METHOD OF WIRING FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL NETS IMBEDDED IN EUCLIDEAN SPACE OF 2- OR 3-DIMENSIONS

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of electrical wiring, called "rhombic wiring" for the structural support and for the supply of electrical energy or information to 2-dimensional arrays of electrical loads. The elements of the said 2-dimensional array may be either coplanar (i.e. imbedded in 2-dimensional Euclidean Space) or non-coplanar (i.e. imbedded in 3-dimensional Euclidean Space). The said arrays are always in isostatic, tensile mode of stress and strain. The possible topologies and geometric configurations which are constructible by use of said rhombic wiring are briefly enumerated. Also described are preferred and alternative applications. The preferred application refers to the industrial fabrication of 2-dimensional nets comprised of wiring and luminaires for the illumination of urban and architectural spaces. In general, the present invention enables or facilitates the manufacturing of a wide variety of artifacts not available at present by the state of the art. It is especially suited for the structural support and electrification of arrays of said artifacts spanning large areas, without intermediate support, or those having complex geometries, not constructible by other means. Finally, information concerning materials and methods of production and packaging is conveyed in brief form.

Description: METHOD OF WIRING FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL NETS IMBEDDED IN EUCLIDEAN SPACE OF 2- OR 3- DIMENSIONS ABSTRACT The Present Invention describes a method of electrical wiring, called "Rhombic Wiring" for the structural support and for the supply of electrical energy or information to 2-dimensional arrays of electrical loads. The elements of the said 2-dimensional array may be either coplanar (ie imbedded in 2-dimensional Euclidean Space) or πoπ- coplanar (ie imbedded in 3-dimensional Euclidean Space) . The said arrays are always in isostatic, tensile mode of stress and strain. The possible topologies and geometric configurations which are cσn- structible by use of said Rhombic Wiring are briefly enumerated. Also described are Preferred and Alternative Applications. The Pre- ferred Application refers to the industrial fabrication of 2-dimen- sional nets comprised of wiriπg and luminaires for the illumination of urban and architectural spaces. In general, the Present Invention enables or facilitates the manufactu ing of a wide variety of arti- facts not available at present by the State of the Art. It is espe- cially suited for the structural support and elect i ication of Arrays of said Artifacts spaπning large areas, without intermediate support, or those having complex geometries, not constructible by other means. Finally, information concerniπg materials and methods of production & packaging is conveyed in brief form. The following articles describing the Present Invention are included : Description [pp. 2-123 1.1 History and background of the Invention and previous State of the Art. Cp. 2 3 1.2 Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Cpp. 3- 83 1.2.1 Geometric Description of Array Cpp. 3- 43 1.2.2 Electrical Description of Wiring Cp. 4 3 1.2.3 Other Conformations Cpp. 4- 73 1.2.4 Comparison between "Rhombic Wiring" and "Rectangular Wiring" [pp. 7- 83 1.3 Materials & Technologies [pp. 8-113 1.3.1 Materials [pp. 8- 93 1.3.2 Structure [pp. 9-103 1.3.3 Manufacturing [pp.10-113 1.4 Other Alternative Applications of the Invention Cpp.11-123 1.5 Description of Drawings & Diagrams Cp. 12 3 05 Claims Cpp.13-163 2.1 Primary Claims [p. 14 3 10 2.1 Derived Claims [pp.14-163 3. Summary Cp. 17 3 15 1. DESCRIPTION 201.1 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART The mathematical theory for calculating the relationship of Potential 25 Difference, Current and Resistance of passive electrical networks was developed by Kirkhoff and others in the 19th century and is well known and accepted till today. On the other hand all possible applications have not been developed due to the specific practical needs and pref¬ erences of each era. More specifically, the full set of possible 30 arrays of electrical