Transformer for dimmer switch or on/off switch and method of use

• US 7,049,765 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John M. Tremaine Sr
• Original Assignee: John M. Tremaine Sr
• Inventors: Tremaine, John M. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh Vo
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, JIMMY T
• Application Number:
  US10/807,727
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 315/219, 315/276, 315/278, 315/284, 315/291, 315/307, 315/362, 307/128, 307/130, 307/140
• US Class Current: 315/276
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/041 the light-intensity of the source H05B39/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, including: a transformer; a load connected to the transformer; a first tap connected to the transformer to provide a first voltage; and a second tap connected to the transformer to provide a second voltage higher than the first voltage. A method of using the transformer system is also provided.

Claims

1. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, comprising:

(a) a transformer;

(b) said transformer being arranged such that an output voltage of said transformer across a load, when a dimmer switch is connected to said transformer, is approximately equal to that when an on/off switch is connected to said transformer, to offset a diminution in voltage because of said dimmer switch being connected to said transformer;

(c) said transformer having a neutral connected to a primary thereof;

(d) a first tap connected to said primary;

(e) a second tap connected to said primary intermediate said neutral and said first tap;

(f) when said dimmer switch is connected to said primary, it is connected between a line and said second tap; and

(g) when said on/off switch is connected to said primary, it is connected between said line and said first tap.

2. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said transformer is a toroidal transformer.

3. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said transformer is a laminated transformer.

4. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said transformer is an electronic transformer.

5. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said transformer is a laminated transformer.

6. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said transformer is an electronic transformer.

7. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, comprising:

(a) a transformer;

(b) said transformer being arranged such that an output voltage of said transformer across a load, when a dimmer switch is connected to said transformer, is approximately equal to that when an on/off switch is connected to said transformer, to offset a diminution in voltage because of said dimmer switch being connected to said transformer;

(c) said transformer having a primary with a neutral connected to said primary and with a line connected to said primary; and

(d) said transformer having a secondary with a common connected to said load and a third tap connected to said secondary;

(e) a fourth tap connected to said secondary intermediate said common and said third tap;

(f) when said dimmer switch is connected between said line and said primary, said third tap is connected to said load; and

(g) when said on/off switch is connected between said line and said primary, said fourth tap is connected to said load.

8. A transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, as defined in claim 7, wherein:

said transformer is a toroidal transformer.

9. A method of using a transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, comprising:

(a) providing a transformer;

(b) arranging said transformer such that an output voltage of said transformer across a load, when a dimmer switch is connected to said transformer, is approximately equal to that when an on/off switch is connected to said transformer, to offset a diminution in voltage because of said dimmer switch being connected to said transformer;

(c) providing said transformer having a neutral connected to a primary thereof;

(d) providing a first tap connected to said primary;

(e) providing a second tap connected to said primary intermediate said neutral and said first tap;

(f) when said dimmer switch is connected to said primary, it is connected between a line and said second tap; and

(g) when said on/off switch is connected to said primary, it is connected between said line and said first tap.

10. A method of using a transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, comprising:

(a) providing a transformer;

(b) arranging said transformer such that an output voltage of said transformer across a load, when a dimmer switch is connected to said transformer, is approximately equal to that when an on/off switch is connected to said transformer, to offset a diminution in voltage because of said dimmer switch being connected to said transformer;

(c) providing said transformer having a primary with a neutral connected to said primary and with a line connected to said primary; and

(d) providing said transformer having a secondary with a common connected to said load and a third tap connected to said secondary;

(e) providing a fourth tap connected to said secondary intermediate said common and said third tap;

(f) when said dimmer switch is connected between said line and said primary, said third tap is connected to said load; and

(g) when said on/off switch is connected between said line and said primary, said fourth tap is connected to said load.