Abstract:
A dimmer control device is disclosed which determines when to switch a voltage level supplied to a light fixture comprised of a plurality of light bulbs by monitoring the phase relation between an input voltage and input current. When the phase relation is within acceptable tolerance limits, external control inputs to lower, i.e., dim, or raise the illumination level are accepted and processed. The dimmer control device further compensates for warnup and startup transistions by directing input voltage through relays that provide full voltage until desired voltage/current phase relation is established within acceptable tolerance levels. And further provides for a full voltage output when a failure or abnormal conditions are determined

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to energy conserving light dimmers. More particularly, this invention relates to dimmers suitable for high intensity discharge (HID) gaseous lamps.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The development of arc discharge lighting, particularly high intensity discharge (HID) gaseous lamps, opened a new era in lighting technology based on the improved efficacy of low pressure sodium, high pressure sodium and metal halide bulbs. HID bulbs, however, require a long time to warm up to achieve full light output. HID bulbs are thus maintained in an “on” state to avoid the long warm up time at the expense of an increase in the amount of consumed energy.  
           [0003]    The increased use of fluorescent lamps in residential service and increasing demand for light level control resulted in the development of household type fluorescent dimming devices, which control the light level but do not efficiently conserve energy. For example, resistive dimmers are variable resistor devices that reduce the power to the light bulb in accordance to the ratio between the resistances. The overall power consumed remains essentially unchanged. Pulse Width Modulation dimmers are used predominantly with fluorescent lighting. These dimmers have a better efficacy than standard dimmers, but such dimming devices are costly for both the replacement components and the installation. Capactive or Inductive phase shifting dimmers incorporate capactive or inductive elements in the circuit to introduce a phase shift in the electrical supply to the light fixture. By selectively switching, for example, capactive, components in and out of a phase shift dimmer circuit, the phase shift and corresponding power factor, of the input voltage to the light fixture are altered. These dimmers are generally referred to as HI/LO dimmers because there is a high, i.e., full power, full illumination, position and a low, i.e., half power, half illumination, position. Variable autotransformers are another means of reducing the voltage to a light fixture by providing different input voltage levels. The different voltage levels are achieved by changing the position of a mechanical slide contacting one of a plurality of taps on the transformer. Variable auto transformers are constructed generally using toroid or linear transformers, which are more expensive than laminated core rectangular power transformers.  
           [0004]    The current technology of dimming devices has been developed primarily for light level control and not for efficient energy conservation. Thus, while the use of gaseous discharge devices is energy efficient and the illumination can be adjusted, gaseous discharge devices consume more energy than is necessary. Hence, there is a need for dimming devices that are able to control the level of illumination of gaseous discharge devices and conserve energy in a more efficient manner.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention discloses an apparatus to control the voltage and current levels supplied to a gaseous discharge device to dim the light output and to conserve energy. In accordance with the principles of the invention, a phase detector monitors the phase angle difference between the voltage and current applied to a gaseous discharge device, i.e., load side. When a request to alter the light output level of the discharge device is made, a controller circuit, in response to an indication of the load side voltage/current phase relationship and the requested alteration, causes a change in the supplied voltage and current. When the appropriated phase relationship is determined, the voltage level is altered in a manner such that the alterations occur in a time period, which prevents the extinguishing of the illuminating arc in a gaseous discharge device. Further, the voltage is prevented from falling below a minimum value needed to sustain the illuminating arc in the gaseous discharge device. In another aspect of the invention, the input electrical supply is provided directly to the light circuit to produce a maximum illumination output if a failure is determined to exist in the power dimmer circuit or if the voltage falls below a minimum level. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]    The advantages and aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 a  illustrates a conventional gaseous discharge light fixture;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 b  illustrates an exemplary electrical phase relation in a startup condition of a gaseous discharge light fixture;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 c  illustrates an exemplary electrical phase relation in steady-state condition of a gaseous discharge light fixture;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an automatic dimmer system according to a preferred form of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart illustrating exemplary processing in accordance with the principles of the invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 a  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 b  illustrates a simplified diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 a  illustrates an exemplary voltage zero-crossing phase detector;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 5 b  and  5   c  illustrate an exemplary current zero-crossing phase detector; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary timing diagram of voltages applied to a light fixture in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
     
    
       [0017]    It is to be understood that these drawings are solely for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. It will be appreciated that the same reference numerals, possibly supplemented with reference characters where appropriate, have been used throughout to identify corresponding parts.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 a  illustrates a conventional pulse width modulated dimmer circuit  100  controlling the voltage level of an input electrical source to light circuit  160 , which is composed of light emitting devices  60 ,  162 ,  168 , etc., such as gaseous discharge devices. In this exemplary circuit, an alternating current (AC) electrical supply is provided to fuses  110 , which protect the circuit components from over-voltage conditions. Line filter  115  and transient protection  120  are used to smooth irregularities in the input line voltage and aid in preventing over-voltage spikes in the AC supply from being supplied to light circuit  160 . The processed AC voltage is next applied to rectifier  125 , which rectifies the AC voltage. The rectified AC voltage is next applied to filter  130  to smooth any ripple in the rectified AC voltage. The rectified AC voltage is then applied to Power Oscillator  135 , which generates a high frequency AC voltage. The high frequency voltage is then applied to transformer  150  to step the voltage upward or downward depending on input controls (not shown). The secondary voltage of transformer  150  is then applied to light circuit  160 .  
