The present invention relates generally to power supplies for track and busway systems, and in particular, to a power supply unit for high-intensity discharge (“HID”), light-emitting diode (“LED”), and fluorescent track light fixtures.
Track lighting systems are commonplace in many applications, including commercial (e.g. retail store), residential, and museum applications. Track systems offer flexibility such that lighting fixture arrangements may be reconfigured to meet the changing lighting requirements of a space without the need for skilled tradesmen or additional specialized equipment to adjust existing fixtures or to install additional fixtures. Lighting fixtures within track lighting systems may also be readily changed or reconfigured in order to keep pace with changing styles and technological advances.
High-intensity discharge (“HID”) lamps are popular because they are able to convert a greater amount of the energy they consume into visible light, as opposed to heat. They are much more energy efficient than traditional incandescent light sources. Light-emitting diode (“LED”) and fluorescent lamps have also found popularity due to their low power consumption and long life. HID, LED, and fluorescent lamps, however, require power supplies that condition the power provided to the lamp (e.g. higher voltage to strike an electrical arc in an HID lamp, regulated constant current or voltage for LED lamps, etc.). Such power supplies and the enclosures that typically contain them may occupy a relatively large amount of space. This may be problematic in a track lighting system because space is very often in short supply within the track, as many lighting installations call for the use of a large number of fixtures to achieve the required light levels or the desired lighting effects.
One way to provide power to HID, LED, or fluorescent track fixtures is by means of power supply units physically located below the track (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,981, D413,176, D436,678, and D552,780). There are real cost and performance constraints that require that the power supplies be located in general proximity to the light sources, but not so close that they can be affected by the heat produced by the light sources. Additionally, there are electrical and building code regulations that require power supplies and other electrical components to be located so they are readily accessible for replacement or inspection. These constraints and regulations have, for the most part, defined the arrangement and location of the power supply within the lighting system in relationship to the track and the light source. As such, the power supplies are typically built into each fixture in an isolated enclosure, thus creating an additional and fully visible element as an integral part of the light fixture and the lighting system itself. Such an arrangement and the resulting system, however, may not be aesthetically pleasing. Accordingly, there is a need for a power delivery system for HID, LED or fluorescent light sources where a power supply may be substantially contained within a track, and in some instances, the power supply should be kept in relative proximity to the light source, but providing a less cluttered and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
A system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a track and a power supply substantially contained within the track. In doing so, the power supply may be substantially concealed within the track. One or more lamps may be electrically connected to the power supply. The lamp may be an HID lamp, an LED lamp, or a fluorescent lamp. The power supply may be a ballast, and may comprise a printed circuit board with electrical power handling components on one side. The system may also include a housing which may surround the power supply.
The housing may be adapted to interface with the track and may be substantially contained within the track. The housing may be attached to the track. Such attachment may be by way of a fastener or force, such as friction or magnetism.
The lamp may be part of a sign and/or a signal. As such, the lamp may illuminate a word and/or a symbol to guide a person. The lamp may be part of a luminaire.
A luminaire may be attached to the housing by way of a suspender, which may be a yoke, a cable or a stem. The luminaire may be attached to the housing, the track, or a position not related to the track (e.g., a wall or a cable suspension system). The suspender may include means for fixing the position of the luminaire relative to the housing and/or maintaining a predesigned focusing radius of the luminaire.
A system according to another embodiment of the invention may include a communication circuit electrically connected to the power supply and in communication with a remotely addressable control system to provide control of one or more lamps. The communication circuit may also include a circuit for wireless communication.
The invention may be embodied as a device which may include a power supply and a housing surrounding the power supply. The housing may be configured to be capable of insertion in and/or attachment to a track. The device may include a lamp, which may be an HID, LED, or fluorescent lamp.
Because the power supply is in close contact with the track system, a large amount of the heat energy produced by the power supply is absorbed and diffused by the relatively large thermal mass and surface area that the track or busway provide. This has a measurable beneficial effect on the power supply's electrical and electronic components. It is widely known that operation at elevated temperatures is the main cause of premature failure for electrical and electronic components. Additionally, any lamp in proximity to the power supply may also benefit from this “heat sink” effect that the close contact with the track provides. By operating at relatively lower temperatures the average lifetime of the lamps and components is significantly extended, resulting in more reliable and durable lighting fixtures, and reduced operating and maintenance costs.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The power supply 14 may comprise a printed circuit board (“PCB”) 29 which may have a first major surface 21 and a second major surface 23 (see, e.g.,
The embodiment depicted in
The housing 18 may be attached to the track 12 and may be held in a fixed position in a channel 13 (
The fastener 24 may be used as an electrical ground providing a grounding conductor from the power supply 14 to the track 12. Alternatively, a grounding path may be provided via the housing 18 through contact of the housing 18 and the track 12.
The housing 18 may be attached to the track 12 by the use of magnetic force (see, e.g.,
The housing 18 may be attached to the track 12 using a friction fit between the housing 18 and the sides 15 of the channel 13 of the track 12. The housing 18 may be sized relative to the channel 13 to require force to insert and/or remove the housing 18. In this manner, the housing 18 will be retained in the track 12 until a detaching force is applied sufficient to overcome the friction between the housing 18 and the sides 15 of the channel 13.
In an embodiment depicted in
In another embodiment, depicted in
The suspender may include a means for fixing the position of the luminaire 40 relative to the housing 18. For example, in the embodiment depicted in
Although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the present invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/218,308, filed on Jun. 18, 2009.
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Number | Date | Country |
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PCTUS2009053127 | Jul 2010 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61218308 | Jun 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12537576 | Aug 2009 | US |
Child | 16439098 | US |