MX2008000613A - Improved coupling of communications signals to a power line - Google Patents

Abstract

In one embodiment, a device for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a first connector, a second connector and one or more components. The first connector is adapted to couple to a low- voltage communications line. The second connector is adapted to couple to a surge arrester. The one or more components are operable to substantially match the impedances between the surge arrester and the low-voltage communications line.

Description

IMPROVED COUPLING OF COMMUNICATION SIGNALS TO AN ENERGY LINE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to communication networks and in particular to a system and method for the improved coupling of communication signals to a power line. Energy systems use a variety of electrical devices and connectors to distribute electricity from a power plant or power generator to consumers. Some energy systems use a three-stage organized procedure that uses high-voltage power lines with voltages in the range of approximately 60 kV to 100 kV, medium voltage power lines with voltages in the range of approximately 4 kV to 60 kV , and low voltage power lines with voltages in the range of approximately 90 V to 600 V. In these energy systems organized into three levels, high voltage power lines typically connect a power plant or power generator to a substation . The substation serves a particular area such as a neighborhood and includes a transformer to reduce the voltage from high voltage to medium voltage. Typically, multiple sets of medium voltage power lines connect the substation to local distribution transformers. Distribution transformers typically serve consumers in close proximity to the distribution transformer and reduce the voltage from medium voltage to low voltage for use by consumers. The power lines used to distribute electricity to consumers have also been used to transmit and receive communication signals. For example, power lines have been used by utility companies to transmit and receive communication signals to monitor equipment and read meters. Power lines have also been used to provide broadband communication to consumers. Several techniques have been developed to couple broadband communication signals with medium voltage power lines. These broadband communication signals typically occupy frequencies in the region of 2-50 MHz. One method for coupling communication signals with these medium voltage power lines is to use the intrinsic capacitance of metal oxide varistor electrical discharge heatsinks ( MOV) to couple a portion of the radiofrequency communication signals on medium voltage power lines. Most MOV heatsinks have a special device attached to the bottom of the heatsink assembly to de-energize the ground wire in the event of a power failure. This device normally consists of an interconnection resistor graduated in parallel with an air gap and a small charge of gunpowder. In one embodiment, a system for coupling communication signals in a medium voltage power line includes a first connector, a second connector, and one or more components. The first connector is adapted to be coupled to a medium voltage communication line. The second connector is adapted to be coupled to a surge suppressor. One or more components can be operated to substantially correlate the impedances between the overvoltage sink and the medium voltage communication line. Particular embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention can provide improved transmission and throughput of communication signals. As another example, in certain embodiments, the size and placement of the coupling device can provide a relatively quick and simple installation with little or no modification of the existing equipment. In these modalities, such a relatively quick and simple installation it can allow rapid deployment of communication coverage and / or rapid repair in the event of a localized overvoltage or electric shock. Certain embodiments of the present invention can provide one or more of these technical advantages at a relatively low cost. Certain embodiments of the present invention can improve the coupling efficiency for systems utilizing MOV shock dischargers with explosive disconnect devices. It has been shown that these disconnection devices limit the efficiency of transmission of communication signals over medium voltage power lines. The heatsink disconnect device may cause the frequency response of a communication signal coupler to prematurely exit and, limit or avoid the use of lower frequencies between communication devices. By bypassing this radio-frequency disconnect device, certain embodiments of the present invention can reduce the serial impedance contribution of the disconnect device and thereby reduce or eliminate this performance problem. In addition, certain embodiments may provide one or more additional technical advantages, of which some, none or all may readily be apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS i To provide a more complete understanding of In the present invention and the features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a portion of an exemplary energy line communication system, in accordance with a particular modality; FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary regenerative unit included in certain embodiments of an energy line communication system; FIGURE 3 illustrates an exemplary client access unit included in certain embodiments of a power line communication system; FIGURE 4 illustrates a regenerative / access unit for exemplary client included in certain embodiments of a power line communication system; FIGURE 5 illustrates a portion of an exemplary power line communication system that includes an exemplary surge suppressor and an exemplary coupler, in accordance with a particular embodiment; FIGURE 6 illustrates a circuit diagram of a portion of an