Local network using an electrical power distribution system and associated reflection device

• US 20040257731A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Original Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Inventors: Legaud, Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 7,183,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

The invention concerns a local network for the transfer of information among several communication devices connected to an alternating current electrical power distribution system with a pre-determined frequency, the information conveyed in the local network being transferred in the form of electrical signals forming waves in the electrical power distribution system in a frequency band higher than the pre-determined frequency, the electrical power distribution system being connected to an electrical power supply system, characterized in that the local network comprises at least one wave reflection device forming reflected waves in the power distribution system and attenuating the waves of the power distribution network in the electrical power supply system. The invention also concerns the reflection device.

Claims

1. Local network for the transfer of information between several communication devices connected to an alternating current electrical power distribution system with a pre-determined frequency, the information conveyed in the local network being transferred in the form of electrical signals forming waves in the electrical power distribution system in a frequency band greater than the pre-determined frequency, the electrical power distribution system being connected to an electrical power supply system, characterized in that the local network comprises at least one device for reflecting waves forming reflected waves in the power distribution system.

2. Local network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power distribution system comprises elements for attenuating the waves of the power distribution system and wherein the reflection device is placed at a pre-determined point of the electrical power distribution system so that the attenuation elements attenuate, among other things, the waves reflected in the power distribution system.

3. Local network as claimed in claim 2, wherein the attenuation elements consist of at least one means of protection for an electrical power distribution line of the electrical power distribution system.

4. Local network as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the electrical power distribution system comprises several electrical power distribution lines and an electrical panel distributing the electrical power to each electrical power distribution line and wherein the electrical panel is an attenuation element.

5. Local network as claimed in any one of claims 2 through 4, wherein the reflection device is placed in the electrical panel.

6. Local network as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflection device is placed in a male electrical plug inserted into a female electrical outlet of the electrical power distribution system.

7. Local network as claimed in claim 6, wherein the female electrical outlet is on the electrical power distribution line to which the communication devices are connected and is placed between the communication devices and the electrical power supply system.

8. Device for the transfer of information among several communication devices in a local network, the devices being connected to an alternating current electrical power distribution system with a pre-determined frequency, the information conveyed in the local network being transferred in the form of electrical signals forming waves in the electrical power distribution system in a frequency band higher than the pre-determined frequency, the electrical power distribution system being connected to an electrical power supply system, wherein the device comprises means for reflecting waves forming reflected waves in the power distribution system.

9. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for reflecting and attenuating consist of at least one condenser.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electrical signals are included in a frequency spectrum between 4 and 20 MHz and the reflection means consist of a condenser with a capacity on the order of 22 nano Farad.

11. Device as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 10, wherein the device is integrated into a male electrical plug.

12. Device as claimed in any one of claims 8 through 10, wherein the device is integrated into an electrical panel.

13. Device as claimed in any of claims 8 through 12, wherein the device is placed between the phase and the neutral of the electrical power distribution system.