CA2304911C - Luminaire starting aid device - Google Patents
Luminaire starting aid device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2304911C CA2304911C CA002304911A CA2304911A CA2304911C CA 2304911 C CA2304911 C CA 2304911C CA 002304911 A CA002304911 A CA 002304911A CA 2304911 A CA2304911 A CA 2304911A CA 2304911 C CA2304911 C CA 2304911C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lamp
- voltage
- starting aid
- circuit
- microprocessor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
- H05B41/02—Details
- H05B41/04—Starting switches
- H05B41/042—Starting switches using semiconductor devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
- H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
- Y10S315/07—Starting and control circuits for gas discharge lamp using transistors
Abstract
A starting aid for a luminaire includes a trigger circuit for supplying a trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied by a photodetector, a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage and means, responsive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lamp to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lamp cycling or lamp out condition.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to luminaries such as street lamps, and more particularly to a starting aid device for a luminaire which automatically turns the luminaire on and off, can sense a faulty condition and can communicate that condition locally or to a remote location.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Servicing a luminaire such as a single street light can cost $100 or more on busy roads, and in busy areas. Moreover, since there are 60,000,000 street lights in the United States alone, the cost of servicing high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights cycling towards the end of their useful life is severe. The phenomena of cycling of HPS lamps as they age from use is the result of the electrode material being plated off the electrodes and then being deposited on the inside of the arc tube. This makes the tube darken and traps more heat inside the arc tube. As a result, an increased voltage is required to keep the lamp ignited or ionized.
When the voltage limit of the ballast is reached, the lamp extinguishes by ceasing to ionize.
The lamp must then cool down for several minutes before an attempt at re-ignition can be made. The result is "cycling", in which the worn out lamp keeps trying to stay lighted. The voltage limit is reached again, the lamp extinguishes, and then after an
This invention relates to luminaries such as street lamps, and more particularly to a starting aid device for a luminaire which automatically turns the luminaire on and off, can sense a faulty condition and can communicate that condition locally or to a remote location.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Servicing a luminaire such as a single street light can cost $100 or more on busy roads, and in busy areas. Moreover, since there are 60,000,000 street lights in the United States alone, the cost of servicing high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights cycling towards the end of their useful life is severe. The phenomena of cycling of HPS lamps as they age from use is the result of the electrode material being plated off the electrodes and then being deposited on the inside of the arc tube. This makes the tube darken and traps more heat inside the arc tube. As a result, an increased voltage is required to keep the lamp ignited or ionized.
When the voltage limit of the ballast is reached, the lamp extinguishes by ceasing to ionize.
The lamp must then cool down for several minutes before an attempt at re-ignition can be made. The result is "cycling", in which the worn out lamp keeps trying to stay lighted. The voltage limit is reached again, the lamp extinguishes, and then after an
2 approximately one-two minute cool down period, the arc tube re-ignites and the light output increases again and until the voltage limit is reached whereupon the lamp extinguishes yet again. This repetitive on and off process is called cycling.
Cycling can waste electricity, cause radio firequency interference (RFI) which adversely affects communication circuits, radios, and televisions in the area, and may adversely effect and prematurely wear out the ballast, starter, and photocontroller.
For example, if an HPS lamp undergoes cycling for a few nights before it is finally serviced and replaced, the ballast or starter can also be damaged or degraded.
However, when the HPS lanrzp is replaced, such damage or degradation right not be detected.
1 o Consequently, additional service calls zxzust then be made to service these problems. The ballast and starter components are more expensive than the lamp or the photocontroller.
The cycling problezxz is well documented, but so far the only solutions offered are to replace the HPS lamps and luz~rzinaires with less efficient mercury lamps and luminaires or to reconfigure the photocontroller with a special fiber optic sensor which senses light frozen t s the lamp and sends a signal to a microprocessor to indicate whether the lamp is on or off.
After three on/off cycles, the microprocessor turns the lamp off and turns on a red strobe light which can be seen frozxz the street. Unfortunately, this prior art solution requires modifications to the existing light fixture (e.g. a hole must be drilled in the fixture housing) and the use of an expensive fiber optic sensor.
2o Another problem with all luminatxes including HPS or other types of lamps is the cost involved in correcting the cycling problezxz azrd other faults such as a lamp out condition. For example, a resident reports a lamp out or a cycling condition.
However, by the time the repair personnel asxives several hours Later, the lamp may have cycled back on.
Considering the fact that the lamp pole zxzay be 25-35 ft. high, repair personnel can waste a DT'L-108J
IDS~)r considerable amount of tune checking each lamp in the area. Also, repair and maintenance personnel may not be able to service a given residential area until daylight hours when all of the street lights are o~'by design.
s BRIEF SUMMARY Oh THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a starting aid circuit for a lannp which can detect a faulty condition.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which is microprocessor-based.
to It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which prevents hot restriking of a cycling or a dead lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which comJmunicates that a fault in the lamp has occurred.
It is a further object of dais invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which cart 15 corr~zx~uni.cate such a condition to a worker on the ground.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which can communicate a faulty condition to a remote location.
it is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which automatically turns on and off in response to daytime and nighttime lighting conditions.
2o It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which also turns the lamp of~
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which can detect whether the lamp is on or off.
It is a further object of this invention to pxovide such a starting aid circuit which can 2s detect cycling ofthe lamp.
D'IL-103J
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It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which reduces maintenance of the lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which prolongs the life of the lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which is cost efficient to pmduce.
The invention results from the realization that a truly effective luminaire starting aid device can be obtained by providing a trigger circuit including a feEdback loop that supplies a trigger voltage to the lamp and monitoxs the voltage of the lamp to determine if it has to indeed started. If the lamp does not start, a microprocessor that controls the trigger circuit instructs the trigger circuit to repeat attempts to start the lamp a predetermined nurnbcr of times, after which, if the lamp does not start, a faulty condition of the lamp is communicated either locally at the site of the luminaire or to a remote location.
This invention features a starting aid fox a luminaire including a device for is detecting a load drawn by or voltage across a lamp, a microprocessor, responsive to the means fox detecting, for controlling start-up of the lamp, a power supply for operating the microprocessor and a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for turning on the lamp.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the starting aid circuit rmay further be 20 progxanrmed to detect a condition of the lamp in xesponse to the load dxawn or voltage across the larxzp. Tire starting aid circuit may furthex include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for indicating the occuzxence of the condition detected. The starting aid circuit zaray further include a photo controller fox automatically turning the Iarnp on during periods o.f darkness and off during periods of daylight and means, responsive to the DTt,-1 O8J
Jl~Svir microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to tum off the lamp- The means for detecting may include a voltage divider. The trigger circuit may include a SII~AC circuit for turning on the lamp and a relay circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for etaabling the S1DAC
circuit. the trigger circuit may further include an opto-coupler, responsive to the s microprocessor, for enabling the SII~AC circuit. The power supply may include a full wave rectifier and/or a half wave rectifier. The trigger circuit tnay further include a TRIAC
circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for enabling the SIDAC circuit. The starting aid circuit rrray fuxtlaer include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to turn off the lamp. The means for shunting may include a relay circuit, responsive to the to microprocessor, for shorting the lamp. The means fox shunting may itrclude a TRIAC
circuit or another silicon device such as a SCR circuit, responsive to the r~iicroprocessor, for shorting the lamp. The means for indicating may include a visual alanrn, au audible alat7i~
andlor a transmitter for transmitting the detected condition to a location.
The condition may be a lamp dead condition and/or a cycling condition.
~ s This invention also features a diagnostic starting aid for a luminaire including means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across the lamp, a microprocessor, responsive to 2kte means for detecting and the photocontroller, for controlling staxt-up of the lamp, the microprocessor programmed to detect a condition of the luminaire in response to the load drawn, a power supply for operating the rnicrvprocessor, a trigger circuit, responsive to the 2o microprocessor, for turning on the lamp and means, response to the rnieroprocessor, for indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
This invention also features an automatic aid for a lamp including a photocontroller fox automatically turning the lamp on during periods of darkness arld off during periods of daylight, means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across the lamp, a xzaicroprocessor, DT L- l OS1 JDSar responsive to the means for detecting arid to the photoeontroller, for controlling start-up of the lamp, a power supply for operating the microprocessor and a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for tubing on the lamp.
In the preferred embodimezat, the automatic starting aid may further include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to turn off the lamp.
The microprocessor may be programmed to detect a condition of the lamp in response to the load drawn, fuzther including means, responsive to the mieroprocess4r, far indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
This invention also features a starting aid including a trigger circuit for supplyizag a 1 o trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied by a photodetector, a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage and means, respolasive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lazzap to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lat~np cycling or lamp out condition.
1n the preferred embodiment, the means for comparing may include a processor programmed to determine when the lamp voltage switches between a nominal voltage level aztd a non-nominal voltage level N times ixtdicative of a lamp cycling condition. N may be 5. The means for comparing may include a processor programmed to determine when the voltage on the lancrp falls to reach a nominal voltage levEl after M trigger voltage pulses. M
zo may be 2. The starting aid may further include means, responsive to the line voltage signal, for supplying to the trigger circuit a series of trigger pulses at predetermined portions of the line voltage signal. The rneatts for supplying may include a microprocessor programmed to detenxrine a zero crossing point of the line voltage signal and to output the series of pulses when the line voltage signal reaches 90' and 270'. The trigger circuit may include a JDS:Ir transformer which is activated by the series of trigger pulses and in response produces a lamp starting voltage tv the lamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA'PVINGS
Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from tlae following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. I is a three dimensional view of the starting aid for a lamp according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the starting aid circuit according to the present t0 invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment the starting aid according to the present invention;
Fig. ~ is a sehenaatie diagram, similar to Fig. 3, further including a photo controller for automatically turning the lamp on and off and a lamp off circuit for shunting the lamp to tuns it off;
Fig. 5 1s a schematic design of a third embodiment of the invention, in which the trigger circuit includes a SIDAC circuit for turning on the laraap and a relay circuit for enabling the SIDAC;
Fig. 6 is a scheraaatic diagraraa of a third embodiment of the invention, in which he relay circuit is replaced by a photocoupler for enabling the SIDAC;
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagraraa of a h$la etaabodilaaerat oftlae ilaveration;
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagrarxr of a sixth errrbodiraaent of the invention Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of the invention;
twt,-~ os~
.ms~n Fig. 10 is a flow chart generally showing the operation of the starting aid circuit according to the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a flow chart depicting the routine for detecting a cycling condition of the lamp in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a flow chart depicting the routine for detecting a lamp out condition in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Luminaire starting aid 10, Fig. 1, includes thermoplastic, impact resistant, ultra violet stabilized polypropylene cover 12 and clear window 14 made from LrV
stabilized, UV
absorbing acrylic for the light sensor, not shown, which resides on a circuit board within cover 12. Luminaire starting aid 10 is typically configured to fit an existing luminaire receptacle. Prongs 16 plug into a luminaire assembly and retaining clips 18 hold device 10 in place: the device according to the present invention is mounted underneath the luminaire such that alarm LED 20 can be viewed by a worker from the ground to determine if a fault exists without having to be raised up to the lamp assembly.
Luminaire starting circuit 22, shown in block form in Fig. 2, generally includes power supply 24, microprocessor 26, load detection circuit 28, trigger circuit 30 and communication device 32, which may include both onsite and offsite portion 33a and 33b, respectively. Starting circuit 22 may optionally include a photocontroller 34, a lamp off circuit 36, a condition sensing circuit 38 including lampout device 39a and cycling detector 39b and diagnostic circuitry 40.
The basic operation of starting aid circuit S0, Fig. 3, is such that power supply 56, which includes inductor L1, diode bridge BR2, resistor R3, capacitor C2 and Zener diode Z 1, delivers the necessary voltage needed fox each of the sub circuits.
Bridge BR2 (which could also be four individual diodes), R3, Z 1 and C2 zt~ake up a 5 volt power supply. Inductor L 1 is used to increase the impedance at high freduency of starting aid circuit 50. Bridge BR2 rectifies the AC voltage coming from the tap of ballast 52.
However, it should be noted that the voltage to drive starting aid circuit 50 could also come from the lamp side of ballast 52. Resistor R3 is a current limiting resistor. The value of resistor R3 is such that it will limit the current so that microprocessor circuit 58, alarm LED 64, and trigger circuit 60 will receive sufficient current in order to operate normally. Zener diode Z1 regulates tl~e voltage to microprocessor circuit 58 and trigger to circuit 60. Capacitor C2 is used to filter any AC ripple which may be present ozz tile 5-volt line and further provides peak pulse current to trigger circuit 60 and alarm LED
circuit 64. Initially microprocessor 6G of microprocessor circuit 58 will wait a predeterrnined period of time, for example one second, before carrying out any instructions. This allows capacitor Cl of voltage divider 62 to charge up.
Thereafter, the 1 s main loop of the program is started.
Voltage divider 62 is provided in order to detect a load drawn by lamp 54.
Resistors R1 and R2 make up a 100: 1 voltage divider. The rectified voltage is thus delivered to microprocessor 66 as a sample voltage, proportional to the voltage across lamp 54. Microprocessor 66 uses this voltage to determine the status of lamp 54.
2o Capacitor C 1 further filters the sample voltage being used by microprocessor 66. Zeuer diodE Z2 ensures that the sample voltage does not damage the input circuit of microprocessor 66. A voltage reading is taken at node V 1. When lamp 54 is off, the voltage detected at node V 1 should be proportional to the line voltage, or the highest voltage the circuit will see. This voltage is then multiplied by 0.75 to detern~.ia~e the trip DTI.- l OgJ 10 IDSvIr voltage. By choosing 75% of the highest voltage, the present circuit provides a universal starting aid that can be used in conjunction with 55 volt or 100 volt lamps without modification.
