Time-Delayed Power Switching Device and Methods of Use

• US 20110012539A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Skwarlo
• Original Assignee: Gary Skwarlo
• Inventors: Skwarlo, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 8,633,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/313
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A time-delayed power switching device for providing power pass-through and timed off conductive pathways to one or more light outputs comprises a power source input, one or more first conductive pathways, one or more second conductive pathways, at least one timing circuit, and at least one relay. The time-delayed power switching device controls power from a power source electrically coupled though the power source input to the timed off conductive pathways by operation of the at least one timing circuit controlling the at least one relay. The relay has a first position adapted to energize the second conductive pathways when receiving a first signal from the timing circuit, and a second position adapted to de-energize the second conductive pathways when receiving a second signal from the timing circuit. Additionally, methods of using one or more time-delayed power switching devices to retrofit lighting areas are disclosed.

Claims

1. A time-delayed power switching device comprising:

a power source input;

one or more first conductive pathways;

one or more second conductive pathways;

at least one timing circuit;

at least one relay;

wherein the power source input is electrically coupled to the one or more first conductive pathways and the at least one relay, the at least one relay is electrically coupled to the at least one timing circuit and the one or more second conductive pathways, the at least one relay having (i) a first position adapted to energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a first signal from the at least one timing circuit, and (ii) a second position adapted to de-energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a second signal from the at least one timing circuit.

2. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing;

a threaded tubular sleeve; and

potting material;

wherein the at least one timing circuit and the at least relay are substantially contained within the housing, the potting material substantially fills an inner cavity of the housing and a first portion of the threaded tubular sleeve proximal the housing, and a second portion of the threaded tubular sleeve extends beyond the housing.

3. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 2, wherein the one or more first conductive pathways, the one or more second conductive pathways, and the power source input exit the housing through an opening of the second portion of the threaded tubular sleeve.

4. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 2, wherein the potting material is an epoxy resin.

5. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more first conductive pathways comprises a first set of wires, at least one of the one or more second conductive pathways comprises a second set of wires, and the power source input comprises a third set of wires.

6. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 1, wherein the at least one timing circuit provides the first signal for a preset time period after a start of a timer and the second signal after the preset time period until a reset.

7. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 1, wherein the preset time period is six hours and the reset is a powering down.

8. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 1, wherein the power source input is adapted to receive an input voltage range between 120 Volts AC and 480 Volts AC.

9. The time-delayed power switching device of claim 2, further including a circuit board, the circuit board being mechanically coupled to the first portion of the threaded tubular sleeve and having the at least one timing circuit, the at least one relay, a first of the power source input, a first end of the one or more first conductive pathways, a first end of the one or more second conductive pathways mounted thereon.

10. A combination comprising:

a power source;

one or more light outputs; and

a time-delayed power switching device, the time-delayed power switching device having (i) a power source input, (ii) one or more first conductive pathways, (iii) one or more second conductive pathways, (iv) at least one timing circuit, and (v) at least one relay;

wherein the power source is electrically coupled to the power source input, the power source input is electrically coupled to the at least one relay, the at least one relay is electrically coupled the at least one timing circuit and the one or more second conductive pathways, at least one of the one or more second conductive pathways is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more light outputs, and the at least one relay has (1) a first position adapted to energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a first signal from the at least one timing circuit, and (2) a second position adapted to de-energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a second signal from the at least one timing circuit.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the power source input is electrically coupled to the one or more first conductive pathways and at least one of the one or more first conductive pathways are coupled at least another of the one or more light outputs.

12. The combination of claim 10, further comprising a tenon assembly, the tenon assembly being mechanically coupled to the one or more light outputs and the time-delayed power switching device.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein,

(a) the time-delayed power switching device further includes a housing, a threaded tubular sleeve, and a retaining nut,

(b) the tenon assembly being mechanically coupled to the time-delayed power switching device comprises placing the threaded tubular sleeve through an aperture of the tenon assembly and rotationally fastening the retaining nut to the threaded tubular sleeve.

14. The combination of claim 10, further comprising a lighting pole shaft, the lighting pole shaft being mechanically coupled to the time-delayed power switching device.

15. A method of retrofitting lighting to an area, the method comprising:

providing one or more time-delayed power switching devices, each time-delayed power switching device having (i) a power source input, (ii) one or more first conductive pathways, (iii) one or more second conductive pathways, (iv) at least one timing circuit, and (v) at least one relay, wherein the power source input is electrically coupled to the one or more first conductive pathways and the at least one relay, the at least one relay is electrically coupled to the at least one timing circuit and the one or more second conductive pathways, the at least one relay having (1) a first position adapted to energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a first signal from the at least one timing circuit, and (2) a second position adapted to de-energize the one or more second conductive pathways when receiving a second signal from the at least one timing circuit;

connecting the power source input of a one of the one or more time-delayed power switching devices to one or more a power source supply for one or more light outputs; and

connecting the one or more second conductive pathways of the one of the one or more time-delayed power switching devices to one or more conductive leads of a first light output of the one or more light outputs.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising,

connecting the one or more first conductive pathways of the one of the one or more time-delayed power switching devices to one or more conductive leads of a second light output of the one or more light outputs.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising,

installing the one or more time-delayed power switching devices into one or more tenon assemblies.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more tenon assemblies are mechanically coupled to one or more light outputs, each of the one or more tenon assemblies mechanically coupled to a canopy.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising,

installing the one or more time-delayed power switching devices into one or more tenon assemblies, wherein the first light output and the second light output of the one or more light outputs are mechanically coupled to a one of the one or more tenon assemblies.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising,

installing the one or more time-delayed power switching devices into one of a lighting pole shaft, a wiring access box, and a tenon assembly;

and

repeating said installing the one or more time-delayed power switching devices for a plurality of lighting poles in a parking lot.