Patent Publication Number: US-11047553-B2

Title: Low profile large area luminaire

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/169,856 and claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 62/576,877, 62/668,642, 62/764,678, and 62/668,667. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/169,856 is titled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER SUPPLY CONTROL” and was filed Oct. 24, 2018. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/576,877 is titled “LUMINAIRE POWER BANK” and was filed Oct. 25, 2017. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/668,642 is titled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER SUPPLY CONTROL” and was filed May 8, 2018. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/764,678 is titled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER SUPPLY CONTROL” and was filed Aug. 15, 2018. U.S. Provisional Application 62/668,667 is titled, “Low Profile Large Area Luminaire” and was filed on May 8, 2018. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/169,856 and U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 62/576,877, 62/668,642, 62/764,678, and 62/668,667 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments are generally related to LED lighting, lighting fixtures, and LED lighting power supplies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lighting systems have been evolving at a rapid pace with moves from incandescent, fluorescent, and gas discharge to light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs have been improving in efficiency, thermal management, and cost. Similarly, the power supplies, a.k.a. drivers, which drive the LEDs have seen improvements in efficiency, thermal management and cost. In general, residential and commercial lighting is transitioning to the use of LED lighting technologies. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,423 by Frecska et al. issued on Dec. 25, 2007 and is titled “Adjustable LED Luminaire.” Frecska teaches a luminaire having multiple movable LED strips in a large fixture. It is for its teachings of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,423 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,004 by Chan issued on Jan. 13, 2009 and is titled “LED Lighting Lamp Tube.” Chan teaches LED arrays mounted in tubes and configured to replace fluorescent light tubes in fluorescent fixtures. Replacements such as Chan&#39;s have provided an early upgrade path for commercial lighting in the move from fluorescent to LED. It is for its teachings of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,004 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/383,917 by Burrow et al. published as US 20120113628 on May 10, 2012 and is titled “Light Emitting Diode Retrofit Conversion Kit for a Fluorescent Light Fixture.” Burrow also teaches LED arrays configured to replace fluorescent light tubes in fluorescent fixtures. Replacements such as Burrow&#39;s have provided an early upgrade path for commercial lighting in the move from fluorescent to LED. It is for its teaching s of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that US 20120113628 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/075,494 by Handsaker published as US 20120250309 on Oct. 4, 2012 and is titled “LED Lighting Fixture With Reconfigurable Light Distribution Pattern.” Handsaker teaches modular LED arrays with reconfigurable lenses and a fixture with an extruded aluminum base. It is for its teachings of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that US 20120250309 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/473,929 by Araki, et al. published as US 20120320627 on Dec. 20, 2012 and is titled “Flat Panel Lighting Device and Driving Circuitry.” Araki teaches modular LED arrays and drivers configured in a relatively thin flat frame that can be edge lit. It is for its teachings of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that US 20120320627 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/210,991 by Ishii published as US 20150016100 on Jan. 15, 2015 and is titled “Luminaire.” Ishii teaches a fixture having an LED array and drivers with a long lens covering the electronic components. It is for its teachings of LED arrays, electronics, drivers, and fixtures that US 20150016100 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     As can be inferred by this background section, the prior art discloses luminaires that can be used commercially, but that the overall packaging, fixtures, drivers, interconnects, and designs are still evolving. Systems and methods providing LED lighting with advanced packaging, fixtures, drivers, interconnects, and designs are needed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
     It is an aspect of the embodiments that a luminaire can have a rectangular housing formed from four permanently joined housing members. The housing members can be permanently and rigidly joined to form the housing. The housing members, all have the same extrusion profile, here called the housing extrusion profile. The housing members include a housing top, a housing bottom, a housing first end, and a housing second end. The housing is rectangular because the housing top and housing bottom are equally long while the housing first end and the housing second end are also equally long. The housing members can be joined by welding with the seams smoothed and treated such that the joints are invisible. The illustrated embodiments have the housing top/bottom approximately six times longer than the housing first/second ends. The housing members have an LED backing, a lens shelf, a top slot, a screw groove, a back opening, and a cover engagement. As such, the housing has a lens shelf a top slot, a screw groove, a back opening, and a cover engagement. 
     It is another aspect of the embodiments that LED circuit assemblies can be positioned against the LED backing. The LED circuit assemblies have a row of LEDs mounted on a circuit board or similar rigid or flexible backing having circuit traces. The LEDs produce light when properly conditioned electric power is provided to input pads or leads of the LED circuit assemblies. The illustrated embodiments have a top LED circuit assembly and a bottom LED circuit assembly. The top LED circuit assembly is disposed along the LED backing of the housing top. The bottom LED circuit assembly is disposed along the LED backing of the housing bottom. 
     It is yet another aspect of the embodiments that a lens is positioned inside the housing. The outer edges of the lens can rest against the housing&#39;s lens shelf. Recall that the housing lens shelf was formed by joining the housing members, each having a lens shelf, to produce the housing. The lens is a sheet of material such as a transparent or clear acrylic sheet. The edges of the lens are the four thin sides of the sheet while the faces of the lens are the two large sides of the sheet. When powered, the LEDs emit light. The lens is sized and positioned such that the LEDs can shine light into one or more lens edge. A reflective layer on one of the lens faces can direct all or some of the LED light out the other face. A portion of the LED light can pass through the reflective layer if it is partially reflecting or has clear openings. Various embodiments can have a transparent, translucent, or frosted lens depending on the desired lighting properties. 
     It is still another aspect of the embodiments that a plurality of side covers can cover much of the top openings of the housing top and housing bottom while also holding the lens within the housing. All of the side covers have the same extrusion profile, the side cover extrusion profile. The side covers have a top engagement, a bottom engagement, and a lens interface. The side covers are installed in the housing when the top engagements fit into the top slot, the bottom engagements fit under the cover engagement, and the lens interfaces prevent the lens from exiting the housing. 
     With the housing assembled, LEDs positioned, lens installed, and side covers installed it is easy to discern the front, back, bottom, top, first end, and second end. The back of the luminaire is the large flat side having the side covers and the back of the lens. The front side is opposite the back side. The first and second ends are the short sides of the housing rectangle. The top and bottom are the long sides of the housing rectangle. The first end and the second end are separated by the length or the luminaire. The top and the bottom are separated by the height of the luminaire. The front and the back are separated by the thickness of the luminaire. In most embodiments, all the LED light or a majority of the LED light exits the front of the luminair. Light that does not exit the front of the luminaire can exit the back of the luminaire. 
     It is a further aspect of the embodiments that the luminaire can have four access covers with one at each corner. The access covers all have the same profile, called the access cover profile. The access covers can be extruded aluminum or can be stamped from a sheet such as sheet steel. The illustrated embodiments show access covers with extrusion profiles different from those of the side covers. For example, the access covers are thinner than the side covers. Each access cover has a slot engagement and at least one housing screw hole. The slot engagements fit into the housing and can engage the housing&#39;s top slot on both sides of the corner. For example, the access cover positioned at the corner defined by the housing top and the housing first end can have its slot engagement in the top slots of both the housing top and the housing first end. The access covers are held in position by housing screws passing through the housing screw holes and threaded into the screw groove of a housing member. An access cover can be permanently attached to a side cover, thereby holding the side cover in position. For example, an assembly can have a side cover with an access cover attached at each end such that the assembly is held in position by the top slot and cover engagement of the housing and by housing screws. The illustrated embodiments show a similar assembly with two side covers attached together and access covers attached at the far ends of the two side covers. 
     It is still yet another aspect of the embodiments that end covers cover the back opening of the housing first end and housing second end. The end covers can all have the same extrusion profile called the end cover extrusion profile. The illustrated embodiments show end covers having the same extrusion profile and the side covers. Each end cover can have a top end engagement, a bottom end engagement, and a lens end interface. When installed in the housing, the top end engagement is positioned in the top slot of either the housing first end or the housing second end and the bottom engagement is positioned under the cover engagement of either the housing first end or the housing second end. The end cover&#39;s lens end interface prevents the lens from exiting the housing. The end covers can have housing screw holes such that the end covers can be held in position by housing screws passing through the housing screw holes and threaded into the screw groove of a housing member. 
     The space within the housing and covered by side covers, access covers, or end covers is called the wireway because the luminaire&#39;s wiring typically runs through the wireway. In addition, electric components such as a motion sensor, power conditioner, control block, etc. can be positioned within the wireway. A motion sensor can detect motion near the luminaire and cause the LEDs to turn on. Some embodiments have a control block communicating with the motion sensor. The motion sensor detects motion, signals the control block, and the control block turns on the LEDs. The motion sensor can observe the environment through sensor lens mounted in a hole in the housing. A power conditioner can condition externally supplied electric power, such as 120 VAC mains power, for use by the LEDs and other electric components. Embodiments having an internal power conditioner can be powered by unconditioned external power, such as mains power, while embodiments having no internal power conditioner must be powered by external power that is already conditioned for use by the LEDs. 