Microprocessor circuit 58 includes resistor R4, capacitor C3 and microprocessor 66 which may be for example, a 12C671 or a 1X672 available from Microchip of Ari2ozra. Resistor R4 is a current liriting resistor which provides microprocessor G6 with a clock pulse derived from the line frequency. Capacitor C3 is a bypass capacitor for microprocessor 66. The 12C671 (or 1X672) microprocessor has analog to digital (A/D) capabilities. This allows the analog voltage sampling of the lamp voltage to be to converted to a digital value so that microprocessor 6G can determine the status of the lamp, as described below.
In operation, microprocessor G6 sends out a pulse train to trigger circuit 60.
Trigger circuit GO includes resistor R5, transistor Ql, transformer T1, diodes I~1 said 1)8 and capacitors C4 and C30. Resistor RS is a current limiting resistor which is used to is develop the base cun~ent to turn on transistor Q1. Transistor Q1 is driven on and off by microprocessor 66 in response to pulses sent by zxricroprocessor 66. These pulses axe coupled to lamp 54 by transformer T1. The primary winding of transformer T1 is connected between a regulated five (5) volts from power supply 56 and Q1. When transistor Q1 is pulsed on, the five (5) volts is stepped up to approximately 3500 volts.
2o The pulse is typically l.Sp sec in duration and should be sufficient to start lamp 54.
Capacitor C4 limits the leakage current that will flow through the secondary windings of transformerTl. Microprocessor 66 waits a predetermined period of tire, for example two (2) seconds. A second voltage reading is taken at node V 1. If the second voltage read at node V 1 is lower than the trip voltage which, as discussed above, is taken as 75%
E)TL-108J
1DS Ir of the line voltage, the lamp has started. However, if the second voltage reading at node V 1 is not lower thazl the trip voltage, microprocessor 6G sends another pulse train to trigger circuit 60. In the preferred embodiment, this process is repeated four more times for a total of Pave times. If the voltage never drops below the trip voltage it is assumed that the lamp 54 is dead azld the indicator circuit 64 is activated to notify a line worker that the lamp 54 is not working. Alarm circuit G4 izacludes resistor R6 azad light ernittizlg diode D2. Resistor R6 is current limiting resistor for LED D2. LED D2 will light in response to instructions from microprocessor 66 to indicate to a line worker that lamp 54 is dead. If, on the other hand, after lamp 54 starts it is then cycled off, zzoicroprocessor 66 I o will wait a predetermined period of time, for example twa minutes, and then try to stair the lamp 54 again. This is done to prevent hot restriking of lamp 54. If lamp 54 does start again and again cycles, microprocessor G6 monitors the number of times the cycling occurs and limits restarting of the lamp 54 to a maximum number, for example five (5) ti mes, in a single night. If the lamp 54 cycles the predetermined number of times, the t s lamp 54 will be considered faulty and LED D2 of alarm circuit 64 will be activated.
Tlle operation of the starting aid circuit 50 wilt now be described with reference to the flow charts of Fags. 10-12. After the circuit is initialized, block 400, the system enters he main Ioop, block 402. If the microprocessor 66 deterniines that the alarm is on, block 404, the alarm LED is activated, block 406, and the system returns to the main loop 402.
2o If the microprocessor 66 determines that the system is clot in an alatxxz state, the system determines whether the lamp 54 is on, block 408. If it is not, the system enters the lalzop out routine, block 412, which is sllowz~ irl greater detail in Fig. 12.
As shown in Fig. 12, at block 420, a count N is set to 5 during initialization. A
pulse is sent to the lamp in order to tzy and stazt the lamp, block 410 azzd then the voltage DTL-I OSJ
lpS:lr at node V 1 is read, block 422. If the voltage at node 410 is not less than the trigger voltage, block 424, indicating the lamp has not been started, the count N is decremented by one, block 426. If the count N is not equal to 0, block 428, another pulse is sent to the lamp in order to attempt to start the tamp, block 410. Again, the voltage at node V 1 is read, block 422 to determine if the laaxtp has been started. If, at block 428, the count N is equal to 0, indicating that the lamp has been attempted to be started five tunes, the alarm is set, block 430 and the system returns to the main loop, block 431. If, at block 424, the voltage at node V 1 is less than the trigger voltage, a "lamp o,n" flag is set, block 432 and the count N is reset to 5, block 434. The system then checks if the lamp is cycling, block to 436. Referring back to Fig. 10, since, at block 408, it is determined that the lamp t5 on, the cycling routine is razz, block 414, as shown in Fig. 11.
In the cycling routine, Fig. 11, first the count N is set to 5 during initialization, block 440, and the voltage at node V 1 is read, block 442. If the voltage at node V 1 is less than the trigger voltage, block 444, the system determines that the lamp is indeed on arid returns to block 442 to monitor the voltage at node V 1. If in block 444, it is detenxtined that the voltage at node V1 is not less than the trigger voltage, the system determines whether a predetermined period of time in minutes has passed, block 446. If it has not, the system returns to bloclt 442 anal continues to monitor the voltage at node V 1. If the predeterrlained time period has passed, all flags axe cleared, block 448, the count N is zo decretnented by 1, block 450, and it is determined whether the count N is equal to 0, block 452. If it is not, the system returns to block 442 and continues monitoring the voltage at node V1. If, at block 452, the count N is equal to 0, the alarm is set, block 454, and the system returns to the main loop, block 456.
oT~L-~ osT ~ 3 JDS:Ir Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 100 in Fig. 4. Starting aid circuit 100 includes a photo conhrol circuit 102 for turning lamp 54 on during nighttime hours and off during daytime hours, Photo control circuit 102 includes resistors R17, R18, and R19 and transistor Q2. Resistors R17, R18 arid R19 are used as calibration s resistors. These resistors may be snapped out of the circuit 100 to lower the calibration point to ensure that the microprocessor 66 turns the lamp 54 on at the correct light level.
Transistor Q2 is a light sensing device, fox example a phototransistor, that conducts proportionally to the light level it detects. This produces a voltage which is input to A/D
pin 70 of microprocessor 66. This voltage reading is converted to a digital number and to .microprocessor 66 determines if lamp 54 is to be turned on, turned off, or maintained in its current state. If the lamp is to be turned oxr, pulses axe sent to trigger circuit GO as described above. If, however, lamp 54 is to be turned off, pulses are delivered to lamp off circuit 104. Larxzp off circuit 104 includes transformer T2, resistor R10, and TR1AC
X2. Lamp off circuit 104 turns lamp 54 otif'by placing a short across, or shunting the is lamp. Transfoxxxzer T2 is an isolation transformer and is needed since microprocessor 66 is not referenced to neutral as the lamp 54 is. Resistor R10 is a biasing resistor for TRIAL X2. A resistor or some other current limiting device may also be placed in lice with TRIAL X2.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 150 in Fig. 5. Staring aid 2o circuit 150, includes relay trigger circuit 152 which includes relay Kl. to enable SIDAC
trigger circuit 154. The primary difference between trigger circuit 154 and trigger circuit 60 is that, rather than a pulse train being sent by microprocessor 66, a sixzgle pulse of a duration of 2 seconds is used to energize relay K3 . Resistor R5, transistor Ql, diode Dl and relay K1 are used to enable SIDAC circuit 154 which includes SIDAC 1 SG, inductor nm-toss i4 lDSvir 1.10, capacitor C24 and resistor R16. Resistor RS is a current limiting resistor which develops the base current fox trar~sistox Ql which energizes relay K1. Diode D10 operates as a bacl~ swing clipping diode izttertded to eliminate voltage spikes developed by relay K1 when the relay is de-energized.
When relay K1 is energized, SIDAC circuit 154 is enabled and lamp 54 will start.
When relay Kl is de-energized, the lamp will not be triggered. This circuit represents a traditional starting aid trigger circuit. The SIDAC 156 has high resistance uzrtil a specified voltage is reached, in which case it has low xesistartce.
Indicator L1 is used to dampen the voltage spike that will be developed by C4, the ballast and the to SIDAC. R6 is a current limit resistor.
When relay K1 is energized, SIDAC 156 will switch from a high resistance to low resistance. Capacitor C24 discharges through ballast 52 and a voltage spike is seen by lamp 54. This occurs every one-half cycle. When the voltage seezz by SIDAC 1 SG drops below a specif ed voltage, SIDAC 1S6 returns to a high resistance state. When relay 15G
is is de-energized, there is no current path back to the SIDAC 156 and thus trigger circuit 154 is disabled.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 200 in Fig. 6. Starting aid circuit 200, includes power supply 56 with the addition of resistor R7 which linxits current and further helps prevent any txazrsient voltage or current spikes frorza entering the 2o rest of the circuit. Also included is opto-coupler circuit 204, which ixxeludes resistors R25 and R28, transistor Q2, and opta-coupler circuit 206, which provide a switch to turn on the circuit 202. Resistor R25 is a current limiting resistor that provides base current to transistor Q20. Transistor Q20 enables opto-coupler 206. Transistor Q20 is driven in response to tzaicroprocessor 66 to light LED 208 witlaitr opto-coupler 20G.
Resistor R28 nTU.-1 osl t s JDS:Ir limits the current to LED 208. The light produced by 1 ED 208 causes opto-coupler 206 to conduct. When opto-coupler U2 is conducting, SIDAC circuit 202 is enabled, lighting lamp 54.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 250 in Fig. 7. Staz~ting aid circuit 250 is identical to starting aid circuit 200,1~ig. 6, except for the opto-coupler circuit 254, which includes a diode DS and phototransistor Q30 fox enabling circuit 202.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 300 in Fig. 8. Stazting aid circuit 300, includes power supply 302 which is a half wave power supply.
Power supply t0 302, as compared to power supply 56, laig. 7, provides half wave rectification. Resistor R7 and capacitor CS serve to limit current while diode D3 sezves as a blocking diode.
Zener diode Zl, resistor R3 and capacitor C2 operate in the same manner as in power supply 56, 1~ig. 7. I-Iowever, capacitor C2 has much, larger capacitance in order to provide the same filtering.
Trigger circuit 30G, includes resistors R1S and R13, capacitor CG, and TR1AC
X1. Resistors R15 and R13 and capacitor C6 are pulse conditioning coznpozlents. When TRLAC X1 receives a pulse at its gate, it will to enable SIDAC circuit 202.
The advantage of starting aid circuit 300 is that because halfwave rectification is be used, opto-couplers or isolation transformers are no longer needed.
2.o Lantp off circuit 304 includes relay 308, resistors R5 and R12, and transistor Q3.
Resistor RS and transistor Q3 drive relay 308 on and off in response to microprocessor 66, and relay 308 turns lamp 54 on and ofd: When relay 308 is energized, a short circuit is placed across lamp 54, extinguishing tile lamp. This circuit also includes photo cotltrol circuit 30, similar to photoeontrol circuit 102, Fig. 4. Cycling detection may also be D1'L- I OSJ 16 JDS:I~
included to determine if the lamp is cycling or off due to lighting conditions.
Anothex embodiment of the invention is shown at 350 in Fig. 9. Starting aid circuit 350 includes lamp off circuit 352 comprised of resistors R12, and 14, capacitor C7 and TRIAC X2. Because power supply 302 provides half wave rectification, no isolation transformer is required as shown in circuit 300 of Fig. 8.
Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is fox convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words "including", "comprising", "having", and "with" as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and t o comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection.
lvloreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application axe not to be taken as the only possible embodixnents. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and axe within the following claims:
What is claimed is:
nzv-tosJ
~nsar
Cycling can waste electricity, cause radio firequency interference (RFI) which adversely affects communication circuits, radios, and televisions in the area, and may adversely effect and prematurely wear out the ballast, starter, and photocontroller.
For example, if an HPS lamp undergoes cycling for a few nights before it is finally serviced and replaced, the ballast or starter can also be damaged or degraded.
However, when the HPS lanrzp is replaced, such damage or degradation right not be detected.
1 o Consequently, additional service calls zxzust then be made to service these problems. The ballast and starter components are more expensive than the lamp or the photocontroller.
The cycling problezxz is well documented, but so far the only solutions offered are to replace the HPS lamps and luz~rzinaires with less efficient mercury lamps and luminaires or to reconfigure the photocontroller with a special fiber optic sensor which senses light frozen t s the lamp and sends a signal to a microprocessor to indicate whether the lamp is on or off.
After three on/off cycles, the microprocessor turns the lamp off and turns on a red strobe light which can be seen frozxz the street. Unfortunately, this prior art solution requires modifications to the existing light fixture (e.g. a hole must be drilled in the fixture housing) and the use of an expensive fiber optic sensor.
2o Another problem with all luminatxes including HPS or other types of lamps is the cost involved in correcting the cycling problezxz azrd other faults such as a lamp out condition. For example, a resident reports a lamp out or a cycling condition.
However, by the time the repair personnel asxives several hours Later, the lamp may have cycled back on.
Considering the fact that the lamp pole zxzay be 25-35 ft. high, repair personnel can waste a DT'L-108J
IDS~)r considerable amount of tune checking each lamp in the area. Also, repair and maintenance personnel may not be able to service a given residential area until daylight hours when all of the street lights are o~'by design.
s BRIEF SUMMARY Oh THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a starting aid circuit for a lannp which can detect a faulty condition.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which is microprocessor-based.
to It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which prevents hot restriking of a cycling or a dead lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which comJmunicates that a fault in the lamp has occurred.
