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&#39; filaments, providing additional extension of the light bulbs&#39; life expectancy.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to providing user control of inherent light bulb characteristics designed into them by their manufacturers. The characteristics controlled by the invention include: power consumption, energy efficiency, life span/burn time, light quality/whiteness, ambient lighting coloration, and light bulb turn-on speed. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Until now, all of these light bulb characteristics, designed into the light bulbs by their manufacturers, were preset and virtually unchangeable. For example, if a consumer buys a standard 120 VAC, 100 W incandescent light bulb, it is certain to use 100 W of power, last the manufacturer specified number of hours, output a specific number of lumens of light, have a specific energy efficiency rating, general color rendering index, and correlated color temperature. The light bulb can also be counted on to turn-on abruptly when the power is applied to it, to its detriment. With this embodiment of the present invention, all of these characteristics are now adjustable and settable by the user, simply by choosing the appropriate wattage ratings of the light bulbs installed into the device, which is plugged into the lamp fixture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an objective of my invention to provide a small size and inexpensive means to effect user control of the illumination process. 
         [0006]    It is another objective of my invention to convert the AC input voltage into a DC voltage distributed across plural illuminating resistive loads placed in series. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may choose to install into the device two 100 W incandescent light bulbs for an application requiring some energy savings, extended light bulb life and colorful light, for example in a ceiling or attic lamp fixture where changing the bulbs is difficult and is desired to do as infrequently as possible. This “Bulb Saver Mode” of operation provides all of these benefits, including greatly extended bulb operating life, many times its original rating, but with decreased energy efficiency. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may choose to install into the device one 40 W incandescent light bulb and one 100 W incandescent light bulb for an application requiring greatly improved energy efficiency, great energy savings, and very white light, for example in a table, reading light. This “Energy Efficiency Mode” of operation provides all of these benefits, including greatly improved energy efficiency, but with decreased light bulb life. 
         [0009]    No matter what mode of operation is selected the device provides for a slower light bulb turn on speed. This feature serves to extend light bulb life expectancy by preventing or at least reducing a premature light bulb blowout. By slowing the light bulb turn-on speed, this extends the period of time it takes for the filaments to achieve full illumination. This extended turn-on time period serves to decrease thermal shock to the bulbs&#39; filament, as well as reducing current surge through the filaments at startup, all to help prevent or minimize filament burn out during this initial startup period, when the filaments are most vulnerable to blowout. 
         [0010]    Through the use of embodiment of the invention, the user is put in control of how their energy is used, money is spent, and illumination characteristics that matter most to them for a particular application can be achieved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates schematically an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates electronics corresponding to the schematic illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates the housing which encases the electronics illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    This embodiment illustrated in the figures is an electrical device used in standard household lighting fixtures that operate at 120 VAC and use standard incandescent or halogen light bulbs, such as those found in the United States and Canadian markets. The device could be easily resized for other alternating voltages such as used in different countries. 
         [0015]    The device screws into the lighting fixture where the light bulb is normally installed. Into this device are screwed plural standard incandescent or halogen light bulbs that operate on AC voltage. Typically, the plural bulbs&#39; wattage values are what determine the operational characteristics of the device and what benefits the user of the device will achieve. 
         [0016]    Reference is now taken to the figures, wherein the schematic circuit of the embodiment illustrated in the figures is illustrated in its entirety, with all electrical elements for the conversion of AC to DC, safety, and power distribution across illuminated, resistive loads connected in series. 
         [0017]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the AC power input is shown propagating in the form of a sine wave. Power input leads  10 ,  12  and  14  are disposed in a base  16 . The leads  10 - 14  conduct the AC power to a full wave bridge rectifier  18  for conversion to a full wave rectified AC wave form. A suitable full wave bridge rectifier  16  is part number GBU-1002 from Diodes, Incorporated, 15660 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 850 Dallas, Tex. 75248 USA. This particular full wave bridge rectifier is a 10.0 A Glass Passive Bridge Rectifier, providing 200 Vdc voltage and 140 Vac (RMS) voltage. 
         [0018]    The rectifier  18  is connected to a printed circuit board  20  and therethough is electrically connected to an electrolytic capacitor  22 . The capacitor  22  is used for conversion to a DC voltage. A suitable electrolytic capacitor  22  is a large can aluminum electrolytic capacitor, part number SM2D122M-2540, from Delcon Industries Co., Ltd.RM115, 1/F, Lee Hang Industrial Building, No. 10 Cheung Yue Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong This particular capacitor provides a capacity of 120 μF, 200 Vdc working voltage and 250 Vdc surge voltage, a maximum amperage of 3.5 Arms at 120 Hz at up to 85 degrees C., and a maximum impedance of 0.166 ohms at 120 Hz at 20 degrees C. 
         [0019]    The capacitor  22  is responsible for:
       i) Wave form filtration;   ii) Energy storage;   iii) Introducing a reactive component into the power factor, i.e. power factor&lt;1;   iv) Adding a slowdown of the illumination of the light bulbs upon initial turn-on; and   v) Serving as a lighting ballast given its relatively large size.       
 
         [0025]    Connected to the capacitor  22  is a resistor  24  via a break-away circuit board  26 . The responsibility and purpose of the resistor  24  is ensuring a safe and timely discharge of the capacitor  22 , when the capacitor  22  is fully charged, after the AC voltage is removed from leads  10 ,  12 , and  14 , without interfering with the operation of the device. A suitable resistor  24  is 32 KΩ, single watt, carbon film resistor, part number CR1W32KJ, from the above identified Delcon Industries. 
         [0026]    Leads  28  and  30  extend away from the circuit board  20  and connect to respective loads  32  and  34 . Lead  36  connects the loads  32  and  34  in series. Because of this load connection configuration powered by the DC voltage applied across leads  28  and  30 , the user can choose the loading ratio between loads  32  and  34 . This is done by choosing the wattage of the plural (e.g. two)—light bulbs installed in the circuit at loads  32  and  34 , noting that different wattage light bulbs have different resistance load values. 
         [0027]    Energy efficiency is increased in Energy Saver Mode by applying an increased average voltage to one of the filaments. As this applied average voltage is increased the incandescence process in both incandescent and halogen light bulbs naturally becomes more efficient. Likewise, as this average voltage is decreased to the light bulb filaments, as in Bulb Saver Mode, the lifespan of the light bulbs is naturally extended. Without wishing to engage in theory, it is assumed that the relationship between the parameters used in the embodiment illustrated in the figures is well known in the art: 
       Equations 
       [0028]      Loading Ratio=load 32/load 34  i) 
         [0000]      load 32=((DC Voltage/(load 32+load 34))×load 32)  ii) 
         [0000]      load 34=((DC Voltage/(load 32+load 34))×load 34)  iii) 
       EXAMPLE 1 
     Bulb Saver Mode 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             i) two—100 W incandescent light bulbs are installed in the embodiment illustrated in the figures at 120 VAC (RMS). 
             ii) DC Voltage=170 VDC 
             iii) Each bulb has a resistance value of 144 ohms. 
           
         
       
     
       So: 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             i) Loading Ratio=1, i.e. symmetrical lighting 
             ii) load  32 =85 VDC 
             iii) load  34 =85 VDC 
           
         
       
     
         [0035]    Each light bulb generates an equal amount of warm colorful light, and has a greatly extended life span, but with decreased energy efficiency. 
       EXAMPLE 2 
     Energy Saver Mode 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             i) one—100 W incandescent light bulb and one—40 W incandescent light bulb are installed in the embodiment illustrated in the figures at 120 VAC (RMS). 
             ii) DC Voltage=170 VDC 
             iii) load  32  (100 W light bulb) has a resistance value of 144 ohms. 
             iv) load  34  (40 W light bulb) has a resistance value of 360 ohms. 
           