loads (in the case of 2- or 3- dimensional arrays), has not been exhaustively developed, in theory and applica¬ tion. The Present Invention belongs to the latter category. Independently of the History of Electricity, various forms of nets 35 similar to those used by the Present Invention have been developed in the past for various applications such as fishing nets, the support of tents, the construction of chickenwire, cargo and shopping nets, nets used in sports, and a few such selective applications. Nevertheless, irrespective of the geometric similarity of the Present Invention with 40 such previous applications, such conformations have not been pre¬ viously electrified for the supply of power to arrays of electrical loads. It is significant that, from the point of view of technological appli- 45cation, the present State of the Art has not produced electrical nets such as are described by the Present Invention and no known such arti¬ facts exist in " the present time. Addi ionally, as will be described hereinafter, the Present Invention makes possible a large set of geometric shapes and manifolds which permit an equally large set of 50totally new applications. 1.2 PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 1.2.1 GEOMETRIC DESCRIPTION OF ARRAY The coordinate system used for the description of the Orthogonal Ver¬ sions of the Array is shown in Diagram 1. Accordingly, we define the following directions : * X-Direction or CX3 : Left-Right * Y-Direct on or CY3 : Bottom-Top * N-Direction or CN3 : Diagonal from Top-Left to Bottom-Right * Z-Direction or CZ3 : Diagonal from Bottom-Left to Top-Right (Helpfull hint : The diagonals of letters CN3 & CZ3 indicate intuit¬ ively the direction described). Similarly, for Polar Versions of the Array, see Diagram 2. The con- ventions used in this case are : # X-Direction or CX3 : Along a perimeter (concentric) # Y-D rectioπ or CY3 : Along a radius (radial). # CN3 8. CZ3 : Similar to the orthogonal version assuming we consid- er the radial direction as the vertical. For both orthogonal and polar versions, those Nodes of the Array which are alligned along CX3 will be called "Rows". Those alligned along CY3 will be called "Columns". Any Node will therefore be uniquely speci- fled with a pair of numbers, one for Row and one for Column. To complete our definitions, each Node in the Array has a Left side or CL3 and a Right side or CR3. Each pair (of left & right) will always be considered as alligned along CX3, ie along Rows. Based on the above definitions, and as may be indicated in Diagram 3 (for the orthogonal version) and Diagram 4 (for the polar version) , the precise description of the proposed Wiring is as follows : "The Right side [R3 of any Node at Column(N) & Row(M) is wired to the Left side [L3 of two Nodes, one at Column<N+1 ) 8< Row(M-l), and the other at Column(N+l ) 8< Row (M+l ) ". Or equivalently : "The Left side [L3 of any Node at Column(N) & Row(M) is wired to the Right side CR3 of two Nodes, one at Column(N-l) & Row(M-l), and the other at Colu n(N-l) & Row(M+l> ". As may be seen, the specific and identifying property of the Present Invention is that the Wiring is always in the Diagonal Directions CN3 & CZ3. This clearly distinguishes it from the alternative Form of Wiring which are in the CX3 8c CY3 directions. We shall hereinafter refer to CN3/CZ3 Wiring as "Rhombic Wiring", in contradistinction to CX3/CY3 Wiring which we shall call "Rectangular Wiring". These two forms of Wiring are illustrated in Diagram 5. Some very important distinctions between the behaviors of the two Forms of Wiring are described in Article 1.2.4, following. Another description of the proposed "Rhombic Wiring" is that : "From Node to Node, the Wiring connects alternately along CN3 _. CZ3, with Odd-Even Parity " This is equivalent to the practical observation, shown in Diagram 6, that in "Rhombic Wiring" the wires never cross. This is in contradis¬ tinction to "Rectangular Wiring" where the wires always cross. 