exemplary power line communication system, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 7 illustrates a component diagram of an exemplary coupler, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 8 illustrates a portion of an exemplary power line communication system that includes an exemplary surge suppressor, an exemplary disconnect device, an exemplary parallel bypass including an exemplary bypass capacitor, and an exemplary coupler, in accordance with a particular modality; FIGURE 9 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary medium voltage power line disconnect device; FIGURE 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary medium voltage power line disconnect device with an exemplary parallel shunt including an exemplary shunt capacitor, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 11 illustrates a circuit diagram of a portion of an exemplary power line communication system, including an exemplary disconnection device and an exemplary parallel branch including an exemplary branch capacitor, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 12 illustrates a component diagram of a coupler, including a bypass capacitor, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 13 illustrates a component diagram of a coupler, including a shunt capacitor and impedance matching components, according to a particular embodiment; FIGURE 14 illustrates a portion of an exemplary power line communication system that includes an exemplary surge suppressor, an exemplary disconnect device, an exemplary parallel branch, and an exemplary coupler, in accordance with a particular embodiment, and FIGURE 14 15 illustrates a circuit diagram of a portion of an exemplary power line communication system, including an exemplary disconnect device and an exemplary parallel branch, in accordance with a particular embodiment. It should be understood at the outset that although exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the following, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present invention should not be limited in any way to the embodiments, drawings and techniques illustrated. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. FIGURE 1 illustrates a portion of an exemplary power line communication system, generally indicated at 10, that uses medium voltage power lines to carry communication signals. In certain embodiments, the power line communication system 10 may function to provide one or more consumers with access to a wide area network (WAN). For example, the power line communication system 10 may function to provide one or more consumers with access to data services, video services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or basic telephone service (POTS). As another example, the communication signals may represent upstream and / or downstream traffic in transmission rates of at least 200 kbps. In a particular example, the power line communication system 10 may function to provide one or more consumers with access to the Internet. In certain embodiments, the power line communication system 10 may include a half voltage phase line 12, a neutral line 14, an overvoltage dissipater 16, and the communication device 18. The medium voltage phase line 12 represents a transmission power line that can be operated to conduct medium voltage electricity. In certain embodiments, the medium voltage phase line 12 may be an overhead transmission line. In particular embodiments, the half-voltage phase line 12 can conduct an alternating current (AC) of electricity between about 4 and 60 kilovolts. In modalities of the power line communication system 10 including a neutral line 14, the neutral line 14 can represent a power line of structure and capacity equal to or similar to the half-voltage phase line 12. The communication device 18 can broadly represent a device for receiving and / or transmitting communication signals. For example, in certain embodiments, the communication device 18 may represent a regenerative unit, a client access unit, or a regenerative / client access unit combination. In certain embodiments, the communication device 18 couples with the half-voltage phase line 12, as described in the following, and may also be coupled with the neutral line 14 and / or a ground connection through the use of a conductor 28. The conductor 28 may represent any suitable wire or cable, such as, for example, a standard solid copper wire of AWG # 4 or # 6. Exemplary embodiments of communication device 18 are described in the following with reference to FIGURES 2-4. The surge suppressor 16 may represent a device for electrically coupling the medium voltage phase line 12 with the neutral line 14 and / or with a ground connection in the event of an overvoltage condition.

In certain embodiments, the surge suppressor 16 may represent a metallic oxide varistor (MOV) electrical discharge sink. For example, the surge suppressor 16 may represent an Ohio Brass HD Disassembler, class 18KV, or any other electric discharge heatsink suitable for use with the medium voltage phase line 12. In operation, the communication system 10 may allow one or more end users to transmit and / or receive communication signals using the medium voltage phase lines 12. In certain embodiments, the communication signals are coupled with the half-voltage phase line 12 and carried to and / or from one or more communication devices 18. In certain embodiments, the communication signals are transmitted from the medium voltage phase line 12 to the communication device 18 using the intrinsic capacitance of a metal oxide varistor dissipator (MOV). In certain embodiments, the communication system 10 may allow multiple end users to transmit and / or receive broadband communication signals. For example, broadband communication signals may represent upstream and / or downstream traffic in transmission rates of at least 200 Kbps. Although certain aspects and functions of the