SIGNAL CARRIER FOR CONTACTLESS LIGHTING SYSTEM AND LIGHTING SYSTEM INCLUDING A SIGNAL CARRIER

Abstract

A lighting system includes at least one lighting component and a signal carrier. The signal carrier includes an electrically insulative webbing, and a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor separated and spaced apart from each other by the electrically insulative webbing and extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The first and second electrical conductors are disposed at least partially within the electrically insulative webbing. The at least one lighting component is mounted to the signal carrier via a slot passing through the electrically insulative webbing, wherein the at least one lighting component includes at least one light source and at least one coupler configured to extract power from the first and second electrical conductors without making an electrically conductive physical contact to the first and second electrical conductors.

Claims

1. A lighting network, comprising: a lighting network base station having an output configured to provide a radio frequency power signal; a signal carrier, comprising, an electrically insulative webbing having a plurality of openings therein, and at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor separated and spaced apart from each other by the electrically insulative webbing and extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction, the first and second electrical conductors being connected to the output of the lighting network base station; and at least one lighting network component located remotely from the lighting network base station along the signal carrier and mounted to the signal carrier at one of the plurality of openings, wherein the at least one lighting network component includes at least one light source and at least one lighting network component coupler configured to extract power from the radio frequency power signal without making an electrically conductive physical contact to the first and second electrical conductors, and an impedance termination remotely located from the lighting network base station, wherein the lighting network base station is disposed at a first end of the signal carrier, and wherein the impedance termination is connected across the lighting network line pair at a second end of the signal which is opposite the first end of the lighting network line pair.

2. The lighting network of claim 1, wherein the lighting network base station further includes a power line communication coupler configured to couple the signal carrier to a first power line communication device, wherein the base station power line communication coupler and the at least one lighting network component coupler are configured to communicate network data between the first power line communication device and a second power line communication device via the signal carrier.

3. The lighting network of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting network component coupler comprises: a power coupler configured to extract the power from the radio frequency power signal without making an electrically conductive physical contact to the first and second electrical conductors; and a lighting network component power line communication coupler, separate from the power coupler, configured to couple the signal carrier to the second power line communication device without making an electrically conductive physical contact to the first and second electrical conductors.

4. (canceled)

5. The lighting network of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are disposed within the electrically insulative webbing such that the first and second electrical conductors are not exposed at a location where the at least one lighting network component is mounted to the signal carrier.

6. The lighting network of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting network component coupler comprises a ferromagnetic coupler at least partially disposed within the one of the plurality of openings where the lighting network component is mounted.

7. The lighting network of claim 1, further comprising at least one conduit spacer, wherein at least a portion of the signal carrier is disposed within a metal conduit and is separated and spaced apart from the metal conduit by the at least one conduit spacer.

8. The lighting network of claim 7, wherein the conduit spacer has a shape of a disk with at least two apertures therethrough, wherein the first and second conductors pass through the two apertures.

9. A system, comprising: a signal carrier, comprising, an electrically insulative webbing, and at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor separated and spaced apart from each other by the electrically insulative webbing and extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction, the first and second electrical conductors being disposed at least partially within the electrically insulative webbing; and at least one lighting component mounted to the signal carrier, wherein the at least one lighting component includes at least one light source and at least one coupler configured to extract power from the first and second electrical conductors without making an electrically conductive physical contact to the first and second electrical conductors, and an impedance termination, wherein a lighting network base station is disposed at a first end of the signal carrier, and wherein the impedance termination is connected across a lighting network line pair at a second end of the signal carrier which is opposite the first end of the lighting network line pair.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulative webbing has a plurality of openings therein, and wherein the at least one lighting component is mounted to the signal carrier at one of the plurality of openings.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulative webbing includes a groove extending in the longitudinal direction between the first and second electrical conductors.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulative webbing has first and second channels extending therethrough in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are disposed, respectively, within the first and second channels.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupler comprises a ferromagnetic coupler at least partially disposed within the one of the plurality of openings where the lighting component is mounted.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one conduit spacer, wherein at least a portion of the signal carrier is disposed within a metal conduit and is separated and spaced apart from the metal conduit by the at least one conduit spacer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the conduit spacer has a shape of a disk with at least two apertures therethrough, wherein the first and second conductors pass through the two apertures.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulative webbing has a plurality of grooves formed therein between the first and second electrical conductors, each of the grooves closing upon itself to enclose a defined portion of the webbing.