1.2.2 ELECTRICAL DESCRIPTION OF WIRING Electrically, the wiring used in the Present Invention may be classi¬ fied as "parallel" (or "aπtiparal lei") with the two additional condi¬ tions that it is also 2-dimensioπal and "Rhombic", as was defined previously in Art 1.2.1. In calculating the Amperage, it should be noted that each set of Nodes (ie the locations of the Electrical Load) in a Column receives half the Current of each wire. This is so because each wire supplies elec- tricity alternately to two neighboring Columns. Therefore, removing the current from one wire will extinguish electri¬ cal supply to two Columns. As discribed in further detail in Article 1.2.4, following, the wires do not cross in "Rhombic Wiring". This is in contradistinction to "Rectangular Wiring" where wires always cross (see Drawing 6). This is a distinct advantage of "Rhombic Wiring" and permits fixtures at the location of Nodes which are simpler & cheaper and which greatly reduce the possibility of shorting. It may be proved that "Rhombic Wiring" and "Rectangular Wiring", as previously defined, are the only two possible fundamental modes of wiring for electrification of 2-dimensioπal Arrays of Loads. All other modes are topological variations of these two. 1.2.3 OTHER CONFORMATIONS A * great flexibility of conformation of the Array is possible with "Rhombic Wiring". Assuming the boundaries of the Array are defined as a rectangle ABCD (see Diagram 5) the following con ormations are pos- sible: CATEGORY I : 1f points A,B,C,D are Coplanar, ie if the Array is imbedded i.n two- dimensional Euclidean Space ("flat" Surface) we have the following main classes of options : a. The spacing of the nodes may vary in the following three main modes. These are shown in Diagram 7. i . Regular In this mode all wires have equal length and the only vari- able is the magnitude of the distance. ii . Harmonic The distance between Rows of Nodes varies according to a rule but all Columns behave similarly. This mode is a spe¬ cially suited for polar or fan-shaped conformations' or for certain conformations embedded in 3-dimensional Euclidian Space (See Diagram 8). iii. Obiique In this mode the distances between Rows in each Column vary alternately. The rule is applied obliquely in neighboring Columns. Aside from the trivial case of Random Spacing, all other cases of Spacing are combinations of the above listed Main Modes of Spac- ing b. For each mode of spacing the Array may be conformed in either Orthogonal or Polar Version. If AD is connected to BC, ie if the last Column is connected to the first (defined as a "Wraparound") according to the standard rule of connections described in Art 1.2.1, then the Array forms a Cylinder topologically. The cylinder may be flattened to form a Disk, which is equivalent to what we have called the Polar Ver¬ sion. While this version is Coplanar, it is obvious that the 3-dimensional imbedding is also possible (see Diagram 9). CATEGORY II : If points A,B,C,D are not Coplanar the Array is imbedded in 3-dimen- tioπal Euclidean Space, ie it "looks like a 3-d object". "Rhombic Wiring" is quite superior to any other type of 2-dimentional wiring in that, even with Regular (ie equidistant) wiring between Nodes it can flexibly be stretched to produce the greatest varieties of geomet- ric form. This is described in further detail in 1.2.4, following. It is obviously also much superior to any assembly of 1-dimensioπal wirings (ie the standard, existing types of "parallel" or "series" wiring, currently available by the State of the Art) for the purpose of producing precisely conformed Luminaires to fit specific Architec¬ tural or Urban Spaces (ie in the case of The Preferred Application). The confor al stretching of the "Rhombic Wiring" in 3-Dimensional Euclidean Space may vary according to the following set of options : a. Spacing of the nodes This may follow the "regular", "-harmonic" or "oblique" modes as previously defined in this article. b. The Array may have Zero, One or Two Wraparounds. i . Zero-Wraparound ABCD is not wrapped-around, ie AB is not joined to DC (first to last Rows) and AD is not joined to BC (first to last Col¬ umns) . The 3-dimentioπal imbeddings possible are Hyperbolic Para- boloids, all tent forms and in general all double-curvature, anticlastic open surfaces. Additionally, all forms anchored (along Rows or Columns) on walls, vaults or other building elements, however curvilinear or, serpentine or angular, are easily feasible. In