         [0019]    Although not shown, gaseous discharge devices, such as fluorescent and HID gaseous lamps, require ballast to operate properly. These devices produce an illumination when an arc discharge occurs through an excitable gas or vapor under controlled conditions. One of the characteristics of gaseous discharge lamps is that they operate with negative resistance. Thus, as operating current continues to flow, the negative resistance would enable the operating current to continuously increase until a lamp burns out. To regulate the flow of operating current, a positive impedance, typically resistive, device, i.e., ballast, is added to compensate for the negative resistance of the gaseous device. The ballast maintains the operating current at a substantially known level. A second important function of the ballast is to provide a voltage to the electrodes of the gaseous lamp to initiate and sustain the arc. Maintenance of an operating voltage across the gaseous arc discharge device is critical as the removal of the voltage for a time interval as short as seven milliseconds can extinguish the illumination produced by the light emanating device.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 b  illustrates the phase relation between voltage and current of a load-side electrical source during an initial startup, or warm-up, phase of the gaseous discharge devices in light circuit  160 . In this case, the gaseous devices are substantially inductive and the phase of the voltage component  190  leads the phase of the current component  180  in the order of 90 degrees.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 c  illustrates the phase relation between voltage and current of an electrical source after the gaseous discharge devices in light circuit  160  have achieved a steady state condition. In this case, the discharge devices are substantially resistive and the phases of the voltage  190  and current  180  components remain within a narrow phase difference  195 . Further, in a steady-state condition, the phase difference between the supplied voltage and current remains substantially constant.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates, in a simplified block diagram form, a light dimmer switch in accordance with the principles of the invention. In this simplified circuit an AC power source is applied to line fuse  140   a,  which provide protection from overvoltage conditions. The voltage, or power, which are used synonymously herein, is then applied to by-pass relay, or switch,  230 , line-fuse  140   b  and time-delay relay  290 . By-pass relay  230  provides a direct connection of the input power supply to light circuit  160 . This application of full voltage to the bulbs is important during the warm-up stage, as gaseous bulbs require a long time to generate, or strike, an arc that transverses the gaseous element within the bulb. By-pass relay  230  further provides for a fail-safe operation of the illustrated circuit. In those cases, when the dimmer circuit fails or unacceptable power conditions develop, then by-pass relay  230  is positioned to provide full input power to light circuit  160  to prevent extinguishing the HID bulbs. An optional indicator light not shown) alerts operating or maintenance personnel of this by-pass mode operation.  
         [0023]    Line fuse  140   b  is representative of a line-in controller fuse that provides overvoltage protection for solid-state controller  270  and phase detector  240 .  
         [0024]    Time-delay relay,  290 , provides a time delay to allow for a system powerup and test before voltage is applied through autotransformer  250  and power switch  280 . In a preferred embodiment, a twenty-five (25) second time delay is nominally selected.  
         [0025]    Phase detector  240  monitors the phase of the load-side AC signal during the warm-up stages and during normal operation. When it is detected that the phase angle difference between the input voltage and current exceeds a known value, then phase detector  240  provides necessary indicator signals to restrict controller  270  and power switch  280  from changing tap settings. In a preferred form of the invention, the known difference in phase angle is measured as nominally 15 degrees.  
