US 5,962,991 A · Intelligent outdoor lighting control system

Abstract

A new and improved outdoor lighting control system for an outdoor lighting system network for automatically sensing, conveying, and recording data relevant to the operation of the lighting system network so that both control and maintenance can be performed more efficiently. At each of plural lamp locations in the network, there is a controller module that receives electric power input and that supplies electric power to the remaining lamp locations. Each controller module has a first relay to deliver current to one or more outdoor illumination lamps at the controller module's location, and a second relay for switching electric power on to a succeeding lamp location. A first current sensor monitors current to the lamps at each lamp location, and a second current sensor monitors current to the remaining locations. The network's power lines form portions of a bi-directional data link via which data is transmitted from each controller module to a command station, and vice versa.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims11

Dependent claims

An outdoor lighting control system for a string of outdoor illumination lamps disposed at various locations along an outdoor lighting system comprising:

at each of plural lamp locations in the string, a controller module comprising input means for receiving electric power input and output means for supplying electric power to the remainder of the string;
each of said plural lamp locations further comprising one or more outdoor illumination lamps;
each controller module comprising first switching means for switching the electric power input to deliver current to the one or more outdoor illumination lamps at the controller module's location, and second switching means for switching electric input power from the controller module's input means to the controller module's output means in response to receipt of electric power input at the controller module's input means;
in which each controller module comprises its own electronic control unit for controlling its first switching means and its second switching means and in which each controller module further comprises a first current sensing means for sensing current flowing through its first switching means and a second current sensing means for sensing current flowing through its second switching means.

1 more element

An outdoor lighting control system for a string of outdoor illumination lamps disposed at various locations along an outdoor lighting system comprising:

for each of plural lamp locations in the string, a controller module comprising input means for receiving electric power input and output means for supplying electric power to the remainder of the string;
each of said plural lamp locations further comprising one or more outdoor illumination lamps;
each controller module comprising first switching means for switching the electric power input to deliver current to the one or more outdoor illumination lamps at the controller module's location, and second switching means for switching electric input power from the controller module's input means to the controller module's output means in response to receipt of electric power input at the controller module's input means;
each controller module comprising its own electronic control unit for controlling its first switching means and its second switching means;
in which electric power lines connect successive locations in the string, and in which said input means, said second switching means, and output means of the controller module at each of said plural locations, together with said power lines, provide a medium for both electric power delivery and electronic communication between said plural locations;
and
further including a command station that controls said controller modules to operate the first switching means and the second switching means at each of said plural locations via the medium;
and
in which each of said plural lamp locations further comprises a capacitor and a ballast, and each controller module provides to the command station, data identifying its location and the operation of the associated outdoor illumination lamp or lamps, the associated capacitor, and the associated ballast.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,533 words

Summary764 words

#This invention relates generally to outdoor lighting control systems, and is especially advantageous for street and road lighting systems.

#Certain individuals and governments consider both ownership and use of motor vehicles as a social concession which is compensated and checked by the levying of duties and various taxes on the vehicles and on products used in conjunction with the motor vehicles, especially fuels. Ownership of motor vehicles is however increasing throughout the world, and this is at least to a significant extent attributable to increased prosperity. As a result, there is increased demand for new infrastructure, such as new streets, roads, highways, expressways, parking lots, etc., to accommodate both the increasing number of motor vehicles and the presence of more luxurious vehicles. Existing infrastructure is often outdated and needs maintenance, upgrading, and/or replacement.

#One important component of both existing and new infra-structure is lighting systems for streets, roads, highways, expressways, parking lots, etc. While lighting systems are primarily intended to be functional, in some traditional areas, such as airports and shopping malls, it is important that they have a decorative character. Decorative character of lighting systems is becoming more important especially where the lighting systems are in the presence of illuminated signage and lighted buildings. Increased cost per unit of land area will be accompanied by an increase in the amount of lighting cost per unit of land area.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#FIG. 1 is a view of a typical outdoor lighting system embodying principles of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an installation at a lamp pole.

#FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of FIG. 2.

Detailed description2,675 words

#FIG. 1 shows the general plan of a lighting system installation embodying principles of the present invention. There are a series of light poles 10 (only one pole being shown in FIG. 1), each of which has one or more lamps 12 for illuminating a land surface area. These poles are arranged in a string at appropriate distances, and in a given network there can be any number of strings and any number of poles in a string. Power (240/480 volts typically) is delivered to the poles via power lines 14, usually buried underground cables, and extending in a string from a lighting cabinet 16 that serves one or more strings in a network.

#A network may have various numbers of such lighting cabinets 16 that are linked with a central control room 18. Detail of an example of a central control room is shown in FIG. 6. Control room 18 receives electric power via incoming power lines 20 and delivers that power to the various lighting cabinets 16 via outgoing power lines 22. In addition, the power lines 14, 22 provide a means for bi-direction communication and control between the control room 18 on the one hand and the lighting cabinets 16 and controller modules 27 in each pole 10 on the other hand. In other words, the power lines perform the dual functions of i) delivering power to the string and ii) providing electronic data communication whereby data from the lighting cabinets and controller modules is conveyed to the control room, and commands are conveyed from the control room to the lighting cabinets and controller modules.

#The control room is adapted for automatic operation to turn various lamp strings and/or individual lamps on and off at various times and to collect data from the lighting cabinets and the lamps served from each cabinet. The illustrated control room has a communication link 24 to the outgoing power lines 22 which includes an IR module and adapter for linking a P.C. 26 with the outgoing power lines while providing electrical isolation between them.

Facts

Application

08/804,714Filed 21 Feb 1997

Granted

5 Oct 1999

Term ended

21 Feb 2017

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination. Patent term adjustment is unavailable; no adjustment was added.

Classification7 codes

H05B 47/155
Controlling the light source: coordinated control of two or more light sources
H02J 13/1313
Using the power network as support for the transmission: using pulsed signals
H05B 47/185
By remote control: via power line carrier transmission
Y02B 20/40
Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps: control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart…

Description3,533 words

Summary764 words

#This invention relates generally to outdoor lighting control systems, and is especially advantageous for street and road lighting systems.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#FIG. 1 is a view of a typical outdoor lighting system embodying principles of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an installation at a lamp pole.

#FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of FIG. 2.

Detailed description2,675 words

Intelligent outdoor lighting control system

Life of this patent

Intelligent outdoor lighting control system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims11

Description3,533 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,533 words