the latter case, the form is imparted by the building element (see Diagram 10). A perticularly valuable application is the barrel-vault. Either independent luminaires in the form of barrel vaults, or luminaires suspended on existing built barrel vaults, permit perhaps the only reasonable way for illuminating this form. ii. One-Wraparound Either AB is joined to DC (first Row joined to last) or AD is joined to BC (first Column joined to last). Both options produce a manifold which is topologically equivalent to a Cylinder. The difference between the two types of joining is that the former is preferably stretchable along the length of the "Cylinder", while the latter is preferably stretchable along the girth of the "Cylinder". The 3-dimensional Euclidean imbeddings possible by stretch¬ ing this Array are : all Hyperboloids, Mushroom Forms, Cones, Circular Vaults, Lenticular Forms, etc (see Drawing 11). Used with the Oblique mode of Spacing (see above) and appropriately twisted, several types of spiral or helicoidal forms may be produced. i i i . Two-Wraparounds Both AB is joined to DC and AD to BC (ie first Row connects to last AND first Column connects to last). This produces a Toroidal Manifold. It would be extremely difficult to electrify an Array of this form with other than "Rhombic Wiring". 1.2.4 COMPARISONS BETWEEN "RHOMBIC WIRING" AND "RECTANGULAR WIR¬ ING" "Rhombic Wiring" (ie in the CN3 8< CZ3 directions) has several distinct advantages when compared to "Rectangular Wiring" (ie in the CX3 & CZ3 directions) : a. Stretching an Array ABCD constructed with "Rhombic Wiring" will not distort the rectangularity of ABCD, in contradistinction to stretching an Array ABCD constructed with "Rectangular Wiring" which will indeed distort the rectangularity of ABCD severely. Upon examination of Diagram 12 it will be obvious that the fol¬ lowing rule is true : " Rhombic Wiring is rigid in the diagonal directions CN3 8< CZ3 and stretchable in the orthogonal directions CX3 & [Y3. The opposite is true for Rectangular Wiring which is rigid in the orthogonal directions CX3 8< CY3 while stretchable in the diagonal directions CN3 8< CZ3 ". In practical applications foreseen by the Present Invention this special property of Rhombic Winding means that a great variety of Architectural and Urban Spaces may be electrified (or Illumi¬ nated, in the case of the Preferred Application) by simple stretching of a single net. Since one size of Net will service a much larger set of Spaces, it is obvious that it is greatly more amenable to Industrial Mass Production than Rectangular Wiring which has to be precisely dimensioned for each separate application. The degrees of freedom possible to a regular Rhombic Net (with distance between Nodes = K) is shown in Diagram 13. b. The Industrial Loom used to produce "Rhombic Wiring" is much more efficient than that used to produce "Rectangular Wiring". -B- Because "Rhombic Wiring" is stretchable along CX3 8. [Y3 the Loom may be much narrower than that required for "Rectangular Wiring". This is shown in Drawing 14. The technological advantages of this feature are described in Art. 1.3, following. c. "Rhombic Wiring" is easier to package. Because the nets produced with "Rhombic Wiring" are manufactured in narrow form they are easy to package and transport. d. The Wires in "Rhombic Wiring" never cross on Nodes, while those in "Rectangular Wiring" always do'. As may be seen in Drawing 6, the Wires in "Rhombic Wiring" pass side by side as they would in the familiar "Parallel Wiring" used in One-dimensional Arrays. "Rhombic Wiring" is the only, mode which may be used on Two-dimensional Arrays which maintains this property. Also, because in "Rhombic Wiring" the wires are coplanar (in the same 2-dimeπtional surface) the stresses on the wires, in all cases where the net is tensile mode of stress, are also coplanar. Therefore, the Nodes on which the wiring is attached does not twist (ie there are no Moments). Thus the Nodes are automati¬ cally alligned even in cases where the Array is curved in three dimentions (as described in Art. 1.2.1, previously). This is not so for "Rectangular Wiring" where the slightest isallignment of stresses may easily twist the Nodes. Electrically, crossing the wires necessitates additional care for insulation between them, makes it more difficult to attach the Luminaire (in the case of the Preferred Application) and in gen- eral it is likely to require more complex fittings. 