Abstract: An emergency dimming apparatus including a control input pass-through configured to receive a control signal, a control output configured to output the control signal to a driver, and a controller. The controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to monitor a line voltage, determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold, disconnect the control input pass-through when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, output an output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and output an emergency control signal, via the control output, when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

Abstract: An emergency dimming apparatus including a control input pass-through configured to receive a control signal, a control output configured to output the control signal to a driver, and a controller. The controller includes an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to monitor a line voltage, determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold, disconnect the control input pass-through when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, output an output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and output an emergency control signal, via the control output, when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

Abstract: An emergency dimming apparatus. The emergency dimming apparatus includes an input, a charger, an energy storage device, a power conversion device, an emergency control output, and a controller. The input is configured to receive a line voltage. The charger is configured to receive the line voltage and generate a charging voltage. The energy storage device is configured to receive the charging voltage and selectively output a stored voltage. The power conversion device is configured to convert the stored voltage to an output voltage. The emergency control output is configured to output an emergency control signal. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to monitor the line voltage, determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold, output the output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and output an emergency control signal when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

Abstract: An emergency dimming apparatus. The emergency dimming apparatus includes an input, a charger, an energy storage device, a power conversion device, an emergency control output, and a controller. The input is configured to receive a line voltage. The charger is configured to receive the line voltage and generate a charging voltage. The energy storage device is configured to receive the charging voltage and selectively output a stored voltage. The power conversion device is configured to convert the stored voltage to an output voltage. The emergency control output is configured to output an emergency control signal. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to monitor the line voltage, determine if the line voltage has crossed a threshold, output the output voltage when the line voltage has crossed the threshold, and output an emergency control signal when the line voltage has crossed the threshold.

Abstract: An electronic circuit designed to reduce energy consumption by toggling between a plurality of conventional or electronic fluorescent lighting ballasts within a given fixture, and where said toggle circuit shall increase or decrease fixture light output levels according to immediate requirements. Toggle circuit may be remotely controlled from conventional Mains wall switch or other such means. Initial applications of Mains power automatically provides the minimum of light levels. Additional momentary interruptions to Mains power provides varied and/or additional lighting levels.

Abstract: An electronic circuit designed to reduce energy consumption by toggling between a plurality of conventional or electronic fluorescent lighting ballasts within a given fixture, and where said toggle circuit shall increase or decrease fixture light output levels according to immediate requirements. Toggle circuit may be remotely controlled from conventional Mains wall switch or other such means. Initial applications of Mains power automatically provides the minimum of light levels. Additional momentary interruptions to Mains power provides varied and/or additional lighting levels.

Abstract: A non-arcing electrical switch for use with an auxiliary light source for a gaseous discharge lamp includes a current sensing component, a timer power component, an off-delay timer, a voltage control component, and a phase control component. When the light output from the gaseous discharge lamp is interrupted, or during the initial warm up of the gaseous discharge lamp, the non-arcing electrical switch activates an auxiliary lamp to supply temporary illumination. The electrical switch has improved reset reliability and repeatability while decreasing the reset period required during momentary interruptions of the gaseous discharge lamp. Furthermore, the electrical switch requires no negative or minus power supply in order to initiate reset and operates at voltages of less than two volts.

Abstract: A non-arcing electrical switch comprising means for sensing current, means for impressing a source potential across the electrical switch, means for controlling voltage; and means for controlling phase, wherein the means for sensing current, the means for impressing a source potential across the electrical switch, the means for controlling phase and the means for controlling voltage are operably connected.

Abstract: A ballast for powering a fluorescent lamp with filaments requiring preheating. Control circuitry within the ballast delays an ignitor from being turned on until the filaments have been sufficiently preheated. The control circuitry is isolated and thereby protected from the high voltage pulses of the ignitor by an optocoupler. A SIDAC employed in the generation of the high voltage pulses is not relied upon for sensing full arc discharge of the lamp. The breakover voltage of the SIDAC can therefore be set at a much lower than conventional level resulting in the generation of more high voltage pulses over a prefixed period of time.

Abstract: A ballast for lighting an auxiliary source of illumination whenever a primary source of illumination fails to ignite. The auxiliary source of illumination is effectively turned OFF by placing a short circuit thereacross whenever the primary source of illumination is lit. The short circuit is removed whenever the primary source of illumination fails to reach a predetermined level of illumination thereby permitting current to flow through and light the auxiliary source of light. The ballast also includes a power factor correction device for increasing the ballast power factor when the primary source of light reaches a predetermined level of illumination.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge ballast having an ignitor which shuts off after a predetermined time period has elapsed. The ballast is sensitive to voltage dips in power line voltage and resets a timer whenever the power line voltage drops below a level sufficient for lighting a lamp load. Restart of the lamp load immediately following restoration of power line voltage is achieved without requiring that the power line voltage be removed from the ballast or otherwise reduced to approximately 0 volts before restart can be initiated.

Abstract: A starting capacitor disconnect scheme for a fluorescent lamp system in which each starting capacitor shunts one or more series connected fluorescent lamps until all of the fluorescent lamps are ignited. Following ignition of all fluorescent lamps, each starting capacitor is effectively removed from the ballast. Preconditioning of the fluorescent lamp filaments can be limited to the period of time that one or more lamp loads are shunted by the starting capacitor.

Abstract: A lighting system having a primary light source and an emergency lamp. The emergency lamp is turned on and remains on upon failure or removal from the system of the primary light source. The system also includes a control device for sensing when the voltage across the primary light source rises above a predetermined level in determining when to turn on the emergency lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp system including a ballast with primary and secondary windings and a switch for each of the plurality of electrodes of the lamp system. Each switch is operable in response to the voltage across its associated lamp after its associated lamp turns on to interrupt the connection of an associated electrode to its associated heater winding, and wherein at least two of the plurality of switches conduct current which flows through a semiconductor conducting device before the lamps turn on.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp system including a ballast with primary and secondary windings and a switch for each electrode of the lamp system. Each switch is operable in response to the voltage across its associated lamp after its associated lamp turns on to interrupt the connection of an associated electrode to its associated heater winding and wherein at least one of said heater windings is a portion of the secondary winding.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp system including a switch for each electrode of the lamp system wherein each switch is operable in response to the voltage across its associated lamp after its associated lamp turns on to interrupt the connection of an associated electrode to its associated heater winding.

Abstract: A multi-tap ballast including wires of two gauges connected to each other to provide a smaller package than previously could be obtained.

Abstract: An ignitor circuit for a discharge lamp is controlled by a timer to shut-off ignition pulses after a predetermined time if the lamp does not ignite. The timer is controlled by the application of power to the input line. Means in the lamp housing allow the timer to be manually reset during a hot relamping operation.