Coupling of communications signals to a power line

• US 7,414,526 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.), International Broadband Electric Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Broadband Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Daley, Charles William, Zitting, Brent R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/425,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20060290476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 340/538, 340/533, 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/310.03, 340/309.6, 340/310.04, 340/310.05, 340/310.06, 340/310.07, 340/310.08, 340/311.1
• US Class Current: 340/538
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a metal oxide varistor, a disconnect device and a capacitor. The metal oxide varistor is electrically coupled to the medium voltage power line. The disconnect device includes a resistor in parallel with an air gap and is electrically coupled in series between the metal oxide varistor and a communications device. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor and the communications device in parallel with the disconnect device.

Claims

1. A system for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:

a metal oxide varistor electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

a disconnect device electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor, the disconnect device comprising a resistor and an air gap;

a conductor comprising a first end and a second end, with the first end electrically coupled between the metal oxide varistor and the disconnect device;

a coupler comprising;

a first connector adapted to couple to a coaxial cable;

a second connector adapted to electrically couple to the disconnect device;

a third connector adapted to couple to the second end of the conductor;

a capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second connector and the third connector; and

a base, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the capacitor are coupled to the base;

a communications device comprising at least one modem; and

a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable coupling the communications device to the first connector.

2. A system for coupling a communications signal to a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:

a surge arrester electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

a medium voltage power line disconnect device electrically coupled in series between the surge arrester and a communications device;

a capacitor electrically coupled to the surge arrester and the communications device in parallel with the disconnect device; and

a coupler operable to couple the communications device to the surge arrester, the coupler comprising a circuit board with a conductive disk defining a substantially circular opening configured for coupling the circuit board to the surge arrester.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the surge arrester comprises a metal oxide varistor.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the disconnect device comprises a resistor and an air gap.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the disconnect device comprises an explosive charge.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the capacitor provides a capacitance of approximately 1000 picofarads.

7. A device for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the device comprising:

a first connector adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line;

a second connector adapted to couple to a surge arrester, the surge arrester comprising

a metal oxide varistor and a disconnect device;

a third connector adapted to couple to a first end of a conductor, the conductor comprising a second end electrically coupled between the metal oxide varistor and the disconnect device; and

a capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second connector and the third connector.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the low-voltage communications line comprises a coaxial cable.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the capacitor provides a capacitance of approximately 1000 picofarads.

10. The device of claim 7, further comprising a base, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the capacitor are physically coupled to the base.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the base comprises a circuit board and wherein the second connector comprises a conductive disk defining a substantially circular opening.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the base comprises a protective covering.