Broadband coupler technique for electrical connection to power lines
First Claim
1. A method to facilitate broadband electrical transmissions on a power line, comprising:
- placing a coupler device on an energized power line in a self-supporting position;
holding the coupler device in said self-supporting position with an insulated coupler arm,engaging the coupler device from a location spaced apart from the energized power line to cause a conductive portion of the coupler device to make electrical contact with the power line by moving the conductive portion from a retracted position seperated from the power line to an advanced position with a manually actived insulated toll that engages the conductive portion; and
transmitting data signals through the coupler device via the energized power line.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a power line broadband communication system having broadband coupler devices capable of direct electrical connection to an energized power line. The coupler includes a conductive portion movable by an adjustable member from a non-conducting retracted position spaced apart from the power transmission line to a forward conducting position in electrical contact with the power line. An insulated arm supports the coupler on the power line. A base on the coupler is engageable with a remotely activated tool in order to accomplish the electrical connection in a safe and secure manner. Broadband data signals are sent to and from customer premises along the shared energized power lines. New coupler connections to the energized power lines allow the additional broadband customers and/or repeaters to join the communication system. Also couplers may provide connections to control electronics, routers, wireless transceivers, and may allow the broadband signals to bypass transformers on the power lines. The invention helps to minimize risk by allowing an installer to be remotely spaced from the energized power line while making the electrical coupling contact with the energized power line.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method to facilitate broadband electrical transmissions on a power line, comprising:
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placing a coupler device on an energized power line in a self-supporting position;
holding the coupler device in said self-supporting position with an insulated coupler arm,engaging the coupler device from a location spaced apart from the energized power line to cause a conductive portion of the coupler device to make electrical contact with the power line by moving the conductive portion from a retracted position seperated from the power line to an advanced position with a manually actived insulated toll that engages the conductive portion; and transmitting data signals through the coupler device via the energized power line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power line broadband communication system comprising:
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a power transmission line carrying AC or DC power to multiple customer premises; one or more broadband signal lines respectively connected to said multiple customer premises; and a coupler device connecting said one or more broadband signal lines with said power transmission line through a conductive portion of the coupler device, said conductive portion movable from a non-conducting retracted position spaced apart from said power transmission line to a forward conducting position in electrical contact with said power transmission line;
wherein said coupler device comprises an insulated arm to hold the coupler device in wherein said insulated arm a supporting position on said power transmission line; and
comprise a hook-shaped end resting on said power transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A broadband coupler for making electrical connection to a power line communication system comprising:
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an insulated arm with a first end to make supportable contact with a power line, and a second end having a conductor portion; adjustment means allowing said conductor portion to move relative to said insulated arm; and a base on said conductor portion capable of being engaged by a remotely activated tool to move said conductor portion from a retracted non-conducting position separated from said power line to a conducting position making electrical contact with said power line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A coupler for making electrical connection to an energized power line to enable broadband communications on the energized power line, said coupler comprising:
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an insulated portion to make supportable contact with the energized power line; a conductor portion; an adjustment member that causes said conductor portion to move relative to the power line while said insulated portion remains in supportable contact with the power line; and a base on said conductor portion capable of being engaged by a remotely activated tool to move said conductor portion from a retracted non-conducting position separated from the power line to a conducting position making electrical contact with said power line. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification