Rail system for distributing power and data signals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rail system for transmitting power and data signals comprising:
- an insulative support;
first and second power conductors supported lengthwise on the support via an elongate support edge at least partially embedded in the insulative support, and configured to conduct electrical power; and
first and second data conductors supported lengthwise on the support via an elongate support edge at least partially embedded in the insulative support, wherein the data conductors are disposed between the power conductors and configured to transmit data signals;
wherein each of the power and data conductors presents a respective elongate connection edge opposite the respective support edge, the connection edges being generally aligned for receiving respective connector elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Transmission of electrical signals can be conducted over a rail. The rail, which may be an at least partially open rail structure, may be disposed within an enclosure, and can be used to transmit data and power signals to an assembly of electrical components. A connector assembly may also be provided to facilitate the transmission of data and power signals between the components and the rail.
45 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A rail system for transmitting power and data signals comprising:
-
an insulative support; first and second power conductors supported lengthwise on the support via an elongate support edge at least partially embedded in the insulative support, and configured to conduct electrical power; and first and second data conductors supported lengthwise on the support via an elongate support edge at least partially embedded in the insulative support, wherein the data conductors are disposed between the power conductors and configured to transmit data signals; wherein each of the power and data conductors presents a respective elongate connection edge opposite the respective support edge, the connection edges being generally aligned for receiving respective connector elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A rail system for transmitting power and data signals comprising:
-
an insulative support; a first set of power conductors supported lengthwise on the support and configured to conduct electrical power; a second set of power conductors supported lengthwise on the support and configured to conduct electrical power; and first and second data conductors supported lengthwise on the support and configured to transmit data signals; wherein the first and second set of power conductors and the first and second data conductors do not flex mechanically during engagement or disengagement with a mating connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An open rail system for transmitting power and data signals comprising:
-
an insulative support; first and second data conductors supported lengthwise on the support and configured to transmit data signals; a first set of power conductors supported lengthwise on the support at positions flanking the data conductors and configured to conduct electrical power; a second set of power conductors supported lengthwise on the support at positions flanking respective power conductors of the first set and configured to conduct electrical power; and a capacitor coupled across the first set of power conductors. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A rail system, comprising:
-
an insulative support; first and second rail power conductors mounted to the insulative support; first and second rail data conductors mounted to the insulative support, wherein the data conductors and the power conductors are substantially parallel to one another; wherein each the rail data conductors and the rail power conductors is mechanically engageable with a plurality of connectors at a plurality of locations along the length of the rail, each connector being connected to a different electrical component. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
-
Specification