POWER AND SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR USE IN INTERIOR BUILDING SPACES

• US 20070103824A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
• Original Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Myers, Jere, FRECSKA, Sandor, BROWNE, Sean, BEAKES, William, PATTERSON, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,679,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/54
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/281 in ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/381 in ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A power and signal distribution system for the building interior and a method for operating a power and signal distribution system for the building interior are provided. The system includes a plurality of conductors adjacent to at least one surface of a plurality of support members forming a grid. The system further includes at least one shunt switch in communication with at least two conductors, the shunt switch being configurable to selectively conduct power or signals between the at least two conductors.

Claims

1. A power and signal distribution system for the building interior comprising:

a plurality of conductors adjacent to at least one surface of a plurality of support members forming a grid; and

at least one shunt switch in communication with at least two conductors, the shunt switch being configurable to selectively conduct power or signals between the at least two conductors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein two of the conductors and shunt switch form a conductive path.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the shunt switch electrically connects adjacent conductors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shunt switch provides a signal in response to a condition.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal provided is a wireless signal.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal provided is a wired signal.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a controller that receives the signal and provides an output in response to the signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shunt switch is configurable in response to a signal received.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal received is a wireless signal.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal received is a wired signal.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a controller in communication with the at least one shunt switch, wherein the controller provides the signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the conductors are disposed on a surface of the support members.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shunt switch is addressable.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the addressable shunt switch is configured in response to a signal from a controller, wherein the signal corresponds to a desired functionality of the system.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the conductors are embedded in the support members of a ceiling.

16. A method of configuring a power and signaling system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of conductive elements;

(b) mechanically connecting the plurality of conductive elements, the conductive elements remaining electrically isolated from one another;

(c) attaching at least one shunt switch between at least two of the plurality of conductive elements to form a selective conductive path for the flow of electricity;

(d) applying electricity to one of the elements forming the conductive path;

(e) routing the electricity via the conductive path to a point of use; and

(f) configuring the at least one shunt switch to provide the desired functionality of the system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein configuring includes transmitting a signal to the at least one shunt switch, the at least one shunt switch configuring itself in response to the signal.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of transmitting a signal from the at least one shunt switch response to a condition.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein a controller provides the signal to the controller, the signal being in response to a condition of at least one shunt switch.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a controller receives the signal from the controller, the controller providing a second signal in response to the signal received.