Abstract: An example control arrangement includes a power supply, a first load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply, and a second load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply. A receiver is programmable to couple the first load, the second load, or both to the power supply in response to a wireless signal. A switch includes a wireless transmitter portion powered by a self-energizing portion. A wireless transmitter portion communicates the wireless signal to the receiver in response to an actuation of the switch.

Abstract: A wireless security system includes a power supply and a security device in selective electrical communication with the power supply. The security device provides a security response when electrically connected with the power supply. A receiver is electrically connected between the power supply and the security device and is operable to selectively electrically connect the security device with the power supply. At least one self-energizing switch of the system includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvester that is operable to power the wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter emits a signal to the receiver in response to power from the energy harvester, to trigger the security response.

Abstract: A direct current power system according to one non-limiting embodiment includes a direct current power source operable to distribute a direct current voltage throughout at least one structure, and at least one controller operable to selectively couple a direct current load to the direct current voltage in response to a wireless signal from an energy-harvesting switch.

Abstract: A low voltage control system includes a controller having a plurality of switched power lines and a plurality of DC lighting loads. Each DC lighting load includes at least one DC lighting element. Each DC lighting load has an associated switch downstream from the controller that selectively connects the at least one DC lighting element to one of the plurality of switched power lines. At least one first input device includes at least one of an occupancy sensor, a light intensity sensor, or a programmable digital timer. The controller selectively powers the switched power lines in response to sensor data received from the first input device or commands received from at least one wired or wireless switch in communication with the controller.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode luminaire includes at least one light-emitting diode and at least one thermoelectric generator in contact with a portion of the luminaire. The at least one thermoelectric generator is operable to harvest energy from heat dissipated by the at least one light-emitting diode. An energy management module is operable to receive energy harvested by the at least one thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A DC voltage distribution system includes at least one load connected in parallel to a first DC power supply via a first distance of wire, and connected in parallel to a second DC power supply via a second distance of wire. The first and second DC power supplies are configured to enter a load sharing mode in which one of the first or second DC power supplies selectively increases its voltage to prevent the other of the first or second DC power supplies from exceeding its power output threshold. The DC power supplies are also configured to enter a load balancing mode in which the DC power supplies set their output voltages to the same value such that a flow of current on the longer of the wire distances is reduced and a flow of current on the shorter of the wire distances is increased.

Abstract: A bulb detection circuit is associated with a dimmer circuit for a lighting system. The bulb detection circuit is operable to detect whether an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb is received in an electric light socket. The socket may be hardwired to the circuit, or could be plugged into an electrical outlet. The bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of measuring the resistance by looking at an RC circuit time constant. Further, the bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of identifying a short circuit by again looking at the RC circuit time constant.

Abstract: An example control arrangement includes a power supply, a first load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply, and a second load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply. A receiver is programmable to couple the first load, the second load, or both to the power supply in response to a wireless signal. A switch includes a wireless transmitter portion powered by a self-energizing portion. A wireless transmitter portion communicates the wireless signal to the receiver in response to an actuation of the switch.

Abstract: In one example, a door notification system includes a wireless batteryless switch associated with a door and a receiver coupled to a lighting load and to a sound-emitting load. The receiver is operable to provide a door notification in response to a signal from the wireless batteryless switch. The door notification includes at least one of a flash of the lighting load or a sound from the sound-emitting load. In one example, a door notification system includes a wireless batteryless switch associated with a door and a portable receiver that is operable to plug into an electrical outlet and that includes a built-in sound-emitting load. The portable receiver is operable to activate the sound-emitting load to produce an audio signal in response to a signal from the wireless batteryless switch.

Abstract: A wireless security system includes a power supply and a security device in selective electrical communication with the power supply. The security device provides a security response when electrically connected with the power supply. A receiver is electrically connected between the power supply and the security device and is operable to selectively electrically connect the security device with the power supply. At least one self-energizing switch of the system includes a wireless transmitter and an energy harvester that is operable to power the wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter emits a signal to the receiver in response to power from the energy harvester, to trigger the security response.

Abstract: An example sensor device for a wireless system includes a receiver, an energy harvester and a transmitter. The receiver receives a signal and the energy harvester converts the signal into useable energy. The transmitter utilizes the useable energy to actuate a load.

Abstract: A direct current power system according to one non-limiting embodiment includes a direct current power source operable to distribute a direct current voltage throughout at least one structure, and at least one controller operable to selectively couple a direct current load to the direct current voltage in response to a wireless signal from an energy-harvesting switch.

Abstract: A system apparatus for controlling a lighting environment having one or more remote switches that control one or more lighting loads, has an active mode under which the system operates for a user, a linking mode to connect one or more switches to one or more lighting loads, an unlinking mode to disconnect one or more switches from the one or more lighting loads, one or more channels connecting one or more switches to one or more lighting loads, and a scene mode connecting one or more channels and dimming all the lighting loads to a desired dimness level in all connected channels to create a scene.

Abstract: A lighting control circuit is provided with a plurality of wireless controls. Each of the wireless controls receives wireless signals from at least one switch, and processes those signals to control components in at least a plurality of rooms. In addition, the controls are operable to dim at least one component supplied with power by the control.

Abstract: An electronic proportioning valve for connection to a cold water source, a hot water source and a mixed water outlet and for providing a mixed water of a desired water temperature and flow rate to the mixed water outlet.

Abstract: A bulb detection circuit is associated with a dimmer circuit for a lighting system. The bulb detection circuit is operable to detect whether an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb is received in an electric light socket. The socket may be hardwired to the circuit, or could be plugged into an electrical outlet. The bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of measuring the resistance by looking at an RC circuit time constant. Further, the bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of identifying a short circuit by again looking at the RC circuit time constant.