Improved Coupling of Communications Signals to a Power Line

• US 20060290476A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.), International Broadband Electric Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.), International Broadband Electric Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Daley, Charles William, Zitting, Brent R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,414,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.18
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a metal oxide varistor, a disconnect device and a capacitor. The metal oxide varistor is electrically coupled to the medium voltage power line. The disconnect device includes a resistor in parallel with an air gap and is electrically coupled in series between the metal oxide varistor and a communications device. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor and the communications device in parallel with the disconnect device.

Claims

1. A system for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:

a metal oxide varistor electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

a disconnect device electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor, the disconnect device comprising a resistor and an air gap;

a conductor comprising a first end and a second end, with the first end electrically coupled between the metal oxide varistor and the disconnect device;

a coupler comprising;

a first connector adapted to couple to a coaxial cable;

a second connector adapted to electrically couple to the disconnect device;

a third connector adapted to couple to the second end of the conductor;

a capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second connector and the third connector; and

a base, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the capacitor are coupled to the base;

a communications device comprising at least one modem; and

a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable coupling the communications device to the first connector.

2. A system for coupling a communications signal to a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:

a surge arrester electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

a disconnect device electrically coupled in series between the metal oxide varistor and a communications device; and

a capacitor electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor and the communications device in parallel with the disconnect device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the surge arrester comprises a metal oxide varistor.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the disconnect device comprises a resistor and an air gap.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the disconnect device comprises an explosive charge.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the capacitor provides a capacitance of approximately 1000 picofarads.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a coupler operable to couple the communications device to the metal oxide varistor, the coupler comprising a circuit board with a conductive disk defining a substantially circular opening.

8. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:

a first connector adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line;

a second connector adapted to couple to a surge arrester, the surge arrester comprising a metal oxide varistor and a disconnect device;

a third connector adapted to couple to a first end of a conductor, the conductor comprising a second end electrically coupled between the metal oxide varistor and the disconnect device; and

a capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second connector and the third connector.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the low-voltage communications line comprises a coaxial cable.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the capacitor provides a capacitance of approximately 1000 picofarads.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a base, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the capacitor are physically coupled to the base.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a circuit board and wherein the second connector comprises a conductive disk defining a substantially circular opening.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a protective covering.

14. A method for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the method comprising:

communicating radio frequency signals between a communications device and a medium-voltage power line via a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises;

a metal oxide varistor electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

a disconnect device electrically coupled to the broadband communications modem in series with the metal oxide varistor; and

a capacitor electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor and the broadband communications modem in parallel with the disconnect device.