Body capacitance electric field powered device for high voltage lines
First Claim
1. An apparatus for mounting coupled with a power line carrying a high AC line voltage, the apparatus comprising:
- a conductive body having a body capacitance;
a power supply comprising at least two input terminals;
a first of said at least two input terminals coupled to said conductive body and a second of said at least two input terminals operative to be coupled to said power line;
electronic circuitry coupled to said power line comprising;
a voltage sensor operative to sense voltage on said power line, said voltage sensor having a metallic plate operative to form a first capacitance with an external reference;
a second capacitance coupled between said metallic plate and a system reference; and
detection circuitry operative to detect the voltage level on said metallic plate;
wherein said power supply is operative to convert power flow between said conductive body and said power line into a supply of power at a voltage substantially lower than said high AC line voltage for operation of said electronic circuitry.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.
49 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mounting coupled with a power line carrying a high AC line voltage, the apparatus comprising:
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a conductive body having a body capacitance; a power supply comprising at least two input terminals;
a first of said at least two input terminals coupled to said conductive body and a second of said at least two input terminals operative to be coupled to said power line;electronic circuitry coupled to said power line comprising; a voltage sensor operative to sense voltage on said power line, said voltage sensor having a metallic plate operative to form a first capacitance with an external reference; a second capacitance coupled between said metallic plate and a system reference; and detection circuitry operative to detect the voltage level on said metallic plate; wherein said power supply is operative to convert power flow between said conductive body and said power line into a supply of power at a voltage substantially lower than said high AC line voltage for operation of said electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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24. The apparatus of 23, wherein said condition is the illumination of said light source and/or failure of said high AC line voltage.
Specification