         
       
     
       So: 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             i) Loading Ratio=0.4, i.e. asymmetrical lighting 
             ii) load  32 =48.6 VDC 
             iii) load  34 =121.4 VDC 
           
         
       
     
         [0043]    Each light bulb generates very different amounts of light, so much so that only load  34  (the 40 W light bulb) illuminates. Load  34  is generating high quality white light, with high energy efficiency, but with decreased light bulb life. 
         [0044]    Experiments have been performed to test the viability of the embodiment illustrated in the figures and obtained the following results: 
       Experimental Test Results 
       [0045]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Energy 
                 Brightest 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Total Real 
                   
                 Efficiency 
                 Light 
               
               
                 Bulb 1 
                 Bulb 2 
                   
                   
                 Light Bulb 
                 Power 
                 Total 
                 Increase 
                 Bulb Life 
               
               
                 Rated 
                 Rated 
                 Adapter 
                 Total 
                 Brightness 
                 Consumption 
                 Efficiency 
                 Using the 
                 Extension 
               
               
                 Wattage 
                 Wattage 
                 Mode (2) 
                 Lumens 
                 Symmetry % 
                 (Watts) 
                 (Lumens/Watt) 
                 Invention (1) 
                 Factor 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 40 
                 40 
                 B.S. 
                 433 
                 50/50 
                 40 
                 10.8 
                 −8.7% 
                 10 
               
               
                 40 
                 60 
                 B.S. 
                 471 
                 65/35 
                 47 
                 10.0 
                 −20.3% 
                 2 
               
               
                 40 
                 75 
                 E.S. 
                 687 
                 80/20 
                 50 
                 13.8 
                 +7.1% 
                 1 
               
               
                 60 
                 60 
                 B.S. 
                 707 
                 50/50 
                 60 
                 11.9 
                 −13.9% 
                 10 
               
               
                 60 
                 75 
                 B.S. 
                 874 
                 60/40 
                 65 
                 13.4 
                 −3.5% 
                 3 
               
               
                 40 
                 100 
                 E.S. 
                 909 
                 95/5  
                 53 
                 17.3 
                 +31.6% 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 75 
                 75 
                 B.S. 
                 915 
                 50/50 
                 74 
                 12.4 
                 −10.6% 
                 10 
               
               
                 75 
                 100 
                 B.S. 
                 961 
                 70/30 
                 83 
                 11.6 
                 −19.7% 
                 1.5 
               
               
                 60 
                 100 
                 E.S. 
                 1079 
                 85/15 
                 72 
                 15.0 
                 +8.5% 
                 0.9 
               
               
                 40 
                 150 
                 E.S. 
                 1112 
                 99/1  
                 56 
                 19.9 
                 +48.0% 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 100 
                 100 
                 B.S. 
                 1162 
                 50/50 
                 97 
                 11.9 
                 −22.1% 
                 10 
               
               
                 40 
                 200 
                 E.S. 
                 1216 
                 100/0  
                 57 
                 21.5 
                 +59.5% 
                 0.2 
               
               
                 75 
                 150 
                 N.B. 
                 1318 
                 90/10 
                 93 
                 14.1 
                 −6.5% 
                 0.75 
               
               
                 100 
                 150 
                 B.S. 
                 1467 
                 65/35 
                 114 
                 12.8 
                 −17.2% 
                 2 
               
               
                 60 
                 150 
                 E.S. 
                 1479 
                 97/3  
                 78 
                 18.9 
                 +34.2% 
                 0.35 
               
               
                 75 
                 200 
                 E.S. 
                 1526 
                 99/1  
                 98 
                 15.5 
                 +0.7% 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 150 
                 150 
                 B.S. 
                 1645 
                 50/50 
                 145 
                 11.4 
                 −26.2% 
                 10 
               
               
                 60 
                 200 
                 E.S. 
                 1693 
                 99/1  
                 82 
                 20.6 
                 +43.9% 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 100 
                 200 
                 N.B. 
                 1803 
                 90/10 
                 124 
                 14.6 
                 −5.7% 
                 0.75 
               
               
                 150 
                 200 
                 B.S. 
                 2009 
                 70/30 
                 165 
                 12.2 
                 −22.4% 
                 1.5 
               
               
                 200 
                 200 
                 B.S. 
                 2120 
                 50/50 
                 196 
                 10.8 
                 −34.3% 
                 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 120 VAC, 60 Hz, Standard Incandescent Light Bulbs. 
               
