Method and apparatus for providing inductive coupling and decoupling of high-frequency, high-bandwidth data signals directly on and off of a high voltage power line

• US 20020110310A1
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Kline, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/15
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50-60 Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.

Claims

1_9. ] A method for transmitting and receiving high-frequency data signals over power transmission lines, comprising:

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals with a first power transmission line by inductance;

conditioning said coupled and un-coupled high-frequency electrical data signals; and

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals to a first end of a fiber-optic isolator using a light transducer and a light pipe.

2_9. ] The method of claim [c1], further comprising providing said inductance by positioning said first power transmission line inside a toroid shaped core having a plurality of windings.

3_9. ] The method of claim [c2], further comprising preventing low frequency power line signal saturation of said core by forming said core with a magnetic material of sufficient permeability.

4_9. ] The method of claim [c2], further comprising forming said core as two portions with a hinge therebetween to ease installation.

5_9. ] The method of claim [c1], further comprising inductively providing power for said conditioning and said light transducer using a second toroid surrounding said first power transmission line and including a sufficient number of windings to inductively transfer desired power.

6_9. ] The method of claim [c5], further comprising forming said second toroid as two portions and joining said portions together with a hinge.

7_9. ] The method of claim [c1] further comprising coupling said fiber-optic isolator to an interface device for electronic data signal devices.

8_9. ] The method of claim [cl], further comprising:

coupling and un-coupling light signals from a second end of said fiber-optic isolator using a second light pipe and a second light transducer for high-frequency electrical data signals;

conditioning said coupled and un-coupled high-frequency electrical data signals; and

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals with a second power transmission line by inductance.

9_9. ] The method of claim [c8], further comprising providing a second inductive power source for at least said second light transducer.

10_9. ] The method of claim [c1], further comprising providing said coupling, un-coupling and conditioning steps within a protected environment.

11_9. ] A device for transmitting and receiving high-frequency data signals over power transmission lines, comprising:

an inductor adjacent to a first power transmission line;

signal conditioning circuitry electrically connected to said inductor;

a light transducer electrically connected to said signal conditioning circuitry;

a light pipe adjacent to said light transducer;

a fiber-optic isolator connected to said light pipe; and

a power source for said signal conditioning circuitry and said light transducer.

12_9. ] The device of claim [c11] wherein said inductor comprises a toroid shaped core having a plurality of windings and said inductor is positioned such that said first power transmission line runs through a center of said core.

13_9. ] The device of claim [c12] wherein said core comprises a magnetic material of sufficient permeability to prevent low frequency power line signal saturation of said core.

14_9. ] The device of claim [c12] wherein said toroid shaped core comprises two portions joined together with a hinge.

15_9. ] The device of claim [c11] wherein said power source comprises a second toroid surrounding said first power transmission line and including a sufficient number of windings to inductively transfer desired power.

16_9. ] The device of claim [c15] wherein said second toroid comprises two portions joined together with a hinge.

17_9. ] The device of claim [c11], further comprising an interface device coupled to said fiber-optic isolator, said interface device including means to interface with digital appliances.

18_9. ] The device of claim [c11], further comprising:

a second light pipe adjacent to an opposite end of said fiber-optic isolator;

a second light transducer connected to said second light pipe and electrically connected to a second set of signal conditioning circuitry;

said second set of signal conditioning circuitry electrically connected to a second inductor; and

said second inductor adjacent to a second power transmission line.

19_9. ] The device of claim [c18], further comprising a second power source for said second set of signal conditioning circuitry and said second light transducer.

20_9. ] The device of claim [c11], further comprising a weather-proof enclosure for at least said inductor, said signal conditioning circuitry, said a light transducer, and said light pipe.