It is a further object of dais invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which cart 15 corr~zx~uni.cate such a condition to a worker on the ground.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which can communicate a faulty condition to a remote location.
it is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which automatically turns on and off in response to daytime and nighttime lighting conditions.
2o It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which also turns the lamp of~
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which can detect whether the lamp is on or off.
It is a further object of this invention to pxovide such a starting aid circuit which can 2s detect cycling ofthe lamp.
D'IL-103J
JDS:1~
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which reduces maintenance of the lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which prolongs the life of the lamp.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a starting aid circuit which is cost efficient to pmduce.
The invention results from the realization that a truly effective luminaire starting aid device can be obtained by providing a trigger circuit including a feEdback loop that supplies a trigger voltage to the lamp and monitoxs the voltage of the lamp to determine if it has to indeed started. If the lamp does not start, a microprocessor that controls the trigger circuit instructs the trigger circuit to repeat attempts to start the lamp a predetermined nurnbcr of times, after which, if the lamp does not start, a faulty condition of the lamp is communicated either locally at the site of the luminaire or to a remote location.
This invention features a starting aid fox a luminaire including a device for is detecting a load drawn by or voltage across a lamp, a microprocessor, responsive to the means fox detecting, for controlling start-up of the lamp, a power supply for operating the microprocessor and a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for turning on the lamp.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the starting aid circuit rmay further be 20 progxanrmed to detect a condition of the lamp in xesponse to the load dxawn or voltage across the larxzp. Tire starting aid circuit may furthex include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for indicating the occuzxence of the condition detected. The starting aid circuit zaray further include a photo controller fox automatically turning the Iarnp on during periods o.f darkness and off during periods of daylight and means, responsive to the DTt,-1 O8J
Jl~Svir microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to tum off the lamp- The means for detecting may include a voltage divider. The trigger circuit may include a SII~AC circuit for turning on the lamp and a relay circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for etaabling the S1DAC
circuit. the trigger circuit may further include an opto-coupler, responsive to the s microprocessor, for enabling the SII~AC circuit. The power supply may include a full wave rectifier and/or a half wave rectifier. The trigger circuit tnay further include a TRIAC
circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for enabling the SIDAC circuit. The starting aid circuit rrray fuxtlaer include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to turn off the lamp. The means for shunting may include a relay circuit, responsive to the to microprocessor, for shorting the lamp. The means fox shunting may itrclude a TRIAC
circuit or another silicon device such as a SCR circuit, responsive to the r~iicroprocessor, for shorting the lamp. The means for indicating may include a visual alanrn, au audible alat7i~
andlor a transmitter for transmitting the detected condition to a location.
The condition may be a lamp dead condition and/or a cycling condition.
~ s This invention also features a diagnostic starting aid for a luminaire including means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across the lamp, a microprocessor, responsive to 2kte means for detecting and the photocontroller, for controlling staxt-up of the lamp, the microprocessor programmed to detect a condition of the luminaire in response to the load drawn, a power supply for operating the rnicrvprocessor, a trigger circuit, responsive to the 2o microprocessor, for turning on the lamp and means, response to the rnieroprocessor, for indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
This invention also features an automatic aid for a lamp including a photocontroller fox automatically turning the lamp on during periods of darkness arld off during periods of daylight, means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across the lamp, a xzaicroprocessor, DT L- l OS1 JDSar responsive to the means for detecting arid to the photoeontroller, for controlling start-up of the lamp, a power supply for operating the microprocessor and a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for tubing on the lamp.
In the preferred embodimezat, the automatic starting aid may further include means, responsive to the microprocessor, for shunting the lamp to turn off the lamp.
The microprocessor may be programmed to detect a condition of the lamp in response to the load drawn, fuzther including means, responsive to the mieroprocess4r, far indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
This invention also features a starting aid including a trigger circuit for supplyizag a 1 o trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied by a photodetector, a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage and means, respolasive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lazzap to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lat~np cycling or lamp out condition.
1n the preferred embodiment, the means for comparing may include a processor programmed to determine when the lamp voltage switches between a nominal voltage level aztd a non-nominal voltage level N times ixtdicative of a lamp cycling condition. N may be 5. The means for comparing may include a processor programmed to determine when the voltage on the lancrp falls to reach a nominal voltage levEl after M trigger voltage pulses. M
zo may be 2. The starting aid may further include means, responsive to the line voltage signal, for supplying to the trigger circuit a series of trigger pulses at predetermined portions of the line voltage signal. The rneatts for supplying may include a microprocessor programmed to detenxrine a zero crossing point of the line voltage signal and to output the series of pulses when the line voltage signal reaches 90' and 270'. The trigger circuit may include a JDS:Ir transformer which is activated by the series of trigger pulses and in response produces a lamp starting voltage tv the lamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA'PVINGS
Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from tlae following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. I is a three dimensional view of the starting aid for a lamp according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the starting aid circuit according to the present t0 invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment the starting aid according to the present invention;
Fig. ~ is a sehenaatie diagram, similar to Fig. 3, further including a photo controller for automatically turning the lamp on and off and a lamp off circuit for shunting the lamp to tuns it off;
Fig. 5 1s a schematic design of a third embodiment of the invention, in which the trigger circuit includes a SIDAC circuit for turning on the laraap and a relay circuit for enabling the SIDAC;
Fig. 6 is a scheraaatic diagraraa of a third embodiment of the invention, in which he relay circuit is replaced by a photocoupler for enabling the SIDAC;
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagraraa of a h$la etaabodilaaerat oftlae ilaveration;
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagrarxr of a sixth errrbodiraaent of the invention Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of the invention;
twt,-~ os~
.ms~n Fig. 10 is a flow chart generally showing the operation of the starting aid circuit according to the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a flow chart depicting the routine for detecting a cycling condition of the lamp in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a flow chart depicting the routine for detecting a lamp out condition in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Luminaire starting aid 10, Fig. 1, includes thermoplastic, impact resistant, ultra violet stabilized polypropylene cover 12 and clear window 14 made from LrV
stabilized, UV
absorbing acrylic for the light sensor, not shown, which resides on a circuit board within cover 12. Luminaire starting aid 10 is typically configured to fit an existing luminaire receptacle. Prongs 16 plug into a luminaire assembly and retaining clips 18 hold device 10 in place: the device according to the present invention is mounted underneath the luminaire such that alarm LED 20 can be viewed by a worker from the ground to determine if a fault exists without having to be raised up to the lamp assembly.
Luminaire starting circuit 22, shown in block form in Fig. 2, generally includes power supply 24, microprocessor 26, load detection circuit 28, trigger circuit 30 and communication device 32, which may include both onsite and offsite portion 33a and 33b, respectively. Starting circuit 22 may optionally include a photocontroller 34, a lamp off circuit 36, a condition sensing circuit 38 including lampout device 39a and cycling detector 39b and diagnostic circuitry 40.
The basic operation of starting aid circuit S0, Fig. 3, is such that power supply 56, which includes inductor L1, diode bridge BR2, resistor R3, capacitor C2 and Zener diode Z 1, delivers the necessary voltage needed fox each of the sub circuits.
Bridge BR2 (which could also be four individual diodes), R3, Z 1 and C2 zt~ake up a 5 volt power supply. Inductor L 1 is used to increase the impedance at high freduency of starting aid circuit 50. Bridge BR2 rectifies the AC voltage coming from the tap of ballast 52.
However, it should be noted that the voltage to drive starting aid circuit 50 could also come from the lamp side of ballast 52. Resistor R3 is a current limiting resistor. The value of resistor R3 is such that it will limit the current so that microprocessor circuit 58, alarm LED 64, and trigger circuit 60 will receive sufficient current in order to operate normally. Zener diode Z1 regulates tl~e voltage to microprocessor circuit 58 and trigger to circuit 60. Capacitor C2 is used to filter any AC ripple which may be present ozz tile 5-volt line and further provides peak pulse current to trigger circuit 60 and alarm LED
circuit 64. Initially microprocessor 6G of microprocessor circuit 58 will wait a predeterrnined period of time, for example one second, before carrying out any instructions. This allows capacitor Cl of voltage divider 62 to charge up.
Thereafter, the 1 s main loop of the program is started.
Voltage divider 62 is provided in order to detect a load drawn by lamp 54.
Resistors R1 and R2 make up a 100: 1 voltage divider. The rectified voltage is thus delivered to microprocessor 66 as a sample voltage, proportional to the voltage across lamp 54. Microprocessor 66 uses this voltage to determine the status of lamp 54.
2o Capacitor C 1 further filters the sample voltage being used by microprocessor 66. Zeuer diodE Z2 ensures that the sample voltage does not damage the input circuit of microprocessor 66. A voltage reading is taken at node V 1. When lamp 54 is off, the voltage detected at node V 1 should be proportional to the line voltage, or the highest voltage the circuit will see. This voltage is then multiplied by 0.75 to detern~.ia~e the trip DTI.- l OgJ 10 IDSvIr voltage. By choosing 75% of the highest voltage, the present circuit provides a universal starting aid that can be used in conjunction with 55 volt or 100 volt lamps without modification.
Microprocessor circuit 58 includes resistor R4, capacitor C3 and microprocessor 66 which may be for example, a 12C671 or a 1X672 available from Microchip of Ari2ozra. Resistor R4 is a current liriting resistor which provides microprocessor G6 with a clock pulse derived from the line frequency. Capacitor C3 is a bypass capacitor for microprocessor 66. The 12C671 (or 1X672) microprocessor has analog to digital (A/D) capabilities. This allows the analog voltage sampling of the lamp voltage to be to converted to a digital value so that microprocessor 6G can determine the status of the lamp, as described below.
In operation, microprocessor G6 sends out a pulse train to trigger circuit 60.
Trigger circuit GO includes resistor R5, transistor Ql, transformer T1, diodes I~1 said 1)8 and capacitors C4 and C30. Resistor RS is a current limiting resistor which is used to is develop the base cun~ent to turn on transistor Q1. Transistor Q1 is driven on and off by microprocessor 66 in response to pulses sent by zxricroprocessor 66. These pulses axe coupled to lamp 54 by transformer T1. The primary winding of transformer T1 is connected between a regulated five (5) volts from power supply 56 and Q1. When transistor Q1 is pulsed on, the five (5) volts is stepped up to approximately 3500 volts.
2o The pulse is typically l.Sp sec in duration and should be sufficient to start lamp 54.
Capacitor C4 limits the leakage current that will flow through the secondary windings of transformerTl. Microprocessor 66 waits a predetermined period of tire, for example two (2) seconds. A second voltage reading is taken at node V 1. If the second voltage read at node V 1 is lower than the trip voltage which, as discussed above, is taken as 75%
E)TL-108J
1DS Ir of the line voltage, the lamp has started. However, if the second voltage reading at node V 1 is not lower thazl the trip voltage, microprocessor 6G sends another pulse train to trigger circuit 60. In the preferred embodiment, this process is repeated four more times for a total of Pave times. If the voltage never drops below the trip voltage it is assumed that the lamp 54 is dead azld the indicator circuit 64 is activated to notify a line worker that the lamp 54 is not working. Alarm circuit G4 izacludes resistor R6 azad light ernittizlg diode D2. Resistor R6 is current limiting resistor for LED D2. LED D2 will light in response to instructions from microprocessor 66 to indicate to a line worker that lamp 54 is dead. If, on the other hand, after lamp 54 starts it is then cycled off, zzoicroprocessor 66 I o will wait a predetermined period of time, for example twa minutes, and then try to stair the lamp 54 again. This is done to prevent hot restriking of lamp 54. If lamp 54 does start again and again cycles, microprocessor G6 monitors the number of times the cycling occurs and limits restarting of the lamp 54 to a maximum number, for example five (5) ti mes, in a single night. If the lamp 54 cycles the predetermined number of times, the t s lamp 54 will be considered faulty and LED D2 of alarm circuit 64 will be activated.
Tlle operation of the starting aid circuit 50 wilt now be described with reference to the flow charts of Fags. 10-12. After the circuit is initialized, block 400, the system enters he main Ioop, block 402. If the microprocessor 66 deterniines that the alarm is on, block 404, the alarm LED is activated, block 406, and the system returns to the main loop 402.
2o If the microprocessor 66 determines that the system is clot in an alatxxz state, the system determines whether the lamp 54 is on, block 408. If it is not, the system enters the lalzop out routine, block 412, which is sllowz~ irl greater detail in Fig. 12.
As shown in Fig. 12, at block 420, a count N is set to 5 during initialization. A
pulse is sent to the lamp in order to tzy and stazt the lamp, block 410 azzd then the voltage DTL-I OSJ
lpS:lr at node V 1 is read, block 422. If the voltage at node 410 is not less than the trigger voltage, block 424, indicating the lamp has not been started, the count N is decremented by one, block 426. If the count N is not equal to 0, block 428, another pulse is sent to the lamp in order to attempt to start the tamp, block 410. Again, the voltage at node V 1 is read, block 422 to determine if the laaxtp has been started. If, at block 428, the count N is equal to 0, indicating that the lamp has been attempted to be started five tunes, the alarm is set, block 430 and the system returns to the main loop, block 431. If, at block 424, the voltage at node V 1 is less than the trigger voltage, a "lamp o,n" flag is set, block 432 and the count N is reset to 5, block 434. The system then checks if the lamp is cycling, block to 436. Referring back to Fig. 10, since, at block 408, it is determined that the lamp t5 on, the cycling routine is razz, block 414, as shown in Fig. 11.
