Apparatus and method for harvesting power from an overhead transmission conductor
First Claim
1. An apparatus adapted to harvest power from an overhead transmission conductor that is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart structures that are grounded to the earth, and to provide a DC voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
- (a) a first shield wire extending between and electrically bonded to the structures;
(b) a second shield wire extending between and electrically isolated from the structures, wherein the first shield wire, second shield wire, structure, and earth form a loop into which induced currents flow in response to AC current flowing in the overhead transmission conductor; and
(c) a charging station electrically connected to the second shield wire and adapted to convert induced currents flowing along the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of harvesting power for charging batteries of a robot traversing an overhead transmission conductor is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to harvest power from the overhead transmission conductor and provide a DC voltage for charging a battery and includes a first shield wire bonded to a structure that is grounded to the earth, a second shield wire isolated from the structure, and a charging station. The first shield wire, second shield wire, structure, and earth form a loop into which induced currents flow. The charging station is electrically connected to the second shield wire and adapted to convert induced currents flowing along the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus adapted to harvest power from an overhead transmission conductor that is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart structures that are grounded to the earth, and to provide a DC voltage for charging a battery, comprising:
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(a) a first shield wire extending between and electrically bonded to the structures; (b) a second shield wire extending between and electrically isolated from the structures, wherein the first shield wire, second shield wire, structure, and earth form a loop into which induced currents flow in response to AC current flowing in the overhead transmission conductor; and (c) a charging station electrically connected to the second shield wire and adapted to convert induced currents flowing along the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of harvesting power from an overhead transmission conductor that is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart structures that are grounded to the earth, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an apparatus adapted to harvest power from the overhead transmission conductor, having; (i) a first shield wire extending between and electrically bonded to the structures; (ii) a second shield wire extending between and electrically isolated from the structures; and (iii) a charging station electrically connected to the second shield wire; (b) forming an induced current loop using the first shield wire, second shield wire, grounded structure, and earth to allow induced currents created by a magnetic field generated by AC current flowing in the overhead transmission conductor to flow therein; and (c) using the charging station to convert the induced currents flowing through the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of harvesting power from an overhead transmission conductor that is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart structures that are grounded to the earth, and using the harvested power to charge a battery of an inspection device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an apparatus adapted to harvest power from the overhead transmission conductor, having; (i) a first shield wire extending between and electrically bonded to the structures; (ii) a second shield wire extending between and electrically isolated from the structures; and (iii) a charging station electrically connected to the second shield wire; (b) forming an induced current loop using the first shield wire, second shield wire, grounded structures, and earth to allow induced currents created by a magnetic field generated by AC current flowing in the overhead transmission conductor to flow therein; (c) using the charging station to convert the induced currents flowing through the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station; and (d) using the battery of the charging station to energize the second shield wire with a DC voltage for charging the battery of the inspection device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification