Integrated outlet for communications and electrical power

• US 5,397,929 A
• Filed: 03/29/1993
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Building Technology Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Building Technology Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Swenson, Kurt, Gutenson, Charles E., Nichols, Edward L. III, Hogarth, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M.
• Application Number:
  US08/038,068
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/653, 439/654, 439/540, 439/535, 439/639, 174/53, 174/54-58, 333/1, 333/100, 333/260, 375/36, 379/397, 379/332, 367/1-3, 367/18-22, 367/25, 367/26, 367/28, 367/38-40, 367/42, 367/43, 367/51, 367/72-76, 367/85, 367/86, 367/112, 367/113, 367/145, 367/147, 367/141, 367/140, 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 340/310 CP, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 340/825.22, 220/3.2-3.94, 361/171, 361/172, 361/331, 361/600
• US Class Current: 307/140
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/12 Energy storage units, uninterruptible power supply [UPS] systems or standby or emergency generators, e.g. in the last power distribution stages
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated outlet that allows supply of AC power to an outlet receptacle when certain conditions are satisfied. The integrated outlet contains separate modules establish electrical connection with electrical conductors that transmit AC and DC power, telecommunications, control communications, and signals transmitted along a coaxial wire. In a preferred embodiment, these electrical conductors are all disposed on a single ribbon cable. Each module within the integrated outlet can attach to only certain conductors to increase safety in the resulting system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having an appliance plug, external power wiring, and external switch wiring from a cable containing power conductors that transmit electrical power, and command communications conductors which transmit data packets, each data packet containing a unique address and at least one of a predetermined plurality of command communications signals, said plurality of command communication signals including a predetermined relay command signal, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said cable; and

first modular means detachably connected to said holding means for conducting said electrical power to said appliance comprising;

receptacle means containing electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug; and

means for transmitting said electrical power using a first plurality of conductors to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including;

means for decoding said address in each transmitted data packet to detect a corresponding address; and

first relay means for completing an electrical path between said first plurality of conductors and said receptacle means upon receipt of a first data packet containing said predetermined relay command signal and said corresponding address.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising second modular transmitting means, detachably connected to said holding means, for transmitting said electrical power and command communications signals to said external power wiring, said second modular transmitting means including second relay means for completing an electrical path between one of said power conductors and said external power wiring upon receipt of another predetermined relay command signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising third modular means, detachably connected to said holding means, for conducting said command communications signals from said cable to said external switch wiring.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein:

said holding means comprises an insulator material containing an opening for said cable and a plurality of holes; and

said first, second, and third modular means each further comprise a plurality of pins insertable into said plurality of holes in said holding means thereby establishing electrical contact with said cable.

5. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having an appliance plug, external power wiring, and external switch wiring from a cable containing power conductors that transmit electrical power and command communications conductors that transmit data packets, each data packet containing a unique address and at least one of a predetermined plurality of command communications signals, said plurality of command communication signals including a predetermined relay command signal, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said cable; and

first modular means detachably connected to said holding means for conducting said power and command communication signals to said appliance comprising;

receptacle means containing electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug; and

means for transmitting said electrical power using a first plurality of conductors and command communications signals using a second plurality of conductors, respectively, to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including;

means for decoding said address in each transmitted data packet to detect a corresponding address;

first relay means for completing an electrical path between said first plurality of conductors and said receptacle means upon receipt of a first data packet containing said predetermined relay command signal and said corresponding address; and

means for transmitting at least one of said command communication signal other than said predetermined relay signal to said receptacle means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising second modular transmitting means, detachably connected to said holding means, for transmitting said electrical power and command communications signals to said external power wiring, said second modular transmitting means including second relay means for completing an electrical path between one of said power conductors and said external power wiring upon receipt of another predetermined relay signal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising third modular means, detachably connected to said holding means, for conducting said command communications signals from said cable to said external switch wiring.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

said holding means comprises an insulator material containing an opening for said cable and a plurality of holes; and

said first, second, and third modular means each further comprise a plurality of pins insertable into said plurality of holes in said holding means, thereby establishing electrical contact with said cable.

9. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of said command communication signals other than said predetermined relay signal is transmitted to said receptacle for use by said appliance.

10. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having a plug, an external power ribbon cable, and an external switching ribbon cable from a central ribbon cable containing power conductors that transmit electrical power, and command communications conductors that transmit data packets, each data packet containing a unique address and at least one of a predetermined plurality of command communications signals, said plurality of command communication signals including a predetermined relay command signal, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said central ribbon cable substantially flat; and

first modular means detachably connected to said holding means for conducting said power and command communication signals to said appliance comprising;

receptacle means containing electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug; and

means for transmitting said electrical power using a first plurality of conductors and command communications signals using a second plurality of conductors to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including;

means for decoding said address in each transmitted data packet to detect a corresponding address; and

first relay means for completing an electrical path between said first plurality of conductors and said receptacle means upon receipt of a first data packet containing said predetermined relay command signal and said corresponding address;

means for transmitting a at least one of said command communication signals other than said predetermined relay signal to said receptacle means.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising second modular transmitting means, detachably connected to said holding means, for transmitting said electrical power and command communications signals to said external power ribbon cable, said second modular transmitting means including second relay means for completing an electrical path between said power conductor and said external power ribbon cable upon receipt of another predetermined relay signal.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising third modular means, detachably connected to said holding means, for conducting said command communications signals from said central ribbon cable to said external switching ribbon cable.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein:

said holding means comprises an insulator material containing an opening for said cable and a plurality of holes; and

said first, second and third modular means each further comprises a plurality of pins that fit into said plurality of holes in said holding means and establish electrical contact with said cable.

14. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to an appliance having an appliance plug from a cable containing power conductors, and command communications conductors that transmit electrical power and command communications signals that include predetermined relay signals, respectively, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said cable substantially flat, said holding means containing a flat front surface with a plurality of holes in a predetermined spaced relation and a side surface with an opening for said cable; and

first modular means detachably connected to said front surface of said holding means for conducting said power and command communication signals to said appliance comprising;

an enclosed housing formed substantially of an insulating material having a front face and a rear face;

a plurality of conductive pins including power pins and command signal pins protruding substantially in parallel from said rear face of said housing and insertable into said holes of said holding means, thereby establishing electrical contact with said cable,

receptacle means disposed on said front face of said housing and containing a first electrical plug site, said first electrical plug site including a plurality of electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug, and

transmitting means, disposed within said enclosed housing and connected between said plurality of conductive pins and said electrical contacts, for transmitting said electrical power and command communication signals, respectively, to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including first relay means for completing an electrical path between said one of said power pins and one of said electrical contacts of said first electrical plug site upon receipt of one of said predetermined relay signals.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein:

said receptacle means further includes second electrical plug sites, said second electrical plug sites including a plurality of electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of one of said appliance plugs so that two appliances can be simultaneously plugged into said receptacle means; and

said transmitting means further includes second relay means for completing an electrical path between one of said power pins and one of said electrical contacts of said second electrical plug site upon receipt of one of said predetermined relay signals.

16. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having an appliance plug, external power wiring, and external switch wiring from a ribbon cable containing power conductors, and command communications conductors that transmit electrical power and command communications signals that include predetermined relay signals, respectively, comprising:

means for holding said ribbon cable substantially flat, said holding means having a front surface with a plurality of holes and a side surface with an opening for insertion of said cable; and

first modular means detachably connected to said front surface of said holding means for conducting said power and command communication signals to said appliance comprising;

an enclosed housing formed substantially of an insulating material having a front face and a rear face;

receptacle means disposed on said front face of said housing and containing first and second electrical plug sites, each of said first and second electrical plug sites including a plurality of electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug;

a plurality of conductive pins including power pins and command signal pins protruding substantially in parallel from said rear face of said housing and insertable into said holes of said holding means, thereby establishing electrical contact with said cable, and

transmitting means, disposed within said enclosed housing and connected between said plurality of conductive pins and said electrical contacts, for transmitting said electrical power and command communication signals, respectively, to said first and second electrical plug sites of said receptacle means, said transmitting means including first and second relay means for completing an electrical path between said one of said power pins and one of said electrical contacts associated with said first and second electrical plug sites, respectively, upon receipt of one of said predetermined relay signals.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said transmitting means comprises a transfer circuit means, which inputs said predetermined relay signals, for causing closure of said first and second relay means and thereby completing said electrical path between said one of said power pins and one of said electrical contacts associated with said first and second electrical plug sites.

18. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having a plug, an external power ribbon cable, and an external switching ribbon cable from a central ribbon cable containing power conductors that transmit electrical power and command communications conductors that transmit data packets, each data packet containing a unique address and at least one of a predetermined plurality of command communications signals, said plurality of command communication signals including a predetermined relay command signal, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said central ribbon cable substantially flat; and

first modular means detachably connected to said holding means for conducting said power to said appliance comprising;

receptacle means containing electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug; and

means for transmitting said electrical power using a first plurality of conductors to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including;

means for decoding said address in each transmitted data packet to detect a corresponding address; and

first relay means for completing an electrical path between said first plurality of conductors and said receptacle means upon receipt of a first data packet containing said predetermined relay command signal and said corresponding address.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising second modular transmitting means, detachably connected to said holding means, for transmitting said electrical power and command communications signals to said external power ribbon cable, said second modular transmitting means including second relay means for completing an electrical path between said power conductors and said external power ribbon cable upon receipt of another predetermined relay command signal.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising third modular means, detachably connected to said holding means, for conducting said command communications signals from said central ribbon cable to said external switching ribbon cable.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

said holding means comprises an insulator material containing an opening for said central ribbon cable and a plurality of holes; and

said first, second and third modular means each further comprises a plurality of pins that fit into said plurality of holes in said holding means and establish electrical contact with said central ribbon cable.

22. An apparatus for establishing electrical connections to at least one of an appliance having an appliance plug, external power wiring, and external switch wiring from a cable containing power conductors that transmit electrical power and a source of command communications signals transmitted in data packets containing an address, said command communications signals including a predetermined relay command signal, comprising:

an enclosure;

means disposed at least partially in said enclosure for holding said cable; and

first modular means detachably connected to said holding means for conducting said power and command communications to said appliance comprising;

receptacle means containing electrical contacts adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug;

means for receiving data packets, each data packet containing a unique address and at least one of a predetermined plurality of command communications signals, said plurality of command communication signals including a predetermined relay command signal; and

means for transmitting said electrical power using a first plurality of conductors and command communications signals using a second plurality of conductors, respectively, to said receptacle means, said transmitting means including;

means for decoding said address in said transmitted data packets to detect a corresponding address;

first relay means for completing an electrical path between said first plurality of conductors and said receptacle means upon receipt of a first data packet containing said predetermined relay command signal and said corresponding address; and

means for transmitting at least one command communication signal other than said predetermined relay signal to said receptacle for use by said appliance upon receipt of a second data packet containing said corresponding address and said at least one command communication signal other than said predetermined relay signal.

23. An outlet apparatus including a first module and adaptable for inclusion of a second module for establishing electrical connections to an appliance having an appliance plug containing power conductors, and command communications conductors that transmit electrical power and command communications signals including predetermined relay signals, respectively, comprising:

a ribbon cable holder made substantially from molded plastic that encloses a substantially flat portion of said ribbon cable, said holder including;

a back side with an opening therethrough for insertion of said cable, said back side including a front surface containing at least first and second sets power connections and first and second communication connections, each power connection and each communication connection including a plurality of receptacle sites each corresponding in location to a respective one of said power conductors and said command communication conductors and permitting electrical connection therebetween, each first power connection and first communication connection disposed on a different half of said back side of said holder than said second power connection and second communication connection; and

a plurality of side walls extending from an outer perimeter of said back side of said holder, said side walls therefore defining an enclosed space and a front side of said holder; and

a first module detachably connected to said front surface of said back side of said holder comprising;

an enclosed housing formed substantially of molded plastic having a front face and a rear face for insertion into a portion of said enclosed space of said holder such that, upon insertion;

one of said first and second power connections and one of said first and second communication connections are left exposed for possible insertion of said second module into a remaining portion of said enclosed space of said holder; and

said front face of said enclosed housing is substantially flush with said front side of said holder;

a conventional receptacle and a communication receptacle disposed on said front face of said housing, said conventional receptacle containing conventional receptacle sites and said communication receptacle containing communication receptacle sites adaptable for insertion of said appliance plug;

a plurality of conductive pins including power pins and command signal pins protruding substantially in parallel from said rear face of said housing and insertable into said receptacle sites of one of said first and second power and communication connections to establish electrical contact with said cable, and

transmitting means, disposed within said enclosed housing and connected between said plurality of conductive pins and said conventional and communication receptacle sites for transmitting said electrical power and command communication signals, respectively, to said conventional and communication receptacles, respectively, said transmitting means including a relay for completing an electrical path between said power pins and said conventional receptacle sites upon receipt of one of said predetermined relay signals.

24. An outlet apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising a cover plate attachable to said front side of said cover for covering said enclosed space, said cover plate containing an open portion through which a portion of said front face of said first module can protrude.