17. A signal carrier, comprising: an electrically insulative webbing having at least first and second channels extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction, and at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor separated and spaced apart from each other by the electrically insulative webbing and extending in parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are disposed, respectively, within the first and second channels, wherein the electrically insulative webbing has a plurality of grooves formed therein between the first and second electrical conductors, each of the grooves closing upon itself to enclose a defined portion of the webbing.

18. The signal carrier of claim 17, wherein the electrically insulative webbing includes a groove extending in the longitudinal direction between the first and second electrical conductors.

19. (canceled)

20. The signal carrier of claim 17, wherein the electrically insulative webbing has a plurality of openings therein disposed between the first and second channels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting network.

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting network component for a lighting network.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of a lighting network component for a lighting network.

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network.

[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates a second example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network.

[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates a variation of the second example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network.

[0056] FIG. 7A illustrates installation of a conduit spacer on an example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network.

[0057] FIG. 7B illustrates an installed conduit spacer on an example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a first exploded view of the first example embodiment of a lighting network signal carrier and a lighting network component for a lighting network.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a second exploded view of the first example embodiment of the lighting network signal carrier and the lighting network component for a lighting network.

[0060] FIG. 10 illustrates the first example embodiment of the lighting network signal carrier and a base for the lighting network component to be installed in a lighting network.

[0061] FIG. 11 illustrates the first example embodiment of a lighting network signal carrier and the lighting network component for a lighting network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] As discussed above, lighting fixtures which employ physical electrically conductive contacts to receive power and data, and lighting networks in which such lighting fixtures are deployed, are prone to performance degradation and failure due to wear and damage to the physical electrically conductive contacts when the contacts are exposed to contaminants such as moisture, or operate in suboptimal connection conditions, or when the lighting fixtures are inserted or connected to the lighting network over and over again.

[0063] More generally, Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures), and a lighting network which can allow the lighting network components to be functionally connected to the lighting network without the need for any physical electrically conductive contact between the lighting network components and the power and signal carriers, or lines, of the lighting network.

[0064] In view of the foregoing, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention are directed to contactless lighting network components such as a contactless lighting fixture, and a lighting network which employs one or more such contactless lighting network components. Here, it is understood that when the lighting network and lighting network components are referred to as “contactless” this refers to the absence of an electrically conductive physical contact (e.g., a metallic contact) for passing electrical power and/or an electrical signal between the lighting network and lighting network components which are operationally or functionally connected to that lighting network. This does not preclude the possibility that a lighting network component may include some other electrically conductive physical contact to some other external device.

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting network 100. Lighting network 100 includes a lighting network base station 110 connected to a plurality of contactless lighting network components via a lighting network line pair 115 which operates as an electrical network signal carrier for conveying power and optionally data to lighting network components of lighting network 100. In lighting network 100 of FIG. 1, the contactless lighting network components include lighting fixtures 120, a lighting network interface adaptor 130, and a lighting sensor module 140. Lighting network 100 may be a light emitting diode (LED) lighting network. As described in greater detail below, line pair 115 may be provided via a signal carrier according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0066] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of lighting network 100 which includes two lighting fixtures 120, one lighting network interface adaptor 130, and one lighting sensor module 140, it should be understood that in general the lighting network may include any number and combination of contactless lighting network components, limited only by constraints such as the maximum length of the lighting network line pair, the thickness or gauge of the electrical conductors in the lighting network line pair, the power level which can be supplied via the lighting network line pair, the required operating efficiency of the lighting fixtures, the data or communication capabilities of the lighting network line pair, etc.

[0067] Also, although FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of lighting network 100 which employs a line pair 115, in other embodiments the lighting network could employ any even number of conductors (e.g. 4 conductors, 6 conductors, etc.).

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 1, lighting network base station 110 includes a radio frequency (RF) amplifier 111, a power line communication (PLC) coupler 113, and a power line communication (PLC) device 114. In various embodiments, lighting network base station 110 may include other elements, including for example a controller or processor.

[0069] RF amplifier (RFA) 111 is configured to receive AC Mains power from AC Mains 10, to convert the AC Mains power to a radio frequency (RF) power signal, and to supply the radio frequency power signal to lighting network line pair 115.

[0070] In some embodiments, AC Mains power may comprise a 50 Hz to 60 Hz at a voltage in a voltage range of 100-277 volts.

