Fire system implemented with power line communications

• US 20030052770A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Amos R. Mansfield Jr, Douglas H. Marman
• Inventors: Mansfield, Amos R. Jr., Marman, Douglas H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,822,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.01
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/06 using power transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5479 using repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

An electric power line communication system operates with an electric power distribution system to provide through premises power distribution lines highly reliable communication links among receiving devices electrically coupled or located in proximity to the premises power distribution lines. A power line transceiver is designed to transmit and receive through the premises power distribution lines modulated carrier signals conveying information over the communication links. The power line transceiver operates in a transmitter mode as an intentional radiator to emit modulated carrier signals by transmitting them at a frequency band and a power level sufficient to form by electrical conduction a communication link with a modulated carrier signal receiving device.

Claims

1. A fire system using an electric power line communications system operatively associated with premises power distribution lines of an electric power distribution system to provide through the premises power distribution lines highly reliable communication links among modulated carrier signal receiving devices electrically coupled or located in proximity to the premises power distribution lines to convey fire alarm signals, comprising:

power distribution lines routed to make electric power available at different locations throughout the premises;

multiple smoke detectors receiving the electric power and placed at the different locations of the premises, each of the smoke detectors having an identification address and producing a fire condition signal in response to detection of a fire condition in the location of the smoke detector, the identification addresses in association with the power distribution lines establishing communication links among the smoke detectors;

a power line transceiver operatively associated with each smoke detector and designed to transmit and receive over the premises power distribution lines modulated carrier signals conveying information over the communication links, the power line transceiver operating in a transmitter mode as an intentional radiator to emit the modulated carrier signals by transmitting them at a frequency band and a power level sufficient to form by electrical conduction a communication link with a modulated carrier signal receiving device that is electrically coupled to the premises power distribution lines, and to form by at least one of electrical induction a communication link by coupling across electric power distribution line phases or electromagnetic radiation a communication link with a modulated carrier signal receiving device that is located in proximity to the premises power distribution lines; and

the transceiver of each smoke detector that produces the fire condition signal emitting a modulated carrier alarm signal over the power distribution lines for delivery to other ones of the smoke detectors by the communication links to enable production of alarm signals at the premises locations of the smoke detectors.