     The external electric power can be passed from an external source, through an access cover, and into the interior of the luminaire. An access cover can have a knockout that can be pushed free of the access cover to produce a hole, called an access opening, in the access cover. Wires can pass through the access opening in the access cover and into the wireway. Alternatively, an access cover can have an electrical connector for passing electric power or signals into the luminaire. An electric cable, such as an IMS cable, a shielded cable or an Ethernet cable can provide electric power and/or signals to the electrical connector, thereby powering and/or controlling the luminair. For example, a plug on an electric supply cable can be plugged into a socket attached to the access cover to thereby power the luminaire. The electric socket can be configured to engage the plug to thereby pass electric power through the electric socket and into the luminaire. 
     The electrical connector can be a panel feedthrough terminal block. For example, electric power can be provided to the luminaire by an electric cable having at least two distinct conductors. Here, distinct conductor means insulated from one another such as an insulated wire and a bare wire or two insulated wires. In practice, the electric cable would have a power line, a return line, and possibly a ground line. The power line and return line are typically insulated wires while the ground line can be either a bare wire or an insulated wire. An 18/2 shielded cable is an example of an electric cable. The terminal block can be attached to an access cover and can be configured to pass electric power from external wiring and into the internal wiring and circuitry of the luminaire. An 18/2 shielded cable is a shielded cable with two 18 gauge insulated wires and an internal shield covered by an outside insulator. The cable&#39;s shield, or a third wire in an alternative embodiment, can provide a ground connection. Electricians and those knowledgeable of electric wiring or the installation of electrical components are familiar with shielded cables and terminal blocks such as panel feed through terminal blocks. 
     Using an RJ45 socket as the electric socket provides for using Ethernet cables to supply the luminaire with electric power or signals. Power Over Ethernet (POE) is a known set of standards for supplying power and signals to computer network equipment via Ethernet cables. An RJ45 socket has a row of eight contacts. A luminaire can be powered via POE or can be powered by simply running power with no signals into two or more of those contacts. For example, the electric power line or lines can be directly electrically connected to four of the RJ45 socket contacts while the return line or lines can be directly electrically connected to the other four RJ45 socket contacts. In such embodiments, an RJ45 power circuit that includes the RJ45 socket can be fixedly attached to the access cover while a hole in the access cover provides access to the RJ45 socket. Embodiments can pass power through an endcap by, for example, fixedly attaching the RJ45 power circuit to an endcap while a hole in the endcap provides access to the RJ45 socket. 
     Using an IMS chassis connector as the electric socket provides for using IMS cables to supply the luminaire with power and control signals. When using an IMS chassis connector, electric power can pass via two conductors and control signals can pass via two different conductors. As such, the IMS cable has at least four wires that can be electrically connected to four contacts in the IMS chassis connector. The IMS chassis connector thereby provides for passing electric power via two wires and passing control signals via two different wires into and out of the luminaire. The IMS chassis connector can be installed on an access cover. 
     It is a further aspect of the embodiments that a lens cover can be positioned in back of the lens. The lens cover blocks light from exiting the back. The lens cover can be a sheet of opaque, translucent, frosted, or textured material. The faces of the lens cover can be the same size as those of the lens such that the lens cover is between the lens and the lens interfaces of the side covers and the lens end interfaces of the end covers. A translucent, frosted, or textured lens cover is called a diffusing lens. LED light exiting the back of the lens can be diffused by the diffusing lens. An opaque lens cover can have a reflective face that reflects light back into the lens, in which case the lens need not have a reflective layer. Regarding the diffusing lens, a luminaire can have a diffusing lens completely covering one side of the lens and preventing the lens from directly contacting the lens interface of the side covers such that the diffusing lens diffuses light exiting the back. 
     The housing members can be formed from extrusions. Extrusion is a process of shaping material by forcing it to flow through a shaped opening in a die. The extruded material, often called an extrusion, emerges as an elongated piece having a profile that is substantially identical to the profile of the die opening. The profile has profile width and profile height dimensions but not a length dimension. An extrusion can have an extrusion length, extrusion width and extrusion height. Some extrusion processes can form an extrusion with an enclosed void, such as a tube, thereby producing a lighter and stronger extrusion. The die opening profile has features for forming the extrusion&#39;s length running elements. As such, the length running elements, such as the enclosed void, are parallel to one another and run the complete length of the extrusion. One advantage of the embodiments discussed herein is that extrusion processes can yield complex, functional, and attractive forms that would otherwise require costly machining. It is a great advantage to form the housing, side covers, end covers, and access covers from extrusions. The housing members can have enclosed voids. A closed channel is formed when housing members having enclosed voids are joined to produce the housing. The illustrated embodiments show housing members with 45 degree cuts and joined to form the 90 degree corners of the housing. 
