Broadband coupler technique for electrical connection to power lines

• US 7,561,025 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gerszberg, Irwin, Henry, Paul Shala
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/580,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20070030093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/310.07, 340/310.11, 340/538.17, 340/870.02, 375/219, 375/220
• US Class Current: 340/12.32
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5479 using repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

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.

Claims

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;

engaging the coupler device from a location spaced apart from the energized power line to cause a conductive portion of the coupler device make electrical contact with the power line;

transmitting data signals through the coupler device via the energized power line; and

holding the coupler device in a self-supporting position with an insulated coupler arm.

2. The method of claim 1 which comprises transmitting data signals to and from customer premises through the coupler device via the energized power line.

3. The method of claim 1 which comprises transmitting data signals to and from repeaters through the coupler device via the energized power line.

4. The method of claim 1 which further comprises causing the conductive portion of the coupler device to make electrical contact with the power line by moving the conductive portion from a retracted position separated from the power line to an advanced position.

5. The method of claim 1 which further includes connecting the conductive portion to a signal line through a capacitor.

6. 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;

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;

transmitting data signals through the coupler device via the energized power line; and

making multiple connections through respective individual coupler devices to power lines in order to provide broadband communication links to a plurality of customer premises via shared power lines.

7. A method of facilitate broadband electrical transmissions on a power line, comprising:

placing the coupler device on an energized power line in a self-supporting position;

engaging the coupler device from a location space aprt from the energized power line to cause a conductive portion of the coupler device to make electrical contact with the power line; and

transmitting data signals through the coupler device via the energized power line; and

further comprising one or more of the following;

making multiple connections to power lines through respective individual coupler devices in order to bypass transformers connecting LV customer premises to shared power lines;

or

making multiple connections to power lines through respective wireless transceivers in order to connect customer premises to shared power lines;

or

making multiple connections to power lines through respective capacitive coupler devices in order to connect customer premises to shared power lines;

or

connecting repeater electronics to MV power lines in order to facilitate broadband signal transmission on shared power lines to customer premises;

or

connecting routers to LV or MV power lines in order to direct delivery of data messages to appropriate customer premises.

8. A power line broadband communication system comprising:

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;

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; and

an additional coupler means with a conductive portion movable from a non-conducting retracted position spaced apart from said power transmission line to a forward conducting position for making electrical contact with said power transmission line.

9. The communication system of claim 8 wherein said coupler device comprises an insulated arm to hold the coupler device in a supporting position on said power transmission line.

10. The communication system of claim 8 wherein said conductive portion is movable from the non-conducting retracted position by a manually activated insulated tool sized and shaped to engage said conductive portion.

11. The communication system of claim 8 wherein said coupler device is connected to said one or more broadband signal lines through a capacitor.

12. A power line broadband communication system comprising:

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;

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; and

additional coupler means for the making one or more of the following coupler connections;

a bypassing connection to power lines in order to bypass transformers;

or

a capacitive coupler connection to one or more of said multiple customer premises;

or

a wireless transceiver connection to one or more of said multiple customer premises;

or

a signal repeater connection to power lines in order to maintain continued transmission of broadband signals;

or

a router connection to power lines in order to direct delivery of data messages to appropriate customer premises.

13. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said additional coupler means provide coupler connections to MV and/or LV power lines.

14. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said coupler device comprisies an insulated arm to hold the coupler device in a supporting position on said power transmission line.

15. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said conductive portion is movable from the non-conducting retracted position by a manually activated insulated tool sized and shaped to engage said conductive portion.

16. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said coupler device is connected to said one or more broadband signal lines through a capacitor.