Hunt Technologies, Inc.

Other

Tennant Company

Communications Systems, Inc.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn.

Paul C Hunt

Bruce F Field

Michael D Field

Steven Mose Burnham

Danny G Mattley

A system and method for providing full-duplex data communications between an electric power distribution station and a power consumer via the power distribution line providing electric power is provided. A first information transmitter, coupled to the power distribution circuit, provides first information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line. A first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, receives the first information signals via the electric power distribution line. A second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device provides second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal. A second information receiver, coupled to the power distribution circuit, receives the second information signals via the electric power distribution line. The information signals transmitted on the power distribution line can be transmitted at a frequency lower than the frequency of the transmitted power signal.

Low frequency bilateral communication over distributed power lines

A quick connect power line metering and communication apparatus and method for measuring energy consumption or other electrical characteristics on a power line and for communicating the measured information to a remote location. The apparatus includes a housing, and a coupling mechanism attached to the housing to physically connect the housing to a suspended portion of the power line, and to provide an electrical connection to at least one conductor of the power line. A metering apparatus is provided within the housing, and is electrically coupled to the power line conductors via the coupling mechanism to measure energy consumption. The metering apparatus includes a current monitor and a voltage monitor to measure the energy consumption on the power line. A communications apparatus is provided within the housing, and is electrically coupled to the metering apparatus. The communications apparatus communicates information corresponding to the measured energy consumption to a remote location.

Integrated power line metering and communication method and apparatus

The invention provides a layered modulation data communication systems characterized by numerous, asynchronous data transmitters operating on a power line. Data is modulated onto relatively low frequency subcarriers. Subcarriers are used to modulate carriers centered on a common frequency. The subcarriers are frequency division multiplexed. Data is recovered by demodulating the subcarriers from the carriers and subsequently demodulating the data from the subcarriers.

Communication system for a power distribution line

A data transmission system for power line carriers includes a transmitter which generates a stable carrier frequency at a bandwidth of less than one hertz. The transmitter is connected to the power line to transmit the generated frequency over the power line to a receiver. The receiver implements filters of a bandwidth of one hertz or less to attenuate any signals that do not correlate with the generated frequency. Information on the phase of the power line to which the transmitter is connected is represented in the form of a generated signal which modulates the stable frequency generated by the transmitter on the power line. The receiver is located on another portion of the power line and compares the phase information from the transmitter with the phase of the power line to which the receiver is connected and displays the resulting comparison for interpretation.

System for detection of the phase of an electrical signal on an

The present invention relates to spring conductors used within modular jack assemblies. The spring conductors electrically connect with conductors residing on a multi-connector plug to connect communication equipment, digital or audio, to a transmission line. The spring conductors maintain connection with the conductors on the plug by a spring force inherent in the spring conductor. The present invention measures this spring force with a probe inserted into the modular jack assembly. The output of the probe being proportional to the spring force.

Modular jack spring conductor force measuring probe

This invention concerns a target determining apparatus that has particular application to a navigation system for an automated guided vehicle. The target determining apparatus has a laser diode light source which is scanned toward retroreflective targets. A photoreceptor in the apparatus detects reflected light returning from a target. The light source is modulated at either a constant or binary-coded frequency. Signals from the photoreceptor are demodulated in accordance with the chosen modulation scheme, resulting in a markedly improved signal-to-noise ratio. This permits either increased amplification of the signal or a reduced threshold for determining a valid target signal. In either case, the range of the apparatus is increased, without increasing the power of the light source, because weaker signals from more distant targets can be reliably distinguished from background noise. The power of the light source may be reduced if desired to limit the range of the apparatus in instances where more than one target might otherwise be within range.

Method and apparatus for a target determining apparatus having increased

An apparatus for converting a distinctive ring to a selective ring includes a rectifier connected between a main telephone line and ancillary telephone lines to prevent AC ring current from passing to the ancillary lines. A relay is connected to each ancillary line with contacts connecting the ancillary line to the rectifier. Each relay has additional contacts to which the ancillary telephone lines may be selectively connected, the additional contacts being connected to the main telephone line, bypassing the rectifier. When a selected relay is energized, ring current bypasses the rectifier and will ring the telephone on that ancillary line. A cadence detecting circuit includes a 'quiet' interval measuring circuit and an 'active' interval measuring circuit, to measure the first 'ring' and the first 'quiet' interval between rings. The quiet interval circuit will energize one relay if the quiet interval is less than a predetermined length. The active interval circuit will energize a different relay if the active interval is of a minimum length of time.

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Brainerd, MN, United States of America

Paul C Hunt