U.S. patent application number 16/661340 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-20 for method of protecting and detecting a surge event in a node.
The applicant listed for this patent is CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC. Invention is credited to Louis Bacon, Ashbeel Younas John.
Application Number | 20200060011 16/661340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60420682 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200060011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
John; Ashbeel Younas ; et
al. |
February 20, 2020 |
METHOD OF PROTECTING AND DETECTING A SURGE EVENT IN A NODE
Abstract
Devices and methods for protecting against a surge in a
luminaire are provided. For example, a controller for use with a
luminaire is provided. The controller can include a first circuit
configured to sense a surge in voltage or current. The controller
can further include a second circuit configured to switch a relay
in response to the first circuit having sensed the surge in voltage
or current.
Inventors: |
John; Ashbeel Younas;
(Montreal, CA) ; Bacon; Louis; (Montreal,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC |
East Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60420682 |
Appl. No.: |
16/661340 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15400017 |
Jan 6, 2017 |
10485082 |
|
|
16661340 |
|
|
|
|
62343740 |
May 31, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/22 20200101;
F21S 8/086 20130101; F21W 2131/103 20130101; Y02B 20/341 20130101;
Y02B 20/30 20130101; H05B 45/50 20200101; F21Y 2115/10
20160801 |
International
Class: |
H05B 37/03 20060101
H05B037/03; H05B 33/08 20060101 H05B033/08 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A controller comprising: a surge detection circuit configured
to sense a surge in voltage or current; a relay control circuit
configured to repeatedly switch a relay in response to the surge
detection circuit having sensed the surge in voltage or current;
the controller including a first circuitry configured to measure at
least one electrical parameter of the surge, and a second circuitry
configured to transmit the at least one electric parameter of the
surge to a remote device; and the second circuitry configured to
send a signal after the surge is sensed to a direct current (DC)
converter circuit to shut down an alternating current output
voltage supply internal to the DC converter circuit.
22. The controller of claim 21, the surge detection circuit
including a transient voltage suppression diode.
23. The controller of claim 21, wherein the surge detection circuit
includes a flyback diode.
24. The controller of claim 21, wherein the surge detection circuit
includes a bridge circuit.
25. The controller of claim 21, wherein the at least one electrical
parameter includes an amplitude of the surge.
26. The controller of claim 21, further comprising a third
circuitry configured to log the at least one electrical parameter
of the surge.
27. The controller of claim 21, further comprising a fourth
circuitry configured to log historical data indicative of past
surges.
28. A controller comprising: a surge detection circuit configured
to sense a surge in voltage or current; and a relay control circuit
configured to switch a relay in response to the surge detection
circuit having sensed the surge in voltage or current; the
controller including a first circuitry configured to measure at
least one electrical parameter of the surge, and a second circuitry
configured to transmit the at least one electric parameter of the
surge to a remote device; and the second circuitry configured to
send a signal after the surge is sensed to a direct current (DC)
converter circuit to shut down an alternating current output
voltage supply internal to the DC converter circuit.
29. The controller of claim 28, surge detection circuit comprising
a transient voltage suppression diode.
30. The controller of claim 28, wherein the surge detection circuit
includes a flyback diode.
31. The controller of claim 28, the surge detection circuit
includes a bridge circuit.
32. The controller of claim 28, wherein the at least one electrical
parameter includes an amplitude of the surge.
33. The controller of claim 28, further comprising a third
circuitry configured to log the at least one electrical parameter
of the surge.
34. The controller of claim 28, further comprising a fourth
circuitry configured to log historical data indicative of past
surges.
35. The controller of claim 34, wherein the historical data
includes at least one selected from the group consisting of time of
surge occurrence, surge duration, or surge event frequency.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present invention is a non-provisional application
claiming priority to provisional application No. 62/343,740 both
filed on May 31, 2016, incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to luminaires. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods
for protecting against a surge in a luminaire.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Power surges caused by lightning and/or signal transients
occurring on the electric distribution grid can cause an outdoor
luminaire to remain turned on indefinitely. Specifically, after
experiencing a surge, the luminaire can remain on during the day,
when it would otherwise be automatically turned off. This type of
failure is known as a "day burner" failure, and it can typically be
pinpointed to the failure of one or more relays included in the
luminaire.
