Patents Assigned to Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 10237954
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device. The remote control device may include a mounting assembly and a control unit that is removably attachable to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a release tab that is configured to be operated from a locking position in which the control unit is secured to the mounting assembly, to a release position in which the control unit may be detached from the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a clamp that is configured to engage with the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch to which the remote control device is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
  • Patent number: 10237949
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Publication number: 20190081568
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a thyristor, a gate coupling circuit for conducting a gate current through a gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit for controlling the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current through a first current path to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle. The gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current through the first current path again after the firing time, but the gate current is not able to be conducted through the gate from a transition time before the end of the half-cycle until approximately the end of the half-cycle. The load current is able to be conducted through a second current path to the electrical load after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20190081569
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20190081570
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Patent number: 10231317
    Abstract: A controller comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and a load control device. The controller also comprises a control circuit coupled to the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source to generate a phase-control voltage. The control circuit is operable to render the controllably conductive device conductive for a portion of each half-cycle of the AC power source. The control circuit is operable to transmit a digital message to the load control device for controlling the power delivered to the load by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage, where the phase-control voltage having at least one timing edge in each half-cycle of the AC power source when the control circuit is transmitting the digital message to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 10231319
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Publication number: 20190073019
    Abstract: A temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat) may be configured to control an internal heat-generating electrical load so as to accurately measure a present temperature in a space around the temperature control device. The temperature control device may comprise a temperature sensing circuit configured to generate a temperature control signal indicating the present temperature in the space, and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature control signal and to control the internal electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to energize the internal electrical load in an awake state and to cause the internal electrical load to consume less power in an idle state. The control circuit may be configured to control the internal electrical load to a first energy level (e.g., a first intensity) during the awake state and to a second energy level (e.g., second intensity) that is less than the first during the idle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Killo, Donald R. Mosebrook, James P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20190075636
    Abstract: A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20190073898
    Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Phillip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20190075628
    Abstract: If there is an interruption of power to an electrical load while the electrical load is operating at low end, the electrical load may not turn back on when power is restored. This undesired operation may be avoided by detecting the application of power to the electrical load, and automatically increasing the magnitude of a control signal being applied to the electrical load by a sufficient amount for a short period of time after power has been applied. This way, the electrical load may be turned back on to low end, instead of erroneously operating in an electronic off condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Robert C. Newman, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190075629
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190075638
    Abstract: A mobile device that is configured for wireless communication may be configured to operate as a remote control device in a lighting control system, controlling one or more lighting control devices of the lighting control system. The remote control device may control the light intensity in a space, for instance at a location of the remote control device, in response to an ambient light intensity measured at the remote control device. The remote control device may define a user interface for receiving an input that indicates a desired light intensity at the location. The remote control device may measure the ambient light intensity at the location via a light detector, compare the measured ambient light intensity to the desired light intensity, and cause the one or more lighting control devices to adjust the ambient light intensity at the remote control device until it agrees with the desired light intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Karc, James P. Steiner, William Bryce Fricke
  • Publication number: 20190065293
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for swapping or changing between stacks associated with respective applications when one application calls the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan B. Elsishans, Francois Carouge
  • Publication number: 20190069382
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Publication number: 20190069374
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 10219335
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load (e.g., an LED light source) includes first and second semiconductor switches, a transformer, a capacitor, a controller, and a current sense circuit operable to receive a sense voltage representative of a primary current conducting through to a primary winding of the transformer. The primary winding is coupled in series with a semiconductor switch, while a secondary winding is adapted to be operatively coupled to the load. The capacitor is electrically coupled between the junction of the first and second semiconductor switches and the primary winding. The current sense circuit receives a sense voltage and averages the sense voltage when the first semiconductor switch is conductive, so as to generate a load current control signal that is representative of a real component of a load current conducted through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 10219337
    Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
  • Patent number: 10219359
    Abstract: A remote control device may provide a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Patent number: D841045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Christina Ramos, Shannon M. Sullivan