present invention are described in terms of receiving and / or transmitting communication signals, in certain modalities, these functions can be reversed, when appropriate, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary regenerative unit 18a included in certain embodiments of the power line communication system 10. In the example shown, the regenerative unit 18a includes housing 100, two modems 102, switch 104, and wireless access point 106. The housing 100 operates to create an enclosed area that contains the elements of the regenerative unit 18a. In certain embodiments, the housing 100 can operate to protect the elements of the regenerative unit 18a and to simplify the installation of the regenerative unit 18a by holding together the elements of the I regenerative unit 18a with the appropriate internal connections. In certain embodiments, the housing 100 can also provide structural support for the elements of the regenerative unit 18a and can provide electrical isolation between certain elements of the regenerative unit 18a. In certain embodiments, the housing 100 may represent a water-tight sealed container for enclosing moisture sensitive elements of the regenerative unit 18a. For example, housing 100 may include an articulated aluminum case, with one or more rubber seals and threaded plugs. In a particular embodiment, housing 100 may have dimensions of less than 30.48 cm (12 inches) in height, width and depth. For example, housing 100 may be a water-tight Scientific-Atlanta CATV Line Extender Housing. However, any suitable container for containing the elements of the regenerative unit 18a and / or the elements of the regenerative unit 18a may be contained individually or in other combinations. The modems 102 are electrically coupled to the line 12 medium voltage energy. In operation, the modems 102 demodulate the communication signals received from the medium voltage power line 12 and / or modulate the communication signals for transmission on the medium voltage power line 12. In this way, the modems 102 represent any suitable hardware and / or control logic for modulating and / or demodulating communication signals. In certain embodiments, modems 102 receive and transmit RF signals. For example, modems 102 may represent a modem that complies with the HomePlug Powerline Alliance (HPA) or a modem that complies with the Universal Powerline Association (UPA). In certain modalities, the modems 102 can transmit and receive communication signals through a coaxial connection using an F-connector. In a particular embodiment, the modems 102 may represent NetGear modems. Although in certain embodiments, multiple modems 102 may be the same, this is not necessary. The switch 104 can be coupled to the modems 102 and the wireless access point 106. In operation, the switch 104 operates to receive and transmit digital communication signals between the elements of the regenerative unit 18a. In this way, the switch 104 can represent any suitable hardware and / or control logic to direct the flow of digital communication signals between multiple elements of the regenerative unit 18a. For example, in certain embodiments, the switch 104 may be a router, a node, an Ethernet switch, or a network processor. In certain embodiments, the switch 104 may have an IP address that is unique within the power line communication network 10. In embodiments of the regenerative unit 18a including the wireless access point 106, the wireless access point 106 operates to transmit and / or receive wireless communication signals. In this way, the wireless access point 106 represents any suitable hardware and / or control logic for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communication signals. In certain embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may transmit and / or receive wireless communication signals using a standard IEEE 802.11 protocol. In a particular embodiment, the wireless access point may be a Wireless Link-D access point, coupled to the switch 104 by the use of 10/100 base-T connectors. In operation, the regenerative unit 18a receives communication signals from the medium voltage power line 12, demodulates the received communication signals, remodulates at least a portion of the received communication signals, and transmits the remodulated communication signals to the 12 line of medium voltage energy. Thus, in certain embodiments, the regenerative unit 18a operates to allow the communication signals to travel larger distances along the medium voltage energy line 12 by preventing excessive attenuation. Accordingly, the regenerative unit 18a can operate to receive communication signals from a medium voltage power line 12, amplify the communication signals and / or filter certain types of signal noise, and then retransmit the communication signals back into line 12 of medium voltage energy. In certain embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may operate to provide wireless access to one or more wireless devices. For example, the wireless access point 106 may operate to create a wireless "hot spot" by providing wireless access to the Internet to one or more wireless devices. In particular embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may operate to allow monitoring and / or modification of the operation of the regenerative unit 18a. FIGURE 3 illustrates an exemplary client access unit 18b in certain embodiments of the power line communication system 10. In the example shown, the client access unit 18b includes housing 100, two modems 102, switch 104, wireless access point 106, and control module 112. The housing 100, switch 104 and wireless access point 106 included in the client access unit 18b may be the same or substantially similar to the switch 104 and wireless access point 106 described above with respect to the regenerative unit 18a. For example, the housing 100 can operate to protect the elements of the customer access unit 18b