Wireless configurable controls and control panels and enclosures therefor

• US 20070144779A1
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Vicente, Nataniel, Pitzen, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/312,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20070144779A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/520
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/168 making use of an electromagnetic wave communication
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/32 Mounting of devices therein
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

An enclosure includes a control panel, a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on said control panel or in the enclosure. At least some of the plurality of controls, indicators, or both are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside the enclosure, and at least some controls include wirelessly controlled relays configured to control devices outside the enclosure.

Claims

1. An enclosure comprising:

a control panel,

a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on said control panel or in said enclosure; and

at least some of said plurality of controls, indicators, or both configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside said enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays configured to control devices outside said enclosure.

2. An enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein one or more of said wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both are reconfigurable.

3. An enclosure in accordance with claim 2 wherein said reconfigurable controls, indicators, or both are configurable individually or as a system.

4. An enclosure in accordance with claim 2 including a reconfigurable control, indicator, or both with a button configured to allow programming.

5. An enclosure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a power distribution system to distribute a low voltage to said plurality of wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both.

6. An enclosure in accordance with claim 5 wherein one or more of said wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both are reconfigurable.

7. An enclosure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said reconfigurable controls, indicators, or both are configurable individually or as a system.

8. An enclosure in accordance with claim 6 including a reconfigurable control, indicator, or both with a button configured to allow programming.

9. An enclosure in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an interface or personal computer configured to program said wirelessly configured controls.

10. A method for controlling electrical equipment, said method comprising:

operating a control mounted on a control panel or in an enclosure including the control panel to produce a wireless signal contained within said enclosure; and

using the wireless signal to operate a relay within the enclosure to control external electrical equipment outside of the enclosure.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising reconfiguring at least one control, indicator, or both mounted on the control panel or in the enclosure.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said reconfiguring at least one control, indicator, or both comprises wirelessly programming said reconfigured control or indicator.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said reconfiguring at least one control, indicator, or both comprises using a button provided in association with the control or indicator.

14. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said reconfiguring at least one control, indicator, or both comprises utilizing an interface or personal computer configured to program wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising utilizing a low-voltage distribution system to power wireless transceivers associated with controls, indicators, or both.