Antennae for hazardous location light fixtures

Abstract

A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Alight fixture, comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment; and   an antenna assembly coupled to a portion of the housing,   wherein the antenna assembly provides communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.   
     
     
         2 . The light fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly conforms to a shape of the portion of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The light fixture of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the housing comprises a lens, wherein at least a portion of the antenna assembly is integrated with the lens. 
     
     
         4 . The light fixture of  claim 3 , wherein the antenna assembly sends and receives signals that are substantially unobstructed in a hemispherical orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The light fixture of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the housing is part of the at least one wall, wherein the antenna assembly is integrated with the at least one wall of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The light fixture of  claim 5 , wherein the antenna assembly is etched into the at least one wall of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The light fixture of  claim 5 , wherein the antenna assembly is printed on the at least one wall of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The light fixture of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the housing is part of the at least one wall, wherein the antenna assembly is integrated with an information medium disposed on the at least one wall of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The light fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the information medium comprises a nameplate. 
     
     
         10 . The light fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the information medium comprises a sticker. 
     
     
         11 . Alight fixture, comprising:
 a housing that complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment;   a circuit board coupled to the housing, wherein the circuit board has at least one light source disposed thereon; and   an antenna assembly disposed on the circuit board,   wherein the antenna assembly provides communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment applied to the housing,   wherein the communication provided by the antenna assembly with the another device is substantially unobstructed by the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The light fixture of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna assembly is etched onto the circuit board. 
     
     
         13 . The light fixture of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna assembly is printed on the circuit board. 
     
     
         14 . The light fixture of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna assembly is traced on the circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . The light fixture of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a transceiver coupled to the antenna assembly; and a controller coupled to the transceiver.