     The structural properties of the extrusions, placement of the LEDs, and location of the lens yield a luminaire that produces a large amount of light over a large surface while having an extremely low profile such as the illustrated embodiments having a thickness less than 1.4 inches. The height of the illustrated embodiments is greater than 5.8 times the thickness and less than 6 times the thickness. The length of illustrated embodiments is approximately 6 times the height although other versions have a length approximately 12 times the height. 
     The luminaire can be produced using extruded aluminum. Aluminum is a good material for luminaires because it is thermally conductive and can help remove heat from the LED circuit assemblies. A thermal compound between the LED circuit assemblies and the housing members can facilitate the transfer of heat from the LEDs into the housing. 
     It is yet another aspect of the embodiments that the luminaire can have fixture brackets from which the luminaire can be suspended. The luminaire can be held aloft by the fixture brackets. For example, the luminaire can hang from suspension cables attached to the center area of the fixture brackets. Holes in the center area of the fixture brackets can accommodate threaded nipples and lock nuts or other means can keep the threaded nipples securely positioned within the holes and thereby attached to the fixture brackets. The luminaire can be suspended by the threaded nipples. For example, the aforementioned suspension cables can be attached to the threaded nipples and be thereby attached to the fixture brackets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a low profile luminaire as viewed from the back in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a low profile luminaire as viewed from the front in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a housing as viewed from the back in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a housing as viewed from the front in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a housing extrusion profile in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side cover extrusion profile in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an access cover profile in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an end view of the top assembly of  FIG. 8  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a lens and lens cover properly positioned in a top assembly and bottom assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates two side covers and two access covers viewed from above in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates two side covers and two access covers viewed from below in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side cover with threaded inserts in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a side cover configured to hold a power conditioner in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an access cover in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an end assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an end view of the end assembly of  FIG. 16  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a fixture bracket assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a second view of the fixture bracket assembly of  FIG. 18  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an access cover with a connector assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a RJ45 connector assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a housing member with a sensor opening in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a housing member with a motion sensor in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a motion sensor in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates another view of the motion sensor of  FIG. 24  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates access covers with knockouts in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a power conditioner in a luminaire in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a second view of the power conditioner of  FIG. 27  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a view of the back of a luminaire in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a view of the side of a luminaire in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a view of the end of a luminaire in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a view of a panel feedthrough terminal blocks in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a second view of the panel feedthrough terminal block of  FIG. 32  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; and 
         FIG. 34  illustrates three low profile luminaires in a continuous run configuration in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 35  illustrates an Illumination Management System (IMS) powering and controlling four luminaires in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates an IMS powering and controlling four luminaires in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates an IMS powering and controlling seven luminaires in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates an IMS cable in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates a luminaire configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 40  illustrates a luminaire configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates an IMS junction box configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates an IMS junction box configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 43  illustrates a view of an access cover having an IMS chassis connector in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 44  illustrates another view of an access cover having an IMS chassis connector in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; 
         FIG. 45  illustrates an access cover and a terminal block in accordance with aspects of the embodiments; and 
         FIG. 46  illustrates a terminal block assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
     For a general understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. 