[0004] A relay can fail because the high current densities
resulting from a surge can lead to an above-rated power dissipation
at the relay's contacts, causing them to melt and weld together. As
such, the relay remains in the closed position indefinitely, and
the luminaire thus remains on. Furthermore, the relay cannot be
actuated in its open position in order to cut-off power delivery to
the luminaire, because the relay's contacts are physically welded
together.
[0005] This type of failure can cause an energy company to
erroneously bill their customers (e.g. municipalities) for faulty
light fixtures that are on all the time. Moreover, there can be
high costs for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to service
these parts once they are returned by the customer.
[0006] While relays having power dissipation, voltage, and current
ratings higher than those of commonly used electro-mechanical
relays can be employed to circumvent day burner failures, high-end
relays can increase the overall cost of luminaires as well as the
complexity of the control circuitry needed to operate the relays.
As such, there is a need for devices and methods that can prevent
day burner failures of luminaires without increasing cost or
circuit complexity.
SUMMARY
[0007] The embodiments featured herein can help resolve the
above-noted deficiencies as well as other deficiencies known in the
art. For example, the embodiments allow electromechanical relays to
withstand one or more power surges without having their contacts
welded together, thus preventing a day burner failure. Moreover, in
the embodiments, after a surge has been detected, a relay can be
actuated in its open position before returning to its closed
position, which limits the amount of power dissipation at the
contacts. As such, the contacts are not welded together after a
surge, and the relay remains operational. The electronic circuit
that control the relay is not fast enough to react (Go contact
Open) during the surge period that is extremely short (50-100
usec). Embodiments of this invention, force the relay to open just
after a surge while the contact blade are still hot and easier to
separate.
[0008] One embodiment provides a controller for use with a
luminaire that includes a first circuit configured to sense a surge
in voltage or current. The controller further includes a second
circuit configured to switch a relay in response to the first
circuit having sensed the surge in voltage or current.
[0009] Another embodiment provides a controller for use with a
luminaire. The controller can include a processor and a memory that
includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause
the processor to perform certain operations. The operations can
include sensing a surge in voltage or current on a power line of
the luminaire and generating a signal configured to switch a relay
disposed between the power line and one or more light sources of
the luminaire in response to the surge.
[0010] Another embodiment provides a method for use with a
controller of a luminaire. The method can include sensing, by the
controller, a power surge at one or more terminals of the
luminaire. Furthermore, the method can include generating, by the
controller, control signals configured to actuate a relay included
in the luminaire in response to sensing the power surge.
[0011] Additional features, modes of operations, advantages, and
other aspects of various embodiments are described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the
present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments
described herein. These embodiments are presented for illustrative
purposes. Additional embodiments, or modifications of the
embodiments disclosed, will be readily apparent to persons skilled
in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Illustrative embodiments may take form in various components
and arrangements of components. Illustrative embodiments are shown
in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference
numerals may indicate corresponding or similar parts in the various
drawings. The drawings are for purposes of illustrating the
embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure.
Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel
aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person
of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s).
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a luminaire according to an
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a node, according to
an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a timing diagram, according to an
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a method in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates circuitry in accordance with various
aspects disclosed herein.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a controller,
according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] While the illustrative embodiments are described herein for
particular applications, it should be understood that the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art and
with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize
additional applications, modifications, and embodiments within the
scope thereof and additional fields in which the present disclosure
would be of significant utility. Circuitry, methods, and devices
configured to prevent day burner failures in luminaires are
described in detail below, according to several non-limiting
exemplary embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a luminaire 100, according to an
embodiment. The luminaire 100 can be mounted on a horizontal bar
102 extending from a vertical pole (not shown). Generally speaking,
however, the mounting configuration of the luminaire 100 can be
arbitrary.
[0026] The luminaire 100 can include one or more light sources,
such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light sources can be
located in a cavity 104 of luminaire 100. The cavity 104 can be
covered by a transparent glass or plastic cover to isolate the
light sources from the elements. The glass cover may or may not
serve as a lens.
[0027] The luminaire 100 can further include a fin 106 that is
configured to passively allow heat to be extracted from electrical
components located within the body of the luminaire 100 during
operation. Furthermore, the luminaire 100 can include a receptacle
108 (e.g. an ANSI 7-pin socket) configured to mate with a node 110,
which can provide a plurality of functionalities to the luminaire
100.
[0028] The node 110 can provide wireless connectivity to a data
center to allow an operator to control one or more functions of the
luminaire 100. For example, an operator can remotely program the
luminaire 100 via the node 110 to alter its lumen output at given
time periods.
