U.S. patent application number 16/796362 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for roadway fixture systems with integrated transceiving equipment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Current Lighting Solutions, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas CLYNNE, Jonathan MEYER, Himamshu Viswat PRASAD, Koushik Babi SAHA.
Application Number | 20200182436 16/796362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62562325 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200182436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLYNNE; Thomas ; et
al. |
June 11, 2020 |
ROADWAY FIXTURE SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED TRANSCEIVING EQUIPMENT
Abstract
A roadway fixture system includes a lighting fixture having an
outer housing that holds one or more light devices. The outer
housing includes an access door through which an interior of the
lighting fixture is accessible. The system also includes a radio
frequency (RF) transceiver configured to send and receive cellular
communications. The RF transceiver includes a mounting plate that
is sized and shaped to fit into a space occupied by the access door
of the outer housing of the lighting fixture so that the RF
transceiver is mounted to the lighting fixture.
Inventors: |
CLYNNE; Thomas; (East
Cleveland, OH) ; PRASAD; Himamshu Viswat; (East
Cleveland, OH) ; MEYER; Jonathan; (Shaker Heights,
OH) ; SAHA; Koushik Babi; (Strongsville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Current Lighting Solutions, LLC |
East Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62562325 |
Appl. No.: |
16/796362 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15814836 |
Nov 16, 2017 |
10612753 |
|
|
16796362 |
|
|
|
|
62436397 |
Dec 19, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/11 20200101;
F21V 15/01 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21W 2131/103 20130101;
H05B 47/19 20200101; F21Y 2113/00 20130101; F21S 8/08 20130101;
F21V 33/0052 20130101; H04W 84/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21V 15/01 20060101
F21V015/01; F21S 8/08 20060101 F21S008/08; H04W 84/18 20060101
H04W084/18; H05B 47/11 20060101 H05B047/11; H05B 47/19 20060101
H05B047/19 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a lighting fixture having an outer housing
that holds one or more light devices, the outer housing including a
removeable access door through which an interior of the lighting
fixture is accessible; and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver
configured to send and receive cellular communications, the RF
transceiver including a mounting plate that is, upon removal of the
access door from the outer housing of the lighting fixture, coupled
to the outer housing of the lighting fixture, the mounting plate
sized and shaped to fit into a space previously occupied by the
removeable access door of the outer housing of the lighting fixture
so that the RF transceiver is mounted to the lighting fixture.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF transceiver is a low
power, micro-cell cellular transceiver.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF transceiver is configured
to be retrofitted to a pre-existing lighting fixture support.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lighting fixture support is a
pole arm or a horizontally oriented portion of a pole.
5. (canceled)
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF transceiver is configured
to be conductively coupled with and electrically powered by a power
supply that also powers the lighting fixture.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising one or more battery
cells configured to be conductively coupled with the RF
transceiver, wherein the one or more battery cells are configured
to electrically power the RF transceiver responsive to an
interruption of power from the power supply to the RF
transceiver.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wired network
connection configured to communicatively couple the RF transceiver
with one or more networks.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink configured
to be thermally coupled with the RF transceiver.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing to which
the RF transceiver is configured to be coupled, wherein one or more
surfaces of the housing include one or more of an RF reflective
coating or an RF absorbing coating configured to modify a cellular
beam pattern of the RF transceiver.
11-20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/436,397, which was filed on 19 Dec. 2016, and
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to the
integration (e.g., mounting) of radio transceiver hardware to
roadway fixtures such as lighting poles and lighting fixtures. It
describes aspects of the issues associated with the use of such
hardware in the field, and aspects of how these problems may be
solved and improved upon by use of the described embodiments.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Lighting fixtures (e.g., outdoor or roadway fixtures)
generally comprise a housing, a connection to a mains power line,
and one or more lighting elements, as well as associated electrical
drivers and optical elements. Outdoor light fixtures are generally
mounted to a pole arm which extends from a utility pole or other
structure. Some outdoor light fixtures extend generally
perpendicularly (laterally) from the pole in a generally horizontal
direction.
[0004] Due to their virtue of being placed above the ground and
distributed throughout a city or along roads, outdoor fixtures and
the poles/arms have been considered as a convenient platform for
the mounting of additional hardware components such as sensor
systems, communications systems and other devices and materials.
There are cosmetic issues associated with the addition of extra
hardware together with the light fixture, due to the variety of
clamps, wires, cables, boxes and other components which may
detrimentally alter the look of the light fixture if not done with
careful thought. Further, the wide variety of hardware may make
servicing and maintenance of this equipment difficult, due to
having so many potential options as to what is integrated and the
means by which the equipment was mounted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] In one embodiment, a system includes a lighting fixture
having an outer housing that holds one or more light devices. The
outer housing includes an access door through which an interior of
the lighting fixture is accessible. The system also includes a
radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to send and receive
cellular communications. The RF transceiver includes a mounting
plate that is sized and shaped to fit into a space occupied by the
access door of the outer housing of the lighting fixture so that
the RF transceiver is mounted to the lighting fixture.
[0006] In one embodiment, a method includes removing an access door
in an outer housing of a lighting fixture having one or more
lighting devices. The access door providing access into an interior
of the outer housing. The method also includes coupling a mounting
plate of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver with the outer housing
of the lighting fixture in a location from which the access door of
the outer housing was removed. The RF transceiver is configured to
send and receive cellular communications.
[0007] In one embodiment, a system includes a radio frequency (RF)
transceiver configured to send and receive cellular communications,
and a mounting plate coupled with the RF transceiver. The mounting
plate is shaped and sized to fit into an access door opening
through an outer housing of a lighting fixture. The mounting plate
is configured to be at least partially received into the access
door opening of the lighting fixture after removal of an access
door of the outer housing of the lighting fixture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present inventive subject matter will be better
understood from reading the following description of non-limiting
embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
below:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
lighting fixture;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the roadway fixture
system shown in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the roadway fixture
system shown in FIG. 6 that includes the roadway fixture system
shown in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
heat sink assembly formed by a combination of an RF transceiver and
a mounting plate;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective view of the
transceiver shown in FIG. 8 according to one embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of the
transceiver shown in FIG. 8 according to one embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded, cross-sectional view of the
heat sink assembly shown in FIG. 8 according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The inventive systems and methods described herein can be
used to mount transceiving equipment (e.g., cellular telephone
equipment and components) with roadway fixtures, such as lighting
fixtures mounted along roadways. The systems and methods can be
used to expand the data-handling capabilities of telecommunications
infrastructures by providing a smaller-scale approach to expanding
wireless data networks. The transceiving equipment can be smaller
and lower power radio frequency (RF) equipment (relative to
cellular towers), which can be used as small-cells or micro-cells
in a cellular network. A feature of such micro-cells is that the
cells typically have a reduced communication range relative to the
larger cellular base stations with large antenna towers and racks
of equipment. The reduced communication range allows for the use of
smaller antennas and lower power RF transceivers and have a
correspondingly smaller physical size and footprint. The size of
micro-cell equipment has been reduced to such a level where the
mounting of a micro cell radio in conjunction with a lighting
fixture or pole is feasible. One or more embodiments of the systems
and methods described herein provide efficient systems methods for
mounting a micro-cell radio in conjunction with a lighting fixture.
Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein optionally
can provide the micro-cell radio equipment, the power, structural
support, and a connection to land-based optical fiber or wire data
communications systems.
[0021] In one embodiment, the inventive systems and methods
described herein provide for removal or replacement of an access
panel, door, cover, or portion of an outer housing of an existing
lighting fixture. This panel, door, or housing portion (referred to
herein as an access door) can be removed to provide for a location
for the transceiving equipment to be coupled with the lighting
fixture without otherwise modifying, damaging, or changing the
lighting fixture. For example, an existing (already installed)
lighting fixture can be retrofitted to include the transceiving
equipment by removing the access door of the lighting fixture and
coupling the transceiving equipment to the location where the
access door previously was located. The transceiving equipment can
have a mounting plate that has the same size and/or shape of the
access door so that the transceiving equipment can easily be
mounted to the lighting fixture. For example, the mounting plate
(or a portion thereof) can be coupled with the lighting fixture in
the same way that the access door previously was mounted to the
lighting fixture. The transceiving equipment can be coupled with a
variety of differently shaped and/or sized mounting plates to allow
for the same transceiving equipment to be retrofitted to a variety
of different lighting fixtures having access doors of different
shapes and/or sizes.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
lighting fixture 100. The lighting fixture 100 includes an outer
housing 102 that holds one or more lighting devices 104 and
associated electronic components (e.g., drivers, wires, contacts,
etc.). The lighting devices 104 can include high pressure sodium or
mercury High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps and associated high
voltage ballasts, light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulbs,
or the like.
[0023] The housing 102 includes a removeable access door 106 that
allows access to the interior components of the roadway fixture
100. The door 106 can provide access to mounting hardware (not
visible in FIG. 1), such as a pole arm mounting or clamping
mechanism. The access door 106 may also provide protection and
coverage for electrical interconnection components (such as
terminal blocks) used to make electrical connections, electrical
surge suppression components which are used for safely handling
electrical power line transients, and transformer components for
use in changing the input line voltage from the main pole power
supply line to a voltage sufficient to operate the fixture. Such a
fixture access door may be top or bottom mounted. There may also be
variants which would allow access from the sides of the
fixture.
[0024] The housing 102 also includes mounting hardware (not visible
in FIG. 1), such as a "Slip Fitter," which is a radial clamping and
positional-adjustment device that allows for the proper structural
support of the fixture on a pole arm and also allows the installer
to adjust the angle of the fixture relative to the pole arm and/or
the surface of the ground. There are other attachment methods, such
as methods that utilize a clamping force around the pole arm to
secure the fixture. In other instances, fixtures may be mounted to
a pole arm by a direct bolt interface that provides a mounting
flange extending from the pole to which a similar flange or bolt
pattern is found on the fixture or some intermediary part to attach
the fixture to the pole. Optionally, the fixtures can be mounted to
a horizontal part of a pole or other structure, without being
mounted to or on a pole arm.
[0025] The interface that couples the lighting fixture to the pole
arm or other surface can be duplicated (e.g., also included) in the
transceiving equipment described herein. This allows for the
transceiving equipment to be mounted to or on the same objects or
surfaces as the lighting fixture, without having to modify or
change the objects or surfaces to which the lighting fixtures
and/or transceiving equipment is mounted.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system 200. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded
view of the roadway fixture system 200. The roadway fixture system
200 includes the lighting fixture 100 shown in FIG. 1 in that the
system 200 includes at least the housing 102 and the lighting
devices 104 of the lighting fixture 100. The system 200 includes a
mounting plate 202 that is coupled with the housing 102 in place of
the access door 106 (in one embodiment), or that is coupled with
the access door 106 of the housing 102 (in another embodiment). The
mounting plate 202 is a primarily planar or flat body that can be
secured to the housing 102 and that provides a mechanical interface
to the housing 102 for components described herein. One or more
antennas 204 of an RF transceiver 206 can be mounted on the
mounting plate 202 and conductively coupled with the RF transceiver
206 by one or more contacts 300 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0027] The access door 106 can be removed to provide an
integratable mounting interface or the transceiving equipment
(e.g., transceiver 206). Because the mounting plate 202 (or a
portion thereof) can have the same size and/or shape as the access
door 106, the mounting plate 202 can couple with the lighting
fixture to provide a sealed and/or weather resistant interface with
the lighting fixture. As described herein, the transceiving
equipment can be thermally coupled with the lighting fixture or
with heat sinks to provide for thermal transfer of heat away from
the transceiving equipment. The transceiving equipment also can be
conductively coupled with the same power source that provides power
to the lighting fixture so as to eliminate the need for additional
power sources and/or connections to other power sources. This can
allow for easy installation of the transceiving equipment and
potentially avoid the need for highly trained and/or specialized
personnel to install the transceiving equipment.
[0028] A network interface 302 (shown in FIG. 3) optionally can be
mounted onto the mounting plate 202. The network interface 302
allows for the system 200 to communicate with one or more
computerized communication networks via fiber or cable connections.
The network interface 302 can include conductive contacts that
couple with one or more wires or cables for communicatively
coupling the transceiver 206 and/or other auxiliary hardware
components of the system 200 with one or more networks. The network
interface 302 can be, for example, a fiber channel switch, an
Ethernet switch, or the like. Alternatively, the network interface
302 can represent one or more other auxiliary hardware components
that are connected with the mounting plate 202. These components
can include one or more of power filtering circuitry or hardware,
power measuring circuitry or hardware, a fiber interface component,
an additional transceiver, a camera, a sensor, a wireless network
transceiver, a telephone interface component for connecting with a
telephone network, or the like.
[0029] The contacts 300 in the transceiver 206 can connect
circuitry in the transceiver 206 with a power source through the
mounting plate 202 (e.g., a mains power line that also is coupled
with the lighting devices 104), with the antennas 204, and/or with
the network interface 302. The transceiver 206 can thereby be
powered by the same power source that powers the lighting devices
104, can connect with the antennas 204 for wireless communication
(e.g., cellular communication), and/or can communicate with one or
more networks via a wired connection by the network interface 302.
Optionally, one or more batteries can be disposed in the housing
102, the transceiver 206, and/or coupled with the mounting plate
202. These batteries can be coupled with the transceiver 206 for
powering the transceiver 206 in the event that another power source
(e.g., the utility grid) that powers the lighting devices 104 is no
longer available to power the transceiver 206. The batteries can be
charged by this other power source and/or by other components
(e.g., photovoltaic devices such as solar panels, or other energy
harvesting devices).
[0030] The transceiver 206 may be a low power and/or short range
cellular transceiver that is used for cellular communication (via
the antennas 204). For example, the transceiver 206 may have a
wireless communication range of no longer than two kilometers in
one embodiment. Alternatively, the transceiver 206 may have a
shorter or longer wireless communication range. The transceiver 206
can operate at low power, such as a transmit power of no more than
three watts, a transmit power of no more than one watt, a transmit
power or no more than half of a watt, or another low power limit.