and can operate to simplify the installation of the customer access unit 18b by keeping together the elements of the customer access unit 18b with the adequate internal connections. In certain modalities, the housing 100 can also provide structural support to the elements of the customer access unit 18b and can provide electrical isolation between certain elements of the unit 18b access for customer. As another example, the switch 104 may represent any suitable hardware and / or control logic to carry out the flow of digital communication signals between multiple elements of the client access unit 18b. In certain embodiments, the switch 104 may be a router, a node or an Ethernet switch. The modems 102a and 102b included in the client access unit 18b may be the same or substantially similar to the modems 102 described above with respect to the regenerative unit 18a, with the exception that the modem 102b may be electrically coupled with the the low voltage power line. In operation, the modem 102a demodulates the signals received from the medium voltage power line 12 and / or modulates the communication signals for transmission on the medium voltage power line 12; and the modem 102b demodulates the received signals from a low voltage power line and / or modulates the communication signals for transmission on a low voltage power line. In this way, the modems 102 represent any suitable hardware and / or control logic for modulating and / or demodulating communication signals. The control module 112 operates to control the operation of certain aspects of the customer access unit 18b. In certain embodiments, the control module 112 can serve as a firewall, a router and / or an agent. For example, the control module 112 can collect and store information related to the amount and type of communication signals received and transmitted by the customer access unit 18a. As another example, the control module 112 can prevent particular portions of communication signals received by the client access unit 18b from being transmitted by the client access unit 18b. In certain embodiments, the control module 112 may operate to couple the elements of the client access unit 18b associated with portions of two logical networks. In certain embodiments, the control module 112 may couple elements of the client access unit 18b associated with a wide area network (WAN) and with a local area network (LAN). For example, the control module 112 may couple the modem 102a associated with a WAN, such as a WAN formed at least in part by the communication network 10, with the modem 102b associated with a LAN, such as a LAN associated with a consumer In certain embodiments, the control module 112 can serve to control and / or limit the flow of communication signals between the WAN and the LAN. In certain embodiments, the control unit 112 may operate to provide remote control and / or remote monitoring of certain aspects of the customer access unit 18b. For example, the control module 112 may operate to provide remote control and / or remote monitoring by the use of a simple network management protocol (SNMP) or through a terminal emulation program, such as Telnet. In certain embodiments, the control module 112 can operate as an SNMP agent to let a remote administrator monitor and / or control one or more parameters related to the modems 102 and / or the communication signal traffic within the unit 18b of access for client. In certain embodiments, the control module 112 may include encryption algorithms to restrict access to the control features and or to restrict access from the WAN to the LAN. In operation, the client access unit 18b can receive communication signals from a medium voltage power line 12, demodulate the received communication signals, remodulate at least a portion of the received communication signals and transmit the signals of remodulated communication to a low voltage power line. Although it has been described that the customer access unit 18b receives communication signals from the medium voltage power line 12 and transmits the communication signals to a low voltage power line, the client access unit 18b can also receive communication signals from a low voltage power line and transmit the communication signals to the medium voltage power line 12. In certain embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may operate to create a wireless "high activity zone" by providing one or more wireless devices with wireless Internet access. In particular embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may operate to allow monitoring and / or modification of the operation of the customer access unit 18b. FIGURE 4 illustrates a regenerative / access unit 18c for exemplary client in certain embodiments of the power line communication system 10. In the example shown, the client access / regenerative unit 18c includes housing 100, two modems 102a, a modem 102b, two switches 104, a wireless access point 106, and a control module 112. The housing 100, the switch 104, the wireless access point 106, and the control module 112 included in the client refresher / access unit 18c may be the same or substantially sim to the same elements described in the above with respect to the regenerative unit 18a and the customer access unit 18b. The Modem 102a can operate to electrically couple with a medium voltage power line 12 and the modem 102b can operate to electrically couple with a low voltage power line. In certain embodiments, the modem 102a may be the same or substantially sim to the modem 102 described with respect to the regenerating unit 18a. Simly, in certain embodiments, the modem 102b may be the same or substantially sim to the modem 102b described with respect to the client access unit 18b. In this way, the modem 102, included in the regenerator / access unit 18c for client, represents any suitable hardware and / or control logic for modulating and / or demodulating communication signals.