         [0026]    Autotransformer  250  provides a plurality of discrete variable voltage values between a pre-determined high value and a predetermined low value. The pre-determined low voltage level of autotransformer  250  corresponds to substantially a minimum operating voltage necessary to sustain the illumination of the HID lamps in light fixture  160 .  
         [0027]    Solid state controller  270  controls the dimming process, indicates operating conditions through optional visual display or audio alarms, and interfaces with control devices. Solid state controller  270  provides logical functions which control the dimming process by coordinating functions between components and interfaces with control input  260 , such as external sensors, infrared sensors, keyboards, keypads, variable switches (not shown).  
         [0028]    Power switch  280  maintains power between the AC supply and light circuit  160 . Power switch  280  is composed of a plurality of semi-conductor switches, one switch for each of the plurality of taps in autotransformer  250 .  
         [0029]    In accordance with the principles of the invention, upon the application of power, by-pass relay  230  is initially operational to provide the full input voltage to light circuit  160 . Phase detector  240  also initiates processes to analyze both the supply-side power condition and the load-side power condition. Controller  270  further positions auxiliary relay  220  to provide an electrical path through the dimmer circuit to light fixture  160 .  
         [0030]    When phase detector  240  determines that the phase relation between voltage and current are within acceptable tolerance levels, an indicator is provided to controller  270  which causes auxiliary relay  220  to close and provide the full input voltage to light circuit  160  . Thus, both by-pass relay  230  and auxiliary relay  220  are connected in parallel, and each provides the a voltage level to light circuit  160 . The system then checks the voltage output level and causes bypass relay  230  to open. Thus, the voltage to light fixture  160  is smoothly transferred through auxiliary relay  220  and the dimmer circuit controls the electrical flow to light circuit  160  through by-pass relay  230  Auxiliary Relay  220  is thereafter released.  
         [0031]    When a light dimming request is detected, then phase detector  240  determines whether the phases of voltage and current are within acceptable tolerance limits and provides an indicator to controller  270 . Controller  270 , responsive to the indicator provided, then progressively selects voltages from different tap settings of autotransformer  250  until the desired voltage setting is achieved.  
         [0032]    However, when phase detector  240  determines an irregular condition in the phases of the electrical source, control of by-pass relay  230  is removed and the full input voltage is applied to light circuit  160 . Applying full voltage to light circuit  160  is representative of a default mode that provides a measure of safety. For example, an irregular power condition may be detected when at least one bulb is extinguished or bums out. In this case, the phase relation between the voltage and current is altered and rather than maintaining a dimmed light setting, the light setting is raised such that each of the remaining bulbs is producing an illumination at a designed maximum level. Optionally, an indicator or alarm can also indicate an irregularity has been detected.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart of processing  300  to control the dimmer circuit illustrated in FIG. 2. At block  310 , the phase of the voltage component of the input electrical source is monitored to determine an indicator, e.g., a point, a time, etc., when the input voltage changes, for example, from a positive voltage to a negative voltage, i.e., a zero crossing. At block  320 , the phase of the current component of the input electrical source is similarly monitored to determine an indicator, e.g., a point, a time, etc., when the input current exhibits a similar zero crossing, i.e., transition from positive-to-negative levels. At block  330 , the phase of the voltage indicator and the phase of the current indicator are determined using known translation techniques. In this illustrative example, time is selected as the indicator of zero crossing. The phase difference between the determined phases of the voltage and current is also determined at block  330 . At block  340 , a determination is made as to whether the determined phase difference is within a known tolerance limits. If the phase difference is within the known tolerance, then a determination is made at block  350  as to whether the voltage is above a known minimum voltage. If the voltage is above a known minimum value, then the desired dimmer control operation is performed. However, if the voltage is below a known minimum value, the dimmer control operation causes the default condition to occur. That is, by-pass relay is positioned such that full input voltage is applied to light circuit  160 .  
         [0034]    Similarly, if the determination at block  340  is in the negative then the dimmer control operation causes a default condition to occur, i.e., full voltage applied to light circuit  160 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4 a  shows a circuit diagram  400  of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, input electrical source  420 , composed of a voltage and current component is applied to input/output line fuses  140 , which protect circuit  400  when an overvoltage level is detected. Although input electrical source  420  is shown, and referred to herein, as 120 volt and 120 volt return, it would be appreciated that the dimmer circuit of the present invention is also applicable to electrical source levels from 110 volts to 347 volts and up to 20 amperes of current.  