[0071] RFA 111 may operate to produce an RF power signal in one or more of a variety of frequency ranges in the RF bands, including very low frequencies (VLF—or 3 kHz to 30 kHz), low frequencies (LF—30 kHz to 300 kHz), medium frequencies (MF—300 kHz to 3 MHz); high frequencies (HF—3 MHz to 30 MHz) or higher frequency ranges in the RF bands. However, in particular it is understood that RF amplifier 111 and the RF power signal do not operate in optical frequency bands such as infrared, visible, or ultraviolet bands. In some embodiments, RFA 111 may output an RF power signal having a frequency of about 20 kHz and a voltage level of 260 VAC at the output of lighting network base station 110. In some embodiments, RFA 111 may have an output power level of 1 kilowatt. However, it is understood that other voltage levels, power levels, and frequencies may be employed in lighting network 100, and these numbers are only provided to illustrate a concrete embodiment.

[0072] PLC device 114 is configured to communicate with an external data communication device 20 to exchange data therewith (i.e., to receive data therefrom and/or to transmit data thereto). In general, data received from external data communication device 20 may be received in a variety of formats, including for example, Ethernet, DMX, DALI, wireless and analog formats (e.g., an analog dimming signal), etc. In that case, beneficially PLC device 114 may be configured to convert the received data into network data which is communicated by lighting network base station 110 to one or more lighting network components (e.g., one or more lighting fixtures 120 and/or one or more lighting network interface adaptors 130) via lighting network line pair 115. In some embodiments, external data communication device 20 may comprise a computer, a user interface, a wireless receiver, a connection to another lighting network, etc. In some embodiments, lighting network base station 110 may include a controller or processor which may operate in conjunction with PLC device 114 to convert data between a data format (e.g., an Ethernet packet) for a power line communication (PLC) signal for communicating the data via lighting network line pair 115, and other various data formats, for example Ethernet, DMX, DALI, wireless and analog formats (e.g., an analog dimming signal), etc. In some embodiments external data communication device 20 and/or a processor of lighting network base station 110 may execute one or more software algorithms to operate as a lighting controller for lighting network 100, controlling operations of the one or more lighting fixtures 120 of lighting network 100. Examples of such operations will be described below.

[0073] PLC coupler 113 is configured to couple PLC device 114 to lighting network line pair 115. PLC coupler 113 may be an inductive coupler which couples PLC device 114 to lighting network line pair 115 without making an electrically conductive physical contact to lighting network line pair 115. In various embodiments, PLC coupler 113 may comprise an inductor, transformer, or electrical coil. In some embodiments, PLC coupler 113 is configured to couple a PLC signal from PLC device 114 onto lighting network line pair 115 whereby the PLC signal carries network data, for example lighting data for controlling one or more operating parameters of one or more light sources (e.g., LED-based light sources) of one of more lighting fixtures 120.

[0074] The PLC signal may operate in one or more of a variety of frequency ranges in the RF bands, but does not operate in optical frequency bands such as infrared, visible, or ultraviolet bands. In that case, it is seen that PLC coupler 113 is not an optocoupler. In some embodiments, the PLC signal may operate on lighting network line pair 115 at one or more frequencies in a frequency range of 2-68 MHz In some embodiments, the PLC signal may comprise an Ethernet signal. In some embodiments, the PLC signal may communicate data over the lighting network line pair 115 at a data rate of about 200 Mbps.

[0075] Lighting network line pair 115 comprises a pair of electrically conductive wires and may operate as a transmission line with characteristic impedance at the operating frequency(s) of the RF power signal and PLC signal in the RF frequency bands. In some embodiments, the output impedance of RFA 111 may be selected to operate with the characteristic impedance of lighting network line pair 115. In that case, termination block 150 may be selected to have an impedance which is matched to the output impedance of RFA 111. In some embodiments, termination block 150 may be omitted, which may result in degraded performance of lighting network 100, for example reduced efficiency. In some embodiments, lighting network 100 may employ other lines, wires, or signal carriers in addition to lighting network line pair 115.

[0076] Lighting fixture 120 includes a power coupler 121, a power line communication (PLC) coupler 123, and a lighting emitting diode (LED) based lighting unit 125. In various embodiments, lighting fixture 120 may also include a lighting driver, a controller, one or more sensors, and a second power line communication device which communicates with PLC device 114 via power line communication (PLC) coupler 123 and lighting network line pair 115.

