JP2002540587A - Signal combiner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a communication device to a conductor or a cable. Specifically, it relates to couplers of the "elbow" or "T" shaped type. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for efficiently coupling and decoupling communication signals to an existing, possibly energized, power distribution or grid. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pin (1, 20) for electrical connection to a socket, high-pass filter means (5) electrically connected to the pin, Connection means for connecting to a source. Preferably, the pins (1,20) are adapted or arranged to be suitable for connection to a transformer socket (eg, a primary terminal). In this manner, the coupling of the high frequency communication signal can be made to the primary winding of the transformer without any need to prevent operation of the transformer or supply of power to the consumer. Furthermore, the installation of the connection is safe and easy to make, which is recognized to be important in high voltage equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a communication device to a conductor or a cable. Specifically, it relates to couplers of the "elbow" or "T" shaped type.

[0002] Applicants' various published patent applications disclose that communication signals are electrically distributed and / or distributed.
Alternatively, a system that can be carried along a power grid is disclosed. These applications are disclosed in WO 94/09572, WO 95/29536, WO 95/29537, WO
96/07245, WO 98/19398, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] In order to safely, efficiently and cost-effectively couple communication signals into a power distribution and / or grid, not only the wiring device itself and its components (eg high-pass filters), but also such It would be desirable to consider the ease with which devices can be incorporated into existing live distribution and / or power grids. This becomes a more complex problem as the power distribution and / or grid voltage increases. Furthermore, the actual location of such interface devices is carefully considered to allow other related functions, such as transformer bypass, to be safely and cost effectively implemented as needed. Need to be

[0004] In some electrical distribution / transmission networks, a communication signal bypass path is provided so that the communication signal can bypass the transformer, as the transformer may act as an attenuator for high frequency signals. It is desirable.

For example, in the United States, stationary pad (ground) transformers are often used for electrical distribution and power grids. The primary windings of such transformers are often connected in a ring, and for this purpose each transformer is usually provided with two primary winding connection terminals or sockets. In FIG. 4, these are indicated as H1a and H1b. It is contemplated that the high voltage cable may be connected to terminal H1a, for example, and if further connection to another mounting pad type transformer is required, such connection is provided by a further lead connected to terminal H1b. Can be made.
Obviously, nothing would be connected to terminal H1b if no further connection was required.

[0006] The high voltage connection to the terminals H1a and H1b is usually made by an elbow connector as shown in FIG. The connector comprises an elbow-shaped package 60 filled with resin, and a probe or pin 62 protrudes from one end of the package 60. This probe 62 is located (for example) in the socket H1a when connected to a transformer. Probe 62 is electrically connected to terminal 66 via connection 64. The terminal 66 is connected to a high-voltage cable or conductor in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for efficiently coupling and decoupling communication signals to an existing, possibly energized, power distribution or grid.

Therefore, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a pin for electrical connection to a socket, high-pass filter means electrically connected to the pin, and connecting the high-pass filter means to a signal source. And a connection means for the connection. Preferably, the pin is
Adapted or arranged to be suitable for connection to a transformer socket (eg, a primary terminal).

[0009] Such a connector is suitable, for example, for use in a situation where the terminal H1b as described above is not used in another mode. In this way, coupling of the high frequency communication signals can be made to the primary winding of the transformer without any need to impede operation of the transformer or supply of power to the consumer. Further, it will be appreciated that the installation of the connection is safe and easy to make, which is important in high voltage equipment.

However, as explained above, the terminal H1b (for example) is not always free and will not be free if a number of transformers have been connected in a ring or line. .

Thus, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a pin for electrical connection to a socket and a second (eg, high / medium pressure, low frequency) connector electrically connected to the pin. A second socket adapted for receiving the pin, high pass filter means electrically connected to the pin, and connection means connected to the high pass filter means for receiving a signal from a signal source; A coupler comprising:

In this aspect, the connector may be formed in a “T” shaped package, where a conventional low voltage connector (eg, an elbow-shaped connector as shown in FIG. 6) and an input socket of a transformer, for example, It can be interposed between them. Again, this allows the coupling of communication equipment to low voltage lines in a safe and efficient manner. In particular,
If multiple transformers are connected in a ring as described above, this will allow one of the connectors (eg, connected to terminal H1b as described above) to prevent any interruption to the consumer's electrical supply. Without, it will be disconnected and then a "T" shaped connector can be securely connected.

Preferably, the coupler of any of the above aspects is arranged in a standard “elbow” or “T” shaped configuration to fit into a standard socket of a transformer. Preferably,
The coupler also includes a fuse that may be located between the high pass filter means and the pin. The high-pass filter means may be provided by a capacitor and may also include a protective balun and / or an isolation transformer. The entire connector package may be filled with a suitable insulating resin and / or oil or other suitable insulating medium, preferably with suitable stress relief capabilities.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of coupling a communication signal to an electrical network and / or bypassing a network transformer using an apparatus as described above. A signal cable may be coupled to the signal source connector of the combiner, which is connected to an amplifier and / or a signal regenerator (which can be analog or digital) and / or a modem device and / or a remodulator. Good. This may be connected to a further low voltage coupler, which is connected to one or more of the secondary terminals of the transformer.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a combiner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The coupler is included in a typical elbow connector profile package, such as Elastimold®, such as that available from the 160 series. Such connectors are used, particularly in the United States, to connect underground single-phase, medium-pressure (eg, 13.8 kv) distributor cables to the primary connection of a mounted pad transformer, such as that shown in FIG. You.

The coupler includes a medium pressure probe 1 housed in a housing 3, which is filled with an insulating resin 2 and / or a rubber for removing stress. The probe 1 is connected to a fuse 4, which is connected to a medium voltage capacitor (eg, 0.01 microfarad) that acts as a high pass filter for communication signals.
Capacitor 5 is a balun and / or that provides a protective coupling for high frequency communication signals.
Alternatively, it is connected to the insulating transformer 6. The transformer 6 is connected to a connector 7, and the connector 7 may be connected to a signal source (not shown) in use. As explained above, such a coupler may be used to couple to an unused primary winding terminal (eg, H1b in FIG. 4) of a stationary pad transformer.

FIG. 2 shows a combiner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The coupler is sized, as for the embodiment of FIG. 1, to fit into a standard high voltage socket of, for example, a stationary pad transformer as shown in FIG. Pin 20 is also connected to fuse 21, capacitor 22, balun / insulation transformer 23 and connector 24, as in the embodiment of FIG. However, the difference is that a pin socket 25 electrically connected to the pin 20 and arranged in one row with the pin 20 is included in the upper arm portion of the “T” -shaped coupler package. The socket 25 is sized to receive pins (of similar dimensions to the pins 20) from a standard low voltage coupler such as that shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, it is possible to “piggyback” a prior art coupler as shown in FIG. 6 to the coupler of FIG. 2, which is connected to a transformer socket. .

This allows the coupler of FIG. 2 to be connected to a transformer such as that shown in FIG. 4, where both terminals H1a and H1b are already in use.

A schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the combiner of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in FIG. Fuse link 3
0 is shown connected to the transformer busbar 31 and the capacitor 32, respectively. As before, the capacitor 32 is connected to a balun and / or an isolation transformer (or other suitable transformer) 33, one of which is connected to a signal source 34. The secondary winding of the balun transformer is connected to a suitable high frequency connector (eg, BN
(C connector), and a safety ground connection strap 35 is also provided.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mounted pad transformer as used in a typical North American underground power grid. The transformer has primary winding terminals H1a and H1b and a secondary winding terminal X1,
X2 and X3. A medium-pressure high-frequency coupler 40 (such as the embodiment of FIG. 1) is connected to terminal H1b, from which a connection 42 can be made to the high-frequency communication signal device. Also shown are a number of ground connections 44 for various couplers and secondary winding socket X2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a transformer bypass that may be used, for example, with the transformer of FIG. A "T" shaped connector 50, such as that of the embodiment of FIG. 2, is "piggy-backed" to a conventional low voltage connector 52, both of which are connected to a primary winding terminal H1a. The communication signal may be propagated along a cable or conductor 51 as described in the applicant's earlier published patent application.

Communication signals are taken from cable 51 using combiner 50 and may be passed through optional amplifier or signal regenerator 53. The signal may then be sent to a low voltage coupler 54, which connects the signal to one or more of the secondary winding terminals X1, X2 and X3. These signals are then propagated on a low voltage network (LV).

The above embodiments are given by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a coupler according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a coupler according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a combiner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary stationary pad transformer in which a coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a bypass system for a transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a prior art low pressure coupler.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment

[Submission date] February 9, 2001 (2001.2.9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention includes a pin for electrical connection to a socket, wherein the pin is adapted or arranged to be suitable for connection of a transformer to a socket, and A high pass filter means electrically connected to the pins, and a connecting means for connecting the high pass filter means only to a high frequency signal source. Preferably, the pins are adapted or arranged to be suitable for connection to a primary terminal of a transformer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR , HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA , ZW (72) Inventor Dickinson, John United Kingdom, B.B.11 33 P. Lancashire, Burnley, Brooklands Road, 47F Term (reference) 5E021 FA02 FA16 FB07 FB13 FC19 MA09 MA11 MA18 MB08

Claims (9)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A pin for electrical connection to a socket, the pin being adapted or arranged to be suitable for connection of a transformer to a socket, and further comprising a high level electrical connection to the pin. A combiner including a bandpass filter means and connection means for connecting the highpass filter means to a signal source. 2. The coupler of claim 1, further comprising a second socket electrically connected to the pin and adapted for receiving a second pin of the further connector. 3. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupler is arranged in a standard “elbow” or “T” shaped configuration. 4. A fuse located between the high pass filter means and the pin.
The coupler according to claim 1. 5. The combiner according to claim 1, wherein the high-pass filter means includes a capacitor. 6. The coupler according to claim 1, comprising a protective balun and / or an isolation transformer. 7. A method for coupling a communication signal to an electrical network and / or bypassing a network transformer using the device according to claim 1. 8. The coupling of the high frequency communication signal to the primary winding of the transformer without any interruption in the operation of the transformer or the supply of power to the consumer.
The method described in. 9. If a number of transformers are connected in a ring, one of the connectors
9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein one is cut.