Insulator integrated power supply

• US 8,964,433 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2009
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Technology AG (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Hai-Maharsi, Mohamed Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhang, Jue
• Application Number:
  US12/919,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,198 Days
• Field of Search: 363/126
• US Class Current: 363/126
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 17/005 Insulators structurally associated with built-in electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/008 Pedestal mounted switch gear combinations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/022 particular to three-phase circuit breakers synchronous switching H01H9/563
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/027 Integrated apparatus for measuring current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/06 Arrangements for supplying operative power power supply arrangements in general G05F, H02M

Abstract

A power scavenging device attaches to an overhead power cable and a support pole. The power scavenging device includes a non-conducting outer body and a first capacitor and a second capacitor that are connected in series forming a voltage divider. A voltage source converter is electrically connected to the output of the power scavenging device. The voltage source converter outputs a regulated power.

Claims

1. A power scavenging device for attachment to an overhead power cable and a support pole, the power scavenging device comprising a bushing having a non-conducting outer body, a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series at a junction, an input lead secured to the overhead power cable, said input lead electrically connected to said first capacitor, an output lead electrically connected to said junction, a ground lead connected to said second capacitor, and a voltage source converter electrically connected to said output lead, wherein said first and said second capacitor form a voltage divider and said voltage source converter outputs a regulated power supply.

2. The power scavenging device according to claim 1 wherein said voltage source converter includes a bridge rectifier.

3. The power scavenging device according to claim 1 wherein said body further includes at least one ribbed portion.

4. The power scavenging device according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second capacitors are completely encapsulated in said body.

5. A power scavenging device for attachment to an overhead power cable and a support pole, the power scavenging device comprising a bushing having a non-conducting outer body, a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series at a junction, an input lead secured to the overhead power cable, said input lead electrically connected to said first resistor, an output lead electrically connected to said junction, a ground lead connected to said second resistor, and a voltage source converter electrically connected to said output lead, wherein said first and said second resistor form a voltage divider and said voltage source converter outputs a regulated power supply.

6. The power scavenging device according to claim 5 wherein said voltage source converter includes a bridge rectifier.

7. The power scavenging device according to claim 5 wherein said body further includes at least one ribbed portion.

8. The power scavenging device according to claim 5 wherein said first and said second resistor is completely encapsulated in said body.

9. A method of scavenging power from an overhead power cable comprising:

providing a device having a non-conductive body and voltage divider encapsulated in said body, an input lead extending outwardly from said body and electrically connected to said voltage divider, and an output lead extending outwardly from said body and electrically connected to said voltage divider;

attaching said input lead to the overhead power cable;

electrically attaching the output lead with a voltage source converter;

securing said device to a support pole, wherein said device serves as an insulating bushing to maintains the overhead power cable away from the support pole; and

outputting regulated power from the voltage source converter.

10. A power scavenging device for attachment to a first and a second adjacent overhead power cables, the power scavenging device comprising a bushing having a non-conducting outer body, a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series at a first junction, a third capacitor and said second capacitor connected in series at a second junction, a first input lead secured to the first overhead power cable, said first input lead electrically connected to said first capacitor, a second input lead secured to the second overhead power cable, said second input lead electrically connected to said third capacitor, a first output lead electrically connected to said first junction, a second output lead electrically connected to said second junction, and a voltage source converter electrically connected to said first and said second output leads, wherein said first and said second capacitor form a voltage divider and said voltage source converter outputs a regulated power supply.

11. The power scavenging device according to claim 10 wherein said voltage source converter includes a bridge rectifier.

12. The power scavenging device according to claim 10 wherein said body further includes at least one ribbed portion.

13. The power scavenging device according to claim 10 wherein said first, said second and said third capacitor are completely encapsulated in said body.