Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: A low passive intermodulation (PIM) angle adapter fabricated from or coated with a polymeric material supports one or more cable support hangers. The low-PIM angle adapter includes a box frame integrally formed with a slot frame, where the box frame supports one or more cable hangers and the slot frame slides onto a support structure to position the angle adapter on the support structure. The low-PIM angle adapter also includes one or more cable tie slots the receive cable ties that secure the angle adapter to the support structure. Various embodiments include differently shaped box frames designed to support one or more cable hangers, such hex, rectangular, trapezoidal and square box frames. The box frames may include multiple receptacles for receiving multiple cable hangers. Cable blocks and brackets also may be used to connect multiple cable hangers to a single receptacle of the low-PIM angle adapter.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.

Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: A low-PIM cable support rail assembly includes a metal strut extending in a longitudinal direction positioned within a potential PIM reactive zone of a cellular base station antenna. A channel runner assembly slidably engaged with the strut includes a low-PIM a low-PIM spacer and a low-PIM channel runner block that includes a captured rod anchor, such as a nut or bolt head, engaged with a threaded rod. A compression nut engaged with the threaded rod releasably pinches strut rails between the low-PIM channel runner block and the low-PIM spacer to secure the channel runner assembly at a desired position along the strut. The low-PIM channel runner block and low-PIM spacer prevent metal-to-metal contact when the compression nut is tightened to secure the channel runner assembly to the strut. A cable support block or other component may be spaced apart from the strut along the threaded rod.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a combined multicoupler for connecting a tool to a top drive. The combined multicoupler includes a load frame comprising a frame body having a load shoulder, and a side door coupled to the frame body. The side door opens from the frame body to allow a tool sliding horizontally into the load shoulder, and the side door closes to lock the tool in the load frame. The combined multicoupler further comprises a drive stem movably coupled to the load frame, wherein the drive stem moves vertically to connect and disconnect with the tool in the load frame.

Abstract: A low-PIM cable support rail assembly includes a metal strut extending in a longitudinal direction positioned within a potential PIM reactive zone of a cellular base station antenna. A channel runner assembly slidably engaged with the strut includes a low-PIM a low-PIM spacer and a low-PIM channel runner block that includes a captured rod anchor, such as a nut or bolt head, engaged with a threaded rod. A compression nut engaged with the threaded rod releasably pinches strut rails between the low-PIM channel runner block and the low-PIM spacer to secure the channel runner assembly at a desired position along the strut. The low-PIM channel runner block and low-PIM spacer prevent metal-to-metal contact when the compression nut is tightened to secure the channel runner assembly to the strut. A cable support block or other component may be spaced apart from the strut along the threaded rod.

Abstract: Low-PIM polymeric cable support brackets are used to support cables feeding antennas and other types of equipment at cellular base stations (cell sites). A variety of polymeric mounting brackets, cable ties, cable support blocks, and stackable hangers are used to eliminate loose fitting metal-to-metal contact points that tend to create PIM. The mounting bracket body may include standoff features allowing the same bracket to securely attach to poles of different diameter, an external hex profile for receiving a wrench, and a fitted receptacle for receiving a bracket end fastener to facilitate installation. Polymeric cable ties fed through cable slots in the mounting bracket may be positioned to prevent the bracket end fastener from falling out of the fitted receptacle. The low-PIM cable support brackets are suitable for use within one carrier wavelength behind and around base station antennas where conventional cable brackets have been identified as problematic PIM interference sources.

Abstract: A combined multicoupler for connecting a tool to a top drive is disclosed. The combined multicoupler includes a load frame comprising a frame body having a load shoulder, and a side door coupled to the frame body. The side door opens from the frame body to allow a tool sliding horizontally into the load shoulder, and the side door closes to lock the tool in the load frame. The combined multicoupler further comprises a drive stem movably coupled to the load frame, wherein the drive stem moves vertically to connect and disconnect with the tool in the load frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing logic. The logic is configured to perform, when executed by the processor, operations comprising detecting, in response to driving electrodes of a touch sensor with a first drive signal having a first polarity, a presence of an object. The presence of the object is detected based on a first sense signal, the first sense signal having a second polarity. The operations further comprise detecting, in response to driving the electrodes with a second drive signal having the first polarity, a second sense signal having a third polarity. The third polarity is an inverse of the second polarity. The operations further comprise driving, in response to detecting the second sense signal having the third polarity, the electrodes with a third drive signal having a fourth polarity. The fourth polarity is an inverse of the first polarity.

Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.

Abstract: A stackable, low-PIM cable hanger includes a hybrid metal-and-polymeric construction including a metal cable block carrying a polymeric sleeve. The metal cable block forms the cable mounting section, while the polymeric sleeve insulates the metal sides of the cable block and provides non-metallic (low-PIM) snap-in legs for attaching the cable hanger to mounting structures and stacking the cable hangers together. The metal cable block supports the cable more securely than a polymeric mounting section, while the polymeric sleeve avoids loose metal-to-metal connections when the cable hangers are attached to metal mounting structures or stacked together. The metal cable block includes a metal sides that form cable clasps. The sleeve includes polymeric sides that cover the metal sides of the cable block to prevent metal-to-metal contact on the sides of the cable block.

Abstract: The present invention meets the needs described above through low-PIM universal antenna equipment mounts and associated assemblies for use at cell sites. The universal mounts are typically deployed in antenna equipment assemblies located in the nearfield reactive region behind the base station antennas. The mounts suppress PIM generation as compared to conventional equipment mounts even though the universal mounts are located well outside the main beam of the base station antenna. An illustrative universal mount includes a pressure bushing with a cap that includes a pair of parallel rails to stabilize the bushing on a metal mast. The rails allow the pressure bushing to transfer the load of the supported equipment to the curved surface of round cylindrical masts irrespective of the pipe diameter within the typical range of mast diameters, such as 2 inches to 6 inches in diameter.

Abstract: A low-PIM, stackable polymeric cable hanger spacer that includes a polymeric base forming a rim that defines a latch surface for capturing locking metal barbs of interface brackets of a metal snap-in cable hanger. The spacer also includes polymeric legs extending from the polymeric base with polymeric barbs for latching to an adjacent snap-in cable hanger or other support member. The base allows the metal barbs to pass through the base when the metal barbs are deflected or compressed toward each other. and then allows the metal barbs to spring back to engage the latch surface and become captured by the polymeric spacer once the metal barbs clear of the rim. The base may have a round toroidal shape with rounded edges allowing the metal snap-in cable hanger to rotate with respect to the spacer.

Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.