Low-voltage controller with dimming function and method
AssigneeCurbell Medical Products, Inc.
InventorEdward Wilkolaski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as, for example, a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a first load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the first load. Subsequent step signals may alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of a load is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting a lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.
Claims14
A low-voltage controller, comprising:
- a switch input configured to receive a low-voltage step signal;
- a line input configured to connect to a line voltage source;
- a first load output configured to connect to a first load and provide power to the first load;
- a dimmer configured to set a first intensity of the first load when a first occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input, and a second intensity of the first load when a second occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input;
- and
- an isolator coupled between the first load output and the dimmer to galvanically isolate the first load output.
A low-voltage controller, comprising:
- a switch input configured to receive a low-voltage step signal;
- a line input configured to connect to a line voltage source;
- a first load output configured to connect to a first load and provide power to the first load;
- and
- a microcontroller having two or more outputs, wherein the microcontroller is configured to turn on a first output when a first occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input, and to turn on a second output when a second occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input;
- a summing amplifier, comprising:
- two or more inputs electrically connected to the two or more outputs of the microcontroller;
- and
- an amplifier output configured to provide an analog signal to the first load output based on a sum of the two or more inputs.
A low-voltage controller, comprising:
- a switch input configured to receive a low-voltage step signal;
- a wireless transmitter configured to communicate with a corresponding wireless receiver of a first load;
- and
- a dimmer configured to wirelessly transmit a first intensity signal to the first load when a first occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input, and to wirelessly transmit a second intensity signal to the first load when a second occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input.
A low-voltage controller, comprising:
- a switch input configured to receive a low-voltage step signal;
- a line input configured to connect to a line voltage source;
- and
- a first load output configured to connect to a first load and provide power to the first load;
- a dimmer configured to set a first intensity of the first load when a first occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input for a first time interval, and a second intensity of the first load when a second occurrence of the low-voltage step signal is received at the switch input for a second time interval,
- wherein the dimmer comprises a microcontroller programmed to continuously increment a switch counter during the first time interval and set the first intensity at the first load output according to a value of the switch counter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.