[0029] In another example, an operator or a remote device can
obtain power consumption data from the luminaire 100 for billing
purposes. In yet another example, an operator can obtain
maintenance and/or operational status data for the luminaire 100 in
order to dispatch a technician to service luminaire 100. Generally,
the luminaire 100 can be part of a wireless network, or a power
line communication network, and it can be queried for data, it can
receive commands, and it can automatically report data via the node
110.
[0030] The luminaire 100 can include additional hardware beyond
those mentioned above. For example, the luminaire 100 can include a
camera, which can be mounted in a cavity accessible through a door
112. Any one of the additional hardware can also be interfaced with
the node 110 to provide remote connectivity, as described
above.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view 200 of the node 110,
according to an embodiment. The node 110 can include a gasket 202
that provides a mating interface between the node 110 and a dorsal
portion of the luminaire 100. For example, and not by limitation,
the gasket 202 can be a sponge gasket.
[0032] The node 110 can further include a power supply unit 204,
which can be a circuit board that includes one or more circuits
configured to interface with a power line accessible via the socket
onto which the node 110 is mounted. The one or more circuits can
also interface with other subsystems included in the node and/or
within the body of the luminaire 100. The interface between the
power line, the power supply unit 204, and the aforementioned
subsystems can be provided via a sub-assembly 216 fitted with brush
contacts 218 that provide electrical connectivity.
[0033] The power supply unit 204 can be mounted on the sub-assembly
216 by a screw 206. Furthermore, the sub-assembly 216 can be fitted
with an O-ring 208 at its base, in a peripheral groove, in order to
provide a seal with the cover 214, which protects the various parts
of the node 110.
[0034] The power supply unit 204 can further include rectifying
circuits for converting AC voltages from the power line to DC
voltages that can be used to power the aforementioned subsystems.
Furthermore, the power supply unit 204 can also include surge
protection circuitry.
[0035] The node 110 can further include a main board 210 and a
network interface card 212. The main board 210 can be secured to
the power supply unit 204 via another screw 206 and electrically
connected to the power supply unit 204 by a header 224.
Furthermore, the main board 210 can include metering circuitry and
one or more processors that can be configured to log information.
The information can be power consumption data, and/or generally,
any measured data relating to voltage and current quantities
between, for example, the power line and the neutral line of the
ANSI socket onto which the node 110 is mounted.
[0036] The information can include historical data related to surge
events. The historical data can include surge amplitudes (voltage
and/or current), times of occurrence, surge duration, surge event
frequency, and load circuit conditions during, after, or
immediately before one or more surge events. A load circuit can be,
for example, an LED driver circuit.
[0037] The network interface card 212 can include one or more
circuits that are configured to provide network connectivity to the
node 110. The network interface card 212 can be mounted on the main
board 210 using a spacer 220 and a screw 222. Electrical
connectivity to the main board 210 can be provide via a header (not
shown), or using any other equivalent methods for connecting
circuit boards together.
[0038] The node 110 can be connected to an RF mesh network via the
network interface card 212. As such, the node 110 can transmit and
receive data to and from a remote device, such as a gateway device.
The gateway device can, in turn, be connected (via another network)
to a data center where the performance of the node 110 can be
monitored, via a web-based application, for example. An operator at
the data center can also issue commands to the node 110 in order to
cause the node 110 to perform various diagnostics and/or to alter
its settings, for example.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates circuitry 300 that can be included in the
power supply unit 204, according to an embodiment. The circuitry
300 can include one or more circuits that cooperatively or
individually function to protect one or more subsystems of the node
110 and/or of the luminaire 100. For example, the circuitry 300 can
include a circuit 302 whose function is to protect a relay 312 from
having its contacts welded as a result of a surge. In other words,
the circuit 302 can permit the successful operation of the relay
312, even after multiple surges occur.
[0040] The circuit 302 can include a conditioning circuit 304 whose
function is to regulate an AC voltage (VACIN) by filtering out
noise, particularly noise due to electromagnetic interference
(EMI). The conditioning circuit 304 can also convert the AC voltage
on the power line 314 to provide a DC voltage for use by other
sub-circuits of the circuit 302.
[0041] The circuit 302 can further include the relay 312, a DC
converter circuit 308, a main logic circuit 310, and a surge
detection circuit 306. By way of example, the surge detection
circuit 306 can include a transient voltage suppression diode. The
DC converter circuit 308 can step down a high DC input voltage
provided by the conditioning circuit 304 to a lower DC voltage that
is used to regulate the relay 312 and to supply the main logic
circuit 310.
[0042] Depending on the digital state of the "RELAY CONTROL" signal
provided to the relay 312 by the main logic circuit 310, the
luminaire 100 is either in the ON or OFF state. As previously
mentioned, unlike in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, relays
included in typical luminaire controllers can remain in the closed
state after one or more surges, meaning that the luminaire would
stay ON indefinitely, thus wasting power.
[0043] In the circuit 302, the surge detection circuit 306 can
capture a surge signal directly from the power line 314 or from
within the conditioning circuit 304. When a surge signal (e.g. the
spike on the VACIN signal on the power line 314) is detected by the
surge detection circuit 306, a digital pulse ("POWER CONTROL") is
sent to the power control pin of the DC converter circuit 308. The
"POWER CONTROL" pulse shuts down the internal supply VACOUT to the
luminaire 100.
[0044] However, a pulse width of the "POWER CONTROL" pulse is
chosen to temporarily shut down the internal supply. The internal
supply is shut down long enough to allow the "RELAY POWER" signal
to shut off the relay 312 but not long enough for the DC power
(VDCOUT) of the main logic circuit 310 to go low. Consequently, the
relay 312 is transiently actuated between its ON and OFF state
after a surge has been detected, the relay 312 can be actuated
repeatedly between the two states.
[0045] As such, the circuit 302 minimizes the risk of having relay
contacts melting and sticking together after a surge current passes
through the relay 312. This can be achieved by forcing the contact
of the relay 312 to open for a short time after a surge occurs. The
transient actuation of the relay 312 can be monitored and logged by
a processor on the main board 210 by monitoring the relay power
signal or by detecting a voltage sag in the supply (VDCOUT) of the
main logic circuit 310.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram 400, according to the
operation of the embodiment described in FIG. 3. The timing diagram
400 includes an AC signal 402 that is present on the power line
314. The AC signal 402 can include a surge 404, as result of
lightning for example. The surge 404 can also lead to a surge
current signal 412.
[0047] Once the surge 404 is detected, POWER CONTROL signal 406 is
asserted for a predetermined time. This causes the RELAY POWER
signal 408 to develop a voltage sag, and a thresholding method can
be used to record the occurrence of the sag by recording the
instant at which the signal 408 crosses a trigger point.
[0048] The voltage sag in the signal 408 causes a relay control
signal 410 to switch from CLOSE to OPEN (and then to switch back
when the signal 406 and the signal 408 return to their original
state.
[0049] Having set forth various embodiments and their structure, a
method 500 consistent with their operation is now described with
respect to FIG. 5. The method 500 can be executed by the hardware
disclosed herein.
[0050] The method 500 beings at start block 502, and it includes
sensing a surge (block 504) on a power line or a sub-circuit of a
node electrically coupled to a luminaire. The method 500 includes
generating one or more control signals that are configured to
repeatedly actuate a relay included in the luminaire in response to
sensing the power surge (block 506).
[0051] The method 500 can end at end block 508, but it can include
a variety of intermediate steps not expressly shown in FIG. 5 but
embodied in the operations of the various embodiments described
herein. For example, the method 500 can include measuring and
logging at least one electrical parameter of the power surge. The
at least one electrical parameter can include an amplitude of the
power surge. Furthermore, the method 500 can include logging data
related to past power surges. And the method 500 can include
transmitting to remote device, such as a gateway device, data
related to power surges.
[0052] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate exemplary implementations of several
modules included the circuit 302, and exemplary implementations of
other modules that can be incorporated on the power supply unit 204
or in the main board 210.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation 600 of the
conditioning circuit 304 that is included in the circuit 302. In
FIG. 6, components R2, M1, M2, and M3 are configured to perform
surge protection. Components C1, C2, C4, L1, and L2 are configured
to perform EMI filtering. Components D1, D2, D5, and D6 are
configured to perform AC to DC rectification.
