System and method to monitor powerlines

• US 9,689,977 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mast Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mast Inc.
• Inventors: Van Fleet, Steve, Von Herzen, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US14/020,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20140064389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/08 Systems for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S13/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurement G01S13/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/26 wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurement G01S15/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/86 Combinations of sonar systems with lidar systems; Combinations of sonar systems with systems not using wave reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/00 Overhead installations of electric lines or cables installations of bus-bars H02G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/20 Spatial arrangements or dispositions of lines or cables on poles, posts or towers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

The invention encompasses a system and method for monitoring a power line. In certain embodiments, a system emits a series of signals that allow for analytic analysis of a power line. For example, by taking multiple signal readings, it is possible to detect an average height reading of a power line and observe long-term trends in the time delay from signal emission to reception of an echo-signal. This allows for accurate measurement of various physical parameters of a power line, for example, the height of the power line above the ground.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a power line comprising:

a. transmitting an identifiable signal from a transmitter device defined on a power line;

b. receiving the signal from the transmitter device defined on the power line by at least one receiving device;

c. processing the received signal using data from the at least one receiving device to identify a parameter of the power line; and

d. reporting the parameter of the power line to a network support center, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of the transmitter device, address information of the transmitter device, transmitter distances and transmitter height;

wherein the method utilizes an ultrasonic or infrasound echolocation process to determine the height above ground of the power line.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal in the range of about 300 megahertz to about 2 gigahertz.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal in the range of about 800 megahertz to about 900 megahertz.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is the distance of the power line at a given point along the power line from the ground.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter device is a radio frequency transmitter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter device is an audio frequency transmitter.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter device is a cell phone.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal is an arrival-time correlation process, distributed sensor/time of flight process, or an echolocation process.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal further comprises synchronizing using a global positioning system (GPS).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter of the power line is reported using wireless technology.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter of the power line is reported using wireless technology.

11. A method for determining the height of a power line comprising:

a. receiving a radio frequency signal from a source placed on a power line;

b. processing the received radio frequency signal using a plurality of receiving devices;

c. identifying an approximate localized point on the power line, the approximate localized point defining a physical height of the power line; and

d. reporting the height of the power line over a network to a network support center, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of a transmitter device, address information of a transmitter device, transmitter distances and transmitter height;

wherein the method utilizes an ultrasonic or infrasound echolocation process to determine the height above ground of the power line.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving of a radio frequency is achieved through at least one of a GPS, a plurality of cell sites, a plurality of WiFi hotspots, and a plurality of other mobile devices.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the source is a transmitting device comprising a radio-transmitting device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the radio-transmitting device is a cell phone.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the transmitting device transmits a radio frequency.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the source transmits a radio frequency in the range of about 600 megahertz to about 2 gigahertz.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the source transmits a radio frequency in the range of about 800 megahertz to about 900 megahertz.

20. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal is an arrival-time correlation process, distributed sensor/time of flight process, or an echolocation process.

12. A method for determining the height of a power line comprising:

a. receiving a signal from a source placed on a power line;

b. processing the received signal using a receiving device;

c. identifying an approximate localized point on the power line, the approximate localized point including a physical height of the power line; and

d. reporting the height of the power line over a network to a network support center, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of a transmitter device, address information of a transmitter device, transmitter distances and transmitter height;

wherein the method utilizes an ultrasonic or infrasound echolocation process to determine the height above ground of the power line.

13. A method for identifying a physical parameter of a power line comprising:

a. contacting at least one transmitting device to the power line;

b. communicating a signal from the at least one transmitting device to a plurality of receiving devices over a communication network;

c. processing the signal using a processor to identify at least one physical parameter of the transmitting device on the power line;

d. collecting data with regard to the physical parameter of the transmitting device,

e. reporting the physical parameter to a network support center, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of a transmitter device, address information of a transmitter device, transmitter distances and transmitter height;

wherein the method utilizes an ultrasonic or infrasound echolocation process to determine the height above ground of the power line based on the data to determine a distance from the transmitting device to the ground to record height of a power line.