Abstract: An anti-cycling luminaire control system may detect repeated lamp-off conditions and interrupt power to the lamp and provide an indication of lamp cycling after a predetermined number of lamp-off conditions has been detected. The control system also provides a cool-off period after a lamp-off cycling event is detected during which time restarting of the lamp is inhibited. If the lamp does not restart after multiple restart attempts and cool-off periods, the system determines that a fault condition exists, and may provide a fault alert. The system may provide for shut-off or dimming of the lamp during the night after a portion of the night has passed. This delayed turn-off may be varied according to the length of the night. Starting and dimming the lamp at a zero voltage crossing of the line current can reduce stress on luminaire and control system components and reduce maintenance.

Abstract: An anti-cycling luminaire control system may detect repeated lamp-off conditions and interrupt power to the lamp and provide an indication of lamp cycling after a predetermined number of lamp-off conditions has been detected. The control system also provides a cool-off period after a lamp-off cycling event is detected during which time restarting of the lamp is inhibited. If the lamp does not restart after multiple restart attempts and cool-off periods, the system determines that a fault condition exists, and may provide a fault alert. The system may provide for shut-off or dimming of the lamp during the night after a portion of the night has passed. This delayed turn-off may be varied according to the length of the night. Starting and dimming the lamp at a zero voltage crossing of the line current can reduce stress on luminaire and control system components and reduce maintenance.

Abstract: An anti-cycling device for high pressure sodium lamps detects an abnormal cycling condition by using a fiber-optic cable that extends between an anti-cycling controller board and the lamp itself. An outer end of the cable is arranged so that light emitted by the lamp will be transmitted to the controller board. A photocell mounted on the controller board, at the other end of the cable, transmits a variable magnitude electrical signal to the circuitry on the controller board. The signal varies in accordance with light being transmitted or not transmitted through the cable, as the case may be, corresponding to a cycling condition. In this manner, the controller board is able to detect a cycling condition, and thereby cause the power supply to the lamp to be cut off.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is an anti-cycling device for high-pressure sodium lamps. A current sensor continually monitors lamp current and outputs a low voltage signal to an amplifier. When lamp current increases, indicating a starting or recycling condition, the sensor's voltage output correspondingly increases, and the amplifier responds by amplifying such output and transmitting it to a second amplifier. The latter acts as a voltage comparator and compares the first amplifier's output with a threshold level. Each time the first amplifier's output exceeds the threshold, the second amplifier outputs a trigger signal. Such signal is counted over time, and if the number of counts reaches a certain number, the counter outputs a malfunction signal to a relay that cuts off power to the lamp. An easy-to-see LED simultaneously illuminates to indicate the cycling condition and the need for lamp maintenance.

Abstract: A constant-current light sensing system employs a constant-current diode in series with the power lead to a photoconductive cell. This diode provides a substantially fixed current through the cell and enables the system to be designed such that it can make maximum use of the linear portions of the cell's output response curve, and maximum use of the range of a potentiometer's settings. The cell used in conjunction with the system is received in a housing that is easily mountable to a wall or ceiling surface by an adhesive material.

Abstract: A constant-current light sensing system employs a constant-current diode in series with the power lead to a photoconductive cell. This diode provides a substantially fixed current through the cell and enables the system to be designed such that it can make maximum use of the linear portions of the cell's output response curve, and maximum use of the range of a potentiometer's settings. The cell used in conjunction with the system is received in a housing that is easily mountable to a wall or ceiling surface by an adhesive material.

