Fluorescent lamp dimmer system
AssigneeLutron Electronics Co., Inc.
InventorJames M. Moan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluorescent lamp controller with dimming capability has its dimming function disabled for a given period of time, preferably about 100 hours, when new lamps are connected to a ballast to “season” the lamps by driving them at full rated current. The dimming function is restored after the seasoning interval has passed. An indicator is provided to inform the user that the seasoning function is in use.
Claims33
A fluorescent lighting controller for controlling the light output of at least one fluorescent lamp, comprising:
- a lamp control circuit for varying the light output of the lamp,
- a lamp seasoning control for seasoning the lamp by causing the lamp control circuit to drive the lamp with a predetermined electrical input power for a predetermined period of time, the lamp seasoning control including a timer determining the predetermined period of time, and
- an enabling circuit for selectively enabling the timer;
- further wherein the predetermined period of time comprises a predetermined lamp operational time, such that once the predetermined lamp operational time has been reached, the lamp seasoning control is disabled from causing the lamp control circuit to drive the lamp with the predetermined electrical input power.
A fluorescent lighting controller for controlling the light output of at least one fluorescent lamp, comprising:
- a control circuit for selectively seasoning the at least one lamp by operating the lamp at a predetermined intensity for a predetermined period of time, and
- a burn-in input terminal coupled to the control circuit for receiving a signal to selectively initiate the seasoning;
- further wherein the predetermined period of time comprises a predetermined lamp operational time, such that once the predetermined lamp operational time has been reached, the control circuit is prevented from receiving the signal to initiate seasoning the at least one lamp at the predetermined intensity.
A process for operating a fluorescent lamp dimmer system comprising the steps of:
- driving a lamp initially at a requested light level;
- receiving a lamp seasoning initiation signal,
- initiating a timer in response to the lamp seasoning initiation signal,
- blocking a response by the lamp to at least some input control signals to said dimmer system for a predetermined period of time determined by said timer and driving the lamp at a predetermined power level until the lamp is seasoned, and
- thereafter driving the lamp at a requested light level based on the input control signals after the predetermined period of time has ended;
- further wherein the predetermined period of time comprises a predetermined lamp operational time, further comprising stopping driving the lamp at the predetermined power level once the predetermined lamp operational time has been reached.
A fluorescent lighting controller for controlling the light output of at least one fluorescent lamp, comprising:
- a lamp control circuit for varying the light output of the lamp,
- a lamp seasoning control for seasoning the lamp by causing the lamp control circuit to drive the lamp with a predetermined electrical input power for a predetermined period of time, and
- a memory for storing a representation of the cumulative seasoning time of the lamp, said memory operatively coupled to said lamp seasoning control so as to provide an indication as to when said predetermined period of time has elapsed.
A fluorescent lighting controller for controlling the light output of at least one fluorescent lamp, comprising:
- a lamp control circuit for varying the light output of the lamp, the lamp having at least one lamp filament;
- a lamp seasoning control for seasoning the lamp by causing the lamp control circuit to drive the lamp with a predetermined electrical input power for a predetermined period of time, the lamp seasoning control including a timer determining the predetermined period of time, and
- an enabling circuit for selectively enabling the timer;
- further wherein the predetermined period of time comprises a predetermined lamp operational time sufficient to permanently drive lamp impurities away from the at least one lamp filament.
A fluorescent lighting controller for controlling the light output of at least one fluorescent lamp, comprising:
- a lamp control circuit for varying the light output of the lamp, the lamp having a phosphor coating;
- a lamp seasoning control for seasoning the lamp by causing the lamp control circuit to drive the lamp with a predetermined electrical input power for a predetermined period of time, the lamp seasoning control including a timer determining the predetermined period of time, and
- an enabling circuit for selectively enabling the timer, further wherein the predetermined time comprises a predetermined lamp operational time sufficient to drive lamp impurities into the lamp phosphor coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.