ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR END USER CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND LIGHTING CHARACTERISTICS

• US 20100207541A1
• Filed: 02/15/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultimate Interfaces Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ultimate Interfaces Corporation
• Inventors: ARCIUOLO, THOMAS F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,508,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/02 Switching on, e.g. with predetermined rate of increase of lighting current

Abstract

This disclosure is an electronic machine, used in standard electrical lamps and lighting fixtures that operate on AC voltage. Installed between the lamp fixture and the standard incandescent/halogen light bulbs that are normally installed into it, the device performs its function of providing user control of the light generation process. By selecting the similarity/dissimilarity of the wattage of each plural light bulbs that are installed into the device, the user has the ability to modify the operational characteristics of the light bulbs, between either improved energy efficiency/light quality and whiteness, or extended light bulb life/lighting coloration. Also, the device extends the amount of time it takes to turn-on the light bulbs'"'"' filaments, providing additional extension of the light bulbs'"'"' life expectancy.

Claims

1. A device for providing power to plural tight-emitting load resistors, comprising:

a first end adapted for connecting with an AC power source and receiving AC input voltage from said AC power source;

a second end adapted for receiving said plural load resistors, each of said plural load resistors having a predetermined load resistance, wherein;

said device transforming said input AC voltage into DC voltage and distributing said DC voltage across said plural load resistors, said voltage delivered to each of said plural load resistors being proportional to said load resistance in each of said plural load resistors; and

said device, upon activation, gradually providing power to said plural load resistors.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plural load resistors are electrically connected in series.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising:

a full wave bridge rectifier connected to said AC power source and receiving input AC voltage and outputting full wave rectified AC voltage; and

an electrolytic capacitor connected in parallel between said bridge and said plural load resistors, said capacitor receiving said full wave rectified AC voltage and outputting DC voltage to said plural load resistors.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a discharge resistor connected in parallel between said bridge and said capacitor.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors each comprise filaments.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are incandescent filaments.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are halogen filaments.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are light bulbs, said first end comprises a male-threaded socket adapted for connecting with a lamp and said second end comprises a plurality of female-threaded sockets, each adapted for receiving one of said light bulbs.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising:

a housing, said housing comprising a bottom portion and a top portion;

said bottom portion including a base, said base including said male-threaded socket;

said top portion including said plurality of female-threaded sockets; and

said bottom portion adapted for swiveling relative to said top portion.

10. A method for powering plural light-emitting load resistors, comprising:

obtaining a device for powering said plural load resistors;

connecting a first end of said device with an AC power source and receiving AC input voltage from said AC power source;

connecting a second of said device with said plural load resistors, each of said plural load resistors having a predetermined load resistance;

transforming said input AC voltage into DC voltage and distributing said DC voltage across said plural load resistors, said voltage delivered to each of said plural load resistors being proportional to said load resistance in each of said plural load resistors; and

gradually providing power to said plural load resistors.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said plural load resistors are electrically connected in series.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said device further comprises:

a full wave bridge rectifier connected to said AC power source and receiving input AC voltage and outputting full wave rectified AC voltage; and

an electrolytic capacitor connected in parallel between said bridge and said plural load resistors, said capacitor receiving said full wave rectified AC voltage and outputting DC voltage to said plural load resistors.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said device further comprises a discharge resistor, connected in parallel between said bridge and said capacitor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors each comprise filaments.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are incandescent filaments.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are halogen filaments.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said plural light-emitting load resistors are light bulbs, said first end comprises a male-threaded socket adapted for connecting with a lamp and said second end comprises a plurality of female-threaded sockets, each adapted for receiving one of said light bulbs.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said device further comprises:

a housing, said housing comprising a bottom portion and a top portion;

said bottom portion including a base, said base including said male-threaded socket;

said top portion including said plurality of female-threaded sockets; and

said bottom portion adapted for swiveling relative to said top portion.