Electricity: conductors and insulators – Lightning protection
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-15
2001-01-23
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Lightning protection
C174S0050SG, C174S032000, C029S825000, C029S898080, C029S603040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177630
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to grounding of electrical and electronic equipment and, more particularly, is concerned with an electrical and electronic equipment installation pad having an integrated grounding plane and a method of using such a pad to install electrical and electronic equipment at a desired location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The importance of adequately grounding electrical and electronic equipment, such as wireless communication equipment, to protect both the equipment and technicians working on the equipment is well known. This is particularly true where the equipment is installed at a desired location, such as on a hilltop, susceptible to frequent lightning strikes.
Traditionally, wireless communication equipment is installed at a desired location in the following manner. Concrete is transported to the installation site and a concrete support pad is poured. The equipment is separately transported to the site and secured on the support pad. To ground the equipment, a trench is dug around the pad, typically to a depth of two and one-half feet, and a ground ring formed from a heavy gauge wire, such as a #2 wire, is installed in the trench. Ground rods are sunk into the ground adjacent to the ground ring and connected thereto. A wire connected to the equipment runs over the surface of the support pad to electrically connect the equipment with the ground ring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an electrical and electronic equipment installation pad and method for installing electrical and electronic equipment at a desired location. According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical and electronic equipment installation pad includes a support pad for supporting the equipment thereon. An electrically conductive pathway is disposed within the support pad. The electrically conductive pathway within the support pad is connectable to both the equipment and to ground.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is at least one first electrically conductive insert disposed at least partially within the support pad. The first insert is electrically connected with the electrically conductive pathway and is adapted to establish an electrical connection between the equipment and the electrically conductive pathway. There is also at least one second electrically conductive insert disposed at least partially within the support pad. The second insert is also electrically connected with the electrically conductive pathway and is adapted to establish an electrical connection between the electrically conductive pathway and ground.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the support pad is a precast concrete slab. The electrically conductive pathway disposed within the slab is comprised of a plurality of steel reinforcing rods welded to one another to form a grid.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, the first insert is a coil loop insert welded in at least one place to the steel grid. The first insert is capable of receiving an electrically conductive bolt for securing the equipment on the support pad.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the second insert is a galvanized insert welded in at least one place to the steel grid. The second insert includes at least one threaded bolt extending therefrom. An electrical lead from a ground device, such as a ground rod, disposed in the ground proximate to the installation pad may be connected to the second insert using the bolt.
One more aspect of the present invention is a method of installing electrical and electronic equipment at a desired location. The method involves providing a movable support pad with an electrically conductive pathway disposed therein. The equipment is secured on the support pad such that it is electrically connected with the electrically conductive pathway. This is done while the support pad is in a location remote from the desired location. The support pad with the equipment secured thereon is then moved to the desired location. At least one grounding device installed at the desired location is then electrically connected with the electrically conductive pathway of the equipment installation pad.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from a review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3176193 (1965-03-01), Sealey
patent: 3731448 (1973-05-01), Leo
patent: 4621476 (1986-11-01), MacGregor
patent: 4991248 (1991-02-01), Allen
patent: 5062022 (1991-10-01), Beard et al.
Kincaid Kristine
Marsh & Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP
Nino Adolfo
Qwest Communications International Inc.
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