Dimming control system with distributed command processing

• US 6,316,889 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Vannice, Ken, Gilreath, Wiley, Chansky, Leonard, LeVasseur, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/031,097
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 315/362, 315/295, 315/291, 315/312, 315/313, 315/199, 315/DIG.4, 361/600, 361/697, 361/724, 361/826
• US Class Current: 315/317
• 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 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 315/04 Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A dimming control system includes a non-volatile memory mounted to a backplane in a rack having a control module slot for receiving a control module, and a plurality of dimmer module slots for receiving dimmer modules. The non-volatile memory stores operational information for the rack, and the control module can be removed from the rack without affecting the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The non-volatile memory is adapted to store looks which can be invoked by the rack without external control. The rack includes a pull-out tray for receiving the control module, and the pull-out tray includes a back wall which functions as the backplane. The non-volatile memory can be programmed through the control module by a computer or a hand-held controller coupled to the control module. The hand-held controller includes a display and can provide local control of the rack. When the hand-held controller is mounted in a carrier on the front door of the rack, the display is visible through a viewing window in the door.

Claims

1. A dimming control system comprising:

a rack having a plurality of dimmer slots for receiving dimmer modules and a control module slot for receiving a control module, wherein the control module slot is coupled to the dimmer slots to allow the control module to control the dimmer modules; and

a non-volatile memory mounted to the rack for storing operational information for the rack, whereby the control module can be removed from the rack without affecting the information stored in the non-volatile memory.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is adapted to store looks, and the rack is adapted to invoke the stored looks without external control.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the rack further includes a backplane for coupling the control module slot to the dimmer slots, and the non-volatile memory is mounted on the backplane.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the rack further includes a pull-out tray for receiving the control module, and the pull-out tray includes a back wall which functions as the backplane.

5. A method for operating a dimming control system comprising a rack having a plurality of dimmer slots for receiving dimmer modules and a control module slot for receiving a control module, wherein the control module slot is coupled to the dimmer slots to allow the control module to control the dimmer modules, the method comprising the step of:

storing operational information for the rack in a non-volatile memory mounted to the rack, whereby the control module can be removed from the rack without affecting the information stored in the non-volatile memory.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes storing configuration data in the non-volatile memory.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes storing looks in the non-volatile memory.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes programming the non-volatile memory through the control module.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein programming the non-volatile memory through the control module includes coupling a computer to the control module.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein programming the non-volatile memory through the control module includes coupling a hand-held controller to the control module.

11. A dimming control system comprising:

a rack having a plurality of dimmer slots for receiving dimmer modules and a control module slot for receiving a control module, wherein the control module slot is coupled to the dimmer slots to allow the control module to control the dimmer modules; and

a hand-held controller adapted to be coupled to the rack for providing local control of the rack, the hand-held controller including a display; and

wherein the rack is adapted to support the hand-held controller substantially above the bottom of the rack.

12. A system according to claim 11 further including a control module disposed within the control module slot, wherein the control module is adapted to couple the hand-held controller to the rack.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the control module slot is positioned toward the bottom of the rack, thereby allowing proper airflow to be maintained in the rack to the dimmer slots.

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein the rack includes a front panel having a carrier for supporting the hand-held controller.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the front panel is a door having a viewing window for the display.

16. A system according to claim 11 wherein the control module slot is positioned toward the bottom of the rack.

17. A dimmer module comprising:

a chassis having a faceplate with an aperture;

a power device comprising;

a heat sink,

a dimmer circuit mounted to the heat sink,

a top board mounted to the heat sink,

a power connector coupled to the dimmer circuit and extending through the top board, and

a control connector coupled between the dimmer circuit and the top board; and

an inductor mounted to the chassis and coupled to the power connector on the power device;

wherein the power device is mounted to the chassis and arranged so that air flowing through the aperture is directed over the heat sink.

18. A dimmer module according to claim 17 further including a second control connector mounted to a back of the chassis and adapted so the top board can be inserted into the second control connector.

19. A dimmer module according to claim 17 wherein the dimmer circuit is mounted to a substrate on the heat sink.

20. A dimmer module according to claim 19 wherein the power device includes a lead frame mounted to the substrate.

21. A dimmer module according to claim 20 wherein the lead frame terminates in a blade that forms the power connector.

22. A dimmer module according to claim 17 wherein the dimmer circuit includes an SCR and the control connector is a gate connection.

23. A dimmer module comprising:

a chassis; and

a power device comprising;

a heat sink,

a substrate mounted to the heat sink,

a dimmer circuit mounted to the substrate,

a top board, and

a control connector coupled between the dimmer circuit and the top board;

wherein the power device is mounted to the chassis and arranged so that air flows over the heat sink.

24. A dimmer module according to claim 23 further comprising a circuit breaker mounted to the chassis and coupled to the dimmer circuit.

25. A dimmer module according to claim 24 further comprising an inductor mounted to the chassis and coupled to the power device.

26. A dimmer module according to claim 23 wherein:

the chassis comprises a faceplate with an aperture; and

the power device is arranged so that air flowing through the aperture is directed over the heat sink.

27. A dimmer module according to claim 23 wherein the power device further comprises a power connector coupled to the dimmer circuit.

28. A dimmer module comprising:

a chassis;

a power device comprising a top board; and

an electrical connector mounted to a back of the chassis and adapted so the top board can be inserted into the electrical connector.

29. A dimmer module according to claim 28 wherein the top board comprises control circuitry.

30. A dimmer module according to claim 28 wherein the power device further comprises:

a heat sink; and

a dimmer circuit mounted to the heat sink and coupled to the top board.

31. A dimmer module according to claim 30 wherein the top board comprises control circuitry coupled to the dimmer circuit.