An electronic device for monitoring the charge state of a rechargeable battery comprising a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a microprocessor, and a display. The voltage sensor is operatively connected to the microprocessor to provide to the microprocessor an electronic signal indicative of the voltage appearing across the terminals of the battery. The current sensor is operatively connected to the microprocessor to provide to the microprocessor an electronic signal indicative of the current between the terminals of the battery. Based on the signals received from the voltage and current sensors, the microprocessor calculates the total current discharge capacity of the battery and the present level of charge contained within the battery, and delivers electronic signals indicative of the total current discharge capacity and the present level of charge contained within the battery to the display means.

Automatic rechargeable battery monitoring system

A battery charger/monitor circuit for charging and/or monitoring a plurality of series-connected cells, including a voltage sensor for sensing the voltage across each of the cells to provide a high cell voltage signal proportional to the highest voltage across any of the cells and a low cell voltage signal proportional to the lowest voltage across any of the cells. The circuit is operable in a monitor mode or a charge mode. In the monitor mode, the cells are disconnected from a load if the low cell voltage signal decreases to a first predetermined level. The circuit includes a controller which provides a control signal in response to the high cell voltage signal, the low cell voltage signal and a current sense signal, for controlling the charging of the cells. In the charge mode, the cells receive a constant charge current until the high cell voltage signal reaches a second predetermined level, after which the voltage across the cell charged to the highest voltage is held substantially constant, causing the charge current to be reduced.

Voltage sensor for detecting cell voltages

A ballast having a microprocessor embedded therein is controlled via four inputs. The ballast includes a high-voltage phase-controlled signal provided by a dimmer and an infrared (IR) receiver through which the ballast can receive data signals from an IR transmitter. The ballast can also receive commands from other ballasts or a master control on the serial digital communication link, such as a DALI protocol link. The fourth input is an analog signal, which is simply a DC signal that linearly ranges in value from a predetermined lower limit to a predetermined upper limit, corresponding to the 0% to 100% dimming range of the load. The output stage of the ballast includes one or more FETs, which are used to control the current flow to the lamp. Based on these inputs, the microprocessor makes a decision on the intensity levels of the load and directly drives the FETs in the output stage.

Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor

An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

Emergency lighting remote monitoring and control system

The present invention features an electronic ballast for use with gas discharge lamps incorporating a microprocessor-based network controller which facilitates the direct attachment of the ballast to a local or building-wide energy management systems The use of the inventive ballast allows the production of a lighting luminaire whose light output, power consumption, and other operational or environmental parameters can be monitored and controlled as part of the distributed building control network A building control computer network can control lighting functions, such as power on/off and dimming The ballast of the present invention includes provision allowing connection to a local utility so that lighting in large buildings can be cut back in times of high power demand to help balance system loading

Electronic ballast with embedded network micro-controller

The present invention relates to emergency systems used in buildings, and particularly to emergency lighting systems whose function is to provide emergency illumination in the event of failure of primary (e.g. mains) power supply. As such systems must have the ability to operate correctly in any emergency it is necessary to ensure, by regular checking, that the emergency capability is maintained at all times. In an emergency lighting system the emergency capability is usually provided by a back-up power supply, which switches in on failure of the main power supply. Regular checks of the back-up power supply are required to make sure that it is capable of functioning in times of emergency. In the present invention, to facilitate the checking procedure, each emergency unit has a self-contained testing facility. This testing facility is operative to perform regular checks on the capability of the back-up supply. A user operable control unit is provided to gather the test results performed by each individual unit, and has the capability to instigate testing sequences if required. The control unit communicates with each emergency unit by wireless means, preferably infrared communications.

Communications and testing for emergency systems

A high frequency electronic ballast which comprises a variable frequency oscillator (1) having its frequency controlled by inputs (10 to 15). The oscillator (1) providing complementary outputs (16, 17) which controls an inverter (4) via a driver circuit (3). The inverter output is a source for a transformer or choke (5) which directly drives a gas discharge lamp (6). In this way the frequency of operation and hence the illumination of the lamp (6) can be changed by changing the driver (3) frequency by direct control (10 to 15) of the oscillator (1) and the lamp voltage is maintained substantially constant while reducing its current flow.

Electronic high frequency controlled device for operating gas discharge lamps

An emergency lighting system comprising a central monitoring and control unit, a plurality of single point lighting units and a communication system linking all of these units and being configured with a loop topology. Addressing of single point units around the loop is achieved via a protocol whereby a first address is issued by the central unit to the first unit in the loop. This first unit then stores this address as its own and increments the address number before passing it on to the next unit in the loop and so on. When the last unit in the loop finally passes its own incremented address number back to the central unit this provides the central unit with the necessary information to determine the number of single point units in the system.

Communication system for single point emergency lighting

A power supply control system suitable for controlling and protecting batteries used in such systems by causing the automatic disconnection of the battery from a load when either the battery voltage has dropped to a preset level or when the load has open circuited. Disconnection of the load ensures that the battery does not undergo any further discharge (except self discharge) and the load can only be reconnected to the battery when a main supply (charging means) is reapplied and removed again or by use of additional circuitry from an external switch, and then only when load is present and battery voltage is above the preset level.

Control of power supply

The battery charger employs integrator means and current switch means in combination with a control circuit whereby the control circuit receives a synchronizing signal at the start of each cycle as determined by a cyclical supply or pulse generator as well as information about the state of the integrator means which is compared with the predetermined average current such information determining the required control signals for the integrator means and current switch means so as to maintain the value of the average charging current substantially constant throughout the charging time. Current sense means being provided to sense the current flow through battery and supply the integrator means with said sensed current.

Mohammed Abdelmoniem Helal

Papers

Communications and testing for emergency systems

Electronic high frequency controlled device for operating gas discharge lamps

Communication system for single point emergency lighting

Control of power supply

Current integrating battery charger