The transceiver 206 operates to create a small communication cell,
or micro-cell, for cellular communication. Other cellular devices
(e.g., mobile phones) operating within the wireless range of the
transceiver 206 can wirelessly communicate through or via the
transceiver 206, similar to how these devices would communicate
through or via the larger and higher power cellular base stations
or towers.
[0031] The transceiver 206 and antennas 204 are coupled with the
housing 102 of the lighting fixture 100 such that the roadway
fixture system 200 can be mounted to a fixture support 304 (shown
in FIG. 3). For example, the transceiver 206 and antennas 204 can
be coupled with the lighting fixture 100, and the lighting fixture
100 can be coupled with a pole arm or other pole that extends
upward from a surface (e.g., a sidewalk, road, etc.) and/or
horizontally over the surface (e.g., from a building, wall, etc.).
Alternatively, the lighting fixture 100 can be directly mounted
onto a wall or other surface. Locating the fixture system 200 in an
elevated position or state allows the fixture system 200 to both
illuminate an area beneath the lighting devices 104 and provide a
cell for cellular communications. Several of the roadway fixture
systems 200 can be dispersed through a city, town, or the like, to
create a grid of micro-cells used for cellular communications,
while also illuminating streets, sidewalks, and the like.
[0032] The transceiver 206, antennas 204, and/or mounting plate 202
(and components mounted thereon or coupled thereto) can be
retrofitted to an existing lighting fixture 100. For example, the
transceiver 206, antennas 204, and/or mounting plate 202 can be
coupled with a lighting fixture 100 previously installed on the
support 304. The transceiver 206, antennas 204, and/or mounting
plate 202 do not need to be coupled with the lighting fixture 100
prior to mounting the lighting fixture 100 onto the support 304 in
one embodiment.
[0033] The transceiver 206 and antennas 204 are coupled with the
lighting fixture 100 in close proximity to the housing 102 of the
lighting fixture 100. For example, the transceiver 206 may abut the
housing 102 of the lighting fixture 100. Alternatively, the
transceiver 206 and/or antennas 204 may be spaced farther from the
lighting fixture 100. For example, the lighting fixture 100 can be
coupled with the distal end of the support 304 (e.g., the end of
the pole that is farthest from the ground, building, wall, or other
surface from which the support 304 extends), with the transceiver
206 and/or antennas 204 disposed farther from the distal end. This
can allow for the transceiver 206 and/or antennas 204 to avoid or
reduce interference between the cell generated by the transceiver
206 and antennas 204 and operation of other components in the
lighting fixture 100.
[0034] The antennas 204 can be mounted to the mounting plate 202
using adjustable mounting interfaces 208. The interfaces 208 can
include ball type swivels, rotary swivels, and/or lateral/vertical
translation bracketry which will help the antennas 204 to clear the
adjacent housings which may cause shadowing of the RF signals. The
antennas 204 can be placed in various orientations for directing or
orienting the wireless signals transmitted from the antennas 204.
Optionally, one or more surfaces of the housing 102, the mounting
plate 202, and/or other components of the fixture system 200 can be
coated with an RF reflective coating or an RF absorbing coating.
The orientation of the antennas 204 and/or the coatings can modify
the shape of the cellular beam patterns emanating from the antennas
204. The shape of these patterns can be modified to avoid locations
where cellular interference may occur.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting fixture 100 also
includes a sensor node 210. The sensor node 210 includes one or
more sensors disposed in an outer housing for monitoring
characteristics about or near the fixture system 200. For example,
a global positioning system receiver for determining locations, an
accelerometer for measuring or detecting movement, a thermometer or
thermocouple for measuring temperatures, a microphone for measuring
or detecting sounds, or the like, can be disposed within the sensor
node 210. These sensors can communicate with one or more other
devices via one or more networks by communicating through the
network interface 402 and/or the transceiver 206.
[0036] The embodiment of the fixture system 200 shown in FIGS. 2
through 4 can be referred to as an Integral Configuration (IC) 200.
IC 200 provides an efficient way to integrate communications
hardware with a lighting fixture 100 or lighting fixture poles 304
in a cosmetically attractive and uniform fashion. This embodiment
can provide a platform where a plurality of communications hardware
manufacturers can take advantage of standard interfaces and
mounting techniques, which in turn can allow the communications
providers to provide systems 200 which look attractive and uniform
in appearance.
[0037] The IC 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be used for mounting a
small-cell RF transceiver 206. The IC 200 generally includes an
intermediate mounting plate or interface 202, which can interface
with an existing fixture access door 106. This configuration can
provide a standard interface for the mounting of different types of
antennas 204. It can further provide a mounting platform for a
variety of auxiliary hardware 302, such as power filtering
hardware, power measurement/monitoring hardware, or fiber interface
components. Along with these interfaces, the IC 200 also can
provide a mechanical interface for the mounting of different types
of transceiver equipment 206. Alternatively, the intermediate
mounting plate interface 202 can be unique for one type of
transceiver 206.