1.3 MATERIALS «_ TECHNOLOGIES 1.3.1 MATERIALS Materials used at Nodes (ie at the locations where electrical loads are connected to the "Rhombic" Net), in the case of the Preferred Application, may be either of the following : a. Luminous Sources i. Lamps In terms of Type these may be Incandescent Filament, Dis¬ charge (hot-Oathode such as fluorescent lamps, or cold- cathode such as neon-type lamps) , high-or low- pressure, steady or intermittent, or any other type supplied by elec¬ trical technology. In terms of shape these may be round or linear or any other shape. ii. Light Emission Diodes iii. Lasers iv. Electroluminescent Sources v. Other sources of light yet invented or not. b. Bases Bases used may be any appropriate bases or joints needed to sup¬ port the light sources, or connect them to the net, electrically and/or structurally, yet available or not. c. Assembl ies Assemblies may be any aggregation of luminous sources, wiring, electronic, bases, mechanical or structural parts, decorative forms, etc, such as for example complex luminaires. These are considered as Nodes so long as they are connected using "Rhombic Wiring" and are arranged in the corresponding Array forms. Functionally, it must be noted that, whatever the system of Light Sources, Bases or Assemblies employed, the Illumination supplied is uniform and spread out. While the total Wattage used may be quite large, the users are not blinded. This is an inherent property of the Array distribution. In applications such as for example Sports Sta¬ diums the advantages of this method of Illumination may be easily appreciated. 1.3.2 STRUCTURE In the Preferred Application the wiring connecting the Nodes is in the tensile mode of stress. The net thus produced may be self-supporting or not. In the former case the electrical wires conducting electricity are also structural and operate in the tensile mode of stress (notwithstanding any spe¬ cific restrictions to such application imposed by various local or international codes and regulations). In the latter case the electri¬ cal net is supported, wholy or partially, by an independent structure also in the tensile mode of stress. This independent structure may be either parallel to the electrical conductors (even to the extent of being coaxial to it) or may possess a geometry which differs from that of the electrical conductors. In this context, we wish to clearly differentiate the Present Inven¬ tion from applications where either each Luminaire is suspended indi¬ vidually, or in linear groups (one-dimensional Arrays), or where the Luminaires are mounted directly on rigid or suspended ceiling εtruc- 5tures. In the case of the present Invention the whole Array is sus¬ pended as a whole, usually from its perimeter, or from four points in its perimeter (in the case of the Orthogonal Versions), or from cen¬ ter and perimeter in the case of the Polar Versions. This does not preclude the use of tie-lines, mounted on the Nodes (usually the tail 10 of the Nodes) and anchored on the permanent structure, as in the case where peculiar shapes must be produced, such as are not listed in Art. 1.2.3. A 2-dimensional Luminaire constructed in this fashion, because of its 15extreme lightness, and due to the stretchabi1ity imparted to it by the "Rhombic Wiring" is perhaps the most reasonable way to Illuminate very large Architectural or Urban Spaces, interior or exterior. It is especially appropriate for spanning spaces where no support exists in the middle of the space, such as sports stadiums, city squares, gar- 0 dens, etc. State of the Art does not provide a comparable option at Present. We may add here that the mode of stress peculiar to an Array with Rhombic Wiring, supported as described above, is structurally Iso- 5 static. The Array will automatically assume a form so that the stresses in each wire become equal. By the term "automatically" we mean that the dynamics of the structure tend towards stable equili¬ brium. In terms of analysis, such structures are best solved with simulation of Cellular Automata rather than with classical analysis. 