ANTENNA SUPPORT FOR ALIGNING AN ANTENNA

• US 20170025839A1
• Filed: 07/23/2015
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2015
• 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: Bennett, Robert, HENRY, PAUL SHALA, GERSZBERG, IRWIN, BARZEGAR, FARHAD, BARNICKEL, DONALD J., WILLIS, THOMAS M. III
• Granted Patent: US 10,784,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/16 for mode selection, e.g. mode suppression or mode promotion; for mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/10 Wire waveguides, i.e. with a single solid longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/16 Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/12 Supports; Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/18 Means for stabilising antennas on an unstable platform
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/46 Electric supply lines or communication lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/205 Installation of electric cables, extending along a pole
• 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, an antenna support includes a stabilizer configured to align an antenna on a projection of a longitudinal tangent of a transmission line along a horizontal plane. A holder is configured to secure the stabilizer to the transmission line. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. An antenna support used with an antenna, the antenna support comprising:

a first member configured to attach to a transmission line; and

a second member, coupled to the first member, configured to align the based on a projection in a horizontal plane of a longitudinal tangent of the transmission line.

2. The antenna support of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the second member comprises:

a first stabilizer configured to stabilize the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole about a roll axis.

3. The antenna support of claim 2, wherein the first stabilizer includes a pivot joint.

4. The antenna support of claim 2, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the second member further comprises:

a second stabilizer configured to stabilize the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole about a pitch axis.

5. The antenna support of claim 4, wherein the second stabilizer includes a pivot joint.

6. The antenna support of claim 4, wherein the second member includes one of:

a gimbal mechanism or a ball and socket joint, that stabilizes the antenna in a horizontal plane.

7. The antenna support of claim 1, wherein the second member aligns the antenna for line of sight communications along the horizontal projection of the longitudinal tangent of the transmission line.

8. The antenna support of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is supported by a first utility pole in proximity to the antenna support and a second utility pole a distance apart from the first utility pole;

wherein the second member aligns the antenna for line of sight communications along the horizontal projection of the longitudinal tangent of the transmission line with a mating antenna in proximity to the second utility pole.

9. The antenna support of claim 1, further comprising:

an arm having a mass that counterbalances a mass of the antenna for horizontal stability.

10. The antenna support of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the second member horizontally stabilizes the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole.

11. An antenna support for use with an antenna, the antenna support comprising:

a stabilizer configured to align the antenna with a projection of a longitudinal tangent of a transmission line onto a horizontal plane; and

a holder configured to secure the stabilizer to the transmission line.

12. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the stabilizer stabilizes the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole about a roll axis.

13. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the stabilizer horizontally stabilizes the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole about a pitch axis.

14. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the stabilizer includes at least one pivot joint.

15. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the stabilizer includes a plurality of pivot joints.

16. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the stabilizer includes one of:

a gimbal mechanism or a ball and socket joint.

17. The antenna support of claim 11, wherein the stabilizer operates by gravity and realignment of the transmission line to align the antenna for line of sight communications in accordance with the projection of the longitudinal tangent of the transmission line onto the horizontal plane.

18. The antenna support of claim 11, further comprising:

an arm having a mass that counterbalances a mass of the antenna for horizontal stability.

19. An antenna support for an antenna, the antenna support comprising:

a member configured to align the antenna for line of sight communications with a projection of a longitudinal tangent of a transmission line along a horizontal plane; and

a gripping mechanism configured to secure the member to the transmission line, while mitigating disruption of guided electromagnetic waves bound to an outer surface of the transmission line.

20. The antenna support of claim 19, wherein the transmission line is supported by a utility pole and wherein the member stabilizes the antenna in response to a tilting of the utility pole.