METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING ATTENUATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES GUIDED BY A TRANSMISSION MEDIUM

• US 20160276725A1
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Published: 09/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barnickel, Donald J., Barzegar, Farhad, Bennett, Robert, Gerszberg, Irwin, Henry, Paul Shala, Willis, Thomas M. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,749,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/207 Hollow waveguide filters H01P1/212, H01P1/213, H01P1/215, H01P1/219 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/08 for linking dissimilar lines or devices H01P1/16, H01P5/04 take precedence; linking lines of the same kind but with different dimensions H01P5/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a device coupled to a transmission medium that obstructs a propagation of guided electromagnetic waves propagating on an outer surface of the transmission medium when the device is subjected to a liquid, and applying a material to a portion of the device to mitigate the obstruction. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying a device, which when subject to water, attenuates guided electromagnetic waves propagating on an outer surface of a power line, wherein the device comprises a holding member coupled to the power line, and wherein the device is coupled to a utility pole to provide physical support to the power line; and

applying a material to a portion of the device to reduce the attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves when the device is subjected to water.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a dielectric material or a waterproof material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device comprises at least a portion of the holding member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a hydrophobic material that repels the water or a hydrophilic material that absorbs the water.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a plurality of ingress/egress members each physically coupled to the power line.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of ingress/egress members comprise a coil to grip the power line.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a polyethylene material, and wherein the portion of the device comprises at least a portion of the holding member.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a hydrophobic material to at least a portion of the outer surface of the power line to repel water and to reduce an additional attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves when a portion of the outer surface of the power line is subjected to water.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a hydrophilic material to at least a portion of the outer surface of the power line to absorb water and to reduce an additional attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves when portions of the outer surface of the power line is subjected to water.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a first waveguide system transmitting the guided electromagnetic waves on the outer surface of the power line, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are directed to a second waveguide system that is remotely located along the power line from the first waveguide system, wherein the device provides the physically support of the power line at a location between the first waveguide system and the second waveguide system, and wherein the material applied to the portion of the device facilitates the guided electromagnetic waves to be received by the second waveguide system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises:

detecting, by a waveguide system, an accumulation of the water on the device;

determining, by the waveguide system, that the accumulation of the water on the device causes the attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves; and

submitting, by the waveguide system, a notification to a network management system responsive to the determining.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising adjusting, by the waveguide system, a transmission of the guided electromagnetic waves to mitigate the attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves caused by the device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting, by the waveguide system, the transmission of the guided electromagnetic waves responsive to a notification indicating the material has been applied to portions of the device.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, by a waveguide system, an accumulation of water on the power line;

determining, by the waveguide system, that the accumulation of water on the power line further attenuates the guided electromagnetic waves;

submitting, by the waveguide system, a first notification to a network management system responsive to the determining;

adjusting, by the waveguide system, a transmission of the guided electromagnetic waves to mitigate the attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves caused by the accumulation of water on the power line; and

adjusting, by the waveguide system, the transmission of the electromagnetic waves responsive to a second notification indicating a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material has been applied to portions of the outer surface of the power line.

15. A device, comprising:

a holding member for coupling to a power line;

a base coupled to the holding member for physically supporting the power line via a utility pole; and

a material disposed on the holding member, the base, or both to reduce an attenuation of guided electromagnetic waves propagating on an outer surface of the power line, wherein the attenuation results when the holding member, the base, or both is subject to water.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the material comprises one of a dielectric material, a waterproof material, a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, or any combination thereof.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the holding member comprises at least one ingress/egress member for physically holding the power line, and wherein the material comprises a polyethylene material disposed on a portion of the ingress/egress member, or a portion of the base to reduce the attenuation of the guided electromagnetic waves.

18. A method, comprising:

identifying a device coupled to a transmission medium, which when subject to water, obstructs a propagation of guided electromagnetic waves on an outer surface of the transmission medium when the device is subjected to a liquid; and

applying a material to a portion of the device to mitigate the obstruction.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line, and wherein the device comprises a joint that splices the power line, an electric insulator for supporting the power line via a utility pole, or an interface of a transformer that couples to the power line.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising applying the material to the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the material comprises a dielectric material, a waterproof material, a hydrophobic material, or a hydrophilic material.