supplying AC power to each of said modules;

a DC power supply coupled to said AC power supply connector for providing DC power to each of said modules; and

a voltage sensing circuit coupled to said AC power supply connector for sensing the voltage level supplied by said external source and generating an output signal for each of said modules indicative of said level.

11. A power supply of claim 2, wherein at least one of said modules is a dimmer module for providing power to at least one incandescent lamp.

12. A power supply of claim 2, wherein at least one of said modules is a controlled-power lamp power supply module for providing power to at least one arc lamp.

3. A modular lamp unit power supply, comprising:

a chassis;

and input-power connector for coupling said power supply to an external source;

a controlled-voltage power supply module housed within said chassis and electrically coupled to said input-power supply connection;

a controlled-power power supply module housed within said chassis and electrically coupled to said input-power connection; and

an output-power connector connected to receive power supply outputs from each of said controlled-voltage and controlled-power power supply modules and including means for delivering each of said power outputs to a different power conductor.

4. The power supply of claim 3, further comprising:

a voltage sensor common to each of said modules, said voltage sensor being coupled to said input-power connector and including means for generating an output signal indicative of the voltage level at said input-power connector.

5. The power supply of claim 3, wherein each of said modules is coupled to a separate inductor external of said modules and housed within said chassis.

6. The power supply of claim 3, further comprising a single DC power supply coupled to a plurality of said modules, said DC power supply supplying power for operation of electronic circuitry of each of said modules.

7. The power supply of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of dedicated input lines, each of said lines being dedicated to a different one of said modules, said lines providing electronic control signals to said modules from an external control device.

8. A modular power supply adaptable to provide power to a plurality of different lamps having differing power requirements, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of connectors in said chassis adapted to receive power supply modules of a plurality of different configurations;

a plurality of power supply modules each connected to a different one of said connectors, said modules having one of a plurality of different power generating characteristics;

a plurality of common electrical components within said chassis arranged to be shared by said plurality of power supply modules;

a plurality of individual electrical components within said chassis each arranged to be used by a different one of said power supply modules.

9. The modular power supply of claim 8, wherein said plurality of common components includes a DC power supply for supplying power.

10. The modular power supply of claim 8, wherein said plurality of common components includes a voltage sensor coupled to an input power connector, said voltage sensor generating an output signal indicative of the voltage level at said input power connector, said output signal being coupled to each of said plurality of power supply modules.