US4889999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Master electrical load control system
Assignee: Lutron Technology Co LLC
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Filing: 1988-09-26
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Granted: 1989-12-26
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Expires: 2008-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A system controls power to multiple a.c. lighting loads from both a central location and from individual controls that are located near the loads. The system includes individual wallbox dimmers that include enabling switches, a master control, and isolation means to accept input signals from the master control and to provide output signals to the dimmers. In a preferred embodiment, a dimmer also provides to the master control a signal that indicates the power being provided to the load that the dimmer controls. Preferably the individual controls provide linear slide dimming, in which the power provided to a load is determined by the slider position. The system permits simplified installation and replacement of system components.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Rowen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:05
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/08; H05B39/083; H05B39/085; H05B39/086; H05B39/088; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/175; H05B47/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A system to control power from an a.c. line to a plurality of loads, including lighting loads, comprising, in combination, (a) a plurality of wallbox dimmers, each controlling power to one of said lighting loads, each of said dimmers comprising, in proximate relationship, (i) a dimming circuit to control power to said load, (ii) dimmer control means to provide a dimmer control signal to said dimming circuit for determining power to said load, and (iii) switch means in electrical communication with said dimming circuit to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; (b) master control means to provide, for each of said loads, a master control signal for determining power to said load; and (c) isolation means to accept said master control signals from said master control means and provide output signals to corresponding dimming circuits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A system to control power from an a.c. line to a plurality of loads, including lighting loads, comprising, in combination, (a) a plurality of wallbox dimmers, each controlling power to one of said lighting loads, each of said dimmers comprising, in proximate relationship, (i) a dimming circuit to control power to said load, (ii) dimmer control means to provide a dimmer control signal to said dimming circuit for determining power to said load, and (iii) switch means in electrical communication with said dimming circuit to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; (b) master control means to provide, for each of said loads, a master control signal for determining power to said load; and (c) isolation means to accept said master control signals from said master control means and provide output signals to corresponding dimming circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 in which said dimmers are incandescent lamp dimmers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 in which said dimmers are gas discharge lamp dimmers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 in which said loads include non-lighting loads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which said dimming circuit is a phase control circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 in which said dimmer control means comprises an actuator positionable for varying the power provided through said dimming circuit to said load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 6 in which said switch means comprises a push button on said actuator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 6 in which said switch means comprises a push-button next to said actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6 in which said switch means is operated by moving said actuator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 in which said master control means and said isolation means are combined into a single housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 in which more than one of said dimmers are controlled by a single output signal from said master control.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 in which said input to said isolation means are carried by Class 2 circuits, which generally carry lower voltages and have certain power limitations, and said output signals are substantially line voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary source of input signals to said isolation means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 in which said auxiliary source provides a switch closure input signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 in which said auxiliary source provides an electrical input signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 in which said auxiliary source provides a radiated input signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 16 in which said radiated input signal is an infrared signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 16 in which said radiated input signal is a radio frequency signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 in which said isolation means are commonly housed with at least one of said dimmers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which said isolation means comprises a fiber optic cable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 in which at least one of said dimmers is adapted to provide an output signal determined by the on/off status of said dimmer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising status indicator means to accept an on/off status signal from said dimmer and to provide a corresponding signal to said master control means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 22 in which said input signals from said dimmers and said output signals to said master control means are light level intensity signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 in which said input signals from said master control means and said output signals to said dimmers are on/off signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 in which said input signals from said master control means and said output signals to said dimmers are light level intensity signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 in which said master control means independently turns each of said dimmers on and off.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 22 further comprising means for displaying the on/off status of said lighting loads on said master control means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 22 further comprising means for displaying the on/off status of said lighting loads on said dimmers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 22 further comprising means for displaying the on/off status of said lighting loads on both said master control means and said dimmers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 27 in which said means for displaying lighting load status is an LED lamp.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 28 in which said means for displaying lighting load status is an LED lamp.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for directing to said dimming circuit said dimmer control signal or said master control signal, whichever is provided last.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
132 words
A system to control power from an a.c. line to a plurality of loads, including lighting loads, comprising, in combination, (a) a plurality of wallbox dimmers, each controlling power to one of said lighting loads, each of said dimmers comprising, in proximate relationship, (i) a dimming circuit to control power to said load and (ii) switch means in electrical communication with said dimming circuit to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; (b) master control means to provide, for each of said loads, a signal to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; and (c) isolation means to accept said signals from said master control means and provide output signals to corresponding dimming circuits.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
132 words
A system to control power from an a.c. line to a plurality of loads, including lighting loads, comprising, in combination, (a) a plurality of wallbox dimmers, each controlling power to one of said lighting loads, each of said dimmers comprising, in proximate relationship, (i) a dimming circuit to control power to said load and (ii) switch means in electrical communication with said dimming circuit to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; (b) master control means to provide, for each of said loads, a signal to turn power to said load off and on to a level determined by said dimming circuit; and (c) isolation means to accept said signals from said master control means and provide output signals to corresponding dimming circuits.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |