Self-powered long-life occupancy sensors and sensor circuits
View Patent ↗Occupancy sensors are provided that do not require an external power source in order to operate. The sensors operate with a low voltage non-rechargeable battery and are fully functional for at least about 15-20 years. The sensors include a relay output capable of switching high or low voltage and high or low current with virtually no generated heat. The sensors require no warm-up period, no minimum load, and no external ground connection. The sensors are always active and are easily installed, having two electrically interchangeable outputs for coupling to, for example, a load and a load power source.
1. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event;
applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating;
coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; and
powering said generating, said applying, and said coupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising enclosing said generating, said applying, said coupling, and said energy storage device in a single housing.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises amplifying a signal using no more than about 30 microamperes of current supplied by said energy storage device in response to an occurrence of said event.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and
powering said illuminating with said energy storage device.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery.
8. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event;
activating a timer for a limited period of time in response to said generating a signal;
applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating;
coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying;
decoupling said first and second outputs from each other in response to said limited period of time expiring; and
powering said generating, said activating, said applying, said coupling, and said decoupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
preventing for a limited period of time after said decoupling said activating a timer; and
powering said preventing with said energy storage device.
10. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event;
activating a timer for a limited period of time in response to said generating a signal;
applying a first voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating;
coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying;
applying a second voltage pulse of a second polarity across said relay coil in response to said limited period of time expiring;
decoupling said first and second relay outputs from each other in response to said applying a second voltage pulse; and
powering said generating, said activating, said applying a first voltage pulse, said coupling, said applying a second voltage pulse, and said decoupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts.
11. Apparatus for coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said apparatus comprising:
means for generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event;
means for applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating;
means for coupling said first and said second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; and
means for powering said generating, said applying, and said coupling with no more than about 3.6 volts, said means for powering being non-rechargeable, self-contained, and portable.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery.
15. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and
powering said illuminating with said energy storage device.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area.
17. The method of claim 10 wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery.
19. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and
powering said illuminating with said energy storage device.
20. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
preventing for a limited period of time after said decoupling said activating a timer; and
powering said preventing with said energy storage device.