At+t Corp.

At&t Intellectual Property I, L.p.

Charles D Combs

Sheryl Leigh Woodward

Alan H Gnauck

Xiaolin Lu

Thomas Edward Darcie

Bhavesh N Desai

Esteban Sandino

Oleh J Sniezko

Anthony G Werner

Larry Ernest Cox

George L Hanlon

This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node. The mux-node may route upstream communication signals received from the mini-fiber nodes as downstream signals to other mini-fiber nodes also connected to the mux-node without head-end interaction.

Fiber and wire communication system

An underground equipment vault for power and electronic equipment includes an airflow system in combination with an above ground forced air source. The airflow courses through separate first and second chambers including a first chamber for power supplies and a second chamber for energy storage equipment. This airflow, sequentially traversing both chambers, dissipates heat from the equipment and further dispels hydrogen gases from the batteries to the outside air. An airflow system, utilizing fans, provides positive pressure to force the desired airflow through the chambers. The vault is closed with a dual lid structure to supply supporting strength and also supply a secure seal for closing the vault. The dual construction provides an insulating space for further insulating the vault from ambient conditions.

Underground centralized power supply/battery vault

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo, MO, United States of America

Charles D Combs