[0077] Power coupler 121 may be an inductive coupler, and is configured to extract electrical power from the RF power signal on lighting network line pair 115 without making an electrically conductive physical contact to lighting network line pair 115. In various embodiments, power coupler 121 may comprise an inductor, transformer, or electrical coil. As noted above, the RF power signal operates in one or more of a variety of frequency ranges in the RF bands, but is not an optical signal operating in an optical band. In that case, it is seen that power coupler 121 is not an optocoupler.

[0078] FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting network component 200 for a lighting network. Lighting network component 200 may comprise a cove lighting fixture, and includes a base 220 and cover 210. Base 220 is configured to receive a line pair 215, and to separate the two lines 215a and 215b along either side thereof. Between the two lines within base 220 are disposed one or more inductive couplers 231 for coupling data and power to lighting network component 200.

[0079] Lighting network component 200 may be referred to as a contactless lighting network component as it is configured to be operationally or functionally connected to a lighting network via line pair 215 without having any an electrically conductive physical contact (e.g., a metallic contact) to line pair 215 for passing an electrical signal or power to between line pair 215 and lighting network component 200.

[0080] However, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the two electrical conductors of line pair 215 must be separated from each other at the place where lighting network component 200 is coupled to line pair 215. In addition to the labor required for such an installation, this presents a possibility that the either or both of the wires of line pair 214 can expose bare metal (e.g., copper) carrying a live current when the two wires are separated from each other. Factory-split cable or cord with the two wires for the line pair 215 split apart at predetermined positions could be manufactured, but this does not offer any flexibility to the end user as far as where lighting network component 200 is positioned to be connected to line pair 215.

[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of a lighting network component 300 for a lighting network. Lighting network component 300 comprises a base 320 and housing 310. Base 320 is configured to receive a line pair via a cable 315, and to separate the two lines 315a and 315b along either side thereof. Housing 310 may be removably attached to base 320 in such a way as to provide two inductive couplers 331 adjacent to lines 315a and 315b for coupling data and power to lighting network component 300. Although lighting network component 300 employs a separate power coupler 331 and PLC coupler 331, in some embodiments it may be possible to employ a single inductive coupler and to separate power and data signals at the output of the single inductive coupler, as described above.

[0082] Lighting network component 300 may be referred to as a contactless lighting network component as it is configured to be operationally or functionally connected to a lighting network via cable 315 without having any an electrically conductive physical contact (e.g., a metallic contact) to lines 315a and 315b for passing an electrical signal or power to between cable 315 and lighting network component 300.

[0083] However, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, as with the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the two electrical conductors of cable 315 must be separated from each other at the place where base 320 is coupled to cable 315. In addition to the labor required for such an installation, this presents a possibility that either or both of the wires 315a and 315b can expose bare metal (e.g., copper) carrying a live current when the two wires are separated from each other. Cable 315 could be manufactured at a factory with the wires 315a and 315b already split apart from each other at predetermined positions, but this does not offer any flexibility to the end user as far as where lighting network component 300 is positioned to be connected to cable 315.

[0084] FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a signal carrier 400 for a lighting network, such as lighting network 100 of FIG. 1. Lighting network signal carrier 400 may be one embodiment of lighting network line pair 115 in lighting network 100. In a lighting network such as lighting network 100, one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) may be coupled to lighting network signal carrier 400 to receive power, and optionally data, therefrom as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0085] Lighting network signal carrier 400 includes first and second electrical conductors (wires) 402 and 404 which are separated and spaced apart from each other at a spacing D1 by an electrically insulative webbing 405 and which extend in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction X. In some embodiments, D1 may be in a range of 20-26 mm, for example about 24 mm. Of course other beneficial spacings may be employed in other embodiments. Beneficially, electrically insulative webbing 405 includes first and second channels 407 and 409 extending therethrough in the longitudinal direction X from a first end to a second end thereof. First and second electrical conductors (wires) 402 and 404 are disposed, respectively, in first and second channels 407 and 409 such that includes first and second electrical conductors (wires) 402 and 404 are disposed within electrically insulative webbing 405. Beneficially, first and second electrical conductors (wires) 402 and 404 may only be exposed at the opposite ends of electrically insulative webbing 405 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0086] Electrically insulative webbing 405 has a thickness T1 in a region between first and second channels 407 and 409. In some embodiments, T1 may be about 2 mm.

