Lighting system having photocontrol and fault monitoring capabilities
US8310159B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A photocontroller operates one or more lamps, such as a GU24 compact fluorescent lamp, based on ambient light to provide dusk-to-dawn operation. The photocontroller includes a photosensor for detecting the level of ambient light. The photosensor provides a signal to a photocontrol circuit that controls a switching device to selectively provide power to the lamp based on the level of ambient light detected by the photosensor. A fault detection circuit monitors the level of ambient light and the status of the lamp to determine whether the photocontroller is operating properly. The fault detection circuit determines the status of the lamp based on current flow to the lamp as determined by a current sensor. In addition, the photocontroller can include a processor for performing certain photocontrol and fault monitoring functions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.