30 The elements in each location of the Array are interdependent and mut¬ ually supportive and communicate information about the State of Strain to eachother so as to achieve equipotβntiality. 351.3.3 MANUFACTURING Because "Rhombic Wiring" is stretchable along [X3 8 CY3, the Loom or other device used to stretch the wires may be much narrower than that 40 required for "Rectangular Winding" (see Diagram 14). In practice, in case of "Rhombic Winding", the wires are all laid out in parallel fashion and close to eachother along the CY3 direction. This is in contradistinction to "Rectangular Wiring" where the wires must be laid out perpendicularly to eachother and be at the same distance to each- 45 other as will appear in the final form of the net. Aside from the fact that, in the case of "Rhombic Wiring", the close¬ ness of the parallel wires permits a much narrower Loom, this also permits the easy fixing of the Nodes on the wires. The Rows in this 50 method are composed of Nodes which are close to eachother or even in contact. The closeness of the Nodes in each Row facilitates the mechanization of production of whole Rows at a time. Additionally, the linearity of -li¬ the assembly permits continuous production. This method of production is innovative in Electrical Technology. 05 1.4 OTHER ALTERNATIVE APPLICATIONS OF INVENTION Except for uses described in the Preferred Application (Articles 1.2 8< 101.3), the following additional applications are considered as being within the Scope and Spirit of the Present Invention : a. Other Uses except for Illumination 15 i. The support and wiring of Acoustic Transducers, such as speakers, microphones, etc ii. The support and wiring of Scientific Instruments ' or Detec¬ tors or Actuators, or for the conversion, transduction, con- 0 veyance or processing of Information of any kind, whether Digital or Analog. iii. The support and wiring of Systems for the Collection or Radiation of Energy, such as Solar Panels, Heating Devices, 5 etc. iv. The support and wiring of Display Devices, such as those used for Advertizing, Publicity, the Conveyance of Messages or Information, written, aural or visual, or for the Soli- 0 citing of Customers, etc. v. The support and wiring of Devices used for the establishment of Electrostatic Fields. 5 vi. The support and wiring of devices used as Antennas or Lenses for the focusing of Electromagnetic Waves. b. Use in Locations .other that the Terrestrial Atmosphere 0 i. Use in Outer Space. ii. Use in Water, saline or other. c. Use of Energy Conductors other than Electrical Wiring 5 i. Use of Optic Fibers or other waveguides for the conveyance of Light or Electromagnetic Waves of whatever frequency, regular or modulated. 0 ii. Use of transparent tubes filled with Electroluminesceπt fluid or solid tubes performing the same function. d. The Construction of Composite Assemblies of "Rhombic" Nets. e. The Nesting of Subasse blies of Rhombic Nets within the cells of larger Rhombic Nets. 051.5 DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS The following Diagrams form an integral part of the Present Invention and are appended thereunto. 10 Diagram 1 : Names of the Coordinate Aj-.es used to describe the Main Orientations of the Rectangular Version of the Present Invention. Diagram 2 : Names of the Coordinate Axes used to describe the Main 15 Orientations of the Polar Version of the Present Invention Diagram 3 : Definition of "Rows", "Columns" 8* "Left-Right" (Handed- ness) of Nodes in the Rectangular Version of the Present Inven¬ tion 20 Diagram 4 : Definition of "Rows", "Columns" 8. "Left-Right" (Handed- ness) of Nodes in the Polar Version of the Present Invention Diagram 5 : "Rhombic" vs "Rectangular" Wiring 25 Diagram 6 : Crossing of wires at the Nodes of "Rhombic" and "Rectangu¬ lar" Wiring. Diagram 7 : Three Modes of Spacing used in "Rhombic" Wiring. 30 Diagram 8 : Examples of the "Harmonic" Mode of Spacing. Diagram 9 : Zero— 8< One-Wraparound. 35 Diagram 10 : "Rhombic" Net of Zero-Wraparound anchored along Curved. Wall. Diagram 11 : Examples of Nets of One-Wraparound. 40 Diagram 12 : Stretching "Rhombic" 8* "Rectangular" Nets. Diagram 13 : Degrees of Freedom for Stretching "Rhombic" Nets. Diagram 14 : Looms needed for Fabrication of "Rhombic" 8< "Rectangular" 45 Nets. 50

