Abstract: A method and apparatus for an indoor horticultural system that utilizes a wired network to control lighting. The wired interface is used to relay both analog and digital intensity control information, whereby an analog signal is used to control the intensity of all LED arrays in each lighting fixture during a first mode of operation and a digital signal is used to control the intensity of each individual LED array in each lighting fixture in a second mode of operation. Both the analog and digital signals utilize the same physical interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptable vehicle light fixture is provided to activate directional illumination aspects of the light fixture based upon sensed characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle may automatically sense its position, speed, acceleration, heading and angular velocity and may command the light fixture to emit symmetric and/or asymmetric beam patterns based upon the sensed vehicle characteristics. Directional light incident upon the light fixture may also be detected to allow intensity control thereby reducing glare to oncoming traffic. A vehicle light fixture may be pre-configured with lenses and wirelessly programmed for manual and/or automatic operation that is responsive to the pre-configuration. A plurality of vehicles with light fixtures mounted thereon comprise a network of light fixtures that are manually or adaptively controlled as a group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more parallel LED strings within the light fixture. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The light fixture utilizes LEDs with increased forward voltage interspersed with LEDs having reduced forward voltage in the same LED string. A processor utilizes shunt devices across the one or more LEDs with increased forward voltage to substantially match the cumulative forward voltage of each LED string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an indoor horticultural system that utilizes both a wireless and a wired network to control lighting. The wireless interface is used in a primary mode of operation to control all aspects of lighting including intensity, spectrum and color temperature. The wired interface is used in a secondary mode of operation, whereby an analog signal is used to control the intensity of all LED arrays in each lighting fixture and a digital signal is used to control the intensity of each individual LED array in each lighting fixture. Both the analog and digital signals utilize the same physical interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptable vehicle light fixture is provided to activate directional illumination aspects of the light fixture based upon sensed characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle may automatically sense its position, speed, acceleration, heading and angular velocity and may command the light fixture to emit symmetric and/or asymmetric beam patterns based upon the sensed vehicle characteristics. Directional light incident upon the light fixture may also be detected to allow intensity control thereby reducing glare to oncoming traffic. A vehicle light fixture may be pre-configured with lenses and wirelessly programmed for manual and/or automatic operation that is responsive to the pre-configuration. A plurality of vehicles with light fixtures mounted thereon comprise a network of light fixtures that are manually or adaptively controlled as a group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an indoor horticultural system that utilizes both a wireless and a wired network to control lighting. The wireless interface is used in a primary mode of operation to control all aspects of lighting including intensity, spectrum and color temperature. The wired interface is used in a secondary mode of operation, whereby an analog signal is used to control the intensity of all LED arrays in each lighting fixture and a digital signal is used to control the intensity of each individual LED array in each lighting fixture. Both the analog and digital signals utilize the same physical interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more parallel LED strings within the light fixture. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The light fixture utilizes LEDs with increased forward voltage interspersed with LEDs having reduced forward voltage in the same LED string. A processor utilizes shunt devices across the one or more LEDs with increased forward voltage to substantially match the cumulative forward voltage of each LED string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more LED strings within the light fixture. A processor may determine the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor may then apportion the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string may conduct its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The processor may transition from a TDMA mode of operation to a direct drive mode of operation when the time duration of each of the mutually exclusive time slots are substantially equal to each other or within a percentage range of each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a light fixture that uses current sharing across any one or more LED strings within the light fixture. A processor may determine the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor may then apportion the current generation capability of a power supply across all active LED strings using time division multiple access (TDMA) whereby each LED string may conduct its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The processor may transition from a TDMA mode of operation to a direct drive mode of operation when the time duration of each of the mutually exclusive time slots are substantially equal to each other or within a percentage range of each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that uses current sharing across any one or more LED strings within the horticultural light. A processor determines the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor then apportions the current generation capability of a DC-DC converter across all active LED strings using time division multiple access whereby each LED string conducts its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in the allocated time slot. The processor employs analog (continuous) and/or digital (discontinuous) dimming techniques within each time slot to further modulate the amount of current conducted by any LED string within its allocated time slot.

