Medium Voltage Signal Coupling Structure For Last Leg Power Grid High-Speed Data Network
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power line based communication system includes a powerline termination module, a plurality of powerline gateways, and a plurality of powerline nodes. AC coupling modules couple powerline nodes to medium voltage power lines. One AC coupling module includes a housing having an upper portion that contains a transformer and a lower portion that contains a power node. Another AC coupling module intercouples a powerline node to a test point of a dead front transformer. Still another AC coupling module employs a surge arrestor to couple signals between a powerline node and a medium voltage transmission line. Yet another AC coupling module clamps on a medium voltage power line to couple signals between a powerline node and a medium voltage power line.
116 Citations
49 Claims
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1-17. -17. (canceled)
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18. A coupling module for coupling a communication device to a medium voltage power line, comprising:
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a surge arrestor having a first side configured to be coupled to the medium voltage power line, said surge arrestor having a second side;
a transformer having a first winding having a first end communicatively coupled to said second side of said surge arrestor;
said first winding having a second end electrically connected to a ground conductor that extends between a plurality of utility poles;
said transformer having a second winding communicatively coupled to the communication device; and
wherein said first winding provides a portion of the only electrical path between said second end of said surge arrestor and the ground conductor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A communication assembly for communicating over a medium voltage power line, comprising:
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a communication device having a first port and a second port;
a surge arrestor having a first side configured to be coupled to the medium voltage power line, said surge arrestor having a second side;
a transformer having a first winding having a first end communicatively coupled to said second side of said surge arrestor;
said first winding having a second end electrically connected to a ground conductor that extends between a plurality of utility poles;
said transformer having a second winding communicatively coupled to said first port of said communication device; and
wherein said first winding provides a portion of the only electrical path between said second end of said surge arrestor and the ground conductor. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A communication assembly for communicating over a medium voltage power line, comprising:
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a communication device having a first port and a second port;
wherein said communication device is configured to communicate utility meter data;
a surge arrestor having a first side configured to be coupled to the medium voltage power line, said surge arrestor having a second side;
a transformer having a first winding having a first end communicatively coupled to said second side of the surge arrestor;
said first winding having a second end electrically connected to a ground conductor that extends between a plurality of utility poles;
said transformer having a second winding communicatively coupled to said second port of said communication device; and
wherein said first winding provides a portion of the only electrical path between said second end of said surge arrestor and the ground conductor. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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Specification