Single control wire device for HID dimming

• US 5,815,067 A
• Filed: 05/19/1997
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Thomas Lighting Company
• Inventors: Jamasbi, Khosrow, Munson, Robert D., Olson, James V., Knoble, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/858,508
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.03, 340/538, 340/496, 340/642, 315/137, 315/199, 315/210, 315/244
• US Class Current: 340/12.32
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3921 with possibility of light intensity variations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

A dimming control for a high intensity lighting system uses a single additional control wire for control of the dimming function. The lighting system operates on multi-phase power. A transmitter for transmitting a control signal over the single control wire is connected between two of the phases of the multi-phase power supply, or between one phase and neutral. The transmitter, upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, transmits a control signal to the single control wire. The control signal is a rectified portion of the power supply. The predetermined condition is motion as sensed by a motion sensor, operation of a timer, or operation of a manual switch. A receiver connected to the control line receives the control signal and switches the light to a low light output mode. The is accomplished by changing the capacitance of the ballast circuit for the light. Each lamp of the lighting system has a receiver connected to the single control wire.

Claims

1. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus for a high intensity discharge light system, comprising:

a multi-phase power supply system;

a transmitter connected between two phases of said multi-phase power supply system or between one phase of said multi-phase power supply system and neutral, said transmitter responding to a predetermined condition by generating a control signal;

a receiver connected between two phases of said multi-phase power supply system or between one phase of said multi-phase power supply system and neutral, said receiver including a switch connected to effect a dimming of a light of said high intensity discharge light system upon receipt of said control signal; and

a single control wire connected between said transmitter and said receiver to carry a control signal upon occurrence of said predetermined condition.

2. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-phase power supply system is a delta power supply system.

3. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-phase power supply system is a wye power supply system.

4. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a pair of diodes connected back to back in said connection between two phases of said multi-phase power supply system or between one phase of said multi-phase power supply system and neutral.

5. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiver includes a pair of diodes connected back to back in said connection between two phases of said multi-phase power supply system or between one phase of said multi-phase power supply system and neutral.

6. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch in said receiver includes a relay.

7. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a motion sensor and said predetermined condition is movement in a sensing field of said motion sensor.

8. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a timer and said predetermined condition is an elapsed time.

9. A high intensity discharge light dimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a manual switch and said predetermined condition is operation of said manual switch.

10. A dimming control for a high intensity discharge lamp arrangement powered by a three phase power system, comprising:

a first branch between a first phase and a second phase of the three phase power system;

a transmitter connected in said first branch, said transmitter including;

at least one transmitter diode connected in said first branch in a first polarity direction;

a switch having a first end connected to said branch;

a control line connected to a second end of said switch;

a second branch between the first phase and the second phase;

a receiver connected in said second branch, said receiver including;

at least one receiver diode connected in said second branch in a polarity opposite said first polarity;

a relay coil connected for operation by signals between said second branch and said control line so that closing of said switch in said transmitter results in control signal being sent over said control line to said receiver to effect control of said lighting system.