Abstract: An indoor horticultural system includes a grow bed and a lighting system arranged in proximity to the grow bed. The lighting system includes lighting fixtures having an optical axis and a light distribution whose intensity increases as the angle of the generated light increases in relation to the optical axis to increase cross-lighting. Alternately, the lighting system includes lighting fixtures mounted at varying angles and with varying beam widths so as to increase cross-lighting. Series connected light fixtures include a master light fixture that employs an intensity controller to control the intensity of light generated by each of the series-connected light fixtures, where the intensity controller derives operational power from an LED string contained within the master light fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that uses both continuous current control and discontinuous current control to select an intensity for each LED string in the horticultural light. Continuous current control is selected when the horticultural light is operating above a threshold intensity and discontinuous current control is selected when the horticultural light is operating below the threshold intensity for enhanced dimming fidelity. A CPU detects the number of LED strings present in the horticultural light and determines the optimal operating voltage for each detected LED string based upon the detected forward voltage of each detected LED string. Based upon the optimal operating voltage determined for each LED string, the CPU additionally selects an optimized current stabilization network for each detected LED string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that uses current sharing across any one or more LED strings within the horticultural light. A processor may determine the current requirements of the one or more LED strings that are needed to produce a given intensity level. The processor may then apportion the current generation capability of a DC-DC converter across all active LED strings using time division multiple access whereby each LED string may conduct its apportioned current within its allocated time slot to the mutual exclusion of the remaining active LED strings in any given time period. The processor may employ analog (continuous) and/or digital (discontinuous) dimming techniques within each time slot to further modulate the amount of current conducted by any LED string within its allocated time slot.

Abstract: An indoor horticultural system includes a grow bed and a lighting system arranged in proximity to the grow bed. The lighting system may include lighting fixtures having an optical axis and a light distribution whose intensity increases as the angle of the generated light increases in relation to the optical axis to increase cross-lighting. Alternately, the lighting system may include lighting fixtures mounted at varying angles and with varying beam widths so as to increase cross-lighting. Series connected light fixtures may include a master light fixture that employs an intensity controller to control the intensity of light generated by each of the series-connected light fixtures, where the intensity controller derives operational power from an LED string contained within the master light fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that uses both continuous current control and discontinuous current control to select an intensity for each LED string in the horticultural light. Continuous current control eciis selected when the horticultural light is operating above a threshold intensity and discontinuous current control is selected when the horticultural light is operating below the threshold intensity for enhanced dimming fidelity. A CPU detects the number of LED strings present in the horticultural light and determines the optimal operating voltage for each detected LED string based upon the detected forward voltage of each detected LED string. Based upon the optimal operating voltage determined for each LED string, the CPU may additionally select an optimized current stabilization network for each detected LED string.

Abstract: A phase cut dimming LED driver includes a rectifier, a phase cut hold, a local regulator, controller, a power switch, a transformer, and a load detector. The phase cut hold is connected to the rectifier, one terminal of the primary winding of the transformer, and the local regulator. The controller includes pins connected to the local regulator, the power switch, and the aux winding of the transformer. The power switch is connected to the other terminal of the primary winding. The load detector is connected between the secondary winding of the transformer and a LED. The load detector sends the voltage or current signal of the LED to the controller, and the controller controls the power switch in an uninterrupted mode to keep the current or voltage in a condition to obtain higher PF and lower THD.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable carrier for a vise comprises a vertical support tube and a mounting which can be secured to a work bench and which comprises two semicylindrical shells which embrace the support tube and which can be clamped together to fix the support tube in any desired vertical position. The shells extend downwardly from the mounting and define a cavity which accommodates a gas spring which abuts on one end on the support tube and on the other end on the bottom of the composed half shells and exerts an upwardly directed force on the support tube to ease its vertical movement.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable carrier for a vise or the like comprises a vertical support tube which is guided in a clamping device comprising two semicylindrical shells which can be clamped together. The shells are connected on one side by two support elements arranged vertically one below the other, and on the other side there is provided a clamping screw which is arranged between the horizontal planes through the support elements. By such arrangement a great resistance against unintended turning of the support tube even with a relatively slight tightening of the clamping screw is obtained.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable device for carrying a vise, an assembly platform or the like comprises a support tube which is vertically adjustably arranged within a guide tube arranged for attachment to a work bench or the like. In order to facilitate the vertical adjustment a gas spring is provided which acts between the support tube and the guide tube end exerts an upwardly directed force upon the support tube. The gas spring comprises a cylinder, a piston movable therein and a piston rod extending from the piston. The cylinder is arranged and held within the support tube so that upon removal of the support tube and the implement carried thereby by pulling the support tube out of the guide tube the gas spring is simultaneously removed leaving the work bench clear for other work.

Abstract: A vise with conventional fixed and moveable jaws, a cylindrical support secured to the lower side of the fixed jaw, a mounting for attaching the vise to a bench or the like, a tube accommodating the cylindrical support for sliding and rotational movement, and a clamping arrangement on the mounting for clamping the tube and cylindrical support in place, is also provided with a gas spring within the tube. One end of the gas spring abuts the cylindrical support at its axial center while the other end abuts the sidewall of the tube exerting an upwardly directed force at an inclined angle which counteracts and offsets the tilting moment caused by the cantilevered jaws. The tube is formed with a portion of decreased diameter engaging the cylindrical support in the clamping zone, minimizing contact and friction, and preventing sticking or canting.