Intelligent dimmer for managing a lighting load
First Claim
1. An intelligent dimmer for managing a lighting load coupled to an AC voltage source, the intelligent dimmer comprising:
- a control circuit coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source, the control circuit having a threshold load current value for the lighting load associated therewith;
a line voltage sensor coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source in communication with the control circuit, the line voltage sensor for reading the line voltage across the lighting load; and
a load sensor located in communication with the control circuit, the load sensor for sampling the load current being provided to the lighting load,wherein the control circuit compares the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a load current cutoff condition, the control circuit selectively adjusting the line voltage applied to the lighting load in response to the load current cutoff condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent dimmer (12) for managing a lighting load (172) coupled to an AC voltage source (174) is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the intelligent dimmer (12) may be incorporated into a system (10) and method (220-228) for managing lighting power density. In one embodiment of the intelligent dimmer (12), a control circuit (170) is coupled between the lighting load (172) and the AC voltage source (174). A threshold load current value is established for the lighting load (172). A line voltage sensor (178) reads the line voltage across the lighting load (172) and a load sensor (178) samples the load current being provided to the lighting load (172). The control circuit (170) compares the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a cutoff condition and, in response thereto, selectively adjusts the line voltage applied to the lighting load (172).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An intelligent dimmer for managing a lighting load coupled to an AC voltage source, the intelligent dimmer comprising:
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a control circuit coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source, the control circuit having a threshold load current value for the lighting load associated therewith; a line voltage sensor coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source in communication with the control circuit, the line voltage sensor for reading the line voltage across the lighting load; and a load sensor located in communication with the control circuit, the load sensor for sampling the load current being provided to the lighting load, wherein the control circuit compares the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a load current cutoff condition, the control circuit selectively adjusting the line voltage applied to the lighting load in response to the load current cutoff condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for managing lighting power density, the system comprising:
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a first plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads receiving a first line voltage from a first AC voltage source; a second plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads receiving a second line voltage from a second AC voltage source; a first intelligent dimmer connected to the first plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads, the first intelligent dimmer for monitoring a first load current being provided to the first plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads; and a second intelligent dimmer) connected to the second plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads, the second intelligent dimmer for monitoring a second load current being provided to the second plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads, wherein the first intelligent network dimmer is in communication with the second intelligent dimmer, and the first and second intelligent dimmers respectively selectively adjust the first and second line voltages applied to the first and second plurality of locally interconnected lighting loads in response to an aggregate sampled load current satisfying a load current cutoff condition determined by comparing the aggregate sampled load current to an established threshold load current, the aggregate sampled load current including a sum of the first sampled load current and the second sampled load current. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for managing lighting power density, the method comprising:
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establishing a threshold load current value for a lighting load coupled to an AC voltage source and an intelligent dimmer, the intelligent dimmer including a control circuit coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source; reading the line voltage across the lighting load with a line voltage sensor, the line voltage sensor coupled between the lighting load and the AC voltage source; sampling the load current being provided to the lighting load with a load sensor, the load sensor being in communication with the control circuit; comparing the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a load current cutoff condition; and in response to the load current cutoff condition, selectively adjusting the line voltage applied to the lighting load. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification