Two-wire lighting control system with indicator for imminent time out period expiration

• US 6,597,133 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Hudson, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, DAVID HUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/942,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20030057880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 315/360, 315/362, 315/292, 315/293
• US Class Current: 315/360
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures. A start controller provides power to the plurality of lighting fixtures. A control power timer connected to the start controller provides a first time period for illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures, wherein the start controller is operable to interrupt power to the plurality of lighting fixtures when the first time period expires. A control timer connected to the control power timer provides a second time period for illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures, wherein the second time period commences and then elapses before the end of the first time period. A control flasher connected to the control timer alternates the plurality of lighting fixtures between a high power state and a low power state during the second time period for illumination. An end user is alerted to the termination of the illumination of the plurality of lighting fixtures before termination occurs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures comprising:

a start controller for providing power to said plurality of lighting fixtures;

a control power timer connected to said start controller for providing a first time period for illumination of said plurality of lighting fixtures, said start controller being operable to interrupt power to said plurality of lighting fixtures when said first time period expires;

a control timer connected to said control power timer for providing a second time period for illumination of said plurality of lighting fixtures, said second time period commencing and then elapsing before the end of said first time period; and

a control flasher connected to said control timer for alternating said plurality of lighting fixtures between a high power state and a low power state during said second time period for illumination, wherein an end user is alerted to the termination of the illumination of said plurality of lighting fixtures prior to said termination.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first relay connected to said first plurality of lighting fixtures, a power source, and said start controller and operable to open in response to said start controller to power said plurality of lights.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a second relay connected to said plurality of lights, said power source, and said control flasher and operable to selectively open and close in response to said control flasher alternating between an off and on state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the opening and closing of said second relay results in said plurality of lighting fixtures alternating between said high power state and said low power state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second period of illumination comprises a delay period.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a power on indication device connected to said start controller to indicate when power is provided to said plurality of light fixtures.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said power on indication device comprises a light emitting diode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus interfaces a high power system for controlling said plurality of light fixtures.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power system provides 480 VAC.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said start controller is operable to power said plurality of lighting fixtures in a high power state without dimming for a selected period of time.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said selected period of time is one of 15 minutes and a light warm-up time period selected by the manufacturer of said plurality of lighting fixtures.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a keylock power switch for providing a manual override function for said apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first relay and said second relay are connected in parallel.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an override switch connected to the control power timer for resetting the control power timer when said override switch is activated.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the override switch resets the control power timer at the end of the second time period.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a power switch connected to said start controller for controlling power to said apparatus.

17. A method for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures comprising:

illuminating said plurality of lighting fixtures via a control circuit for a first time period; and

alternating said plurality of lighting fixtures between a high power state and a low power state during a second time period that commences and then elapses before the end of said first time period to alert an end user of the termination of said illumination.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

resetting said control circuit in response to a determination that additional time is required for illumination to continue the illumination of said plurality of lighting fixtures after said second time period.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a first new time period corresponding to said first time period for illumination begins at the end of said second time period, and a second new time period corresponding to said second time period commences and then elapses before the end of said first new time period to alert an end user of the termination of said illumination.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of resetting comprises:

continuing the illumination of said plurality of lighting fixtures during said second time period.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein a new time period corresponding to said first time period for illumination begins during said second time period.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said second time period comprises a delay period.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said first time period comprises a lighting cycle for continuous illumination.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

operating said circuit in a high power system.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said high power system provides 480 VAC.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein said circuit controls said plurality of lighting fixtures via two wires.

27. A programmable control device for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures comprising:

a switching device; and

a processing device connected to said switching device and operable in accordance with program code to control said switching device to illuminate said plurality of lighting fixtures for a first time period, and alternate said plurality of lighting fixtures between a high power state and a low power state during a second time period that commences and then elapses before the end of said first time period to alert an end user of the termination of said illumination.

28. The programmable control device of claim 27, wherein said processing device is connected to input/output circuitry for interfacing said processing device with other devices.

29. The programmable control device of claim 28, wherein said other devices comprise at least one of:

a first relay connected to said plurality of lighting fixtures and operable to open in response to a signal from said processing device;

a second relay connected to said plurality of lights and operable to selectively open and close in response to a signal from said processing device; and

an override switch for resetting said processing device.

30. The programmable control device of claim 29, wherein the override switch resets said processing device at the end of said second time period.

31. The programmable processing device of claim 27, wherein said switching device is connected to different groups of lighting fixtures, and said processing device is programmable to operate said different groups of lighting fixtures using a different first time period and a different second time period.