Master slave power varying control system

Claim 2

In an apparatus for controlling an electrical system and having a master circuit for limiting the time duration a power signal is applied to a first portion of such system, means for operating at least one slave portion of the system in synchronization therewith, which means includes: solid-state gate means having a single gating element for each slave portion for varying the passage of at least portions of the positive and negative components of a power signal to a load across said slave portion of the system; and breakover trigger means in each of said at least one slave portions for operating said gate means, said trigger means being operable in response to the limited power signal applied to a load in said first portion of the system.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gate means limits the passage of equal portions of said positive and negative components of said power signal.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for providing a phase shift of said power signal operating said trigger means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said phase shift means includes a reactive circuit positioned in series with said trigger means and the master circuit.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trigger means is operable in response to a predetermined voltage level being applied to the input of said trigger.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means in said slave portion for delaying the operation of said trigger means until current available for passage by said trigger means to said gate means reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for suppressing radio frequency signals superimposed on the power signal which is passed by said gate means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for suppressIng radio frequency interference signals due to the passage of small amounts of current through said slave portion of said system.

Claim 10

In a circuit for controlling the time duration during which a power signal is applied to a three-phase lighting system; first gate means for passing positive and negative components of an alternating power signal to a first portion of the lighting system; first trigger means operable in response to a predetermined voltage level being applied thereto for operating said first gate means; first control means for varying the time during which said voltage reaches said predetermined level to thereby vary the time duration during which said power signal is passed by said first gate means; second gate means for passing a power signal to a second portion of said lighting system; and second trigger means operable in response to the timed passage of the power signal through said first gate means for operating said second gate means, said second trigger means having an operating response level above a level responsive to spurious line signals in a three-phase power system.

Claim 11

In a circuit for controlling the time duration during which a power signal is applied to a three-phase lighting system; first gate means for passing positive and negative components of an alternating power signal to a first portion of the lighting system; first trigger means operable in response to a predetermined voltage level being applied thereto for operating said first gate means; first control means for varying the time during which said voltage reaches said predetermined level to thereby vary the time duration during which said power signal is passed by said first gate means; second gate means for passing a power signal to a second portion of said lighting system; and second trigger means operable in response to the timed passage of the power signal through said first gate means for operating said second gate means, said second trigger means having an operating response level above a level responsive to spurious line signals in a three-phase power system.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 and further including means for providing a phase shift of said power signal applied to said second trigger.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 and further including means for delaying the operation of said second trigger means until the current available for passage through said second trigger means reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for controlling an electrical system and having a master circuit for limiting the time duration a power signal is applied to a load across a first portion of such system, means for operating a second portion of the system in synchronization therewith, which means comprises: a first power device for passing at least a portion of the positive and negative components of a power signal to a load across the second portion of the system; a second power device for gating said first power device; and trigger means for operating said second power device; and trigger means being operable in response to the power signal applied to the load across the first portion of the system.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for controlling an electrical system and having a master circuit for limiting the time duration a power signal is applied to a load across a first portion of such system, means for operating a second portion of the system in synchronization therewith, which means comprises: a first power device for passing at least a portion of the positive and negative components of a power signal to a load across the second portion of the system; a second power device for gating said first power device; and trigger means for operating said second power device; and trigger means being operable in response to the power signal applied to the load across the first portion of the system.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 and further including means for limiting the amount of current passing through said second power device.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 and further including means in said second portion for suppressing radio frequency interference signals due to the passage of relatively small amounts of current from the master circuit through the second portion of the system.

Claim 18

In a circuit for controlling the time duration during which a power signal is applied to a load system with at least a portion thereof having a high inductance: first gate means for passing components of an alternating power signal to a first portion of said load system; first trigger means operable in response to a predetermined voltage level being applied thereto for operating said first gate means; control means for varying the time during which said voltage reaches said predetermined level to thereby vary the time duration during which said power signal is passed by said first gate means; second gate means for passing components of a power signal to a second portion of said load system having a high inductance; third gate means for operating said second gate means; and second trigger means operable in response to the timed passage of the power signal through said first gate means for operating said third gate means, said third gate means continuously operating until the polarity of said power signal passed through said first portion of said system changes direction.

Claim 19

In a circuit for controlling the time duration during which a power signal is applied to a load system with at least a portion thereof having a high inductance: first gate means for passing components of an alternating power signal to a first portion of said load system; first trigger means operable in response to a predetermined voltage level being applied thereto for operating said first gate means; control means for varying the time during which said voltage reaches said predetermined level to thereby vary the time duration during which said power signal is passed by said first gate means; second gate means for passing components of a power signal to a second portion of said load system having a high inductance; third gate means for operating said second gate means; and second trigger means operable in response to the timed passage of the power signal through said first gate means for operating said third gate means, said third gate means continuously operating until the polarity of said power signal passed through said first portion of said system changes direction.

Claim 20

In an apparatus for controlling an electrical system having a master circuit for limiting the time duration a power signal is applied to a terminal in a first portion of the system and for operating a second portion of the system and for operating a second portion of the system in synchronization therewith: first solid-state gate means for passing portions of the positivE and negative components of an alternating power signal to the terminal in the first portion of the system; first control means for varying the time during which said power signal is passed by first gate means to said terminal; second gate means for passing a power signal to the second portion of the system; coupling means between said terminal and said second gate means for limiting current flow to said second gate means; and first and second trigger means in said master circuit and second portion respectively for operating said first and second gate means.

Claim 21

In an apparatus for controlling an electrical system having a master circuit for limiting the time duration a power signal is applied to a terminal in a first portion of the system and for operating a second portion of the system and for operating a second portion of the system in synchronization therewith: first solid-state gate means for passing portions of the positivE and negative components of an alternating power signal to the terminal in the first portion of the system; first control means for varying the time during which said power signal is passed by first gate means to said terminal; second gate means for passing a power signal to the second portion of the system; coupling means between said terminal and said second gate means for limiting current flow to said second gate means; and first and second trigger means in said master circuit and second portion respectively for operating said first and second gate means.