Multi-zone lighting control system

• US 6,046,550 A
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Zaharchuk, Walter S., Ference, Jonathan H., Loar, John F., Spehalski, Robert S., Hausman, Donald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Wilson
• Application Number:
  US09/334,087
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 315/DIG. 4, 315/291, 315/307, 315/224, 315/316, 315/324, 315/362
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/08 by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices in converters H02M5/00; with regulation G05F1/44
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/086 with possibility of remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 315/04 Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A diagnostic apparatus for use in a light dimming circuit of the tape which selectively controls the current flow through a lighting load to adjust its luminous output. The dimming circuit has a controllably conductive device, such as a triac, connectable in series between an A.C. power source and a lighting load, and a control circuit which responds to a dimming level control signal to selectively apply a selected portion of an A.C. voltage waveform produced by the A.C. power source to the lighting load to adjust the RMS voltage across the load. The selected portion is determined by a firing angle at which the control circuit causes the controllably conductive device to conduct power during each half cycle of the A.C. waveform. The diagnostic appararus has a senior to sense the operating status of a component of the dimming circuit and/or the presence of the dimming level control signal. A logic circuit compares an output of the sensor to provide an indication of the present operating status of The component and/or the presence of the dimming level control signal. A status indicator responds to the output of the logic circuit to provide a visual indication of a change in status of the component and/or presence of the dimming control signal.

Claims

1. Diagnostic apparatus adapted for use in a light dimming circuit of the type which selectively controls the current flow through a lighting load to adjust the luminous output thereof, such light dimming circuit comprising (i) a controllably conductive device (e.g. a triac) connectable in series between an A.C. power source and a lighting load, and (ii) a control circuit which responds to a dimming level control signal provided by a light control unit to selectively apply a selected portion of an A.C. voltage waveform produced by the A.C. power source to the lighting load to adjust the RMS voltage across the lighting load, such selected portion being determined by a firing angle at which the control circuit causes the controllably conductive device to conduct power during each half cycle of the A.C. waveform, said diagnostic apparatus comprising:

(a) means for sensing the operating status of a component of the dimming circuit and/or the presence of the dimming level control signal;

(b) logic and control means for comparing an output of the sensing means indicating the present operating status of the component and/or the presence of the dimming level control signal with a stored value; and

(c) a status indicator which responds to an output of the logic and control means to provide a visual indication of a change in status of the component and/or the presence of the control signal.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said status-sensing means comprises means for sensing the conductive state of said controllably-conductive device.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said status indicator comprises a light-emitting diode.