Power and signal distribution system for use in interior building spaces

• US 7,679,222 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
• Original Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
• Inventors: Beakes, William E., Frecska, Sandor A., Browne, Sean D., Patterson, Brian T., Myers, Jere W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US11/536,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 307/116, 307/125, 307/126, 307/130, 307/131, 522/206, 174/41, 174/43, 174/70.R, 174/71.R, 174/72.R, 174/480, 174/481, 174/500, 174/503, 174/505, 174/506
• US Class Current: 307/116
• 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 a building interior comprising:

a plurality of support members forming a grid framework wherein two or more of the support members have an electrical conductor disposed thereon;

the two or more support members being positioned relative one another in more than one direction and contacting one another at a junction;

the electrical conductors disposed on the two or more support members being connected to a shunt switch at the junction, the shunt switch providing electrical communication between the electrical conductors whereby a multidirectional conductive path is formed; and

the shunt switch being configurable to actively route the flow of electricity along the multidirectional conductive path.

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

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal provided is a wireless signal.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal provided is a wired signal.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a controller that receives the signal and provides an output in response to the signal.

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

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the signal received is a wireless signal.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the signal received is a wired signal.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising a controller in communication with the at least one shunt switch, wherein the controller provides the signal.

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

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

12. The system of claim 11, 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.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the grid framework is a ceiling framework for a suspended ceiling.

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

(a) mounting conductive elements to a plurality of support members;

(b) mechanically connecting the plurality of support members at a junction and positioning the support members at multiple angles relative to one another, the conductive elements remaining electrically isolated from one another;

(c) providing electrical communication between at least two of the conductive elements mounted on the support members via a shunt switch thereby forming a multidirectional conductive path;

(d) applying electricity to one of the conductive elements forming the multidirectional conductive path, the electricity flowing in a first direction toward a shunt switch; and

(e) rerouting the flow of electricity in a second direction via the shunt switch to a point of use.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein after step (d) transmitting a signal to the at least one shunt switch, the at least one shunt switch configuring itself in response to the signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a controller provides the signal to the shunt switch.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the controller receives a signal from the shunt switch, the controller providing a second signal in response to the signal received from the shunt switch.