Individually addressable dimmer systems and methods
AssigneeKichler Lighting LLC
InventorsThomas Joseph Tyson, John J. Andrisin, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for of dimming generally considered to be non-dimmable with conventional dimmers. An exemplary dimming module accepts a power source for a light source and a dimming signal. The dimming module modifies the power signal and generates a modified power signal capable of dimming LED light sources (and other light sources) that are generally considered to be non-dimmable with conventional dimmers. The dimming signal can be a wireless signal. Exemplary embodiments include a computer application executing on a computer or handheld computer that can be used to remotely dim, via the dimming module, one or more LED light sources (and other light sources) that are generally considered to be non-dimmable with conventional dimmers.
Claims17
An apparatus, comprising:
- a lighting fixture with a light source extending from a stem;
- a lighting stake with a base having an opening formed therein to receive the stem for supporting the lighting fixture;
- an enclosure having a threaded opening on one side and a threaded projection on the other side to couple in-between and mechanically secure to the lighting fixture and the lighting stake and provide controllable dimming for the lighting fixture;
- at least one controllable switch supported by the enclosure and electrically connected between an input and an output;
- a receiver supported by the enclosure and configured to receive a dimming signal and transmit a dimming control signal;
- and
- logic configured to accept the dimming control signal and control the switch at a frequency of at least 200 Hz for a DC input signal and at least 600 Hz for an AC signal to generate a signal at the output terminals to dim the light source, wherein the light source is generally considered to be non-dimmable with conventional dimmers.
A method of retrofitting a landscape lighting fixture for dimming control, comprising:
- providing a light fixture with a light extending from a threaded stem, wherein a wire extends from the light to provide an electrical connection;
- providing a landscape lighting stake with a base having a threaded opening formed therein and adapted to receive the threaded stem to support the light fixture;
- unscrewing the threaded stem of the light fixture from the threaded opening of the landscape lighting stake;
- providing a dimmer unit with an enclosure and a threaded extension extending from the enclosure, wherein the dimmer unit is formed with a threaded central opening that projects through the enclosure and the threaded extension;
- inserting the wire of the light fixture through the threaded central opening of the dimmer unit;
- twisting the threaded extension of the dimmer unit into the threaded opening of the landscape lighting stake to threadably secure the dimmer unit to the landscape lighting stake;
- twisting the threaded stem of the light fixture into the threaded central opening of the dimmer unit to threadably secure the light fixture to the dimmer unit;
- electrically connecting a power cable to the dimmer unit, wherein the power cable is adapted to connect to an external power source;
- and
- electrically connecting a dimmer unit output to the wire of the light fixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.