         [0036]    The voltage component of electrical source  420  is then reduced by step-down transformer  430 , labeled TR 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, step-down transformer  430  reduces the input voltage to a conventional  24  volts. The stepped down voltage is then applied to controller input circuit  260 . Controller input circuit  260  is responsive to control inputs, such as “down control”  425  and “up control”  430 . Inputs down-control  425  and up-control  430 , are used to cause the lowering or raising, respectively, of the voltage level provided to light circuit  160  (not shown). Although not shown, controller input circuit  260  can also receive inputs from wireless remote control devices, auxiliary sensors, control devices, etc.  
         [0037]    Processor  410 , which is representative of phase detector  240 , controller  270  and power switch  280  illustrated in FIG. 2, receives input indications from controller input  260  and a plurality of alternate voltage levels from autotransformer  250 . In this illustrative example, autotransformer  250  subdivides known input voltage  420 , shown as  120  volts, into  16  stepped-down values. Generally, each tap of autotransformer  250  steps-down the voltage value in units from 2.5 percent to 10 percent depending on the number steps or taps. In this example, the step-down values are distributed in 2.5 percent steps uniformly between input voltage  435  and a voltage that is representative of a minimum voltage needed to maintain the arc discharge within the gaseous discharge bulbs of light fixture  160 . Preferably, the lowest dimming level is set at fifty (50%) percent of the maximum voltage level. This lowest dimming level is based on recommendations of major light bulb manufactures and not necessarily a limitation of a lowest dimming level that is achievable.  
         [0038]    Electrical source  420  is also applied to processor  410 , which monitors the phase relation between current and voltage components of electrical source  420 . Processor  410 , for example, a Motorola MC68HC11, provides an indication when the phase relation is within acceptable tolerance limits. In a preferred embodiment, the tolerance level of 15 degrees is determined from the zero crossing of the input voltage. The indicator is then used by controller  270  to determine an appropriate time to change the output voltage  440  from one voltage level to another in response to control inputs, such as down-control  425  or up-control  430 , within a time period to prevent extinguishing the arc in the gaseous bulb.  
         [0039]    In this illustrated embodiment, auxiliary relay  220  is representative of a normally-open relay switch, which when closed provides the voltage output of processor  410  to voltage output port  450 . By-pass relay  230 , on the other hand, is representative of a normally-closed switch relay, which in the normally closed position provides input voltage  420  to voltage output port  450  and in an open position provides the voltage output of processor  410  to voltage output port  450 . The position of auxiliary relay  220  and by-pass relay  230  are determined by processor  410 . In the illustrated circuit, when processor  410  determines that the phases of input current and voltage are within an acceptable tolerance level, auxiliary relay  220  is driven to a closed position and by-pass relay is driven to an open position. Thus, auxiliary relay  220  and by-pass relay  230 , are connected in parallel and both provide dimmer controlled voltage levels to light fixture  160 . Accordingly, when the relationship between current and voltage is within acceptable limits, the output voltage is controlled, and varied, by dimmer circuit  400 , in response to Up/Down/Stop command inputs.  
         [0040]    However, when the current/voltage phase relation is not within acceptable tolerance levels, such as in a startup phase, normally-closed by-pass relay  230  returns to a closed position and the output voltage level is driven to the full input voltage level. Similarly, when a failure occurs in dimmer circuit  400  and the by-pass relay cannot be maintained in an open position, it returns to a closed position and the output voltage level is driven to the fall input voltage level.  
         [0041]    Further illustrated is timer  460 , which is used to provide known periods of delay time to reduce transit responses, prevent false indications and provide a smooth transition of power from one mode to a next mode. For example, when power is first applied to the light circuit  160 , input source voltage  420  is applied to voltage output  450  through by-pass relay  230 , as previously discussed. After a known period, preferably  25  seconds, time-delay (safety) relay  290  is activated by timer  460  to provide voltage to autotransformer  250 . As the large transients may exist during the initial warm-up phase, the introduced delay prevents these transients from being applied to the autotransformer  250  or the components of phase detector  240 , solid-state controller  270  or power switch  280 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 b  illustrates a simplified block diagram of the relay positions of the present invention. In this exemplary block diagram, when input power  420  is applied to the illustrated circuit, the voltage is present as an output voltage  450  through the normally FIG. 4 b  illustrates a simplified block diagram of the relay positions of the present invention. In this exemplary block diagram, when input power  420  is applied to the illustrated normally-closed by-pass relay  230 . The input voltage is also applied to dimmer circuit  410  to perform a power-up self-test operation. Dimmer circuit  410 , as shown, includes phase detector  240 , solid-state controller  270  and power switch  280 . After a known time delay, time-delay relay  290  closes and input voltage is supplied to dimmer circuit  140 . Dimmer circuit  140  then determines whether correct phase relation exists in voltage and current. When a correct relation is determined, i.e., 30 minutes of time or less than 15 degrees of phase difference, then auxiliary relay  220  is closed. In this case, the input voltage is supplied to the output through both by-pass relay  220  and auxiliary relay  220 . After a known period of time, in the order of seconds, bypass relay is switched to supply voltage to the output voltage  450  through dimmer switch  410 . Thereafter, auxiliary relay  220  is opened and voltage is supplied to the output terminals only through dimmer switch  410 .  
         [0043]    Phase detection, in accordance with the principles of the invention, is a combination of a voltage zero crossing and a current zero crossing. These determined zero crossing values are supplied to a microprocessor, which is operative to determine a phase difference as illustrated in FIG. 3. FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  and  5   c  are illustrative of voltage and current phase detector circuits.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 a  illustrates an exemplary circuit  570  suitable as a voltage zero-crossing detector of phase detector  240 . In this illustrated exemplary circuit, the input voltage, applied to terminals  508   a,    508   b,  is applied to transformer  572 . The output of transformer  572  is then rectified, through diode  574 , such that only the positive component of the input signal is available for further processing. The cathode of diode  574  is coupled to a zener diode  576 , which is used to allow signal strength above a known signal level to be processed. Zener diode  576  is then coupled through resistive device  578  to electro-optical device  580 . Included within electro-optical device  580  is a light emitting diode (LED) and cascaded photo-detector. The included LED emits a particular wavelength when a signal is applied at the LED input. The cascaded photo-detector generate a signal, ZeroCros, when light is detected at its input and generates no signal when light is not detected. Signal ZeroCros is representative of the crossing of the input signal from, for example, a positive to a negative value. As would be appreciated, the signal ZeroCros may also be representative of the crossing of the input signal from a negative to a positive value.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 5 b  and Sc illustrate an exemplary circuit suit for a current zero-crossing detector of phase detector  240 . FIG. 5 b  is representative of well known A/DC conversion circuit  600  that to produce bidirectional direct current values  602 ,  604  from a known alternating current input. In this case a known +10 volt and a −10 volt output value are produced. FIG. 5 c  illustrates a current/voltage conversion circuit  610 . In this example, input voltage is applied to current transducer (LEM)  620 , which generates a magnetic field in relation to the input voltage value. The bi-directional voltage values produced by the AC/DC conversion circuit  602 ,  604  are applied to LEM  620  as reference values. The change in the magnetic field generated by LEM  620  is then interpreted as plus and minus changes in the current value. These changes  650  are then supplied to a mircoprocessor for processing.  
         [0046]    Although not illustrated, it would be appreciated that a low operating voltage check circuit may be included in the circuit to determine whether a minimum voltage is available for continued operation. When a minimum voltage is not available, then an indicator may be supplied to the microprocessor to cause by-pass relay  230  to return to a position so that the full lighting system input voltage is applied directly to lamp circuit  160 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary time relation of the voltage levels during a startup phase of HID gaseous devices in accordance with the principles of the invention. In this illustrative example, voltage level  420   a,  corresponding to the input source voltage is applied to the dimmer circuit  400  and is made available to output port  450  through by-pass relay  230 . After a known period, time  460  activates relay  470  and voltage  470   a  is applied to autotransformer  250 . Voltage  435   a  is applied to a top switch of autotransformer  250 . This voltage is used to provide power to the dimmer switch circuit. When auxiliary relay  220  is turned on, the voltage on the top dimmer switch path is connected in parallel to the voltage provided through by-pass relay  230 . Auxiliary relay  220  and by-pass relay  230  are both providing power to output voltage port  450 . The by-pass current is smoothly transferred to the dimmer switch path when by-relay is turned on, e.g. opened, and auxiliary relay  220  is turned off, e.g., closed.  
         [0048]    By-pass relay  230  further acts as a safety relay, which is turned off, i.e., closed, when the phase relation between voltage and current are not within acceptable tolerance levels or a failure of the dimmer switch has occurred.  
         [0049]    Although the invention has been described and pictured in a preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form, has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.