[0038] The integral-configuration type of mounting plate interface
202 may also be capable of permitting the passage through of
connectors or contacts 300 on the transceiver 206, or the mounting
plate interface 202 may possess a direct-connect interface for the
attachment said connectors to the antenna 204 and/or fiber
interfaces or other associated hardware or functional components
302. Electrical power can be provided by the fixture components by
virtue of attachment to the mains line power provided by the
lighting pole 304. If appropriate, such mains line power may be
stepped down or modified by the use of a transformer or direct
current (DC) power supply. These components could be located on the
IC interface 202 or elsewhere such as inside the fixture housing
102.
[0039] In some embodiments, backup electrical power may be provided
by the addition of a rechargeable battery and charging circuitry.
In some embodiments, circuitry could be provided that would sense
when the line power has either been cut or been altered (such as a
low voltage "brown out"), and thus power can be switched to the
battery backup so that cellular communications could be
continuously provided. This same circuitry may be capable of
switching the line power back on, once normal conditions had
returned.
[0040] The IC type of interface may also be provided with brackets
or other mechanical attachments of hardware, such as a sensor or
camera system, or a local wi-fi or Bluetooth communications
component. These additional mechanical attachments may exist
integral to the IC interface as a single piece, or may be attached
separately and be located above, below or laterally to the rest of
the system. Furthermore, an important embodiment of the disclosure
includes the presence of a signal interface that is capable of
providing a fiber (or other wired) data interface for "back haul"
to the telephone network, and/or capability for a public Wi-Fi
access system to the internet or Internet.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system 400. The roadway fixture system 400 is
similar to the roadway fixture system 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in
that the system 400 includes the system 200, but also includes an
additional cellular RF transceiver 406 and associated antennas 404.
The transceiver 406 can be similar or identical to the transceiver
206, but is coupled with the support 304 between the system 200 and
the end of the support 304 in the surface from which the support
304 protrudes. The additional transceiver 406 and antennas 404 can
be conductively coupled with the power source and/or network(s) to
which the transceiver 206 and antennas 204 are coupled. The
additional transceiver 406 and antennas 404 can be provided to
allow for multiple cellular communication service providers to
provide cells or micro-cells for customers of the different
providers in the same fixture system 400.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system 500. In contrast to the roadway fixture
systems 200, 400, the fixture system 500 does not include any
lighting fixture. The fixture system 500 can include a cellular RF
transceiver 506 that is similar or identical to one or more of the
transceivers 206, 406 shown in FIGS. 2 through 4. One or more
antennas 504 of the transceiver 506 can be coupled with the
transceiver 506. In the illustrated embodiment, the antennas 504
are enclosed in a protective housing or shell. The transceiver 506
can be mounted with the support 304 described above.
[0043] The embodiment of the fixture system 500 can be referred to
as a Stand-Alone Configuration (SC). The SC 500 is capable of
similar mechanical and electrical functionality as the IC 200, and
typically does not need a lighting fixture 100 to which the system
500 is mounted. The SC 500 may advantageously employ such
above-described features as a Slip Fitter connection, housing 102,
and hinge mounting plate 202. The SC 500 can incorporate an ANSI
socket or similar interface for the use with a Light Grid or
similar device for the monitoring and control of power. The SC 500
may comprise an Equipment Compartment/mechanical structure that
duplicates the Slip Fitter interface and provides a compartment for
the incorporation of other components such as transformers, surge
suppression, power monitoring, terminal blocks, and the like. The
SC 500 can provide a mounting interface for other types of hardware
and components.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a roadway fixture system 600. The fixture system 600 is similar
to the fixture system 500 shown in FIG. 5 in that the fixture
system 600 does not include any lighting fixture. One difference
between the fixture systems 500, 600 is that the fixture system 600
shown in FIG. 6 includes a mounting extension 602. The mounting
extension 602 can be used to couple an additional assembly or
system to the transceiver 506 in the fixture system 600. This
additional assembly or system can include a lighting fixture or
another fixture system.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the roadway fixture
system 600 that includes the roadway fixture system 100. The
fixture system 100 is coupled to the mounting extension 602 of the
fixture system 600. As a result, the fixture system 600 in FIG. 7
includes the fixture system 100 and the fixture system 600 with two
transceivers 206, 506 and lighting devices 104 being present.
[0046] The embodiment of the fixture system 600 shown in FIGS. 6
and 7 allows for the SC 500 to be optionally be provided with a
mechanical mount or mounting extension 602 such that a light
fixture 100 or other device can be attached. This mechanical mount
602 could be an integral part of the SC structure, or could be a
separately attached part that could be added in a modular fashion
to provide more mounting and interface options. The SC 500 can pass
power through the housing of the transceiver 506 and duplicate the
electrical wiring interface typically provided by the pole arm 304.
In a manner similar to the IC, the SC 500 could have mechanical
attachments (e.g., brackets) for the attachment of additional
components, such as wi-fi transceivers or sensor systems.
[0047] In some embodiments, one may employ the SC to retrofit
existing lighting fixtures or other pole-mounted systems, by
removing an existing lighting fixture from the mounting arm and
replacing the lighting fixture with the SC. The SC could then
provide the correct interfaces for the original lighting fixture or
other pole-mounted system, onto which the latter could be
re-attached, if desired. In some embodiments, the SC may be
provided with cooling fins or other cooling assembly for cooling a
radio transceiver or other associated hardware. Additional or
primary cooling may be provided by a fan or some other active
air-movement device such as a synthetic jet system.
[0048] In any of the above-described embodiments, there may be
provided several modes to link a landline communications system to
the transceiver/communications hardware system mounted on the pole
or arm. Such modes may comprise standard wired connections such as
high speed digital internet connection using Ethernet or other high
speed digital communications protocols. Alternatively, a fiber (or
other wired-type) data-link to the pole may be converted to a high
speed wired digital interface (such as Ethernet) via the use of a
conversion device such as a Fiber to Ethernet convertor. This
converted interface may then be carried to the communications
hardware within the mounted small-cell system of the present
disclosure via a hardwired connection using a protocol such as
Ethernet and standard cabling equipment such as Cath capable cables
and connectors. It is also possible that low-loss or lossless
compression technologies may be used, which could potentially allow
for higher effective bandwidth communications to occur over what
may be considered to be low bandwidth links. It is further
envisioned that non-landline means of communications may be used
such as satellite links, whereby a satellite dish would be
co-located with the system to provide a link to the satellite
communication network. Once in the satellite network, the data
would be introduced into the larger, landline and radio based
communications networks.
[0049] In some embodiments, a larger antenna or other additional
equipment may be needed. In such cases, these larger items may be
located remotely from the pole arm mounted system. These remote
locations may comprise a mount for the larger item which is located
down the pole arm and distal from the small-cell system; a suitable
mount may employ a saddle-type clamp or other attachment means.
[0050] In some embodiments, the small-cell system must be mounted
on a vertical pole without the use of an arm (such as in the
situation of a decorative post top for a lighting fixture).
Therefore, this small-cell system could be re-configured and used
in a vertical fashion rather than in the horizontal pole arm
configuration which was previously described. References to
positional relationships including but not limited to "horizontal"
and "vertical" could be altered to reflect a different mechanical
and positional relationship between the parts of the system.
[0051] In some embodiments, described cell systems may be mounted
and/or powered by utilizing the ANSI socket previously described.
This may be accomplished by providing a mated connector for the
ANSI socket that extracts power from its line power pins, which
would also get its mechanical support from the same
socket/connector arrangement. Partial mechanical support could be
provided by the ANSI socket and/or all mechanical support could be
provided by some adjacent portion of the system, including the pole
arm and/or vertical pole. In this latter case, the system would be
mounted to the component as mentioned and power would be extracted
for the system by mating a connector/cable assembly to the ANSI
socket. Together with this power extraction/mechanical support
concept, there could be provided another similar ANSI socket on the
outward portion for the mating of a traditional ANSI socket
compatible accessory, such as a Light Grid node, a photoelectric
"eye" assembly, or a shorting cap as previously mentioned. This
socket could be directly above the pins which mate to the fixture
socket, or could be located elsewhere on the system and provide one
or more additional ANSI sockets for use with additional
hardware.
[0052] FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate additional views of cooling
components of the fixture systems described herein according to one
embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment
of an assembly 800 formed by a combination of an RF transceiver 806
and a mounting plate 802. FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective
view of the transceiver 806 according to one embodiment. FIG. 10
illustrates a rear perspective view of the transceiver 806
according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded,
cross-sectional view of the assembly 800 according to one
embodiment.
[0053] The transceiver 806 can represent or replace one or more of
the transceivers described herein. The mounting plate 802 can
represent or replace one or more of the mounting plates described
herein. Due to the nature of many transceivers using convection
cooling and due to the transceivers being mounted vertically
against a pole or wall, it is likely that additional cooling
capabilities may be needed when mounted in a horizontal fashion.
The assembly 800 provides additional cooling capabilities above and
beyond those in one or more of the embodiments of the fixture
systems described herein.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the mounting plate 802 can
include convective cooling mechanisms 804, such as elongated,
spaced apart ribs, that protrude from opposite sides of the
mounting plate 802. The cooling mechanisms 804 of the mounting
plate 802 can be oriented such that the direction in which each
cooling mechanism 804 is elongated is along the vertical direction
when the fixture system having the mounting plate 802 is elongated
along a horizontal direction (e.g., parallel to the ground).
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, at least one side of the
housing of the transceiver 806 can include cooling mechanisms 904.
The cooling mechanisms 904 of the transceiver 806 also may be
elongated, spaced apart ribs that protrude from the side of the
transceiver 806. The cooling mechanisms 904 of the transceiver 806
can be oriented such that the cooling mechanisms 904 are elongated
in directions that are transverse or perpendicular to the
directions in which the cooling mechanisms 804 of the mounting
plate 802 are elongated. For example, the cooling mechanisms 904 of
the transceiver 806 can be elongated along horizontal directions.
Optionally, the cooling mechanisms 804 and/or 904 can have another
shape and/or orientation, such as elongated pins that jut out or
otherwise protrude away from the transceiver.
[0056] The cooling mechanisms 804, 904 operate as heat sinks for
the transceiver 806. The transceiver 806 can include mounting holes
or channels 1000 through which fasteners 808 can extend to couple
the transceiver 806 to the mounting plate 802. Outer ends of the
cooling mechanisms 904 of the transceiver 806 abut one side of the
mounting plate 802. This provides gaps or channels between the
cooling mechanisms 904 and between the areas of the transceiver 806
that do not include cooling mechanisms 904 and the mounting plate
802. Fluid, such as air, can flow between the cooling mechanisms
804 of the mounting plate 802 and can flow between the cooling
mechanisms 904 of the transceiver 806 to draw thermal energy away
from the transceiver 806 and mounting plate 802 to cool the
transceiver 806. Optionally, one or more of the components (e.g.,
the transceiver, mounting plate, cooing mechanisms, etc.) may
include or be formed from thermal interface materials (TIMs),
either rigid or conformable, or include other materials (e.g.,
thermal greases) to assist in conducting heat away from the
transceivers.
[0057] The transceivers described herein may be designed to operate
in open spaces where air flow typically is sufficient to cool the
transceivers (and prevent thermal damage to components of the
transceivers). But, in coupling the transceivers to lighting
fixtures as described herein, the transceivers may receive less air
flow and, as a result, may not cool as effectively. The cooling
mechanisms 804, 904 allow for heat from the transceivers to be
efficiently conducted to the ambient environment to assist with
cooling the transceivers.
[0058] While the mounting plates and transceivers are shown and
described herein as being separate parts, alternatively the
mounting plate may be an integral and inseparable part of the
transceiver or the housing of the lighting fixture. The housing of
the transceiver may be provided with components needed to connect
the transceiver to the housing of the lighting fixture that
otherwise would be included in the mounting plate. Alternatively,
the transceiver, mounting plate, and housing of the lighting
fixture may be formed as a single, integral, and inseparable
body.
[0059] The inventive subject matter described herein also provides
one or more methods for providing or manufacturing the fixture
systems described herein. The order of the operations in these
methods may be modified from the order in which the operations are
described. One such method can include directly or indirectly
coupling an RF transceiver with a fixture support that is
configured to also be coupled with a lighting fixture. The method
also can include directly or indirectly coupling an antenna with
the fixture support such that the antenna is conductively coupled
with the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna can be
coupled with the fixture support by retrofitting the transceiver
and the antenna to a pre-existing fixture support. The fixture
support can be a roadway or roadside lighting fixture support.
Optionally, coupling the transceiver with the fixture support and
coupling the antenna with the fixture support can include mounting
the RF transceiver and the antenna on the fixture support without
the lighting fixture being present.
[0060] With respect to retrofitting, the access door of a lighting
fixture that is already mounted to a pole, other object, or other
surface is removed, and a mounting plate of transceiving equipment
is coupled with the lighting fixture in the location where the
access door previously was located. The mounting plate can have the
same size and/or shape of the access door so that the transceiving
equipment can easily be mounted to the lighting fixture. The
transceiving equipment can be coupled with a variety of differently
shaped and/or sized mounting plates to allow for the same
transceiving equipment to be retrofitted to a variety of different
lighting fixtures having access doors of different shapes and/or
sizes.
[0061] The method also can include conductively coupling one or
both of the RF transceiver and the antenna with a power supply that
also powers a lighting fixture. The method optionally can include
conductively coupling the transceiver and/or the antenna with one
or more battery cells or batteries that are configured to
electrically power the transceiver and/or the antenna responsive to
an interruption of power from the power supply to the transceiver,
the antenna, or both the transceiver and the antenna.
