Remote testing and monitoring apparatus for use with antenna reflector deicing systems

• US 6,104,352 A
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ETI, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MSX, Inc. (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Jones, Thaddeus M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/188,068
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 343/704, 219/213, 392/422, 392/426, 392/424
• US Class Current: 343/704
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/103 De-icing devices or snow melters for drainage outlets E04D13/0409, for gutters E04D13/0762, for down pipes E04D13/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/17 by means of an auxiliary voltage injected into the installation to be protected using summation current transformers H02H3/33
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0277 Electric radiators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/56 Heating cables

Abstract

An antenna reflector assembly includes a reflector having a reflecting surface and an electrical heater having a first terminal and a second terminal. The electrical heater is configured for heating the reflecting surface. A remote monitor and test device is disposed at a location remote from the reflector. The remote monitor and test device is configured for being connected to a source of electrical power. The remote monitor and test device includes a line voltage node electrically connected to the first terminal of the heater, and one of a neutral node and a ground node electrically connected to the second terminal of the heater. A ground fault circuit interrupter is configured for detecting a ground fault condition and cutting off an electrical current associated with the ground fault condition. A current sensor is configured for detecting an electrical current exceeding a predetermined current level and transmitting a signal indicative thereof. A current indicator is configured for receiving the signal from the current sensor and providing an indication thereof. A voltage indicator is configured for sensing a voltage and providing an indication thereof.

Claims

1. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a reflecting surface;

an electrical heater having a first terminal and a second terminal, said electrical heater being configured for heating said reflecting surface; and

a remote monitor and test device disposed at a location remote from said reflector, said remote monitor and test device being configured for being connected to a source of electrical power, said remote monitor and test device including;

a line voltage node electrically connected to said first terminal of said heater;

one of a neutral node and a ground node electrically connected to said second terminal of said heater;

a ground fault circuit interrupter configured for detecting a ground fault condition and cutting off an electrical current associated with said ground fault condition;

a current sensor configured for detecting an electrical current exceeding a predetermined current level and transmitting a signal indicative thereof;

a current indicator configured for receiving said signal from said current sensor and providing an indication thereof; and

a voltage indicator configured for sensing a voltage and providing an indication thereof.

2. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said current indicator electrically interconnects said current sensor and said one of a neutral output node and a ground output node.

3. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said voltage indicator electrically interconnects said line voltage node and said one of a neutral node and a ground node to thereby sense a voltage at said line voltage node.

4. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said voltage indicator is configured to draw an indicator current, said indicator current being less than said predetermined current level.

5. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a feedhorn associated with said reflector; and

a second electrical heater connected in series with said reflector heater, said second electrical heater being configured for heating said feedhorn.

6. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an over-current protection device connected to said source of electrical power, said over-current protection device being configured for disconnecting said remote monitor and test device from said source of electrical power when a current through said over-current protection device exceeds a predetermined safe current level.

7. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said source of electrical power provides a line current and one of a neutral current and a ground current, said ground fault circuit interrupter being configured for comparing said line current to said one of a neutral current and a ground current.

8. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said heater is embedded in said reflecting surface.

9. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said current indicator and said voltage indicator comprises a light emitting device.

10. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 1, wherein said remote monitor and test device includes a test switch configured for selectively applying electrical power to said electrical heater, said antenna reflector assembly further comprising a thermostat configured for sensing temperature of an ambient atmosphere and applying electrical power to said heater when said ambient temperature falls below a first predetermined temperature.

11. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 10, wherein said thermostat and said test switch of said remote monitor and test device are connected in parallel.

12. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 10, further comprising a multi-conductor electrical cable interconnecting said remote monitor and test device with said thermostat and said electrical heater, said multi-conductor cable including a first conductor, a second conductor, a third conductor and a fourth conductor, said first conductor connecting one of said line voltage node and said neutral node of said remote monitor and test device to said thermostat, said second conductor connecting said test switch of said remote monitor and test device to one of said first terminal and said second terminal of said heater, said third conductor connecting an other of said line voltage node and said neutral node of said remote monitor and test device to an other of said first terminal and said second terminal of said heater, said fourth conductor comprising a grounded shield.

13. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 10, wherein said thermostat is configured for removing electrical power from said electrical heater when said ambient temperature rises above a second predetermined temperature, said second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature.

14. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector having a reflecting surface;

an electrical heater having an first terminal and a second terminal, said electrical heater being configured for heating said reflecting surface; and

a remote monitor and test device disposed at a location remote from said reflector, said remote monitor and test device being configured for being connected to a source of electrical power, said remote monitor and test device including a status indicator configured for providing at least one of an indication of an electrical current exceeding a predetermined current level and an indication of a voltage.

15. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a snow detector configured for sensing temperature and moisture associated with an ambient environment and applying electrical power to said electrical heater when said ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature and said ambient moisture is above a predetermined level; and

an electrical cable interconnecting said remote monitor and test device with said snow detector.

16. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 15, wherein said remote monitor and test device includes a test switch configured for selectively applying electrical power to said electrical heater.

17. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 15, wherein said snow detector includes:

a microcontroller;

an ambient temperature sensor electrically connected to said microcontroller; and

a moisture sensor electrically connected to said microcontroller.

18. An antenna reflector assembly, comprising:

a reflector subassembly including at least one of a reflecting surface and a feedhorn;

a support structure supporting said reflector subassembly;

an electrical heater configured for heating said at least one of a reflecting surface and a feedhorn;

at least one of a junction box and a thermostat electrically connected to said heater;

at least one first quick connect fastening device attaching said at least one of a junction box and a thermostat to one of said reflector subassembly and said support structure;

a remote monitor and test device disposed at a location remote from said reflector, said remote monitor and test device including a ground fault circuit interrupter;

a second quick connect fastening device configured for attaching said remote monitor and test device to a fixed structure; and

an electrical cable interconnecting said remote monitor and test device with at least one of said heater and said at least one of a junction box and a thermostat.

19. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 18, wherein at least one of said first quick connect fastening device and said second quick connect fastening device comprises a hook and loop fastener.

20. The antenna reflector assembly of claim 18, wherein at least one of said first quick connect fastening device and said second quick connect fastening device comprises an adhesive fastening device.