Self-powered long-life occupancy sensors and sensor circuits

• US 7,576,647 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mudge, Philip H
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/045,931
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 340541-567, 361166-1691
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Occupancy sensors are provided that do not require an external power source in order to operate. The sensors operate with a low voltage non-rechargeable battery and are fully functional for at least about 15-20 years. The sensors include a relay output capable of switching high or low voltage and high or low current with virtually no generated heat. The sensors require no warm-up period, no minimum load, and no external ground connection. The sensors are always active and are easily installed, having two electrically interchangeable outputs for coupling to, for example, a load and a load power source.

Claims

1. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on occupancy sensed within a designated area, said method comprising:

sensing occupancy within said designated area;

generating a signal indicating occupancy in response to said sensing; and

coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other using an armature operative to couple AC line voltage with no more than about 3 volts supplied to a latching relay circuit that generates a single electrical pulse in response to the generated signal, the 3 volts provided exclusively by a non-rechargeable battery.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said coupling comprises coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other using a relay coil powered by no more than about 3 volts supplied by a non-rechargeable battery in response to said generated signal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-rechargeable battery supplies no more than about 3-6 volts.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises amplifying a signal indicating occupancy using no more than about 30 microamperes of current supplied by said non-rechargeable battery in response to said sensing.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

activating a timer for a limited period of time in response to said generated signal;

decoupling said first and second outputs from each other in response to said limited period of time expiring; and

powering said generating, said activating, and said decoupling with said non-rechargeable battery.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generated signal; and

powering said sensing, said generating, and said illuminating with said non-rechargeable battery.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising enclosing said non-rechargeable battery, said sensing, said generating, and said coupling in a single housing.

9. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on occupancy sensed within a designated area, said method comprising:

sensing occupancy within said designated area;

generating a signal to a timer, wherein the signal indicates occupancy in response to said sensing;

activating the timer for a limited period of time in response to said generating a signal;

applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said activating;

coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other with no more than about 3 volts supplied by a non-rechargeable battery in response to said generated signal;

applying a second voltage pulse of a second polarity across said relay coil in response to said limited period of time expiring;

decoupling said first and second relay outputs from each other in response to said applying a second voltage pulse; and

powering said timer and said relay coil with said non-rechargeable battery.

17. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

coupling said first relay output to a load; and

coupling said second relay output to power for said load.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein said generating comprises amplifying a signal indicating occupancy using no more than about 30 microamperes of current supplied by said non-rechargeable battery in response to said sensing.

19. The method of claim 9 further comprising illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generated signal.

20. The method of claim 9 further comprising enclosing said non-rechargeable battery, said sensing, said generating, and said coupling in a single housing.

10. Apparatus for coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on occupancy sensed within a designated area, said apparatus comprising:

means for sensing occupancy within said designated area;

means for generating a signal indicating occupancy in response to sensing occupancy; and

means for coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other using an armature operative to couple AC line voltage with no more than about 3 volts supplied to a latching relay circuit that generates a single electrical pulse in response to the generated signal, the 3 volts provided exclusively by a non-rechargeable battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means for coupling said first relay output to a load; and

means for coupling said second relay output to power for said load.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for generating comprises means for amplifying a signal indicating occupancy using no more than about 30 microamperes of current supplied by said non-rechargeable battery in response to said sensing.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for illuminating a light emitting diode in response to generating a signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for enclosing said non-rechargeable battery, said means for sensing, said means for generating, and said means for coupling.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for enclosing comprises a single housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for coupling comprises a relay coil.