Power Supply for Sensors and Other Electronic Devices
First Claim
1. A power supply for an electronic device, comprising:
- at least one transformer, the transformer intended for placement around a power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line;
at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device; and
at least one voltage output connected to the power conditioning unit and connectable to the electronic device in a manner suitable for providing power to the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power supply comprises at least one transformer that is placed around an active power line and is connected through at least one power conditioning system to provide a conditioned power source for at least one electronic device. Power is generated by scavenging power from the power being supplied on the power line. An asset-monitoring apparatus comprises a sensor package in communication with a monitoring system and a power supply that generates power for the sensor package, the power supply including a transformer placed close to the power line powering the asset being monitored and a power conditioning system that conditions the power supply for use by the sensor package. An optional energy storage device may receive power from the power conditioning system and provide primary or backup power for the sensor package or other electronic device.
13 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power supply for an electronic device, comprising:
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at least one transformer, the transformer intended for placement around a power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line; at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device; and at least one voltage output connected to the power conditioning unit and connectable to the electronic device in a manner suitable for providing power to the device. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An electronic device having a power supply, comprising:
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at least one transformer, the transformer intended for placement within an effective distance from an active power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line; at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device; and device electronics connected to the power conditioning unit for receiving the voltage and causing the device to operate. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. An asset-monitoring system, comprising:
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at least one sensor having associated monitoring electronics; at least one current transformer, the transformer intended for placement within an effective distance from a power line supplying power to the asset in order that that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line; at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer and the sensor electronics, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the monitoring electronics; and a monitoring system for receiving data obtained by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for powering an electronic device, comprising the steps of:
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inducing current in at least one transformer by placing the transformer within an effective distance from an active power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line; converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device; and powering the electronic device with the voltage supply. - View Dependent Claims (14, 19)
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15. A method for monitoring an asset, comprising:
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inducing current in at least one transformer by placing the transformer within an effective distance from the power line supplying the asset so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line; converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by an electronic device; powering at least one sensor with the voltage supply; sensing the asset with the sensor; and providing data obtained by the sensor to a monitoring system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification