US 7,825,614 B2Granted

Voltage control load center, modular voltage control transformer circuit, and method of making and using

OwnerJames M. Archdekininventor

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Abstract

A voltage control load center (10) includes plural modular voltage control transformer circuits (20), and is connected between supply mains (22) and a load (L) including one or more high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. The lamps are started at full line voltage, and after a sufficient operating interval ensuring that the lamps have achieved a sustaining temperature, the operating voltage applied to the lamps is reduced, effecting a considerable savings in energy use, with little or an acceptably small decrease in illumination provided by the lamps. Because the voltage control transformer circuits (20) are modular, voltage control load centers (10) suitable for a variety of differing requirements may be quickly, easily, and inexpensively fabricated and installed without the need for the conventional requirement of a custom (i.e., application specific) transformer design and fabrication, which conventional requirements are both time and labor intensive.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A modular voltage control transformer circuit for controlling the operating voltage level applied to an HID lighting unit, said modular voltage control transformer circuit including a base carrying a transformer, and a panel carrying a SPDT switch in a first position connecting full line voltage to said HID lighting unit for starting of said lighting unit, and in a second position said SPDT switch connecting a reduced voltage less than full line voltage to said HID lighting unit for sustained operation of said lighting unit, and a timing circuit effecting switching of said SPDT switch from said first to said second position after passage of a determined start-up time interval of full line voltage operation;

wherein said circuit comprises:
a base which is generally rectangular in front view and U-shaped in side view;
said base including a generally rectangular back plate portion which defines mounting holes by which the modular voltage control transformer circuit can be secured within an enclosure;
said base further including a connecting leg portion extending forwardly to carry a front plate portion;
a recess cooperatively defined by the back plate portion, connecting leg portion, and front plate portion receiving a transformer assembly including a transformer core and windings;
further including:
a mounting assembly having a rear cushion member which is elastomeric and insulating and is interposed between said rear plate portion and said transformer;
said rear plate portion defining a centrally located bolt hole, and a bolt received through this hole to receive the cushion member;
said transformer core being received over said bolt, and
another cushion member which is also elastomeric and insulating and sandwiching said transformer;
a dimpled washer member and a nut securing said another cushion member, said transformer, and said rear cushion member onto said rear plate portion.

8 more elements

An HID lighting modular voltage control transformer circuit (MVCTC) for use in an HID lighting voltage control load center, said MVCTC receiving voltage and current from a power line and selectively providing either full line voltage or a selectively reduced voltage level to an HID lighting load with no interruption of current flow to the HID lighting load in response to change of voltage between full line voltage and said selectively reduced voltage level, said MVCTC including:

a transformer having an annular core, a primary winding on said core and a secondary windings on said core, said primary winding having two respective ends, and said secondary winding also having two respective ends, said ends of said primary winding individually connecting to respective terminals of a connector strip, and said ends of said secondary winding also individually connecting to respective terminals of a connector strip;
a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch having a common contact connecting with a second of said two ends of said primary winding and to the HID lighting load, said SPDT switch including a normally open (NO) contact connecting to one side of the line and to a first end of said two ends of said primary winding;
said SPDT switch including a normally closed (NC) contact connecting to a first end of said two ends of said secondary winding;
a second end of said secondary winding connecting to the other side of the line and also connecting to the other side of said HID lighting load;
whereby, on the one hand when the SPDT switch NC contacts are closed, said transformer delivers a reduced voltage to the load with the secondary winding arranged to buck voltage across said primary winding;
and on the other hand, when the NO contacts of said SPDT switch are closed said SPDT switch shorts said primary winding and connects full line voltage to said HID lighting load;
said MVCTC further comprising a base member carrying said transformer, said base member including a rear portion disposed at a rear side of said transformer and including provision for mounting said MVCTC within a protective enclosure, a leg portion extending from said base portion, and said leg portion carrying a front plate portion disposed on a front side of said transformer opposite to said base portion, and said connector strip being carried upon said plate portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/725,871Filed 20 Mar 2007 · us provisional application
Priority: 21 Mar 2006
Published: US 2007/0224905 A127 Sep 2007
Granted: 2 Nov 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H05B 41/382
Controlling the intensity of light: during the transitional start-up phase
H05B 41/231
For lamps not having an auxiliary starting electrode: for high-pressure lamps
H05B 41/42
Discontinuously: in two steps only
Y02B 20/00
Energy efficient lighting technologies