[0054] Other devices such as transient surge protectors (e.g.
transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diodes) or gas tubes can also
be used for surge protection. Many EMI filtering configurations
known in the art, such as single or dual stage configurations, can
also be used without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary implementation 700 of the
surge detection circuit 306 that is included in the circuit 302. In
FIG. 7, components R1, R3, R4, and D3 are used to set the peak
surge trigger point. Components Q5, R5, D4 form a buffer circuit
that feeds the surge signal to the power control pin. It is noted
that while transistor Q5 is shown as a MOSFET, a bipolar transistor
can also be used.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary implementation 800 of the DC
converter circuit 308 that is included in the circuit 302. In FIG.
8, the DC converter circuit 308 is a DC to DC power converter
configured in a flyback topology. Other topologies of DC to DC
converters can also be used. For example, SEPIC, CUK, and FORWARD
configurations can also be used without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a relay
control circuit 900 that can be part of the main logic circuit 310.
In FIG. 9, components Q2a, Q2b, and Q3 are transistors that are
part of a dual supply voltage relay driver circuit. Every time the
relay is turned on, a high voltage (e.g. 15V DC) is applied on a 6
VDC relay for a short time to insure that the contact will not
stick together following a surge. Components Q4. Q6, and U5 are
used to reduce the in-rush current when the luminaire 100 is turned
on.
[0058] FIG. 10 illustrates a metering circuit 1000 that can be part
of the main board 210. In FIG. 10, components R8, R15, and C27 for
a divider circuit that is used to sense the AC input voltage from
the power line 314. R22 is a shunt resistor used to sense the
current consumed by the luminaire 100. The U1 chip and its
surrounding components are parts of the metering circuit that
provide information about the energy, power factor, and power
consumption of the luminaire 100.
[0059] In the metering circuit 1000, the insulation between the AC
line side and the main processor is provided by a pulse
transformer. Other technologies, such as opto-couplers can also be
used.
[0060] Having set forth various exemplary embodiments, a controller
1100 (or system) consistent with their operation is now described.
FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of controller 1100, which can include
a processor 1102 that has a specific structure. The specific
structure is imparted to processor 1102 by instructions stored in a
memory 1104 included therein and/or by instructions 1120 that can
be fetched by processor 112 from a storage medium 1118. The storage
medium 1118 may be co-located with controller 1100 as shown, or it
may be located elsewhere and be communicatively coupled to
controller 1100. In some embodiments, controller 1100 may be a
system-on-a-chip (SoC) implementation, combining functionalities of
at least one of the network interface card 212, the main board 210,
and the power supply unit 204.
[0061] Controller 1100 can be a stand-alone programmable system, or
it can be a programmable module located in a much larger system.
For example, controller 1100 can be part of the main board 210 or
part of the power supply unit 204.
[0062] Controller 1100 may include one or more hardware and/or
software components configured to fetch, decode, execute, store,
analyze, distribute, evaluate, and/or categorize information.
Furthermore, controller 1100 can include an input/output (I/O) I/O
module 1114 that is configured to interface with one or more
gateway devices, for example.
[0063] Processor 1102 may include one or more processing devices or
cores (not shown). In some embodiments, processor 1102 may be a
plurality of processors, each having either one or more cores.
Processor 1102 can be configured to execute instructions fetched
from memory 1104, i.e. from one of memory block 1112, memory block
1110, memory block 1108, or memory block 1106, or the instructions
may be fetched from storage medium 1118, or from a remote device
connected to controller 1100 via communication interface 1116.
[0064] Furthermore, without loss of generality, storage medium 1118
and/or memory 1104 may include a volatile or non-volatile,
magnetic, semiconductor, tape, optical, removable, non-removable,
read-only, random-access, or any type of non-transitory
computer-readable computer medium. Storage medium 1118 and/or
memory 1104 may include programs and/or other information that may
be used by processor 1102. Furthermore, storage medium 1118 may be
configured to log data processed, recorded, or collected during the
operation of controller 1100. The data may be time-stamped,
location-stamped, cataloged, indexed, or organized in a variety of
ways consistent with data storage practice.
[0065] In one embodiments, for example, memory block 1106 may
include instructions that, when executed by processor 1102, cause
processor 1102 to perform certain operations. The operations can
include sensing a surge in voltage or current on a power line of
the luminaire. The operations can further include generating a
signal configured to repeatedly switch a relay disposed between the
power line and one or more light sources of the luminaire in
response to the surge. In general, the controller 1100 can perform
the steps of the method 500.
[0066] Those skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that
various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments described
above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit
of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within
the scope of the appended clauses, the disclosure may be practiced
other than as specifically described herein.
* * * * *