Hierarchical power distribution

• US 9,887,557 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Wave LLC
• Original Assignee: Cpg Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Corum, James F., Corum, Kenneth L., Pinzone, Jr., Basil F., Lilly, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Sibin
• Application Number:
  US14/847,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20160079770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Aspects of a hierarchical power distribution network are described. In some embodiments, a first guided surface waveguide probe launches a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within a first power distribution region. A guided surface wave receive structure obtains electrical energy from the first guided surface wave. A second guided surface waveguide probe launches a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within a second power distribution region using the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first power distribution node for a first power distribution region, wherein the first power distribution node comprises a first guided surface waveguide probe, wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is configured to launch a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within the first power distribution region; and

a second power distribution node for a second power distribution region, wherein the second power distribution node comprises a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from the first guided surface wave, wherein the second power distribution node further comprises a second guided surface waveguide probe configured to use the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave to launch a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within the second power distribution region.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is configured to be energized at a first operating frequency, and wherein the second guided surface waveguide probe is configured to be energized at a second operating frequency.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first operating frequency is lower than the second operating frequency.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second power distribution node further comprises a frequency converter configured to generate an energizing signal for the second guided surface waveguide probe, wherein the energizing signal operates at the second operating frequency.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the frequency converter comprises a rotary frequency converter.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the frequency converter comprises a solid state frequency converter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second power distribution region is located entirely within the first power distribution region.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein only a portion of the second power distribution region is located within the first power distribution region.

9. A method, comprising:

launching, using a first guided surface waveguide probe, a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within a first power distribution region;

obtaining, using a guided surface wave receive structure, electrical energy from the first guided surface wave; and

launching, using a second guided surface waveguide probe, a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within a second power distribution region using the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

energizing the first guided surface waveguide probe at a first operating frequency; and

energizing the second guided surface waveguide probe at a second operating frequency.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first operating frequency is lower than the second operating frequency.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first guided surface wave has a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises generating an energizing signal that operates at a second frequency.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the energizing signal that operates at the second frequency comprises:

driving an electric motor using the electrical energy; and

driving a generator using the electric motor.

14. A power distribution node, comprising:

a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a first guided surface wave launched by a first guided surface waveguide probe along a surface of a terrestrial medium; and

a second guided surface waveguide probe configured to use the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave to launch a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium.

15. The power distribution node of claim 14, further comprising a frequency converter configured to generate an energizing signal for the second guided surface waveguide probe.

16. The power distribution node of claim 15, wherein the frequency converter comprises:

a motor configured to be driven by the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave; and

a generator configured to be driven by the motor.

17. The power distribution node of claim 15, wherein the frequency converter comprises a solid state frequency converter.

18. The power distribution node of claim 14, wherein the power distribution node is configured to service a second power distribution region;

and

wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is for another power distribution node that services a first power distribution region.

19. The power distribution node of claim 18, wherein the second power distribution region is entirely within the first power distribution region.

20. The power distribution node of claim 18, wherein only a portion of the second power distribution region is within the first power distribution region.