Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit

Details Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit

1996-09-17

1998-08-04

Pascal, Robert J.

Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems

With radiant energy sensitive control means

Electric switch controlled by the radiant energy responsive...

315155, 315194, 315DIG4, 250214AL, 250221, H05B 3702

Patent

active

057898693

ABSTRACT:
A light sensitive dimmer switch circuit for controlling the illumination level of a light as a function of the ambient illumination level surrounding the dimmer switch circuit by selectively controlling an AC power signal provided to the light includes a photocell and a phase control circuit. The photocell is responsive to the ambient illumination level and has a conduction state associated therewith. The conduction state changes, in response to the ambient illumination level, such that the photocell effectively exhibits either a substantially open circuit or a substantially short circuit. The phase control circuit selectively varies a conduction phase angle associated with the AC power signal which correspondingly causes a variation in the illumination level of the light. The phase control circuit, in response to the photocell, selectively varies such conduction phase angle and thus the illumination level associated with the light when the photocell exhibits an open circuit and, conversely, prohibits the AC power signal from being provided to the light when the photocell exhibits a short circuit. Preferably, the phase control circuit permits the light to illuminate approximately at a full illumination level while the photocell exhibits a short circuit. Thus, the light sensitive dimmer switch circuit controls the light such that a user may operate the same in either an off region, a dimming region or a full illumination region.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3654514 (1972-04-01), Kappenhagen
patent: 3742295 (1973-06-01), Irie
patent: 3935505 (1976-01-01), Spiteri
patent: 4008416 (1977-02-01), Nakasone
patent: 4032817 (1977-06-01), Richmond
patent: 4135116 (1979-01-01), Smith
patent: 4658129 (1987-04-01), Fan
patent: 5015994 (1991-05-01), Hoberman et al.
patent: 5489891 (1996-02-01), Diong et al.
patent: 5620247 (1997-04-01), Swanson

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Light sensitive dimmer switch circuit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1180675