Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit
US6114813A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S315/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A light sensitive dimmer switch circuit for controlling the illumination level of a light as a function of the ambient illumination level surrounding the dimmer switch circuit by selectively controlling an AC power signal provided to the light includes a photocell and a phase control circuit. The photocell is responsive to the ambient illumination level and has a conduction state associated therewith. The conduction state changes, in response to the ambient illumination level, such that the photocell effectively exhibits either a substantially open circuit or a substantially short circuit. The phase control circuit selectively varies a conduction phase angle associated with the AC power signal which correspondingly causes a variation in the illumination level of the light. The phase control circuit, in response to the photocell, selectively varies such conduction phase angle and thus the illumination level associated with the light when the photocell exhibits an open circuit and, conversely, prohibits the AC power signal from being provided to the light when the photocell exhibits a short circuit. Preferably, the phase control circuit permits the light to illuminate approximately a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.