     A luminaire for architectural, industrial and warehouse applications can be manufactured using a small number of carefully designed extrusions. The housing can be formed by permanently joining four pieces having a first extrusion profile. A second extrusion profile can be used for the side and end covers. A third profile can be used for access covers. A lens, such as an acrylic sheet, can be framed by the housing and long lines of LEDs can be positioned to shine directly into the side of the lens. A reflective layer on the lens can direct all or a portion of the LED light out the front of the luminaire. A reflective layer can all or a portion of the LED light out the back. Strategically positioned diffusors can ensure that the lighting effect is pleasing. The result is a very thin and light weight luminaire having a large surface area. The luminaire is easy to deploy because of its light weight. It can be suspended by internal fixture brackets, by cables threaded through holes in the back, or can be screwed to a ceiling or wall using threaded inserts. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a low profile luminaire  100  as viewed from the back and front, respectively, in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The luminaire  100  has a top  101 , a bottom  102 , a first end  103 , a second end  104 , a back  105 , and a front  106 . A sensor lens  107  can be seen in the front view. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a housing  300  as viewed from the back and front, respectively, in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The housing  300  has can be made by permanently attaching, perhaps by welding, four housing members. The housing members are a housing top  301 , a housing bottom  302 , a housing first end  303 , and a housing second end  304 . The housing  300  is rectangular with the housing top  301  being the same length as the housing bottom  302  while the housing first end  303  has the same length as the housing second end  304 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a housing extrusion profile  500  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The housing members  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304  can be formed from extrusions having housing extrusion profile  500 . Housing extrusion profile  500  shows the LED backing  501 , lens shelf  502 , top slot  503 , screw groove  504 , cover engagement  505 , back opening  507 , and enclosed void  506  of each of the housing members. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side cover extrusion profile  600  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The side covers can be formed from extrusions having side cover extrusion profile  600 . Side cover extrusion profile  600  shows the top engagement  601 , bottom engagement  602 , and lens interface  603  of the side covers. Note that the illustrated lens interface  603  has a lens interface groove  604 , which is an aspect of some embodiments. The side covers have a side cover thickness  605 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an access cover profile  700  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The access covers can be stamped or formed from extrusions having access cover profile  700 . Access cover profile  700  shows the slot engagement  701  and has access cover thickness  702 . The illustrated embodiments have an access cover thickness  702  that is less then side cover thickness  605 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a long side assembly  800  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Long side assemblies  800  form the top  101  and bottom  102  of the luminaire  100 . Access covers  801 ,  804  and side covers  802 ,  803  are installed on housing member  805 . The access cover slot engagements  701  and the side cover top engagements  601  are in the top slot  503  of the housing member  805 . A LED circuit assembly  807  is positioned against the housing member&#39;s LED backing  501 . The LED circuit assembly  807  has a large number of LEDs  808  arranged on a circuit board  809 . The wireway  806  is covered by the side covers  802 ,  803  and access covers  801 ,  804 . Housing screw  901  fixes access cover  801  in position. Access covers  801 ,  804  and side covers  802 ,  803  can be permanently attached end to end as shown if  FIGS. 8 and 11  to form a unit that is fixed in position to the housing by housing screws. The long side assembly  800  is presented for clarification purposes. It is anticipated that the housing will be fully assembled before being populated with side covers, access covers, end covers, etc. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a lens  1004  and lens cover  1003  properly positioned in a top assembly  1008  and bottom assembly  1009  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The top assembly  1008  and the bottom assembly  1009  are long side assemblies  800 . Being a cut view,  FIG. 10  shows the interior areas of the luminaire such as closed channel  1005 . Top side cover  1001  is installed on housing top  301 . Bottom side cover  1002  is installed on housing bottom  302 . Top LED circuit assembly  1006  and bottom LED circuit assembly  1007  are positioned to shine light directly into the edges of the lens  1004 . A portion of the LED light  1012  exits the front  1010  of the luminaire and another portion of the LED light  1013  exits the back  1011  of the luminaire. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate two side covers  1101  and two access covers  801 ,  804  viewed from above and below, respectively, in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. As discussed above the two side cover  1101  and access covers  801 ,  804  can be attached, as shown, to form a single unit. Alternatively, the side covers  1101  can be attached to the housing by passing housing screws through housing screw holes  1102  in the side covers  1101  and threading the housing screws into a screw groove  504  of a housing member. Side covers  1101  can be seen to be bottom side covers for the illustrated embodiments. The access covers  801 ,  804  are illustrated as each having two housing screw holes  1102 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a side cover  1301  with threaded inserts  1302  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Comparing side cover  1301  to luminaire  100 , it is seen that side cover  1301  is a top side cover. The threaded inserts  1302  are permanently attached to top side cover  1301  such that mounting screws can be threaded into the threaded inserts  1302  from the back of the luminaire  100 . In this manner the luminaire can be wall mounted. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a side cover  1101  configured to hold a power conditioner in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. A power conditioner can be attached to bottom side cover  1101  by screws and bolts  1401 . Note that the identification of some side covers as “top” and others as “bottom” is not intended to be positionally limiting. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an access cover  801  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The access cover  801  is illustrated as each having two housing screw holes  1102 . 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate an end assembly  1600  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. End cover  1601  is positioned with its top end engagement in the top slot of a housing end member  1606  and its bottom end engagement positioned under the cover engagement of the housing end member  1606 . Housing end member  1606  can be either the housing first end  303  or the housing second end  304 . As discussed above, end covers can have the same profile as the side covers and can therefore engage housing members in the same manner. End cover  1601  is fixed in position by housing screws  901  passing through housing screw holes in the end cover  1601  and threaded into the screw groove  504  of the housing end member  1606 . Threaded inserts  1302  attached to the underside of the end cover  1601  are visible. End cover holes  1603  provide for stringing a cable into and out of the end assembly  1600  for use in suspending the luminaire  100 . Fixture bracket screws  1604  attach a fixture bracket assembly  1701  to the underside of end cover  1601 . A removable plug  1605  plugs a hole directly above the fixture bracket assembly  1701 . Removing the removable plug  1605  gives access to the threaded nipple of the fixture bracket assembly  1701 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate a fixture bracket assembly  1701  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The fixture bracket assembly  1701  has a fixture bracket  1801  and a threaded nipple  1802 . The threaded nipple  1802  provides a convenient attachment from which the luminaire  100  can be suspended. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates an access cover  2003  with a connector assembly in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The illustrated access cover  2003  has a hole  2001  through which a RJ45 socket  2002  can be seen. Here, the connector assembly is a RJ45 connector assembly  2100 . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a RJ45 connector assembly  2100  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The RJ45 connector assembly  2100  has a RJ45 socket  2002  and two standoffs  2101  fixed to a circuit board  2102 . Electric power and control signaling can be passed from an Ethernet cable which is terminated by an RJ45 plug that is plugged into the RJ45 socket  2002 . The electric power and control signals are then available on pads or in through holes on the circuit board. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a housing member  2202  with a sensor opening  2201  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The sensor opening  2201  is configured to hold a sensor lens  107 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a housing member  2202  with a motion sensor  2302  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The illustrated embodiment has a motion sensor  2302  and a control block  2301 . When motion sensor  2302  senses motion it sends a signal to the control block  2301  which turns on the LEDs. 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate a motion sensor  2301 , control block  2301 , and sensor lens  107  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.  FIG. 24  is essentially  FIG. 23  with a transparent housing member  2202 . 
       FIG. 26  illustrates access covers  2601 ,  2602  with knockouts  2603 ,  2604  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The access covers  2601 ,  2602  are shown installed in a luminaire with their slot engagements  701  engaging the top slots  503  of the housing. Each access cover  2601 ,  2602  engages two housing members because the access covers  2601 ,  2602  fit into the corners of the housing  300 . The access covers  2601 ,  2602  are fixed in position by housing screws  901 . The knockouts  2603 ,  2604  are configured to be pressed, or knocked, out of the access covers  2601 ,  2602  and leave a hole through which wires or electric cables can be passed into the wireways under the access covers  2601 ,  2602 . The knockouts  2603 ,  2604  are of two different sizes such that an installer can choose the size of hole to use. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  illustrate a power conditioner  2701  in a luminaire  2700  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The power conditioner  2701  is attached to side cover  1101 . A housing element has been removed to show the power conditioner  2701  as it would be positioned in the wireway. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a view of the back of a luminaire  2901  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The luminaire has a length  2903  and a height  2902 . As illustrated, the length  2903  is more than 5.5 times the height  2902  and less than 6.5 times the height  2902 . 
       FIG. 30  illustrates a view of the side of a luminaire  2901  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The luminaire has a thickness  2904  and a length  2903 . Embodiments have been assembled with a thickness less than 1.4 inches. Embodiments have been assembled with a thickness greater than 1.2 inches. 
       FIG. 31  illustrates a view of the end of a luminaire  2901  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The luminaire has a thickness  2904  and a height  2902 . As illustrated, the height  2902  is more than 5.8 times the thickness  2904  and less than 6 times the thickness  2904 . A continuous run hole  3101  in the end of the luminaire provides wireway access through the end of the luminaire  2901  for use in continuous run deployments. The hole can be covered by a knock out or cover when not needed. Wires can pass through the hole to provide power and signals to an adjacent luminaire. 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate views of a panel feedthrough terminal block  3200  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The panel feedthrough terminal block  3200  has an internal end  3202  and an external end  3201 . The panel feedthrough terminal block  3200  can electrically connect two external wires to two internal wires. The external wires can carry power and signals to the luminaire. The internal wires, being inside the luminaire, can carry power and signals inside the luminaire. The panel feedthrough terminal block  3200  can be installed in a luminaire by fitting it into an opening such as opening  2001  of  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 34  illustrates three low profile luminaires  2901  in a continuous run configuration in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Signal and power wires can run from one luminaire to the next by passing through continuous run holes  3101 . As such, only one of the luminaires must be directly connected to a building&#39;s power and signal wires because the other two luminaires obtain power and signals through the continuous run holes. 