               
                 (1) Compared to a Standalone Incandescent Light Bulb of the Same Wattage. 
               
               
                 (2) B.S. = Bulb Saver Mode ™, E.S. = Energy Saver Mode ™, N.B. = No Benefit 
               
               
                 Bulb Saver Mode: Extended Bulb Life, Some Energy Savings, Colorful Light, but Less Energy Efficiency. 
               
               
                 Energy Efficiency Mode: Great Energy Efficiency, Great Energy Savings, Whiter Light, but Shorter Bulb Life. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0046]    Furthermore, the following results were obtained from an experiment with Underwriters Laboratories Inc., of 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Ill. 60062-2096 USA. The results represent successful experimentation on the embodiment illustrated in the figures operating in Energy Efficiency Mode. Note, in the table, the device is identified as “UltraLight™ Lamp Adapter”. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TEST SUMMARY 
               
               
                 Test start date: May 11, 2004 
               
               
                 Model Number: “Ultralight” lamp adapter Test completion date: May 11, 2004 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Philips 40A/WL 
                 Philips 40A/WL, 
                 Philips 100A/WL 
                   
               
               
                 Test 
                 40 W, 120 V 
                 mounted in Ultralight 
                 100 W, 120 V 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Input Power: 
                 40.91 
                 W 
                 67.00 
                 W 
                 102.0 
                 W 
                 (#) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Power Factor: 
                 1.0 
                 0.55 
                 1.0 
                 (#) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Luminous Flux: 
                 426.6 
                 lm 
                 1253 
                 lm 
                 1530 
                 lm 
                 (#) 
               
               
                 Lamp Efficacy: 
                 10.4 
                 lm/w 
                 18.7 
                 lm/w 
                 15.0 
                 lm/w 
                 (#) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 General Color Rendering Index: 
                 98.7 
                 99.2 
                 98.9 
                 (#) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Correlated Color Temperature: 
                 2621 
                 K 
                 2941 
                 K 
                 2765 
                 K 
                 (#) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (#) - Denotes NVLAP accredited data. NVLAP Lab Code 100255-0. 
               
               
                 The results contained in this report reflect the results for the particular set of samples sent in for testing. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that all production models meet the intent of the requirements detailed within this report. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0047]    In use, the device typically provides multiple benefits:
       i) To cut energy usage by decreasing the total power consumption of the lighting fixture.   ii) To increase the energy efficiency (lumens/watt) obtainable in the light-generation process performed by incandescent or halogen light bulbs.   iii) To extend the incandescent or halogen light bulb life span (burn time).   iv) To improve the light quality (whiteness) of the generated light.   v) To increase ambient light color.   vi) To help prevent or minimize light bulb burnout at the time of initial turn-on.       
 
