Method and apparatus for providing inductive coupling and decoupling of high-frequency, high-bandwidth data signals directly on and off of a high voltage power line

• US 7,103,240 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Kline, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boutsikaris, Leonidas
• Application Number:
  US09/912,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20020110310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,868 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100, 385/101, 385/15, 385/39, 340/310.01, 340/310.07, 340/310.06, 340/310.08, 307/3, 455/402, 333/24.R
• US Class Current: 385/15
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50-60Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting and receiving high-frequency data signals over power transmission lines, comprising:

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals with a first power transmission line by inductance;

conditioning said coupled and un-coupled high-frequency electrical data signals; and

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals to a first end of a fiber-optic cable using a light transducer; and

wherein said fiber optic cable is configured to isolate power transmission line voltages that may be conducted to said fiber optic cable.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing said inductance by positioning said first power transmission line inside a toroid shaped core having a plurality of windings.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising preventing low frequency power line signal saturation of said core by forming said core with a magnetic material of sufficient permeability.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising forming said core as two portions with a hinge therebetween to ease installation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising inductively providing power for said conditioning and said light transducer using a second toroid surrounding said first power transmission line and including a sufficient number of windings to inductively transfer desired power.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising forming said second toroid as two portions and joining said portions together with a hinge.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling said fiber-optic isolator cable to an interface device for electronic data signal devices.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling and uncoupling light signals from a second end of said fiber-optic isolator cable using a second light transducer for high-frequency electrical data signals;

conditioning said coupled and un-coupled high-frequency electrical data signals; and

coupling and un-coupling high-frequency electrical data signals with a second power transmission line by inductance.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a second inductive power source for at least said second light transducer.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing said coupling, un-coupling and conditioning steps within a protected environment.

11. A device for transmitting and receiving high-frequency data signals over power transmission lines, comprising:

an inductor adjacent to a first power transmission line;

signal conditioning circuitry electrically connected to said inductor;

a light transducer electrically connected to said signal conditioning circuitry;

a fiber optic cable connected to said light transducer via a first end;

wherein said fiber optic cable is configured to isolate power transmission line voltages that may be conducted to said fiber optic cable;

a power source for said signal conditioning circuitry and said light transducer.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said inductor comprises a toroid shaped core having a plurality of windings and said inductor is positioned such that said first power transmission line runs through a center of said core.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said core comprises a magnetic material of sufficient permeability to prevent low frequency power line signal saturation of said core.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said toroid shaped core comprises two portions joined together with a hinge.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein said power source comprises a second toroid surrounding said first power transmission line and including a sufficient number of windings to inductively transfer desired power.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said second toroid comprises two portions joined together with a hinge.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising an interface device coupled to said fiber-optic cable;

said interface device including means to interface with digital appliances.

18. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

a second light transducer connected to a second end of said fiber optic cable and electrically connected to a second set of signal conditioning circuitry;

said second set of signal conditioning circuitry electrically connected to a second inductor; and

said second inductor adjacent to a second power transmission line.

19. The device of claim 11, further comprising a second power source for said second set of signal conditioning circuitry and said second light transducer.

20. The device of claim 11, further comprising a weather-proof enclosure for at least said inductor, said signal conditioning circuitry, and said light transducer.