Multi configurable lighting and energy control system and modules

• US 8,253,346 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lothar E.S. Budike Jr
• Original Assignee: Lothar E.S. Budike Jr
• Inventors: Budike, Lothar E. S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Jianzi
• Application Number:
  US12/453,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20100007289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/DIG.4, 315/294, 315/295, 315/297, 315/299, 315/307, 315/308, 315/312, 315/361
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to lighting and energy control systems. In some embodiments, a control module is provided that can facilitate installation of lighting systems and control power consumption. Control module may control a ballast coupled to one or more lamps in a light fixture or energy consuming devices on a circuit. The control module can retrofit with various junction boxes or light fixtures and thus enable energy and sensor controls to be deployed in a wide variety of lighting installations which may be inaccessible due to cost or installation constraints. Control device may include a control circuit which provides relaying and one or more interfaces to provide power controls to various devices, such as ballasts, motors, appliances, or other devices.

Claims

1. A control module capable of controlling lighting, the control module comprising:

a secondary interface including an input operable to receive at least one input signal configured to control a level of light emitted by a first light source from a receiver and a power output operable to power the receiver; and

a primary interface including one or more outputs configured to provide a control signal to adjust light emitted by one or more additional light sources based on the at least one input signal.

2. The control module of claim 1, wherein the one or more outputs of the primary interface comprises at least one dry contact configured to pass through the at least one input signal.

3. The control module of claim 1, wherein the at least one input signal provides on or off control to the first light source and additional light sources.

4. The control module of claim 1, wherein the at least one input signal provides dimming control to the first light source and additional light sources.

5. The control module of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary interfaces are provided on different sides of the control module.

6. The control module of claim 1, further comprising at least one dimming line output configured to provide dimming control to the first light source based on the at least one input signal.

7. The control module of claim 6, wherein the dimming control comprises a range from approximately zero to ten volts.

8. The control module of claim 1, further comprising a power supply operably connected to the power output of the secondary interface.

9. The control module of claim 8, wherein the primary interface further comprises at least one power supply line connected to the power supply and configured to receive power from an external power source to provide power to the power supply.

10. A lighting system capable of reducing energy consumption, the lighting system comprising:

a junction box; and

a control module including a primary interface having at least one power supply line configured to provide a supply voltage to a power supply and at least one relay line configured to relay a signal to control light emitted by at least one light fixture using the junction box.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one relay line is operably connected to the junction box through a knock out hole.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the primary interface further comprises a stop band configured to secure the primary interface in the knock out hole.

13. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one power supply line is operably connected to the junction box to receive the supply voltage.

14. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the control module further comprises a dimming line configured to provide dimming control to a ballast provided within a housing of the at least one light fixture.

15. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein the dimming line runs through a hole provided in the housing and connects with the ballast.

16. A lighting system comprising:

a secondary interface cable; and

a control module including a secondary interface, the secondary interface operable to receive at least one input signal configured to control a level of light emitted by a light fixture from a receiver and a power output operable to power the receiver when connected by the secondary interface cable to the receiver.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein the control module is positioned inside a housing of the light fixture.

18. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein the housing is configured to provide a hole when a knock out piece of the housing is removed.

19. The lighting system of claim 18, wherein the secondary interface is operable to be connected to the receiver through a first hole provided in the housing.

20. The lighting system of claim 18, wherein the control module further comprises one or more power supply lines which exit the housing through a first hole and the secondary interface cable exits the housing through a second hole.

21. The lighting system of claim 18, wherein the control module further comprises one or more relay lines which exit the housing through a first hole and the secondary interface cable exits the housing through a second hole.

22. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein the control module further comprises one or more dimming lines to provide dimming control to a ballast of the light fixture, the dimming lines and the ballast positioned inside the housing and operably connected.

23. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein the control module further comprises a relay configured to relay the at least one input signal to additional light fixtures.