In the cycling routine, Fig. 11, first the count N is set to 5 during initialization, block 440, and the voltage at node V 1 is read, block 442. If the voltage at node V 1 is less than the trigger voltage, block 444, the system determines that the lamp is indeed on arid returns to block 442 to monitor the voltage at node V 1. If in block 444, it is detenxtined that the voltage at node V1 is not less than the trigger voltage, the system determines whether a predetermined period of time in minutes has passed, block 446. If it has not, the system returns to bloclt 442 anal continues to monitor the voltage at node V 1. If the predeterrlained time period has passed, all flags axe cleared, block 448, the count N is zo decretnented by 1, block 450, and it is determined whether the count N is equal to 0, block 452. If it is not, the system returns to block 442 and continues monitoring the voltage at node V1. If, at block 452, the count N is equal to 0, the alarm is set, block 454, and the system returns to the main loop, block 456.
oT~L-~ osT ~ 3 JDS:Ir Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 100 in Fig. 4. Starting aid circuit 100 includes a photo conhrol circuit 102 for turning lamp 54 on during nighttime hours and off during daytime hours, Photo control circuit 102 includes resistors R17, R18, and R19 and transistor Q2. Resistors R17, R18 arid R19 are used as calibration s resistors. These resistors may be snapped out of the circuit 100 to lower the calibration point to ensure that the microprocessor 66 turns the lamp 54 on at the correct light level.
Transistor Q2 is a light sensing device, fox example a phototransistor, that conducts proportionally to the light level it detects. This produces a voltage which is input to A/D
pin 70 of microprocessor 66. This voltage reading is converted to a digital number and to .microprocessor 66 determines if lamp 54 is to be turned on, turned off, or maintained in its current state. If the lamp is to be turned oxr, pulses axe sent to trigger circuit GO as described above. If, however, lamp 54 is to be turned off, pulses are delivered to lamp off circuit 104. Larxzp off circuit 104 includes transformer T2, resistor R10, and TR1AC
X2. Lamp off circuit 104 turns lamp 54 otif'by placing a short across, or shunting the is lamp. Transfoxxxzer T2 is an isolation transformer and is needed since microprocessor 66 is not referenced to neutral as the lamp 54 is. Resistor R10 is a biasing resistor for TRIAL X2. A resistor or some other current limiting device may also be placed in lice with TRIAL X2.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 150 in Fig. 5. Staring aid 2o circuit 150, includes relay trigger circuit 152 which includes relay Kl. to enable SIDAC
trigger circuit 154. The primary difference between trigger circuit 154 and trigger circuit 60 is that, rather than a pulse train being sent by microprocessor 66, a sixzgle pulse of a duration of 2 seconds is used to energize relay K3 . Resistor R5, transistor Ql, diode Dl and relay K1 are used to enable SIDAC circuit 154 which includes SIDAC 1 SG, inductor nm-toss i4 lDSvir 1.10, capacitor C24 and resistor R16. Resistor RS is a current limiting resistor which develops the base current fox trar~sistox Ql which energizes relay K1. Diode D10 operates as a bacl~ swing clipping diode izttertded to eliminate voltage spikes developed by relay K1 when the relay is de-energized.
When relay K1 is energized, SIDAC circuit 154 is enabled and lamp 54 will start.
When relay Kl is de-energized, the lamp will not be triggered. This circuit represents a traditional starting aid trigger circuit. The SIDAC 156 has high resistance uzrtil a specified voltage is reached, in which case it has low xesistartce.
Indicator L1 is used to dampen the voltage spike that will be developed by C4, the ballast and the to SIDAC. R6 is a current limit resistor.
When relay K1 is energized, SIDAC 156 will switch from a high resistance to low resistance. Capacitor C24 discharges through ballast 52 and a voltage spike is seen by lamp 54. This occurs every one-half cycle. When the voltage seezz by SIDAC 1 SG drops below a specif ed voltage, SIDAC 1S6 returns to a high resistance state. When relay 15G
is is de-energized, there is no current path back to the SIDAC 156 and thus trigger circuit 154 is disabled.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 200 in Fig. 6. Starting aid circuit 200, includes power supply 56 with the addition of resistor R7 which linxits current and further helps prevent any txazrsient voltage or current spikes frorza entering the 2o rest of the circuit. Also included is opto-coupler circuit 204, which ixxeludes resistors R25 and R28, transistor Q2, and opta-coupler circuit 206, which provide a switch to turn on the circuit 202. Resistor R25 is a current limiting resistor that provides base current to transistor Q20. Transistor Q20 enables opto-coupler 206. Transistor Q20 is driven in response to tzaicroprocessor 66 to light LED 208 witlaitr opto-coupler 20G.
Resistor R28 nTU.-1 osl t s JDS:Ir limits the current to LED 208. The light produced by 1 ED 208 causes opto-coupler 206 to conduct. When opto-coupler U2 is conducting, SIDAC circuit 202 is enabled, lighting lamp 54.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 250 in Fig. 7. Staz~ting aid circuit 250 is identical to starting aid circuit 200,1~ig. 6, except for the opto-coupler circuit 254, which includes a diode DS and phototransistor Q30 fox enabling circuit 202.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown at 300 in Fig. 8. Stazting aid circuit 300, includes power supply 302 which is a half wave power supply.
Power supply t0 302, as compared to power supply 56, laig. 7, provides half wave rectification. Resistor R7 and capacitor CS serve to limit current while diode D3 sezves as a blocking diode.
Zener diode Zl, resistor R3 and capacitor C2 operate in the same manner as in power supply 56, 1~ig. 7. I-Iowever, capacitor C2 has much, larger capacitance in order to provide the same filtering.
Trigger circuit 30G, includes resistors R1S and R13, capacitor CG, and TR1AC
X1. Resistors R15 and R13 and capacitor C6 are pulse conditioning coznpozlents. When TRLAC X1 receives a pulse at its gate, it will to enable SIDAC circuit 202.
The advantage of starting aid circuit 300 is that because halfwave rectification is be used, opto-couplers or isolation transformers are no longer needed.
2.o Lantp off circuit 304 includes relay 308, resistors R5 and R12, and transistor Q3.
Resistor RS and transistor Q3 drive relay 308 on and off in response to microprocessor 66, and relay 308 turns lamp 54 on and ofd: When relay 308 is energized, a short circuit is placed across lamp 54, extinguishing tile lamp. This circuit also includes photo cotltrol circuit 30, similar to photoeontrol circuit 102, Fig. 4. Cycling detection may also be D1'L- I OSJ 16 JDS:I~
included to determine if the lamp is cycling or off due to lighting conditions.
Anothex embodiment of the invention is shown at 350 in Fig. 9. Starting aid circuit 350 includes lamp off circuit 352 comprised of resistors R12, and 14, capacitor C7 and TRIAC X2. Because power supply 302 provides half wave rectification, no isolation transformer is required as shown in circuit 300 of Fig. 8.
Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is fox convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words "including", "comprising", "having", and "with" as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and t o comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection.
lvloreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application axe not to be taken as the only possible embodixnents. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and axe within the following claims:
What is claimed is:
nzv-tosJ
~nsar
Claims (14)
1. A starting aid comprising:
a trigger circuit for supplying a trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied;
a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage; and means, responsive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lamp to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lamp cycling or lamp out condition, wherein the nominal voltage is proportional to the line voltage of the lamp, such that the starting aid may be used with lamps of varying voltage.
a trigger circuit for supplying a trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied;
a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage; and means, responsive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lamp to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lamp cycling or lamp out condition, wherein the nominal voltage is proportional to the line voltage of the lamp, such that the starting aid may be used with lamps of varying voltage.
2. The starting aid of claim 1 in which the means for comparing includes a processor programmed to determine when the lamp voltage switches between a nominal voltage level and a non-nominal voltage level N times indicative of a lamp cycling condition.
3. The starting aid of claim 2 in which N is 5.
4. The starting aid of claim 1 in which the means for comparing includes a processor programmed to determine when the voltage on the lamp fails to reach a nominal voltage level after M trigger voltage pulses.
5. The starting aid of claim 4 in which M is 2.
6. The starting aid of claim 1 further including means, responsive to the line voltage signal, for supplying to the trigger circuit a series of trigger pulses at predetermined portions of the line voltage signal.
7. The starting aid of claim 6 wherein the means for supplying includes a microprocessor programmed to determine a zero crossing point of the line voltage signal and to output the series of pulses when the line voltage signal reaches 90°
and 270°.
and 270°.
8. The starting aid of claim 7 wherein the trigger circuit includes a transformer which is activated by the series of trigger pulses and in response produces a lamp starting voltage to the lamp.
9. The starting aid of claim 1, wherein the nominal voltage is 0.75 times the line voltage so that the starting aid can be used in conjunction with a 55 volt lamp or a 100 volt lamp without modification.
10. A diagnostic starting aid for a luminaire comprising:
means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across a lamp;
a microprocessor, responsive to the means for detecting a load drawn or voltage across the lamp, the microprocessor programmed to detect a condition of the luminaire in response to the load drawn by comparing the voltage across the lamp with a trip voltage that is proportional to a line voltage of the lamp, such that the starting aid may be used for lamps of varying power;
a photocontroller for controlling the start-up of the lamp;
a power supply for operating the microprocessor;
a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for turning on the lamp;
and means, response to the microprocessor, for indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
means for detecting a load drawn by or voltage across a lamp;
a microprocessor, responsive to the means for detecting a load drawn or voltage across the lamp, the microprocessor programmed to detect a condition of the luminaire in response to the load drawn by comparing the voltage across the lamp with a trip voltage that is proportional to a line voltage of the lamp, such that the starting aid may be used for lamps of varying power;
a photocontroller for controlling the start-up of the lamp;
a power supply for operating the microprocessor;
a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor, for turning on the lamp;
and means, response to the microprocessor, for indicating the occurrence of the condition detected.
11. The starting aid of claim 10, wherein the trigger circuit comprises:
a transistor that is driven on and off by the pulse train and produces an output voltage of approximately 5 volts;
a transformer connected to the output of the transistor that steps up the output voltage of the transistor to approximately 3500 volts.
a transistor that is driven on and off by the pulse train and produces an output voltage of approximately 5 volts;
a transformer connected to the output of the transistor that steps up the output voltage of the transistor to approximately 3500 volts.
12. The starting aid of claim 10, wherein the trigger voltage is 0.75 times the line voltage so that the starting aid can be used in conjunction with a 55 volt lamp or a 100 volt lamp without modification.
13. The starting aid of claim 1, wherein the nominal voltage is 0.75 times the line voltage so that the starting aid can be used in conjunction with a 55 volt lamp or a 100 volt lamp without modification.
14. A starting aid circuit for a luminaire, comprising:
a voltage divider circuit to detect a voltage across a lamp;
a microprocessor, responsive to an input from the voltage detection device, for controlling the start-up of the lamp and programmed to predict a condition of the lamp based on the voltage across the lamp by comprising the voltage across the lamp with a trip voltage that is proportional to a line voltage;
a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor for turning on the lamp;
a communications device for transmitting a signal to a power supply for operating the voltage detection circuit, the microprocessor the trigger circuit and the communications device.
a voltage divider circuit to detect a voltage across a lamp;
a microprocessor, responsive to an input from the voltage detection device, for controlling the start-up of the lamp and programmed to predict a condition of the lamp based on the voltage across the lamp by comprising the voltage across the lamp with a trip voltage that is proportional to a line voltage;
a trigger circuit, responsive to the microprocessor for turning on the lamp;
a communications device for transmitting a signal to a power supply for operating the voltage detection circuit, the microprocessor the trigger circuit and the communications device.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12863599P | 1999-04-09 | 1999-04-09 | |
| US60/128,635 | 1999-04-09 | ||
| US09/544,307 US6452340B1 (en) | 1999-04-09 | 2000-04-06 | Luminaire starting aid device |
| US09/544,307 | 2000-04-06 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2304911A1 CA2304911A1 (en) | 2000-10-09 |
| CA2304911C true CA2304911C (en) | 2005-12-27 |
Family
ID=26826786
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002304911A Expired - Lifetime CA2304911C (en) | 1999-04-09 | 2000-04-07 | Luminaire starting aid device |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6452340B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1043917A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2304911C (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA00003499A (en) |
Families Citing this family (43)
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| US10539311B2 (en) | 2008-04-14 | 2020-01-21 | Digital Lumens Incorporated | Sensor-based lighting methods, apparatus, and systems |
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| US8072223B1 (en) * | 2011-07-31 | 2011-12-06 | Sioma Edward M | Monitoring circuit for determining if an electric element has failed before the electric element is powered |
| AU2012332206B2 (en) | 2011-11-03 | 2016-02-04 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Methods, systems, and apparatus for intelligent lighting |
| CN106937459B (en) | 2012-03-19 | 2020-06-16 | 数字照明股份有限公司 | Method, system and apparatus for providing variable illumination |
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| CA2926260C (en) | 2013-10-10 | 2023-01-24 | Digital Lumens Incorporated | Methods, systems, and apparatus for intelligent lighting |
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| US10230634B2 (en) | 2015-09-25 | 2019-03-12 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Route optimization using star-mesh hybrid topology in localized dense ad-hoc networks |
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| TWI795884B (en) * | 2021-08-25 | 2023-03-11 | 立積電子股份有限公司 | Device of measuring duty cycle and compensation circuit |
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-
2000
- 2000-04-06 US US09/544,307 patent/US6452340B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-04-07 CA CA002304911A patent/CA2304911C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-04-10 MX MXPA00003499A patent/MXPA00003499A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-04-10 EP EP00303012A patent/EP1043917A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1043917A2 (en) | 2000-10-11 |
| US6452340B1 (en) | 2002-09-17 |
| MXPA00003499A (en) | 2002-03-08 |
| EP1043917A3 (en) | 2002-07-03 |
| CA2304911A1 (en) | 2000-10-09 |
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