IP Library Granted Patent US 11,095,150
Granted Patent B2
US 11,095,150 · App. 16/265,660 · Granted Aug 17, 2021

Emergency dimming apparatus

Inventors: Glenn D. Garbowicz (Algonquin, IL); Edvin G. Blanco (Aurora, IL); Michael W. Bandel (North Aurora, IL)
Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
H02J9/065H02J9/061H05B45/10H05B45/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,095,150
App. No.
16/265,660
Granted
Aug 17, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An emergency dimming apparatus including a control input pass-through configured to receive a control signal, a control output configured to output the control signal to a driver, and a controller. The controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to monitor a line voltage, determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold, disconnect the control input pass-through when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, output an output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and output an emergency control signal, via the control output, when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

Claims (32)

1. An emergency dimming apparatus comprising:

a control input pass-through configured to receive a control signal;

a control output configured to output the control signal to a driver; and

a controller including an electronic processor and a memory, the controller configured to

monitor a line voltage,

determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold,

disconnect the control input pass-through when the line voltage has crossed the threshold,

output an output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and

output an emergency control signal, via the control output, when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

2. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is received via a user-control device.

3. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emergency control signal is output to the driver.

4. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an energy storage device.

5. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the output voltage is output via the energy storage device.

6. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the threshold is within a range of approximately 90 volts and approximately 110 volts.

7. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the driver is a light-emitting diode (LED) driver.

8. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the emergency control signal controls the driver to maintain a light output from a light load at a fixed level.

9. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the output voltage is at least one selected from a group consisting of an alternating-current (AC) voltage and a direct-current (DC) voltage.

10. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the DC voltage is within a range of approximately 160 VDC and approximately 220 VDC.

11. The emergency dimming apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the AC voltage is within a range of approximately 100 VAC and approximately 300 VAC.

12. A method of operating a light, the method comprising:

monitoring, via a controller, a line voltage;

disconnecting a control input pass-through when the line voltage is below the threshold, wherein the control input pass-though is configured to receive a control signal and a control output is configured to output the control signal to a driver;

outputting an output voltage when the line voltage is below the threshold; and

outputting an emergency control signal, via the control output, when the line voltage is below the threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the control signal is received via a user-control device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the emergency control signal is output to the driver.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the output voltage is output via an energy storage device.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the threshold is within a range of approximately 90 volts and approximately 110 volts.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the emergency control signal controls a driver to maintain a light output from a light load at a fixed level.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the output voltage is at least one selected from the group consisting of an alternating-current (AC) voltage and a direct-current (DC) voltage.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the DC voltage is within a range of approximately 160 VDC and approximately 220 VDC.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the AC voltage is within a range of approximately 100 VAC and approximately 300 VAC.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 059034 FRAME: 0469. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066372/0590 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 10841994 TO PATENT NUMBER 11570872 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 058982 FRAME 0844. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066355/0455 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2022
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059034/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NEETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058982/0844 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jan 25, 2022
From: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
To: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058838/0162 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2019
From: GARBOWICZ, GLENN D.; BLANCO, EDVIN G.; BANDEL, MICHAEL W.
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 049050/0463 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15094021 · Apr 8, 2016
Provisional Application 62148590 · Apr 16, 2015
Related Publication 20190165604A1 · May 30, 2019