Dimming system powered by two current sources and having an operation indicator module

• US 7,834,560 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Ostrovsky, Michael, Patel, Parimal R., Frid, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alemu; Ephrem
• Application Number:
  US11/927,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20090026980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 315/200.R, 315/206, 315/208, 315/287, 315/291, 315/362, 323/220, 323/226, 323/235
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/04 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 315/04 Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/905 Lamp dimmer structure

Abstract

A dimming system and method of operating the same are provided. The dimming system includes a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, and a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line. The first conductive line is configured to connect to a load, the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current, and the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path. The dimming system further includes a controller operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals for controlling operation of the dimming system. The first and second terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a primary power supply and the first and third terminals are configured for electrically connecting to a secondary power supply. The primary power supply is powered through connection to neutral, and wherein the secondary power supply is powered through connection to an earth ground.

Claims

1. A dimming system comprising:

a first terminal configured to operatively connect to a first conductive line, wherein the first conductive line is configured to connect to a load;

a second terminal configured to operatively connect to a second conductive line, wherein the second conductive line is configured to supply an alternating current;

a third terminal configured to operatively connect to a third conductive line, wherein the third conductive line is configured to connect to a current path; and

circuitry, including at least one processor, operatively connected to at least one of the first, second and third terminals, said circuitry comprising a primary power supply connected to the first and second terminals and a secondary power supply connected to the first and third terminals, wherein the secondary power supply is a separate power supply from the primary power supply and is powered through at least one different connection than the primary power supply.

2. The dimming system according to claim 1, said circuitry further including a switching module operatively connected to the first and second terminals, wherein the switching module is configured to control power dissipation of the load.

3. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein the primary power supply is powered through connection to neutral, and wherein the secondary power supply is powered through connection to an earth ground.

4. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the primary power supply and the secondary power supply include an energy storage module, and wherein the energy storage module includes at least one of a capacitor, an inductor, and a battery.

5. The dimming system according to claim 4, wherein the secondary power supply stores energy in the energy storage module by using current flowing between the second and third terminals.

6. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry further includes a condition detection module configured to detect at least one operating condition.

7. The dimming system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one operating condition is one of a low-load condition, an open-circuit condition, and a switching module malfunction condition.

8. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry further includes an operation indicator module configured to indicate at least one operating condition.

9. The dimming system according to claim 8, wherein the operation indicator module indicates the at least one operating condition via at least one of an LED, an LED display, an Radio Frequency module, an Infrared module, an audio indicator module, and a conductive line signal-interface module.

10. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary power supply is configured to receive power by using current flowing between the second and third terminals, and wherein the secondary power supply comprises a current limiter configured to limit the current flowing between the second and third terminals.

11. The dimming system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured for operating in a programming state for programming at least one dimming system operating parameter.