IP Library Granted Patent US 7,198,521
Granted Patent B2
US 7,198,521 · App. 11/010,473 · Granted Apr 3, 2007

Power line phase coupler system

Assignee: Echelon Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,198,521
App. No.
11/010,473
Granted
Apr 3, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power line phase coupler system for repeating data signals between power line phases that can be easily installed by a user. The power line phase coupler system includes a housing, a female connector positioned within the housing, a male connector electrically connected to the female connector by a length of cord, and a repeater coupler electrically connected to the male connector. The repeater coupler is electrically connected between Phase A and Phase B of the male connector for repeating and amplifying a data signal received from either phase to the opposite phase.

Claims (20)

1. A power line coupler comprising:

a housing;

a male connector coupled to the housing for engaging a multi-phase wall outlet having at least a Phase A, a Phase B and a neutral;

a female connector coupled to the housing and electrically connected to the male connector such that multi-phase electrical power passes from the multi-phase wall outlet to said female connector; and

a repeater disposed within said housing for transmitting high frequency communication signals between the Phase A and the Phase B when the repeater receives a transmitted high frequency communication from one of the Phase A or Phase B, said repeater transmitting a repeated high frequency communication to the other phase at an amplified level.

2. The power line coupler of claim 1 , wherein the repeater repeats and amplifies signals over 1 KHz.

3. A power line coupler comprising:

a first connector means for engaging a multi-phase wall outlet having at least a Phase A, a Phase B, and a neutral;

a second connector means electrically connected to the first connector means such that multi-phase electrical power passes from the multi-phase wall outlet to said second connector;

a repeater means for transmitting high frequency communication signals between the Phase A and the Phase B when the repeater receives a transmitted high frequency communication from one of the Phase A or Phase B, said repeater transmitting a repeated high frequency communication to the other phase at an amplified level.

4. The power line coupler of claim 3 , further comprising:

a housing coupled to the first connector means, the second connector means, and the repeater means.

5. The power line coupler of claim 3 , wherein the repeater means repeats and amplifies signals over 1 KHz.

6. The power line coupler of claim 3 , wherein the repeater means places an identifier tag within the repeated high frequency communication.

7. The power line coupler of claim 6 , wherein the repeater means does not repeat high frequency communications with the identifier tag.

8. The power line coupler of claim 7 , wherein the repeater means includes a housing having an interior cavity.

9. The power line coupler of claim 8 , wherein the first connector means is a male connector means.

10. The power line coupler of claim 9 , wherein the first connector means includes at least a first prong, a second prong and a third prong electrically connectable to the Phase A, the Phase B and the neutral of the multi-phase wall outlet.

11. The power line coupler of claim 10 , wherein the second connector means is a female connector means.

12. The power line coupler of claim 11 , wherein the second connector means includes at least a first slot, a second slot and a third slot electrically connected to said first prong, said second prong and said third prong by said power cord.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2019
From: OBSIDIAN AGENCY SERVICES, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ECHELON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 050480/0865 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2018
From: ECHELON CORPORATION
To: OBSIDIAN AGENCY SERVICES, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047205/0018 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050118875A1 · Jun 2, 2005