Modular interconnectivity system and method

• US 20040206541A1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Locke, Gary J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,282,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/72A
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92

Abstract

A system in accordance with the present invention interconnects a plurality of devices for electrical power, control, signal, and data transmission. The system includes a single source of components providing complete interconnectivity between a first number of devices. The single source of components provides complete interconnectivity between the first number of devices and a second number of devices augmenting the first number of devices.

Claims

1. A system for interconnecting a plurality of devices for electrical power, control, signal, and data transmission, said system comprising:

a single source of components providing complete interconnectivity between a first number of devices,

said single source of components providing complete interconnectivity between the first number of devices and a second number of devices augmenting the first number of devices,

each said component of said single source of components being capable of supporting a load of a material handling system.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said single source of components provides complete interconnectivity between the first and second numbers of devices and a third number of devices augmenting the first and second numbers of devices.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said single source of components provides complete interconnectivity between the first, second, and third numbers of devices and a fourth number of devices augmenting the first, second, and third numbers of devices.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said single source of components provides complete interconnectivity between the first, second, third, and fourth numbers of devices and a fifth number of devices augmenting the first, second, third, and fourth numbers of devices.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said single source of components provides complete interconnectivity between the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numbers of devices and a sixth number of devices augmenting the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numbers of devices.

6. A method for interconnecting a plurality of devices for electrical power, control, signal, and data transmission, said method comprising the steps of:

providing complete interconnectivity between a first number of devices by a single source of components;

augmenting the first number of devices with a second number of devices; and

providing complete interconnectivity between the first number of devices and the second number of devices with the single source of components, each component of the single source of components being capable of supporting a 100 ampere load.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further including the steps of:

augmenting the first and second numbers of devices with a third number of devices; and

providing complete interconnectivity between the first and second numbers of devices and the third number of devices with the single source of components.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 further including the steps of:

augmenting the first, second, and third numbers of devices with a fourth number of devices; and

providing complete interconnectivity between the first, second, and third numbers of devices and the fourth number of devices with the single source of components.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 further including the steps of:

augmenting the first, second, third, and fourth numbers of devices with a fifth number of devices; and

providing complete interconnectivity between the first, second, third, and fourth numbers of devices and the fifth number of devices with the single source of components.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 further including the steps of:

augmenting the first, second, third, fourth, fifth numbers of devices with a sixth number of devices; and

providing complete interconnectivity between the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth numbers of devices and the sixth number of devices with the single source of components.