In operation, the regenerator / access unit 18c for customer can operate to regenerate signals from I communication on a line 12 of medium voltage power and / or provide one or more consumers with access to the network communication. In certain embodiments, the regenerative / client access unit 18c may operate either I as a regenerative unit 18a or as a customer access unit 18b. In a particular embodiment, the client access / regenerator unit 18c may function as both a regenerative unit 18a and a customer access unit 18b. For example, the client access / regenerative unit 18c may receive communication signals from the medium voltage power line 12, selectively communicate a portion of the received i communication signals to a low voltage power line, and selectively communicate a portion of the communication signals received to the line 12 of medium voltage energy. In certain embodiments, the client access / regenerator unit 18c may also receive wireless signals through the use of a wireless access point 106. For example, the wireless signals received by a wireless access point 106 may include instructions for monitoring and / or modifying the operation of the client access / regenerator unit 18c. As another example, the wireless signals received by the wireless access point 106 can be transmitted to a medium voltage power line 12 via a modem 102a or they can be transmitted to a low voltage power line by the modem 102b. In certain embodiments, the wireless access point 106 may operate to create a wireless "high activity zone" by providing one or more wireless devices with wireless Internet access. FIGURE 5 illustrates an exemplary portion of a power line communication system 10. In the embodiment shown, the power line communication system 10 includes a medium voltage phase line 12, a neutral line 14, an overvoltage dissipater 16, a communication device 18, a coupler 20, conductors 22 and 28, ferrites 24, and a low voltage communication line 26. In operation, the communication signals are communicated between the medium voltage phase line 12 and the communication device 18 by the use of an overvoltage dissipater 16 and a coupler 20. In certain embodiments, the conductor 22 can couple the dissipator 16. overvoltage with neutral line 14 and / or with a ground connection. The conductor 22 may represent any suitable wire or cable, such as, for example, a standard solid copper wire of AWG # 4 or # 6. In embodiments including the conductor 22, one or more ferrites may be coupled with the conductor 22 so that one or more ferrites substantially surround a portion of the conductor 22. In operation, the ferrites 24 may serve as a low pass filter that prevents ( or attenuates) the transmission of high frequency signals through the portion of the conductor 22 coupled to one or more ferrites 24. Although the embodiment shown includes ferrites 24, in certain alternative embodiments, any suitable device can be used to provide this function of filtration. The coupler 20 is a device that couples the communication device 18 to the overvoltage sink 16. In certain embodiments, the coupler 20 is electrically coupled to the communication device 18 by the use of a low voltage communication line 26. In certain embodiments, the low voltage communication line 26 may represent any suitable cable or wire of one or more conductors. For example, in certain modalities, the low-voltage communication line can represent a coaxial cable, an Ethernet cable, a telephone cable, or a serial cable. In certain embodiments, the conductor 26 may represent two or more wires and / or wires of one or more conductors. In certain embodiments, the coupler 20 is coupled with an overvoltage heatsink 16 through a direct lead connection with the surge arrester 16. For example, in certain embodiments, the coupler 20 is coupled to the surge suppressor 16 through the grounding post 29 if there is a heatsink 16. In particular embodiments, the coupler 20 may include a conductive portion that may include an aperture. large enough to slide through the grounding post 29 of the overvoltage heatsink 16. The coupler 20 can be placed directly adjacent (or integral with) the overvoltage sink 16, directly adjacent (or integral to) the communication device 18, and / or at any other suitable position with respect to the communication device 18 and to the overvoltage dissipator 16. In certain embodiments, the coupler 20 can provide an impedance correlation between the medium voltage phase line 12 (and / or the overvoltage sink 16) and the conductor 26 (and / or the communication device 18). For example, in certain embodiments, the coupler 20 may include one or more capacitors and one more impedance transformers to provide this impedance correlation function. There is provided in the following with regard to FIGURE 7 the further description of coupler modes 20 including one or more capacitors and one or more impedance transformers. Although certain embodiments of the coupler 20 are described herein as including one or more capacitors and one or I more impedance transformers, in other embodiments of the coupler 20 other components and / or suitable techniques can be included to provide this impedance correlation function. In certain embodiments, coupler 20 (or variations thereof, such as coupler 120 identified in the following) can provide a means for bypassing an explosive disconnect device, which can improve coupling efficiency. The embodiments that provide such a means of derivation are further described in the following with respect to FIGS. 9-15. FIGURE 6 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary portion of the line communication system 10 1 energy In the embodiment shown, the power line communication system 10 includes a medium voltage phase line 12, an overvoltage dissipater 16, a communication device 18 and a coupler 20. The overvoltage sink 16 is coupled to the device 18 communication through the use of a coupler 20. In the embodiment shown, the coupler 20 is connected to the device 18 communication through the use of a low voltage communication line 26, which includes the conductors I 34a and 34b. In the embodiment shown, the coupler 20 includes an impedance transformer 30 and a capacitor 32. As I is shown, the conductor 34a is coupled with the non-common low impedance winding of the impedance transformer 30, While the conductor 34b is coupled with the common low impedance I winding of the impedance transformer 