Improved Coupling of Communications Signals to a Power Line
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for communicating signals over a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:
- a communications device comprising at least one modem; and
a coupler comprising;
a coaxial connector coupled to the communications device;
an impedance transformer electrically coupled to the coaxial connector, the impedance transformer having a step-up ratio of approximately 8;
1;
a capacitor electrically coupled to the impedance transformer, the capacitor having a capacitance of approximately 0.05 microfarads;
a conductive metallic disk electrically coupled to the capacitor, the conductive metallic disk defining a substantially circular opening adapted to accept a ground post from a lightning arrester; and
a circuit board, wherein the connector, the capacitor, the impedance transformer, and the conductive disk are coupled to the circuit board.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a device for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a first connector, a second connector and one or more components. The first connector is adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line. The second connector is adapted to couple to a surge arrester. The one or more components are operable to substantially match the impedances between the surge arrester and the low-voltage communications line.
73 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for communicating signals over a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:
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a communications device comprising at least one modem; and
a coupler comprising;
a coaxial connector coupled to the communications device;
an impedance transformer electrically coupled to the coaxial connector, the impedance transformer having a step-up ratio of approximately 8;
1;
a capacitor electrically coupled to the impedance transformer, the capacitor having a capacitance of approximately 0.05 microfarads;
a conductive metallic disk electrically coupled to the capacitor, the conductive metallic disk defining a substantially circular opening adapted to accept a ground post from a lightning arrester; and
a circuit board, wherein the connector, the capacitor, the impedance transformer, and the conductive disk are coupled to the circuit board.
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2. A system for communicating signals on a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:
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a communications device; and
a coupler comprising;
a first connector adapted to couple to the communications device;
an impedance transformer;
a capacitor; and
a second connector defining an opening adapted to accept a ground post from a surge arrester. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:
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a first connector adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line;
an impedance transformer;
a capacitor; and
a second connector adapted to couple to a surge arrester. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:
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a base;
one or more electrical components;
a first connector adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line; and
a second connector adapted to conductively couple to a surge arrester, the second connector defining a substantially circular opening adapted to accept a ground post from the surge arrester;
wherein the one or more electrical components, the first connector, and the second connector are physically coupled to the base. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:
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a first connector adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line;
a second connector adapted to couple to a surge arrester; and
one or more components operable to substantially match the impedances between the surge arrester and the low-voltage communications line. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the method comprising:
transmitting a communications signal;
from a signal regenerator;
through a low-voltage communications line;
through one or more components operable to increase impedance by a ratio of between 5;
1 and 9;
1;
through a surge arrester; and
to a medium-voltage power line.
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26. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:
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a means for coupling to a low-voltage communications line;
a means for coupling to a surge arrester; and
a means for substantially matching the impedances between the surge arrester and the low-voltage communications line.
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Specification