Universal power control device
First Claim
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1. An electrical wiring device comprising:
- a housing assembly including a plurality of terminals at least partially disposed therein, the plurality of terminals being configured to be coupled to an AC power source and at least one electrical load, the plurality of terminals being configured to provide the electrical wiring device with AC power in a device energized state and not provide the device with AC power in a device deenergized state;
a load current sensor coupled to the plurality of terminals and configured to provide a current sensor signal based on a current propagating through the at least one electrical load;
at least one variable control mechanism coupled to the housing assembly, the at least one variable control mechanism being configured to adjustably select a user adjustable load setting, the user adjustable load setting being adjustable between a minimum setting and a maximum setting;
at least one series pass element coupled to the at least one variable control mechanism, the at least one series pass element being configured to provide load power to the at least one electrical load in accordance with the user load setting;
a regulation circuit coupled to the load current sensor and the at least one series pass element, the regulation circuit being configured to enter a calibration mode when the device transitions from the device deenergized state to the device energized state such that the regulation circuit directs the at least one series pass element to incrementally increase the load voltage value until a load-determined current threshold is reached defining a calibration load voltage value, the regulation circuit being configured to adjust the minimum setting to substantially correspond to the calibration load voltage value.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to an intelligent dimmer that is capable of “learning” the type of load it is controlling, and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly. The present invention can adaptively drive electrical loads over a wide range of wattages. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention is configured to automatically calibrate itself based on the load current demands of a particular electrical load. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention also adaptively limits in-rush currents to extend the life expectancy of the solid state switching components used therein.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An electrical wiring device comprising:
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a housing assembly including a plurality of terminals at least partially disposed therein, the plurality of terminals being configured to be coupled to an AC power source and at least one electrical load, the plurality of terminals being configured to provide the electrical wiring device with AC power in a device energized state and not provide the device with AC power in a device deenergized state; a load current sensor coupled to the plurality of terminals and configured to provide a current sensor signal based on a current propagating through the at least one electrical load; at least one variable control mechanism coupled to the housing assembly, the at least one variable control mechanism being configured to adjustably select a user adjustable load setting, the user adjustable load setting being adjustable between a minimum setting and a maximum setting; at least one series pass element coupled to the at least one variable control mechanism, the at least one series pass element being configured to provide load power to the at least one electrical load in accordance with the user load setting; a regulation circuit coupled to the load current sensor and the at least one series pass element, the regulation circuit being configured to enter a calibration mode when the device transitions from the device deenergized state to the device energized state such that the regulation circuit directs the at least one series pass element to incrementally increase the load voltage value until a load-determined current threshold is reached defining a calibration load voltage value, the regulation circuit being configured to adjust the minimum setting to substantially correspond to the calibration load voltage value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification