Network cable for transmitting data and power to networked devices

• US 20060145833A1
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brandt, David D., Wielebski, Wayne H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,741,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/538.110
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

The present technique relates to the distribution of power and data signals throughout a networked system. For example, three-phase power may be conducted to a device over a set of conductors. One of the conductors, however, may be configured to conduct, in conjunction with a neutral conductor, both one phase of three-phase power as well as data signals in accordance with a predetermined data communications protocol. As an alternate example, the present technique may comprise a set of a first power conductors configured to conduct three-phase power and a secondary power conductor which works in conjunction with an auxiliary conductor to conduct power and data-signals. Additionally, the present technique provides for the maintenance data communications and a level of power upon the interruption of three-phase power to a particular component or device.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A cable comprising:

first, second and third electrical conductors configured to conduct a respective phase of three-phase power, the third conductor also configured to transmit data signals; and

a fourth electrical conductor configured to transmit data signals in accordance with a data communications protocol in cooperation with the third conductor.

16. The cable as recited in claim 15, the cable having a substantially circular cross-section.

17. The cable as recited in claim 15, the cable having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

18. The cable as recited in claim 15, further comprising a fifth conductor configured to couple to an earth ground.

19. The cable as recited in claim 18, wherein the fifth conductor is at least partially disposed circumferentially about the first, second and third conductors.

20. The cable as recited in claim 15, wherein the first, second, third and fourth conductors each comprise individual jackets.

21. The cable as recited in claim 15, wherein the data signals include override signals in accordance with a predetermined override protocol in addition to the data communications protocol.

22. The cable as recited in claim 15, wherein the data signals include control or information signals in accordance with the data communications protocol.

23. The cable as recited in claim 15, wherein the cable is configured to interrupt two phases of three-phase power while concurrently transmitting one phase of three-phase power and the data signals to a device.

24. A cable comprising:

a plurality of primary power conductors configured to collectively conduct three-phase power;

a secondary power conductor configured to conduct secondary power and data signals in accordance with a predetermined data communications protocol; and

an auxiliary conductor configured to return secondary power and to transmit data signals in accordance with the data communications protocol in cooperation with the secondary power conductor.

25. The cable as recited in claim 24, further comprising a ground conductor configured to couple to an earth ground.

26. The cable as recited in claim 25, wherein the ground conductor is at least partially disposed about the power conductors and the auxiliary conductor.

27. The cable as recited in claim 24, wherein the cable is configured to transmit secondary power and the data signals to a device upon interruption of the primary power conductors.

28. The cable as recited in claim 27, wherein the data signals include override signals in accordance with a predetermined override protocol in addition to the data communications protocol.

29. The cable as recited in claim 24, wherein the data signals include control or information signals in accordance with the data communications protocol.

30. The cable as recited in claim 24, the cable having a substantially circular cross-section.

31. The cable as recited in claim 24, the cable having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

32. The cable as recited in claim 24, wherein secondary power comprises 24V dc.

33. The cable as recited in claim 24, wherein secondary power comprises one phase of three phase power.

34-44. -44. (canceled)