Power control unit
AssigneeThe Sloan Company, Inc.
InventorsBruce Quaal, John Koteles
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Abstract
The present invention generally provides a power control unit adapted to provide adjustable levels of a controlled output power signal, such as but not limited to a pulse width modulated signal or a serial binary signal. One embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention comprises a housing holding internal electronic components. This housing further comprises input and output wiring extending out of the housing and internally connected to the electronic components. The electronic components further comprise circuitry capable of providing at least 2 levels of the controlled output power signal. The present invention also includes lighting systems incorporating a power control unit according to the invention.
Claims21
A power control unit, comprising:
- a housing holding internal electronic components;
- input and output wiring extending out of said housing and internally connected to said electronic components;
- said electronic components further comprising circuitry capable of providing an adjustable output power signal in response to environmental conditions;
- and
- at least one switch configured to cooperate with said electronic components to control a power level of said output power signal, wherein said at least one switch is exposed from said housing;
- said circuitry comprising:
- a controller which receives at least one input signal and produces said output power signal;
- a low voltage lockout circuit configured to monitor an input voltage of said power control unit and prevent operation of said controller if said input voltage is below a predetermined threshold;
- a current limit circuit configured to monitor an output load current, said current limit circuit configured to provide a feedback signal to said controller to maintain said output load current below a predetermined current limit threshold;
- and
- a power controller setting circuit configured to control said power level of said output power signal, wherein said at least one switch cooperates with said power controller setting circuit to provide a range of power levels selectable by said at least one switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.