[0062] The method optionally includes coupling a mounting plate
with one or more auxiliary components with the antenna. The one or
more auxiliary hardware components can include power filtering
hardware, power measuring hardware, a fiber interface component,
additional transceiver equipment, a camera, a sensor, a wireless
network transceiver, and/or a telephone interface component.
[0063] Optionally, the method includes connecting a wired network
connection between the transceiver and one or more networks. The
method can include thermally coupling a heat sink with the
transceiver. The method optionally can include applying an RF
reflective coating and/or an RF absorbing coating to one or more
surfaces of a housing to which the transceiver and the antenna are
configured to be coupled. The RF reflective coating and/or the RF
absorbing coating modify a cellular beam pattern of the
antenna.
[0064] In one embodiment, a system includes a lighting fixture
having an outer housing that holds one or more light devices. The
outer housing includes an access door through which an interior of
the lighting fixture is accessible. The system also includes a
radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to send and receive
cellular communications. The RF transceiver includes a mounting
plate that is sized and shaped to fit into a space occupied by the
access door of the outer housing of the lighting fixture so that
the RF transceiver is mounted to the lighting fixture.
[0065] Optionally, the RF transceiver is a low power, micro-cell
cellular transceiver.
[0066] Optionally, the RF transceiver is configured to be
retrofitted to a pre-existing lighting fixture support.
[0067] Optionally, the lighting fixture support is a pole arm or a
horizontally oriented portion of a pole.
[0068] Optionally, the RF transceiver is configured to be mounted
to the lighting fixture support without the lighting fixture being
present.
[0069] Optionally, the RF transceiver is configured to be
conductively coupled with and electrically powered by a power
supply that also powers the lighting fixture.
[0070] Optionally, the system also includes one or more battery
cells configured to be conductively coupled with the RF
transceiver. The one or more battery cells can be configured to
electrically power the RF transceiver responsive to an interruption
of power from the power supply to the RF transceiver.
[0071] Optionally, the system also includes a wired network
connection configured to communicatively couple the RF transceiver
with one or more networks.
[0072] Optionally, the system also includes a heat sink configured
to be thermally coupled with the RF transceiver.
[0073] Optionally, the system also includes a housing to which the
RF transceiver is configured to be coupled. The one or more
surfaces of the housing can include one or more of an RF reflective
coating or an RF absorbing coating configured to modify a cellular
beam pattern of the RF transceiver.
[0074] In one embodiment, a method includes removing an access door
in an outer housing of a lighting fixture having one or more
lighting devices. The access door providing access into an interior
of the outer housing. The method also includes coupling a mounting
plate of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver with the outer housing
of the lighting fixture in a location from which the access door of
the outer housing was removed. The RF transceiver is configured to
send and receive cellular communications.
[0075] Optionally, the method also includes conductively coupling
the RF transceiver with a power source that also powers the one or
more lighting devices of the lighting fixture.
[0076] Optionally, the lighting fixture is a pre-existing lighting
fixture and the RF transceiver is configured to be retrofitted to
the pre-existing lighting fixture by coupling the RF transceiver to
the lighting fixture after removing the access door of the lighting
fixture.
[0077] Optionally, the method also includes thermally coupling a
heat sink with the RF transceiver.
[0078] In one embodiment, a system includes a radio frequency (RF)
transceiver configured to send and receive cellular communications,
and a mounting plate coupled with the RF transceiver. The mounting
plate is shaped and sized to fit into an access door opening
through an outer housing of a lighting fixture. The mounting plate
is configured to be at least partially received into the access
door opening of the lighting fixture after removal of an access
door of the outer housing of the lighting fixture.
[0079] Optionally, the RF transceiver is a low power, micro-cell
cellular transceiver.
[0080] Optionally, the RF transceiver is configured to be
retrofitted to a pre-existing lighting fixture support.
[0081] Optionally, the RF transceiver is conductively coupled with
and electrically powered by a power supply that also powers the
lighting fixture.
[0082] Optionally, the system also includes a wired network
connection configured to communicatively couple the RF transceiver
with one or more networks.
[0083] Optionally, one or more surfaces of the outer housing
include one or more of an RF reflective coating or an RF absorbing
coating configured to modify a cellular beam pattern of the RF
transceiver.
[0084] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion
is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment"
of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be
interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments
that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless
explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or
"having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular
property may include additional such elements not having that
property.
[0085] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the subject matter set forth herein without departing from its
scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein
are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject
matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary
embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of
skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of
the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the
appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as
the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising"
and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms
"first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted
based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f), unless and until such claim
limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a
statement of function void of further structure.
[0086] This written description uses examples to disclose several
embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the
best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art
to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including
making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods.
The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is
defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to
those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are
intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have
structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of
the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with
insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the
claims.
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