SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MONITOR POWERLINES

• US 20140064389A1
• Filed: 09/06/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mast Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mast Inc.
• Inventors: VON HERZEN, Brian, VAN FLEET, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,689,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/257
• 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.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency is 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.

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.

9. The method as recited in claim wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal further comprises synchronizing using GPS.

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 operator.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication 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 transmitting device is a radio-transmitting device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitting device transmits a radio frequency.

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

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the radio frequency is 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 operator.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio-transmitting device is a cell phone.

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

a. contacting at least one transmitting device to a 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 operator,

wherein the data comprises a distance from the transmitting device to the ground to record height of a power line.