Power line communication system

Abstract

This invention relates to a power line communication (PLC) system wherein the power supply line supplies power and also acts as a communications supply line. A receiver is able to detect small changes in the modulated transmitted information and thereby shut down the circuit. The invention is particularly suitable for use where the IEL is remote from the power supply such as, for example, in down hole oil production situations where very long power cables are used.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a power line communication system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power line communications system wherein the power frequency in an inductive electric load (IEL) is used as a signal carrier. The invention is particularly suitable for use where the IEL is remote from the power supply such as, for example, in down hole oil production situations where very long power cables are used.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Power line communication systems are generally well known. One known system modulates the current from a main power supply to signal between units located on a common supply. The power supply is also used to power the devices and any other electrical load on the line, for example, an electric motor. Their mode of operation is to draw a modulated current in addition to the load current drawn and by placing a transmitter across the supply in parallel to other devices / loads. Such sys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0044]A preferred feature is that the modulation time period is limited to a known pre-set value to reduce the power loss within the modulation circuit.

[0046]Preferably, the modulation time period is triggered to occur only at times of reduced current flow to the inductive load thereby reducing the power loss within the modulation circuit.

[0047]Preferably, the modulation time period is triggered to occur only at times of reduced voltage applied to the inductive electric load thereby reducing the power loss within the modulation circuit.

Problems solved by technology

Such systems do not convey information about the load but use the communications capabilities of the existing power system.

It is known that faults within a motor or other electrical load may change the time or frequency domain characteristics of a current drawn from a supply.

This is due to the characteristics of the motor being altered due to the presence of faults.

A source of such faults is short circuits between windings in an inductive (magnetically coupled) load.

Such short circuits cause amplitude changes in the current and changes in the phase current cause imbalance in poly-phase machines.

It is also known that mechanical faults in a rotor or bearing faults within a motor will cause changes in the frequency content of the current drawn by the motor.

Such systems are susceptible to phase-to-earth faults.

This can create a loss of communications and therefore cannot be used with earthed electrical systems.

A disadvantage of this method is that all ground loop communications will fail if any of the IELs or their power feeds become grounded.

A disadvantage of these types of methods is that if applied to a signal between phases rather than phase-to-earth, coupling is required between two motor terminals of potentially high voltage.

This is therefore a disadvantage as a special design is required to allow insulation testing.

Previous communications systems also require special high voltage filter or coupling devices to remove power frequencies which not only adds to the complexity and cost of the device, but also adds to its relative size.

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