Instrument for locating a noise source in a CATV system and method of using same

• US 10,250,781 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2017
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Sun, Dexin, Woolsey, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnael, Paulos M
• Application Number:
  US15/815,407
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 348180
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/165 using filters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/46 Monitoring; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/12 Arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/21 Circuitry for suppressing or minimising disturbance, e.g. moiré or halo

Abstract

An instrument for locating noise in a CATV system is disclosed. The instrument comprises an electrical circuit assembly moveable within an outer body. The electrical circuit assembly includes a filter configured to suppress noise frequencies in the CATV system. The instrument also includes a mechanical biasing element coupled to the electrical circuit assembly to bias the electrical circuit assembly in a position relative to the outer body.

Claims

1. An instrument for locating noise in a CATV system, the instrument comprising:

an outer body including a first connector configured to be coupled to a port of a CATV tap and a second connector configured to be coupled to a signal level meter,

an electrical circuit assembly positioned in the outer body, the electrical circuit assembly including a filter configured to suppress noise frequencies in the CATV system and a shaft extending outwardly from the first connector to a shaft tip, and

a mechanical biasing element coupled to the electrical circuit assembly opposite the shaft,

wherein the electrical circuit assembly is moveable within the outer body along a first axis between (i) a first position at which a first distance is defined along the first axis between the shaft tip and an end of the first connector and (ii) a second position at which a second distance less than the first distance is defined along the first axis between the shaft tip and the end of the first connector, and

wherein the mechanical biasing element is operable to bias the electrical circuit assembly in the first position in the outer body.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit assembly includes a circuit board having a first board section extending into an opening defined in the first connector.

3. The instrument of claim 2, further comprising a sleeve positioned in the first connector between the first board section and an inner surface of the first connector to electrically insulate the first board section from the first connector.

4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the shaft extends from a base connected to the first board section through a passageway defined in the sleeve to the shaft tip.

5. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising a first shaft coupled to the second connector, wherein the electrical circuit assembly includes a second shaft arranged telescopically with the first shaft, the first shaft and the second shaft cooperating to electrically connect the electrical circuit assembly with the second connector.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein the mechanical biasing element includes a spring positioned between an end of the first shaft and a base of the second shaft.

7. The instrument of claim 6, wherein the shaft extends in a first direction to the shaft tip, and the second shaft includes an elongated rod that extends away from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction.

8. The instrument of claim 5, further comprising a bracket including a central opening, wherein the first shaft is mounted in the central opening of the bracket.

9. The instrument of claim 8, wherein:

the outer body includes a housing having a first end coupled to the first connector and a second end coupled to the second connector, the housing defining an inner chamber, and

the bracket is coupled to the housing within the inner chamber.

10. The instrument of claim 9, further comprising a support bracket coupled to the housing between the first end and the second end, the support bracket configured to prevent rotation of the electrical circuit assembly about the first axis.

11. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising a user-operated control extending outwardly from the outer body, the user-operated control being operable to electrically connect the filter to the second connector and configured to move with the electrical circuit assembly.

12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the mechanical biasing element includes a pair of telescopic legs coupled to the electrical circuit assembly and the outer body.

13. The instrument of claim 1, further comprising the signal level meter.

14. An instrument for locating noise in a CATV system, the instrument comprising:

a housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end, the housing including an opening defined in the first end and an inner chamber that extends inwardly from the opening,

a first connector threaded onto the first end of the housing, the first connector including a threaded outer surface configured to engage a port of a CATV tap,

an electrical circuit board configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the housing, the electrical circuit board including a first board section positioned in the first connector, a second board section positioned in the inner chamber of the housing, and a filter mounted thereon, the filter configured to suppress noise frequencies in the CATV system,

a shaft coupled to the first board section and extending outwardly along the longitudinal axis from the first connector to a shaft tip,

a second connector secured to the second end of the housing and configured to be coupled to a signal level meter,

a telescopic shaft connecting the second connector to the electrical circuit board, and

a mechanical biasing element attached to the telescopic shaft that is operable to bias the electrical circuit board in a first position within the housing.

15. The instrument of claim 14, further comprising a user-operated control coupled to the electrical circuit board and extending outwardly from the housing, the user-operated control being operable to electrically connect the filter to the second connector and being configured to move with the electrical circuit board.

16. The instrument of claim 14, further comprising a sleeve positioned in the first connector between the first board section and an inner surface of the first connector to electrically insulate the first board section from the first connector.

17. The instrument of claim 16, wherein the shaft extends from a base connected to the first board section through a passageway defined in the sleeve to the shaft tip.

18. The instrument of claim 14, further comprising a bracket coupled to an inner wall of the housing at the second end of the housing, wherein the bracket includes a central opening, and the telescopic shaft extends through the central opening of the bracket.

19. The instrument of claim 18, further comprising a second mechanical biasing element including a pair of telescopic legs positioned on each side of the bracket, each telescopic leg extending from a first end coupled to the second board section of the electrical circuit board to a second end that engages the inner wall of the housing.

20. The instrument of claim 14, further comprising a support bracket coupled to the housing between the first end and the second end, the support bracket being configured to prevent rotation of the electrical circuit board about the longitudinal axis.