       FIG. 35  illustrates an Illumination Management System (IMS)  4003  powering and controlling four luminaires  4001  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. An IMS  4003  can use IMS cables  4002  to provide power and control to the luminaires  4001 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , the luminaires  4001  can be daisy chained with the IMS  4003  providing power and control signals to a first luminaire, the first luminaire passing the power and control signals to a second luminair, and so forth. An IMS can be connected to a building&#39;s mains power (e.g. 120 VAC or 240 VAC) and can produce conditioned DC power usable by the luminaires. IMS based lighting systems are advantageous because large AC-to-DC power blocks can be placed in the IMS such that the luminaires can be powered by small and inexpensive LED drivers that accept DC power and provide constant current power to the LEDs. The IMS can also control the luminaires by providing control signals. 
       FIG. 36  illustrates an IMS  4003  powering and controlling four luminaires  4001  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Here, the IMS  4003  is connected to the luminaires by a multidrop IMS cable  4028  such that each of the luminaires  4001  receives power and control signals directly from the IMS  4003 . 
       FIG. 37  illustrates an IMS  4003  powering and controlling seven luminaires  4001  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The IMS  4003  is connected directly to an IMS junction box  4004  that distributes the power and control signals directly to three of the luminaires  4001 . The remaining four luminaires  4001  receive the power and control signals directly from other luminaires. Alternatively, a multidrop IMS cable  4028  can be used instead of the combination of IMS cables  4002  and IMS junction box  4004 . 
       FIG. 38  illustrates an IMS cable  4002  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. IMS cable connectors  4005  are connected to either end of a four-conductor cable  4027 . Two of the wires  4006 ,  4007  in the cable carry DC power with one wire  4006  being power (often labeled V+) and the other wire  4007  being the return line (often labeled V−). The other two wires  4008  and  4009  carry control signals. For example, the Digital Addressable Light Interface (DALI) is a well-known lighting standard that carries power and control signals over two wires with one called “+DALI bus” and the other called “−DALI bus”. DALI, however, is limited to a maximum voltage of 22 VDC and a maximum current of 250 mA. The IMS system can therefor use DALI for control signaling on wires  4008  and  4009  while power is carried on wires  4006  and  4007 . The IMS can provide 48 VDC at over 30 A which can be provided to the luminaires over wires  4006  and  4007 . In practice, the IMS has operated with an output between 40 VDC and 52 VDC although 48 VDC plus/minus 1 VDC operation is preferred such that luminaires near the IMS do not receive too much voltage while luminaires far from the IMS, which can see less voltage due to transmission loss, receive enough voltage. 
     In this non-limiting example, the four conductors of cable  4027  are carrying V+, V−, +DALI, and −DALI. Wire  4006  carries V+. Wire  4007  carries V−. Wire  4008  carries +DALI. Wire  4009  carries −DALI. 
     Experimentation has shown that some connectors are advantageous when installing and operating a lighting system such as those of  FIGS. 25-27  and especially for those installations having tens or hundreds of luminaires. Such systems are common in warehouses and data centers. The connectors should be installable by feel and should lock in place when properly installed. These properties are important because the connectors will often be manipulated by people on ladders and without a clear view (or with no view) of the operation they are trying to accomplish. For this reason, the IMS cable connector  4005  is shown as a Neutrik NL4FX cable connector which provides four electrical connections, a tactilely intuitive lock/release mechanism, and alignment keys. The Neutrik NL4FX pairs with chassis connectors  4010  such as the Neutrik NL4MD shown in  FIGS. 29-36 . The IMS cable connector  4005  can be installed in a IMS chassis connector  4010  by aligning its outer cylinder  4031  with the IMS chassis connector&#39;s cylindrical hole  4032 , rotating until the key  4030  aligns with the IMS chassis connector&#39;s keyway  4034 , and then pressing the IMS cable connector  4005  into the IMS chassis connector  4010  until the locking mechanism  4029  engages the IMS chassis connector&#39;s lock engagement  4033 . These operations are easy to perform blind. Not shown is the IMS cable connector&#39;s center rod which fits in the IMS chassis connector&#39;s central hole  4035  when the IMS cable connector  4005  is installed in the IMS chassis connector  4010 . 