         [0054]    At the most basic level, the device transfers electrical power to the sockets of the unit where the incandescent or halogen light bulbs are screwed. The device first takes standard household AC power in at the plural contact base of the unit that is screwed into the lamp fixture (this type of base allows for proper connection to standard one or three level lamp fixtures.). Next, the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  does a conversion of this AC power to DC, using the Full Wave Bridge Rectifier  18  in parallel with the electrolytic capacitor  22 . Finally, this DC power is distributed across the plural light bulbs, which are placed in series to one another. 
         [0055]    The following further summarizes the benefits of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 :
       i) By distributing power across plural light bulbs instead of just one, the user has the ability to control how energy is dissipated across each of the plural bulb filaments. When a relatively high-energy dissipation is applied to a bulb&#39;s filament, the bulb generates a quality whiter light with a shorter bulb life, but with greatly increased energy efficiency. On the other hand, when a relatively low-energy dissipation is applied to a bulb&#39;s filament, a more colorful light is generated with greatly extended bulb life, but with decreased energy efficiency.   ii) DC is typically a far more efficient form of power for illuminating incandescent type lighting than AC power. This is because DC has a far higher energy density than AC. Only DC has a sufficiently high enough energy density for the operation of the embodiment illustrated in the figures.   iii) The electrolytic capacitor  22  used in the full wave rectification process also serves to extend the period of time the light bulb filament takes to go from no light output to fully illuminated, due to its charging capacity. This extended time period serves to decrease thermal shock to the bulb&#39;s filament, as well as reducing current surge through the filament at startup, all to help prevent or minimize filament burn out during this initial startup period, when the filament is most vulnerable to blow out.   iv) The embodiment illustrated in the figures is capable of producing a better quality/whiter light by obtaining a higher value on the General Color Rendering Index, as well as obtaining a higher Correlated Color Temperature, than is normally obtainable with AC power alone.   v) In terms of the overall light generation process, this system of light generation, capable of increasing energy efficiency, does so by introducing a reasonable power factor, i.e., a phase shift to the power supply, which returns energy back to the supply. As this device is strictly for residential use, where power factor is free of charge, (unlike for commercial customers), the residential user will, because of this, save money, while using less power.       
 
         [0061]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated left and right side housing components  38  and  40  for housing components of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Molded from plastic Polycarbonate, the left and right side housing components  38  and  40  were made in accordance to the UL-94 V0 specification from Underwriters Laboratories, which provides for safety requirements for material thickness and flame retardance. When the left and right side housing components  38  and  40  are coupled, a lower housing  42  is formed. 
         [0062]    Disposed on the lower housing  42  is an upper housing  44 , which includes left and right sockets  46  and  48 . The sockets  46  and  48  are disposed in a “Y” configuration, though any angle can be used so long as the inserted bulbs are appropriately separated. 
         [0063]    The upper housing  44  has a bottom section  50  which has a larger outer diameter than a top portion  52  of the lower housing  42 . The “Y” configuration allows for swiveling of the upper housing  44 , and light bulbs contained therein, around the lower housing  42 . Leads  28  and  30  are curled to allow for nearly 360 degrees of rotation without breaking the wires, even after many thousands of repeated rotations. Nonetheless, a physical stop  53  on the right side, lower, plastic housing prevents the upper plastic assembly from rotating beyond the single, full turn. The effect of the swivel feature is to allow for proper alignment of the light bulbs relative to the lamp&#39;s harp, which holds the lampshade in place. 
         [0064]    A groove  54  on the upper housing  44  and a mating boss  56  on the lower housing  42 , as well as a second boss  58  on the upper housing  44  and a second mating groove (not shown) on the lower housing  42  prevent the upper housing  44  from slipping from the lower housing  42 . 
         [0065]    Disposed in the sockets  46  and  48  in the upper housing  44  are other standard elements for the assembly of the light bulb sockets  46  and  48 . These include eyelets  60  and center springs  62 . The eyelets  60  are designed to withstand a minimum of 60 lbs of tensile force. It is to be noted that the UL Security of Screwshell (Pull Test) from Underwriters Laboratories requires a design to withstand only 20 lbs of tensile force. Ring terminals, e.g.,  64  are used to form electrical junctions. 
         [0066]    Solder welds, hot melt adhesion, and ultrasonic bonding are the main assembly techniques used in the making of this product. The application of such techniques would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the instant disclosure. 
         [0067]    While the invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiment, it should be easily apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications and changes in construction can be incorporated depending on specific use without departing from the true spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.