Abstract: A self-contained light sensor head (10) has a photodiode (18) operable to produce an electrical response proportional to light intensity, and an amplifier (20) that produces an output signal from the photodiode's response. The head (10) further includes a gain control circuit, for suitably controlling the gain of the output signal, and has noise and oscillation control circuits. The latter circuits permit the sensor to generate a low voltage output signal that is compatible for input directly to an analog computer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the level of light at a distant location from a central location. A light sensor at the location to be monitored is comprised essentially of a photodiode and an operational amplifier and produces a high-level, analog output signal on an output signal line, the signal being linearly proportional to the level of light at the location. A control unit at a central location is electrically coupled to the sensor and comprises a power supply for providing electrical power to the sensor and a calibration device connected to the output signal line for providing a feedback signal to the sensor. The calibration device may be adjusted so that the output signal at the control unit bears a selected ratio to the light detected. A control unit having a single and power supply may be coupled to a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting control system which switches a light fixture on or off, depending upon the amount of ambient light. The control system particularly allows natural light from the sun to be used to the greatest extent possible to supplement electric lighting and vice versa. The system incorporates a photocell light sensor, control circuit, power source, and switching unit. The photocell light sensor is mounted in optical communication with a source of ambient light. In response to the detection by the sensor of a predetermined light level, the control circuit activates the switching unit which is interposed in a circuit furnishing electrical power to a light fixture. The power source supplies power to the control circuit at a voltage of no greater than 20 volts at a current of no greater than 8 amps.

Abstract: A light circuit control apparatus for controlling the illumination of a predetermined area is described comprising a photocell coupled to a first comparator circuit for generating a "light-on" signal when the ambient light in the predetermined area decreases to a first predetermined intensity and a second comparator for generating a "light-off" signal when the ambient light in the predetermined area increases to a predetermined intensity, and logic circuits including flip-flops for turning on and turning off a plurality of lighting circuits in a predetermined sequence in response to the "light-on" and "light-off" signals generated by the comparator.

Abstract: In the disclosed apparatus, a photo diode has an electrical impedance representative of the ambient light intensity. An amplifier connects to this photo diode and converts the impedance to an analog signal whose magnitude indicates the ambient light intensity. The analog signal is compared via a first comparator with one reference voltage corresponding to the magnitude of analog signal that is generated by cloudy weather, and via another comparator to a reference voltage corresponding to the magnitude of signal that is generated at dusk. The first comparator operates to energize all window light in cloudy weather; and the second comparator operates to energize parking lot lights and electric signs at dusk. The second comparator also activates a timer which, after a manually selectable delay, de-energizes a uniformly distributed portion of all interior overhead lighting.

Abstract: A system for controlling a molding machine utilized to mold food products on a stick. The system incorporates fluidic logic elements that are responsive to signals generated by the piston position in actuation cylinders so that the system control is dependent on the process condition, rather than on timing or other indirect process control methods. The fluidic logic elements command the actuating cylinders through air piloted valves, in a wholly pneumatic system. The control system is continuously recycled with minimal delay between cycles unless a failure of the system to produce a complete and dispensed produce is sensed. The dispensing of the product is positively determined by a fluidic sensor and a logic control circuit that determines that the product has dropped into and through a sensing airstream. If a malfunction is detected the machine shuts down and will not restart unless the start-stop control is cycled, so that the machine may be safely serviced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting control system which switches a light fixture on or off, depending upon the amount of ambient light. The control system particularly allows natural light from the sun to be used to the greatest extent possible to supplement electric lighting and vice versa. The system incorporates a photocell light sensor, control circuit, power source, and switching unit. The photocell light sensor is mounted in optical communication with a source of ambient light. In response to the detection by the sensor of a predetermined light level, the control circuit activates the switching unit which is interposed in a circuit furnishing electrical power to a light fixture. The power source supplies power to the control circuit at a voltage of no greater than 20 volts at a current of no greater than 8 amps.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the level of light at a distant location from a central location. A light sensor at the location to be monitored is comprised essentially of a photodiode and an operational amplifier and produces a high-level, analog output signal on an output signal line, the signal being linearly proportional to the level of light at the location. A control unit at a central location is electrically coupled to the sensor and comprises a power supply for providing electrical power to the sensor and a calibration device connected to the output signal line for providing a feedback signal to the sensor. The calibration device may be adjusted so that the output signal at the control unit bears a selected ratio to the light detected. A control unit having a single and power supply may be coupled to a plurality of sensors.