       FIG. 39  illustrates a luminaire  4017  configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The illustrated chassis connectors  4010  are the Neutrik NL4MD which mates with the NL4FX. V+  4006  and V−  4007  are electrically connected to voltage booster  4011  which can provide a specified power on lines  4012 ,  4013  to the LED Driver  4014 . +DALI  4008  and −DALI  4009  provide control signaling to the LED driver  4014 . The LED driver  4014  powers the LED circuit assembly  807  via LED power lines  4015 ,  4016 . Being DALI enabled, LED driver  4014  is addressable such it can be commanded to turn LED circuit assembly  807  on, off, or dimmed, etc. A single luminaire can have multiple LED drivers and LED circuit assemblies, each individually addressable and controllable via DALI. Although the DALI control signals can be provided by any device connected to the +DALI and −DALI lines, the IMS can house controllers that are accessible over the internet and that produce DALI signaling for the luminaires. This non-limiting example uses DALI instead of other two-wire control signaling protocols such as “0-10” (superseded by DALI). 
     The voltage booster  4011  accepts DC power at one voltage and outputs DC power at a higher voltage. Those practiced in the electronics arts are familiar with numerous appropriate circuits such as boost converters, DC-DC converters, etc. 
     The LED driver  4014  in certain prototype luminaires have been the Mean Well LDD-700H-WDA, LDD-1050H-DA, and similar devices with DALI interfaces that are addressable and controllable via +DALI  4008  and −DALI  4009 . 
       FIG. 40  illustrates a luminaire  4018  configured for power and control by an IMS in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Luminaire  4018  is similar to luminaire  4017  excepting that the voltage booster  4011  is configured to boost the voltage of the DC power passed from luminaire  4018  to another luminaire. Circuitry within or ancillary to the voltage booster can select a powered chassis connector  4010  as the power input and the other as the power output. 
       FIG. 41  illustrates an IMS junction box  4019  configured use with an IMS  4003  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The junction box has three chassis connectors  4010 . The IMS junction box  4019  directly electrically connects V+ on the chassis connectors using V+ wire  4006 . The IMS junction box  4019  directly electrically connects V− on the chassis connectors using V− wire  4007 . The IMS junction box  4019  directly electrically connects +DALI on the chassis connectors using +DALI wire  4008 . The IMS junction box  4019  directly electrically connects −DALI on the chassis connectors using −DALI wire  4009 . Other IMS junction boxes can have more than three chassis connectors that are similarly electrically connected. 
       FIG. 42  illustrates an IMS junction box  4020  configured for use with an IMS  4003  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The junction box has three chassis connectors  4010 . The IMS junction box  4020  directly electrically connects +DALI on the chassis connectors using +DALI wire  4008 . The IMS junction box  4020  directly electrically connects −DALI on the chassis connectors using −DALI wire  4009 . As with luminaire  4018 , IMS junction box  4020  boosts the voltage on the DC power lines. Here, DC power is received on wires  4021 ,  4022 . DC power at a higher voltage is provided by the voltage booster on wires  4023  and  4024 . Other IMS junction boxes can have more than three chassis connectors and additional voltage boosters that are similarly electrically connected. 
     Comparing the junction boxes  4019 ,  4020  and luminaires  4017 ,  4018  it can be seen that luminaires incorporate junction box functionality. 
       FIGS. 43 and 44  illustrate an access cover  4025  luminaire  4001  having an IMS chassis connector  4010  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.  FIG. 43  shows the underside of the access cover which would be hidden from view when the access cover is installed.  FIG. 34  shows the top side of the access cover which is not hidden from view when the access cover is installed. 
       FIG. 45  illustrates an access cover assembly  4501  having a terminal block assembly  4508  in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The terminal block assembly  4508 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 46 , is illustrated as attached to the access cover  4502  using two screws threaded into two standoffs  4505 . A terminal block  4503  can be seen positioned within and accessible through a hole in the access cover  4502 . The terminal block assembly  4508  has a printed circuit board  4504 . The standoffs  4505  and a terminal block  4503  are attached to the printed circuit board  4503 . The illustrated terminal block is a Phoenix Contact SPTAF1 which has a push-in spring type connection method where button  4506  can be pressed as a wire is inserted into an opening  4507 . The terminal block  4503  clamps onto the wire when the button  4506  is released. Wiring or contacts on the back side of the circuit board can pass electric power to the luminaire&#39;s internal components. The illustrated terminal block provides two connection points for external wiring. As such, the luminaire can be configured to receive DC electric power or AC electric power. 
     It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. It will also be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.