Claims: 2. CLAIMS The Definitions of Terms, Coordinate Systems and Conventions employed 05 in the Articles which enumerate the Claims of the Present Invention (2.2 _< 2.2) are approximately the same as those used in Art 1.2.1, previously. The coordinate system used for the description of the Orthogonal Vet— lOsions of the Present Invention is defined as follows : * X-Direction or CX3 Left-Right • * Y-Direction or CY3 Bottom-Top 5 * N-Direction or CN3 Diagonal from Top-Left to Bottom-Right * Z-Direction or CZ3 Diagonal from Bottom-Left to Top-Right The Boundary of the Array comprising the Present Invention -in the Orthogonal Version is a rectangle defined as ABCD. 0 The coordinate system used for the description of the Polar Version of the Present Invention is defined as follows : 5 * X-Direction or [X3 : Along a perimeter (concentric) * Y-Direction or [Y3 : Along a radius (radial). # [N3 8( [Z3 : Similar to the orthogonal version assuming we con¬ sider the radial direction as the vertical. 0 The Polar Version of the Array comprising the Present Invention is defined by considering either AB as collinear (joined) to DC, or AD as collinear to BC. This joining of edges is defined as a "Wraparound". 5 For both Orthogonal and Polar Versions, those Nodes of the Array which are alligned along [X3 will be called "Rows". Those alligned along [Y3 will be called "Columns". Each Node in the Array has a Left side or [L3 and a Right side or [R3 0 (defined as Handedness). Each pair will always be considered as alligned along [X3, ie along Rows. For both Orthogonal and Polar Versions of the Present Invention we 5 define "Rhombic Wiring" as follows : "The Right side CR3 of any Node at Column(N) 8* Row(M> is wired to the Left side CL3 of two Nodes, one at Column(N+l) 8< Row(M-l), and the other at Column(N+l ) 8< Row <M+1> ". 0 Or equivalently : "The Left side CL3 of any Node at Column(N) 8< Row(M) is wired to the Right side [R3 of two Nodes, one at Colu n(N-l) 8< Row(M-l), and the other at Column(N-l) _< Row(M+l) ". The specific and identifying property of the "Rhombic Wiring" is that the Wiring is always in the Diagonal Directions [N3 8< CZ3. An Array constructed in such manner is called a "Rhombic Array". 2.1 PRIMARY CLAIMS a. The Construction of an Array composed of Nodes and Wiring, the Wiring being always in the mode defined as "Rhombic Wiring". The Wiring is conductive and distributes Electrical Current to the Nodes when in operation. b. The use of Electric Loads, such as Light Sources or any other Electrical Transducer, or assemblies supporting such Electrical Transducers, attached at the location of the the Nodes and sup¬ plied with Electrical Current by "Rhombic Wiring". c. The use of such Rhombic Arrays in tensile mode of stress, ie the suspension of such Rhombic Arrays from stable structures. d. The stretching of Rhombic Arrays through all degrees of freedom dimensionally permitted by their construction. The application of zero, one or two wraparounds on it. e. The use of Looms, whereby electrical wires are stretched in the CY3 direction, in parallel, near to eachother, as warps of thread are stretched in weaving, followed by electrical connection to the left CL3 and right CR3 poles of electrical fixtures, at the location of Nodes, in such a manner as to produce a Rhombic Array, composed of such Nodes and Wiring. f. The composite assemblage of such electrified Rhombic Arrays either next to eachother or nested within eachother. 2.2 DERIVED CLAIMS B__-ϋiy.fi__!