[0087] Electrically insulative webbing 405 also has a groove 406 provided therein extending in the longitudinal direction X between the first and second electrical conductors 403 and 404 disposed in first and second channels 407 and 409, wherein the thickness of electrically insulative webbing 405 is reduced in the area of groove 406. Groove 406 may facilitate a controlled separation of first and second electrical conductors 403 and 404 during field installation of lighting network signal carrier 400 with one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures), to inhibit the possibility of one or both of first and second electrical conductors 403 and 404 being exposed inadvertently when first and second electrical conductors 403 and 404 are separated or split apart from each other.

[0088] Electrically insulative webbing 405 may comprise or consist of plastic, rubber, fabric, ceramic, or other suitable electrically insulative material.

[0089] Although FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a lighting network signal carrier which employs two conductors, in other embodiments the lighting network signal carrier could employ any even number of conductors (e.g. 4 conductors, 6 conductors, etc.). Also, although in FIG. 4 the spacing between groove 406 and first and second electrical conductors 403 and 404 is the same, this is not required.

[0090] FIG. 5 illustrates a second example embodiment of a signal carrier 500 for a lighting network, such as lighting network 100 of FIG. 1. Lighting network signal carrier 500 may be one embodiment of lighting network line pair 115 in lighting network 100. In a lighting network such as lighting network 100, one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) may be coupled to lighting network signal carrier 500 to receive power, and optionally data, therefrom as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0091] Lighting network signal carrier 500 includes first and second electrical conductors (wires) 502 and 504 which are separated and spaced apart from each other at a spacing D2 by an electrically insulative webbing 505 and which extend in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction X. In some embodiments, D1 may be in a range of 20-26 mm, for example about 24 mm. Beneficially, electrically insulative webbing 505 includes first and second channels 507 and 509 extending therethrough in the longitudinal direction X from a first end to a second end thereof. First and second electrical conductors (wires) 502 and 504 are disposed, respectively, in first and second channels 507 and 509 such that includes first and second electrical conductors (wires) 502 and 504 are disposed within electrically insulative webbing 505. Beneficially, first and second electrical conductors (wires) 502 and 504 may only be exposed at the opposite ends of electrically insulative webbing 505 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0092] Electrically insulative webbing 505 has a thickness T2 in a region between first and second channels 507 and 509. In some embodiments, T2 may be about 2 mm. Electrically insulative webbing 505 may comprise or consist of plastic, rubber, fabric, ceramic, or other suitable electrically insulative material.

[0093] Electrically insulative webbing 505 also has provided therein a plurality of openings 506 aligned adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction X between the first and second electrical conductors 503 and 504 disposed in first and second channels 507 and 509. As explained in greater detail below one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) may be mounted on signal carrier 500 at openings 506, which are also referred to herein as attachment slots 506. As explained in greater detail below, this arrangement may facilitate the coupling of power, and optionally data, from lighting network signal carrier 500 to one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) without a need for separation of first and second electrical conductors 502 and 504 from each other during field installation, thus inhibiting the possibility of one or both of first and second electrical conductors 503 and 504 being exposed inadvertently at the location(s) where the lighting network component(s) is/are mounted to lighting network signal carrier 500. In some embodiments, lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) which are mounted onto lighting network signal carrier 500 include ferrite coupling components which are required to make contact with each other and not have any electrically insulative webbing 505 between them. In that case, slots 506 allow these lighting network components to be easily mounted to lighting network signal carrier 500. In particular, a lighting network components (e.g., a lighting fixture) may be mounted to lighting network signal carrier 500 at any attachment slot 506 without cutting or otherwise disassembling or altering lighting network signal carrier 500 in any way. This may increase the ease, reliability, and flexibility of attaching lighting network components to lighting network signal carrier 500. One or more ferrite core couplers may be employed by the lighting network component to extract power, and optionally data, from lighting network signal carrier 500. Beneficially, the use of two electrical conductors 502 and 504 may offer the ability to provide increased power to the lighting network component, compared to use of a single wire. Additionally, multiple ferrite cores may be employed by one lighting network component where necessary to provide even greater power to the lighting network component.

[0094] In some embodiments, the length L of each opening or attachment slot 506 may be about 35 mm, the width W of each opening or attachment slot 506 may be about 12 mm, and the pitch P between the openings or attachment slots 506 may be about 32 mm. Of course other beneficial dimensions may be employed in other embodiments.

