Using polymers, polymer composites, and polymer blends selectively conducting at radio frequencies in broadband communications system

摘要

An outdoor powerline bridge for use in a power distribution system for linking lines of differing voltages over transformers or an indoor powerline bridge for use in a power distribution system for use with distribution panels linking low voltage circuits includes polymer composites and polymer blends which selectively conduct at radio frequencies appropriate for the carriage of communications data by providing linkages between and among electricity conducting cabling in networks also transmitting alternating or direct current electricity. The polymer blends and composites include partially or fully doped polymer derivatives or copolymers such as polyacetylene, polythiophene or polyaniline which can be blended or loaded with undoped conductive polymers such as polyphenylene or can include conducting nanoparticles juxtaposed within the polymer matrix such as polymethylmethacrylate. The conducting nanoparticles can be elemental metals such as copper, silver, gold, iron, and aluminum, alloys of elemental metal, steel or can be ceramics such as LaSrCuO or can be polymers, such as doped polyaniline. The polymer composites are so formulated to enable the transmission of frequencies in the range of 1 MHz to 50 MHz. A communications system containing the powerline bridge as described above includes: (a) facilities for bridging over and bypassing transformers and/or distribution panels that would degrade the transmission of said radio frequencies; (b) facilities for impeding the transmission of frequencies associated with the carriage of alternating or direct electric current; (c) facilities for filtering out unwanted interfering emissions; (d) facilities for minimizing attenuation of the communications signals on electricity cables. The powerline bridge can have impedance matching elements on each side of an inherently conducting polymer coupling element comprising a polymer blend or composite as described above which is surrounded by a ceramic insulator or casing.