Lamp dimming system and methods

• US 7,294,977 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2006
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Holtkoetter International, Inc. (St. Paul Lighting, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Holtkoetter International, Inc. (St. Paul Lighting, LLC)
• Inventors: Eusterbrock, Paul Wilhelm, Tellier, Mark, Rops, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US11/331,594
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 315/362, 315/127, 315/291, 315/360, 315/DIG.4, 307/139, 307/140, 307/144, 323/318
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/083 by the variation-rate of light intensity
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 315/04 Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A system and related methods for operating a lamp. The system and method provide for ON/OFF control such that the light source illuminates in predefined steps and is reduced in predefined steps. Turning ON the light source may include powering the light source in one step from zero light to a first light level that is less than a maximum light level and powering the light source gradually over a first predetermined time period from the first light level to a second light level greater than the first light level. Turning OFF the light source may include powering the light source in one step from a third light level at or below the maximum light level to a fourth light level that is less than the third light level and powering the light source over a second predetermined time period from the fourth light level to zero light.

Claims

1. A method of turning OFF a source of light generated by a lamp, the lamp including a light source, a switch mounted on the lamp, and a controller used to control power supply to the light source, the method comprising:

engaging the switch;

powering the light source in a stepwise reduction from a first light level to a second light level that is less than the first light level an amount discernable by a user; and

powering the light source from the second light level to zero light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein powering the light source from the second light level to zero light includes gradually powering the light source from the second light level to zero light.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein powering the light source from the second light level to zero light includes powering the light source from the second light level to zero light in a single stepwise reduction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein powering the light source from the second light level to zero light includes powering the light source from the second light level to zero light in at least two stepwise reductions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least two stepwise reductions each include reduction of light output from the light source at least about 10 percent of the second light level.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein powering the light source from the first light level to the second light level includes reduction of light output from the light source of about 10 to about 60 percent.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising delaying a predetermined time period between when the light source is powered to the second light level and when powering the light source from the second light level to zero light begins, wherein the second light level is maintained during the delay.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined time period is at least 2 seconds.

9. A control circuit for use with a lamp, the control circuit comprising:

a switch mounted to the lamp;

a substrate positioned within the lamp;

a processor mounted to the substrate and configured to generate control signals for control of illumination of the lamp according to a program run by the processor and in response to signals generated by activation of a lamp control switch;

a plurality of filter components mounted to the substrate and configured to filter noise from the control circuit, wherein the plurality of filter components includes at least one fuse, a plurality of resistors, and a plurality of capacitors; and

a triac mounted to the substrate and configured to control power flow to the light source

in response to controls signals from the processor.

10. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein the triac is a 16 Amp triac, and the plurality of capacitors includes at least 3 capacitors.

11. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein the lamp includes a base, an elongate stand supported at one end by the base, a support arm extending in a direction transverse to the stand at an opposing end of the stand, a light source supported by the support arm, and a switch mounted at an intersection point between the stand and the support arm.

12. A method of operating a lamp, the lamp including a light source, a switch mounted on the lamp, and a processor used to control power supply to the light source, the method comprising:

engaging the switch to turn ON the light source, wherein turning ON the light source includes powering the light source in one step from zero light to a maximum light level; and

engaging the switch to turn OPT the light source, wherein turning OFF the light source includes powering the light source in a stepwise reduction from a first light level at or below the maximum light level to a second light level that is less than the first light level and powering the light source over a second predetermined time period from the second light level to zero light.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging the switch to adjust the light level of the light source after turning ON the light source, wherein adjusting the light level includes gradually powering the light source from the maximum light level towards zero light until the desired light level is reached.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein engaging the switch to adjust the light level includes maintaining a pressure force on the switch until the light level reduces to a desired light level and then releasing the switch to maintain the desired light level.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein when the light level reaches zero light when adjusting the light level, the processor powers the light source to maximum light level in one step and then gradually powers the light source towards zero light.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the lamp further comprises a tilt switch, and the method further includes activating the tilt switch to turn OFF the light source if the lamp tilts a predetermined angle relative to a vertical orientation.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the second light level is between about 20% to about 80% of the first light level.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the second light level is about 60% of the first light level.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising delaying a predetermined time period between when the second light level is reached and when powering of the light source gradually from the second light level to zero light begins, wherein the second light level is maintained during the delay.