[0095] Although FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a lighting network signal carrier which employs two conductors, in other embodiments the lighting network signal carrier could employ any even number of conductors (e.g. 4 conductors, 6 conductors, etc.). Also, although in FIG. 5 the spacing between slots 506 is uniform, this is not required. Similarly, the slots 506 do not have to be centered or equally spaced between electrical conductors 502 and 504.

[0096] FIG. 6 illustrates a variation 600 of the second example embodiment of a signal carrier for a lighting network, such as lighting network 100 of FIG. 1. Lighting network signal carrier 600 may be one embodiment of lighting network line pair 115 in lighting network 100. In a lighting network such as lighting network 100, one or more lighting network components (e.g., lighting fixtures) may be coupled to lighting network signal carrier 600 to receive power, and optionally data, therefrom as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0097] Lighting network signal carrier 600 is similar to lighting network signal carrier 500 such that only differences therebetween will be described. The webbing 605 of lighting network signal carrier 600 has a plurality of grooves 607 formed therein between first and second electrical conductors 502 and 504, each of the grooves 607 closing upon itself to enclose a portion 606 of the webbing. During installation, any or all of the portions 606 may be punched out by an installer to produce one or more opening or attachment slots such as the opening or attachment slot 506 of lighting network signal carrier 500. For example, an installer may punch through a portion 606 to produce an opening or attachment slot wherever the installer wants to mount a lighting network component (e.g., lighting fixture). In some embodiments, grooves 607 may be perforated along the length of lighting network signal carrier 600, allowing the installer to “rip” a slot 506 open for the installation.

[0098] Beneficially, lighting network signal carriers 500 and 600 lend themselves to the use of conduit spacers or clips for facilitating the installation or routing of the lighting network signal carrier in a metal conduit while mitigating the possibility of any of the electrical conductors 502 or 504 inadvertently coming into contact with the metal conduit and thereby preventing the lighting network signal carrier from conveying power to lighting network components.

[0099] FIG. 7A illustrates installation of a conduit spacer or clip 700 onto an example embodiment of a signal carrier 500 for a lighting network. Here it is seen that conduit spacer 700 includes first and second spacer portions 710 and 720 which are placed on opposite sides of signal carrier 500 and then connected (e.g., snapped) together to form a disk-shaped conduit spacer 700.

[0100] FIG. 7B illustrates an installed conduit spacer 700 on an example embodiment of a signal carrier 500 for a lighting network. The disk shaped conduit spacer 700 has at least two apertures therethrough such that first and second conductors 502 and 504 pass through the two apertures. In some embodiments, conduit spacer 700 may include a third aperture for a portion of electrically insulative webbing 505 to pass therethrough.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a first exploded view of the first example embodiment of lighting network signal carrier 500 and a lighting network component for a lighting network. FIG. 9 is a second exploded view of the first example embodiment of lighting network signal carrier 500 and the lighting network component for a lighting network. FIG. 10 illustrates the first example embodiment of lighting network signal carrier 500 and base 820 for the lighting network component to be installed in a lighting network. FIG. 11 illustrates the first example embodiment of lighting network signal carrier 500 and the lighting network component 1100 for a lighting network.

[0102] Lighting network component 1100 may be referred to as a contactless lighting network component as it is configured to be operationally or functionally connected to a lighting network via lighting network signal carrier 500 without having any an electrically conductive physical contact (e.g., a metallic contact) to first and second electrical conductors 502 or 504 for passing an electrical signal or power to between lighting network signal carrier 500 and lighting network component 1100.

[0103] As illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, lighting network component 1100 includes a housing 810 and a base 820. Housing 810 include a coupler 812 (e.g., a ferrite coupler) for coupling power, and optionally data, from lighting network signal carrier 500 As illustrated in FIG. 10, base 820 is attached to lighting network signal carrier 500 at any one of a plurality of selected locations which are defined by attachment slots 506 in lighting network signal carrier 500. Housing 810 may then be attached to base 820 such that ferrite coupler 812 may be at least partially disposed within the one of the plurality of openings 506 in electrically insulative webbing 505 s that lighting network component 1100 may receive power from, and communicate network data with, first and second electrical conductors 502 and 504 of lighting network signal carrier 500, without making any electrically conductive physical contact to first or second electrical conductor 502 or 504. In particular, as described above, lighting network component 1100 may inductively couple to first and second electrical conductors 502 and 504 via coupler 812 to receive power therefrom, and communicate network data therewith.

[0104] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0105] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0106] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0107] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0108] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0109] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0110] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0111] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.