Shield slot tap
AssigneeAndrew Corporation
InventorRobert Gunnels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming a cable tap for coupling a co-axial trunk cable having a trunk outer conductor, to a tap cable. A channel is formed in the trunk outer conductor; a first tap conductor is coupled to a first side of the channel; and a second tap conductor is coupled to a second side of the channel. Alternatively, a trough may be formed and a conductor coupled with one end of the trough inserted. A fixture with an aperture for guiding a cutting tool to form a desired channel or trough may be supplied in a kit.
Claims29
A cable tap for coupling a co-axial trunk cable having a trunk outer conductor, to a tap cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, comprising:
- a channel formed in the trunk outer conductor;
- the channel forming an electrical discontinuity that is less than a complete break in the outer conductor;
- the first conductor coupled to a first side of the channel;
- and the second conductor coupled to a second side of the channel.
A cable tap for coupling a co-axial trunk cable having a trunk outer conductor, to a tap cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, comprising:
- a trough formed between a first and a second area of the trunk outer conductor;
- a trough conductor located proximate the trough with an electrical connection between a first area of the trough conductor and the first area of the trunk outer conductor;
- the first conductor coupled to the second area of the trunk outer conductor;
- and the second conductor coupled to a second area of the trough conductor.
A method for tapping a co-axial trunk cable having a trunk outer conductor with a tap cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, comprising the steps of:
- forming a trough in the trunk outer conductor between a first and a second area of the trunk outer conductor;
- locating a trough conductor proximate to the trough and coupling a first end of the trough conductor to the first area of the trunk outer conductor;
- coupling the first conductor to the trough conductor;
- and coupling the second conductor to the second area of the trunk outer conductor.
A coaxial trunk cable in combination with a tap, comprising:
- a coaxial trunk cable adapted to transmit RF signals and having an outer conductor configured with a channel to create a voltage potential between first and second connection points on the outer conductor;
- the channel forming an electrical discontinuity that is less than a complete break in the outer conductor;
- and a tap comprising a first conductor electrically coupled to said first connection point and a second conductor electrically coupled to said second connection point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.