Apparatus and methods for power network coupling
First Claim
1. Apparatus for coupling a communications signal to a power signal distribution network, said network comprising line, ground and neutral paths, said apparatus comprising, a coupler for coupling said communication signal between said line and ground paths, a switch connected to said coupler for enabling said coupler when a power signal is applied to said line path, and a first frequency reactive device, connected in series with said neutral path, wherein the impedance of said first frequency reactive device increases as the frequency of a signal applied to said first frequency reactive device increases.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for establishing communications between electrical and electronic devices utilizing existing power signal distribution networks are disclosed. In such methods and apparatus the transmitting and receiving components of such devices are coupled between line and ground. Such coupling is achieved utilizing a coupler, a first frequency reactive device, such as a drain coil or inductor, connected in series with neutral and a second frequency reactive device, such as a capacitor connected between neutral ground. For use with existing electronic equipment, an adaptor for coupling the communications signal to a power signal distribution network is also disclosed. Since, line and neutral paths may sometimes be mis-wired, the apparatus and methods also disclose the use of a switch for enabling the coupling of a communication signal when a power signal is sensed on the line path.
209 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for coupling a communications signal to a power signal distribution network, said network comprising line, ground and neutral paths, said apparatus comprising, a coupler for coupling said communication signal between said line and ground paths, a switch connected to said coupler for enabling said coupler when a power signal is applied to said line path, and a first frequency reactive device, connected in series with said neutral path, wherein the impedance of said first frequency reactive device increases as the frequency of a signal applied to said first frequency reactive device increases.
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6. An adaptor for coupling a communications signal to a power signal distribution network, said network comprising line, ground and neutral paths, said adaptor comprising:
- a first frequency reactive device, connected in series with said neutral path, wherein the impedance of said first frequency reactive device increases as the frequency of a signal applied to said first frequency reactive device increases;
a second frequency reactive device, connected between said neutral path and said ground path, wherein the impedance of said second frequency reactive device decreases as the frequency of a signal applied to said second frequency reactive device increases; and
a switch, connected to said second frequency reactive device, for enabling said second frequency reactive device when a power signal is applied to line path. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- a first frequency reactive device, connected in series with said neutral path, wherein the impedance of said first frequency reactive device increases as the frequency of a signal applied to said first frequency reactive device increases;
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13. A method for coupling a communications signal to a power signal distribution network, said network comprising line ground and neutral paths, said method comprising the steps of:
- sensing the presence of a power signal on said line path;
transmitting said communication signal on said line and ground paths when a power signal is sensed on said line path; and
blocking the transmission of said communication signal on said neutral path. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- sensing the presence of a power signal on said line path;
Specification