—„_j_.qπ__2__i__._-___._- 2.1.a /I Except for materials conducting standard network electric power, the following conductors, used in the mode of Rhombic Wir¬ ing and connecting Nodes of a Rhombic Array, are also included : i. Materials, such as optic fibers, waveguides, or other, con¬ ductive to Light or Electromagnetic Waves of whatever frequency, and in whichever waveform, modulated or not, car¬ rying any form of signal or information or not, incorporat¬ ing along their length any device or network needed for the transmission, amplification, filtering, focusing or other such handling, electrical, mechanical or otherwise, of the Electromagnetic Wave in question. ii. Materials, permittive to magnetic flux. iii. Materials including devices or networks, incorporated along the length of the linear elements of the Rhombic Array, so as to function as elements of an Antenna, receiving or transmitting, and tuned or not to the specific lengths of these linear elements. iv. Electroluminescent Materials, incorporated along the lengths of the linear elements, whether these be solid or hollow, filled or not with gas or liquid, intended to electrolumi- nesce under the influence of a flux or field or without such an influence. Derived from 2.1. b :_ 2.1.b /l As Electrical Transducers, supplied with energy at the loca¬ tion of Nodes by Rhombic Wiring, we include at least the follow- ing i. All types and shapes of Light Sources, their Bases and meth- odes of support, and all Devices, Fixtures or Electrical, Optical, or other types of Circuitry needed for the mechani¬ cal support, electrical handling and decoration of such Light Sources. ii. All types and shapes of Audio or Video Transducers and their associated Electronic, Optical or other types of Cir¬ cuitry, including their Bases and Fixtures. iii. All types and shapes of Scientific Instruments, Detectors or Actuators, or devices used for the conversion, traπsduction conveyance of data, or for processing of Information in gen¬ eral, whether Digital or Analog, including their Bases, Cir- cuitry and Fixtures. v. All types and shapes of Antennas, receiving or transmitting, or acting as lenses, modulators, tuners, filters or any other similar use, including their Bases, Fixtures and associated Electronic, Optical or other types of Circuitry. Deriyed from 2.1.c : 2.1.c /l For applications in Outer Space, or the Atmosphere, the 5 anchoring of Rhombic Arrays on Inertial Masses in such a manner as to keep the Array under tension. 2.1.c /2 For applications in the Sea, or other Bodies of Water, whether natural or manmade, the anchoring of Rhombic Arrays, on 10 buoys, weights, fixed rocks, manmade vessels, or other such simi¬ lar, in such a manner as to keep the Array under tension. Derived from 2.1.e : 15 2.1.e /l The use of Looms to produce Rhombically Wired Cloth in con¬ tinuous process. The packaging of such "Cloth" by cutting, rol¬ ling or in any other method of packaging. 20 Derived from 2.1.-F : 252.1.f /I The assemblage of more than one Rhombic Arrays in surfaces which are parallel to eachother and the supply of current or other electromagnetic flux to Loads suspended between these Rhom¬ bic Arrays. In general the tranfer of currents or other electro¬ magnetic flux between two or more Rhombic Arrays in any form of 30 assemblage. 35 40 45 50 3. SUMMARY The Present Invention describes a method of electrical wiring, called "Rhombic Wiring" for the structural support and for the supply of electrical energy or information to 2-dimensional arrays of electrical loads. The elements of the said 2-dimensional array may be either coplanar (ie imbedded in 2-dimensional Euclidean Space) or πon- coplanar (ie imbedded in 3-dimensional Euclidean Space). The said arrays are always in isostatic, tensile mode of stress and strain. The possible topologies and geo etr-ic configurations which are con- εtructible by use of said Rhombic Wiring are briefly enumerated. Also described are Preferred and Alternative Applications. The Pre¬ ferred Application refers to the industrial fabrication of 2-dimen¬ sional nets comprised of wiring and luminaires for the illumination of urban and architectural spaces. In general, the Present Invention enables or facilitates the manufacturing of a wide variety of arti- facts not available at present by the State of the Art. It is espe¬ cially suited for the structural support and electrification of Arrays of said Artifacts spanning large areas, without intermediate support, or those having complex geometries, not constructible by other means. Finally, information concerning materials and methods of production 8< packaging is conveyed in brief form.

Inventors: YANNOPOULOS MICHAEL, YANNOPOULOS, MICHAEL
Applicants: YANNOPOULOS MICHAEL, YANNOPOULOS, MICHAEL
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G09F13
IPC codes: G02B6, G09F13, H02G3