30 in both the primary and the secondary. In certain embodiments, the conductor 34b may also be coupled with the neutral line 14 and / or with a ground connection. As shown, in certain embodiments, the uncommon winding on the high impedance side of the impedance transformer 30 is coupled with a capacitor 32, which is coupled with the I surge suppressor 16. In certain embodiments, the medium voltage phase line 12 (and / or overvoltage dissipator 16) may have an impedance in the range of 350-450 ohms and the driver 26 (and / or communication device 18) may have an impedance in the range of 50-75 ohms. In certain embodiments, to correlate the impedances, the impedance transformer 30 may represent a transformer with an increase ratio in the range of about 5: 1 to 9: 1. For example, in a particular embodiment, the impedance transformer 30 may represent a transformer with an increase ratio of approximately 8: 1, such as for example a Mini Circuits T8-1 transformer. In certain embodiments, the capacitor 32 may have a capacitance in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 microfarad and the capacitor 32 may have a working capacity greater than 300 volts. For example, in a particular embodiment, the capacitor 32 may represent a 600 volt coupling capacitor of 0.047 microfarads. Although exemplary embodiments including the impedance transformer 30 and the capacitor 32 having certain features or feature ranges have been described, any suitable components can be used to correlate (or improve the correlation of) the impedances within the communication system 10. energy line without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In certain embodiments, for example, the power line communication system 10 and / or the coupler 20 may include different connection topologies and / or different types of impedance transformers 30. In a particular embodiment, certain functions of the present invention can be achieved by using a transmission line transformer. FIGURE 7 illustrates a component diagram of an exemplary coupler configuration 20, according to a particular embodiment. As shown, the coupler 20 includes impedance transformer 30, capacitor 32, base 40, and connectors 42 and 44. Impedance transformer 30 and capacitor 32 operate as described above with respect to FIGURE 6. I Base 40 represents any suitable structure for supporting the components of the coupler 20. For example, the base 40 may represent a housing that physically surrounds one or more components of the coupler 20. As another example, the base 40 may represent a substrate on which certain components, such as a printed circuit board, may be placed. 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm (1"x 2"). AND? particular embodiments, the base 40 may include one or more protective covers. For example, the base 40 may include covers adapted to provide protection against UV and / or weather for certain components of the coupler 20. In a particular embodiment, the base 40 may represent a printed circuit board coated with a first coating of Polyurethane 1A20 Humiseal and a second coating of 1C49 Humiseal Silicone. The connector 42 represents a conductive connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler 20 to the communication device 18. In certain embodiments, the connector 42 can connect the coupler 20 to the communication device 18 through the low voltage communication line 26. In a particular embodiment, the low voltage communication line 26 may represent a coaxial cable and the connector 42 may represent a coaxial connector, such as a BNC connector or an F-connector. The connector 44 represents a conductive connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler 20 to the surge arrester 16. In certain embodiments, the connector 44 may connect the coupler 20 to the surge suppressor 16 by the use of one or more conductive wires or wires. In other embodiments, the connector 44 may connect the coupler 20 to the surge arrester 16 through the grounding post 29 on the surge arrester 16. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 44 may represent a conductive material with an opening adapted to accept the grounding post 29 of the surge arrester 16. For example, the connector 44 may represent a metal disc (or cylinder) with a through hole that is approximately 0.953-1.016 centimeters (0.375-0.400 inches) in diameter. In the embodiment shown, the connector 44 is integral to the base 40 so that, in operation, the base 40 with the connector 44 can slide through the grounding post 29 of the surge arrester 16 to establish a contact conductive with the ground connection post 29 and / or a threaded retaining nut on the grounding post 29. In embodiments that include an impedance transformer 30 and / or a capacitor 32, the impedance transformer 30 and / or the capacitor 31 can be electrically connected in series between the connector 42 and the connector 44. In certain embodiments, the base 40 can provide the electrical coupling between the coupler components . For example, in embodiments in which the base 40 represents a printed circuit board, the integrated conductors of the base 40 can provide electrical coupling. FIGURE 8 illustrates a portion of an exemplary energy line communication system 10 that includes a I exemplary surge arrester 16, an exemplary disconnect device 50, a parallel branch 60 including a bypass capacitor 62, and an exemplary coupler 20, in accordance with a particular embodiment. As shown, in certain embodiments, the parallel branch 60 can be conductively connected between the vacuum dissipater 16 and the disconnection device 50. In the embodiment shown, the parallel branch 60 is connected to the coupler 20, which, in turn, is coupled to the low voltage communication line 26 and the disconnection device 50. As discussed below with reference to FIGURES 9 and 10, in certain embodiments, variations of the coupler 20 (such as coupler 120) may include the bypass capacitor 62. In operation, the capacitor 62 can provide a low impedance bypass around the disconnect device 50 for certain frequencies. In certain embodiments, one or more of the surge suppressor 16, disconnect device 50, parallel branch 60, bypass capacitor 62 and coupler 20 may be included within a single component. Similarly, one or more of the functions provided by the surge suppressor 16, disconnect device 50, parallel bypass 60, bypass capacitor 62 or coupler 20 may be served by multiple components.

