Transformer assembly and light fixture assembly using same

• US 7,905,637 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canlyte ULC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Canlyte, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Yaphe, Howard, Caluori, Giuseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): O Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwiddie; Meghan K
• Application Number:
  US12/361,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20090244888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147, 362/253, 362/362, 362/364, 336/90, 336/94, 336/96, 336/105
• US Class Current: 362/362
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/005 Impregnating or encapsulating insulating of windings H01F41/12

Abstract

A potted transformer assembly comprises a housing portion to form an exterior transformer housing, a transformer unit dimensioned to fit within the housing portion, the housing portion including a first passage to receive the transformer unit in an operative position therein, the housing portion having an inner surface which is oriented to provide an interior cavity between the transformer unit and the inner surface, the interior cavity being dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a potting compound, the housing portion further including a second passage in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the second passage being dimensioned to receive a portion of the potting compound therein, the second passage being located on the housing portion in such a manner that, following a transformer encapsulation step, the presence of potting compound in the second passage is indicative of the transformer being substantially encapsulated by the potting compound.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising a light housing, a power supply assembly to supply power to the light housing and a frame portion supporting the light housing and the power supply assembly, the power supply assembly including a potted transformer assembly including a housing portion to form an exterior transformer housing, a transformer unit dimensioned to fit within the housing portion, the housing portion including a first passage to receive the transformer unit in an operative position therein, the housing portion having an inner surface which is oriented to provide an interior cavity between the transformer unit and the inner surface, the interior cavity being dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a potting compound, the housing portion further including a second passage in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the second passage being dimensioned to receive a portion of the potting compound therein, the second passage being located on the housing portion in such a manner that, following a transformer encapsulation step, the presence of potting compound in the second passage is indicative of the transformer being substantially encapsulated by the potting compound.

2. A light fixture as defined in claim 1, the frame portion including an elongate flexible frame member extending laterally outwardly from the light housing along a first axis, the elongate flexible frame member including a proximal end region joined to the light housing and a distal end region, a junction box mounted to the distal end region.

3. A light fixture as defined in claim 2, the elongate flexible frame member including a first elongate boundary and an opposed second elongate boundary, further comprising an expandable channel extending between the light housing and the junction box along the first elongate boundary, the transformer being mounted adjacent the second elongate boundary.

4. A light fixture as defined in claim 3, the junction box having a first region lying adjacent the distal end region and a second region lying remote from the distal end region, the junction box having a first surface in the direction of the light housing, the first region having a first dimension aligned with the first axis, the second region having a second dimension aligned with the first dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension to provide the first surface with a stepped configuration to form a locating region bordered on two sides by the first surface.

5. A light fixture as defined in claim 4, the junction box being dimensioned so that the second surface lies adjacent an upper surface of a ceiling panel in an operative configuration, the junction box including a layer of resilient material mounted on the second surface to cushion the junction box in the operative position.

6. A light fixture as defined in claim 5, the junction box including a wall portion adjacent the locating region, further comprising a thermo sensor extending from the wall portion into the locating region.

7. A light fixture as defined in claim 6, the transformer unit being located on the flexible frame member and immediately adjacent the junction box.

8. A light fixture as defined in claim 6, the junction box having a side wall which is pivotally mounted for movement between a closed position and an open position.

9. A light fixture comprising a light fixture, a power supply assembly to supply power to the light fixture and a frame portion supporting the power supply assembly, the power supply assembly including a potted transformer assembly including a housing portion to form an exterior transformer housing, a transformer unit dimensioned to fit within the housing portion, the housing portion including a first passage to receive the transformer unit in an operative position therein, the housing portion having an inner surface which is oriented to provide an interior cavity between the transformer unit and the inner surface, the interior cavity being dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a potting compound, the housing portion further including a second passage in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the second passage being dimensioned to receive a portion of the potting compound therein, the second passage being located on the housing portion in such a manner that, following a transformer encapsulation step, the presence of potting compound in the second passage is indicative of the transformer being substantially encapsulated by the potting compound.

10. A light fixture as defined in claim 9, the frame portion including a base plate to be substantially parallel with ceiling panel in an operative position, the base plate having an access passage to provide access to the light fixture, the power supply assembly including a junction box adjacent the access passage, the junction box having a pair of opposed side walls, a first proximal side wall and a second distal side wall, the transformer assembly being mounted adjacent the second distal side wall, the junction box including a top wall between the first and second side walls.

11. A light fixture as defined in claim 10, further comprising a mounting plate, the transformer unit being positioned on the mounting plate, the mounting plate having a first edge region with a side wall portion depending therefrom, the side wall being positioned on the top wall.

12. A light fixture as defined in claim 11, the mounting plate having a second edge region opposite the first edge region, further comprising an anchor lip extending along the second distal side wall to receive the second edge region to retain the mounting plate in position against the second distal side wall.

13. A light fixture as defined in claim 11, the mounting portion including a plurality of first anchor formations to engage corresponding second anchor formations on the top wall.

14. A light fixture as defined in claim 12, the first anchor formations including passages, the second anchor formations including threaded fasteners extending outwardly from the top wall to receive complementary fasteners secured thereto.

15. A light fixture as defined in claim 13, the access passage being dimensioned to receive the transformer unit therethough.

16. A light fixture as defined in claim 14, proximal side wall being removably mounted on the junction box for manual removal therefrom by accessing the proximal side wall through the access passage.