Flux-enhanced energy harvesting from current-carrying conductors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for harvesting power from a current carrying conductor without electrically contacting the conductor, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an energy harvesting coil having first and second faces, the coil having an output;
(b) a first flux condenser adjacent to the first face of the energy harvesting coil;
(c) a second flux condenser adjacent to the second face of the energy harvesting coil; and
(d) a voltage converter having an input and an output;
(e) the input of the voltage converter connected to the output of the energy harvesting coil; and
(f) the output of the voltage converter connected to an energy storage device;
(g) wherein captured energy from magnetic flux from a current carrying conductor is stored in the energy storage device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for harvesting power from a current carrying conductor without electrically contacting the conductor is provided. The apparatus employs a coil with core and flux concentrators of high magnetic permeability steel that redirect the time-varying magnetic flux of the conductor to interact more strongly with the coil, and increase the coil'"'"'s output voltage and power. A voltage converter may be used with a DC voltage output that can continually charge batteries or supercapacitors as well as provide energy for sensors, accelerometers, long-range radios to transmit data on local powerline conditions, and LEDs and buzzers. The apparatus may also have powered environmental sensors for measuring the concentrations of airborne particulate matter such as diesel exhaust and smoke, as well as toxic gases, greenhouse gases, allergenic pollens etc. The apparatus has a housing that is oriented and coupled to the conductor with a coupling.
11 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for harvesting power from a current carrying conductor without electrically contacting the conductor, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an energy harvesting coil having first and second faces, the coil having an output; (b) a first flux condenser adjacent to the first face of the energy harvesting coil; (c) a second flux condenser adjacent to the second face of the energy harvesting coil; and (d) a voltage converter having an input and an output; (e) the input of the voltage converter connected to the output of the energy harvesting coil; and (f) the output of the voltage converter connected to an energy storage device; (g) wherein captured energy from magnetic flux from a current carrying conductor is stored in the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for harvesting power from a current carrying conductor without electrically contacting the conductor, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an energy harvesting coil having first and second faces, the coil having an output; (b) a first flux condenser adjacent to the first face of the energy harvesting coil; (c) a second flux condenser adjacent to the second face of the energy harvesting coil; (d) a step-up voltage converter having an input and an output; (e) the input of the step-up voltage converter connected to the output of the energy harvesting coil; (f) a sensor having a power input connected to the output of the step-up voltage converter; and (g) a radiofrequency transmitter having a data input; (h) the sensor having a data output connected to the data input of the radiofrequency transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An apparatus for harvesting power from a current carrying conductor without electrically contacting the conductor, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a rectangular energy harvesting coil having first and second faces and a long axis, the coil having an output; (b) a first flux condenser adjacent to the first face of the energy harvesting coil; (c) a second flux condenser adjacent to the second face of the energy harvesting coil; (d) a step-up voltage converter having an input and an output; (e) the input of the step-up voltage converter connected to the output of the energy harvesting coil; and (f) the output of the step-up voltage converter connected to an energy storage device; (g) at least one sensor having a power input connected to the energy storage device; (h) a radiofrequency transmitter having a data input; (i) the sensor having a data output connected to the data input of the radiofrequency transmitter; (j) a controller operably coupled to the voltage converter, energy storage device, sensors and transmitter; (k) a housing enclosing the coil, flux condensers and voltage converter; and (l) at least one coupling configured to couple the housing to a current carrying conductor; (m) wherein captured energy from magnetic flux from a current carrying conductor is stored in the energy storage device.
-
Specification