I FIGURE 9 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary medium voltage power line disconnect device 50. As shown, the disconnecting device 50 can function as a resistor 52 in parallel with an air gap 54. In operation, a high voltage leakage current can result in a spark through the air gap 54, which can ignite the powder charge for disconnecting the surge suppressor 16 from the conductor 22. The resistor 52 may represent any component or group of components that operates to provide resistance to an electric current. For example, resistor 52 may represent a graduated interconnection resistor. In certain embodiments, due to the presence of the resistor 52, the disconnect device 50 can limit the transmission efficiency for communication signals between the medium voltage power lines and the communication device 16. FIGURE 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary medium voltage power line disconnect device 50 with an exemplary parallel lead 60 including a bypass capacitor 62, in accordance with a particular embodiment. In certain embodiments, to improve the transmission efficiency for the coupling of communication signals, a parallel branch 60 can be used. The parallel branch 60 can broadly represent a circuit path in parallel with the disconnect device 50. For example, the parallel lead 60 can be a copper wire conductively coupled between the overvoltage sink 16 and the disconnect device 50. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGURE 10, the parallel lead 60 can include a capacitor 62. The capacitor 62 can broadly represent one or more components that can be operated to provide capacitance for the parallel lead 60. For example, in a particular embodiment, the capacitor 62 may represent a ceramic disk capacitor, such as a 3 kV capacitor of 1000 picofarads. FIGURE 11 illustrates a circuit diagram of a portion of an exemplary power line communication system 10, including an exemplary disconnect device 50 and an exemplary parallel branch 60 including a bypass capacitor 62, in accordance with an embodiment particular. In the embodiment shown, the communication device 18 is connected to the neutral line 14, through the conductor 28, and to the coupler 20. In the embodiment shown, the coupler 20 is connected to the overvoltage sink 16 through the device 50 of Disconnection in parallel with parallel branch 60. The coupler 20 I may or may not include components that provide an impedance correlation function. FIGURE 12 illustrates a component diagram of an exemplary configuration of the coupler 120, a variation of the coupler 20 including a bypass capacitor 62. As shown, in certain embodiments, the coupler 120a may include a base 40, a shunt capacitor 62, and connectors 42, 44, and 90. The connector 90 may broadly represent a connector for electrically coupling the shunt 60 parallel with the coupler 120a . In this way, the connector 90 can represent any suitable hardware to be electrically coupled with the parallel branch 60.

In the embodiment shown, the capacitor 62 is connected in series between the connector 90 and the connector 44. FIGURE 13 illustrates a component diagram of an exemplary configuration of the coupler 120, a variation of the coupler 20 including a bypass capacitor 62. As shown, in certain embodiments, the coupler 120b includes a shunt capacitor 62 and impedance correlation components. In the modalities shown, the The coupler 120b includes a bypass capacitor 62, connected in series with the connector 90, and an impedance transformer 30 and a capacitor 32, connected in series with the connector 42. In this embodiment, the coupler 120b can operate to couple the device 18 communication with the line 12 of medium voltage energy with improved efficiency by bypassing the disconnect device 50 and by correlating the impedances between the medium voltage power line 12 and the communication device 18. FIGURE 14 illustrates a portion of an exemplary power line communication system 10 including an exemplary overvoltage sink 16, an exemplary disconnect device 50, an exemplary parallel branch 60, and an exemplary coupler 120, in accordance with a particular embodiment . As shown, in certain embodiments, the parallel lead 60 can be conductively connected between the surge arrester 16 and the disconnect device 50. In the embodiment shown, the parallel branch 60 i is connected to the coupler 20, which, in turn, is coupled to the low voltage communication line 26 and the disconnection device 50. In the modality shown in FIGURE 14, unlike the modality shown in FIG.

FIGURE 8, the parallel branch 60 does not include a bypass capacitor. In fact, in this embodiment, the bypass capacitor 62, if any, is included as a component of the coupler 120. FIGURE 15 illustrates a circuit diagram of a portion of a power line communication system 10. exemplary, which includes an exemplary disconnect device 50 and an exemplary parallel branch 60, according to a particular embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the communication device 18 is connected to the ! line 14 neutral, through conductor 28, and to the coupler 120. In the embodiment shown, the coupler 120 is connected to the overvoltage sink 16 via the disconnecting device 50 in parallel with the parallel lead 60. In the modality shown in FIGURE 15, unlike the I embodiment shown in FIGURE 11, parallel branch 60 does not include a bypass capacitor. Rather, in this embodiment, the shunt capacitor 62, if any, is included as a component of the coupler 120. In certain embodiments, although not necessary, the coupler 120 may include a shunt capacitor 62 and components of the shunt. impedance correlation. Although the present invention has been described with various modalities, a fullness of changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the invention encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and alterations. modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS 1. A system for communication signals on a medium voltage power line, the system characterized in that it comprises:, a communication device comprising at least one modem; and a coupler comprising: a coaxial connector coupled to the communication device; an impedance transformer electrically coupled to the coaxial connector, the impedance transformer has an increase ratio of approximately 8: 1; a capacitor coupled electrically with the impedance transformer, the capacitor has a capacitance of about .05 microfarads; a conductive metal disk electrically coupled to the capacitor, the conductive metal disk defines a substantially circular opening adapted to accept a grounding post of an electric discharge sink; and 'a circuit board, wherein the connector, the capacitor, the impedance transformer, and the driver disk are coupled with the circuit board.
2. 2. A system for communication signals on a medium voltage power line, the system characterized in that it comprises: a communication device; and a coupler comprising: a first connector adapted to be coupled with the communication device; an impedance transformer; a capacitor; and 1 a second connector defining an opening adapted to accept a surge arrester grounding post.
3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first connector is adapted to be coupled with a coaxial cable having an impedance of about 50-75 ohms.
4. 4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the impedance transformer provides an increase ratio in the range of 5: 1 to 9: 1.
5. 5. The system in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the capacitor provides a capacitance in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 microfarads.
6. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the second connector comprises a metal disk.
7. 7. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening has a diameter in the range of 6.35 to 19.05 mm (0.25 to 0.75 inches).
8. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that: the coupler further comprises a circuit card; and the first connector, the capacitor, the impedance transformer, and the second connector are coupled with the circuit board.
9. 9. A device for coupling communication signals with a medium voltage power line, the device characterized in that it comprises: a first connector adapted to be coupled with a low voltage communication line; an impedance transformer; a capacitor; and a second connector adapted to be coupled with a surge suppressor.
10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the low voltage communication line comprises a coaxial cable having an impedance of about 50-75 ohms.
11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the impedance transformer provides an increase ratio in the range of 5: 1 to 9: 1.
12. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the capacitor provides a capacitance in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 microfarads.
13. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the second connector comprises a metal disc defining a substantially circular opening with a diameter in the range of 6.35 to 19.05 mm (0.25 to 0.75 inches).
14. The device according to claim 9, further characterized in that it comprises a circuit card; wherein the first connector, the capacitor, the impedance transformer, and the second connector are coupled with the circuit board.
15. 15. A device for coupling communication signals with a medium voltage power line, the device characterized in that it comprises: a base; one or more electrical components; a first connector adapted to be coupled with a low voltage communication line; and a second connector conductively adapted to be coupled with an overvoltage sink, the second connector defines a substantially circular opening adapted to accept a grounding post of the surge arrester; wherein one or more electrical components, the first connector, and the second connector physically mate with the base.
16. 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the base comprises a circuit card.
17. The device according to claim 16, further characterized in that it comprises a protective coating covering at least a portion of the circuit board, the protective coating adapted to seal at least a portion of the circuit board against moisture .
18. 18. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that one or more electrical components can be operated to provide impedance correlation.
19. 19. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the second connector comprises a metal disk.
20. 20. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the substantially circular opening has a diameter in the range of
21. 5. 08 to 20.32 mm (0.2 inches to 0.8 inches). The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the substantially circular opening has a diameter of 10.16 mm (0.4 inches).
22. 22. A device for coupling communication signals with a medium voltage power line, the device characterized in that it comprises: a first connector adapted to be coupled with a low voltage communication line; a second connector adapted to be coupled with a surge arrester; and one or more components that can be operated to substantially correlate the impedances between the surge arrester and the low voltage communication line.
23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that one or more components comprise an impedance transformer having an increase ratio in the range of 5: 1 to 9: 1 in series with a capacitor having a capacitance in the margin of 0.01 to 0.1 microfarads.
24. 24. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the low voltage communication line comprises a coaxial cable.
25. 25. A method for coupling communication signals with a medium voltage power line, the method characterized in that it comprises: transmitting a communication signal: from a signal regenerator; through a low voltage communication line; through one or more components that can operate to increase the impedance in a ratio of between 5: 1 and 9: 1; through surge suppressor; and to a medium voltage power line.
26. 26. A device for coupling communication signals with a medium voltage power line, the device characterized in that it comprises:: a means for coupling with a low voltage communication line; a means for coupling with a surge arrestor; and a means for substantially correlating the impedances between the overvoltage sink and the low voltage communication line.