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Closed loop, programmable power and communication system

  • US 5,033,112 A
  • Filed: 12/11/1987
  • Issued: 07/16/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building said system including a control interface means, a power source means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable, and means for continuously superimposing a low voltage and low current power supply on at least one of said pair of said electrical power conductors of each power distribution cable extending from said control interface means to each receptacle.

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