The present disclosure involves positioning a plurality of metering devices positioned along a terrestrial medium relative to a Zenneck surface waveguide probe to generate field measurements of the wireless output of such Zenneck surface waveguide probe. A computing device configures each of the metering devices for operation at an operating frequency. Each of the metering devices generates field measurements over time during the testing of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe. The field measurements from each of the metering devices are stored in a data store, where the field measurements indicate a wireless signal output of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe. A user interface is generated and rendered on a display that indicates a field strength over distance of the wireless signal output of the Zenneck surface waveguide probe. The metering devices include various components to facilitate taking the field measurements.
Various examples are provided related to anisotropic constitutive parameters (ACPs) that can be used to launch Zenneck surface waves. In one example, among others, an ACP system includes an array of ACP elements distributed above a medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can include one or more horizontal layers of radial resistive artificial anisotropic dielectric (RRAAD) elements positioned in one or more orientations above the terrestrial medium. The ACP system can include vertical lossless artificial anisotropic dielectric (VLAAD) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium in a third orientation perpendicular to the horizontal layer or layers. The ACP system can also include horizontal artificial anisotropic magnetic permeability (HAAMP) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can be distributed about a launching structure, which can be excited with an electromagnetic field to facilitate the launch of a Zenneck surface wave.
H01Q 9/36 - Vertical arrangement of element with top loading
H01Q 19/06 - Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
H01Q 15/02 - Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
3.
MINIMIZING ATMOSPHERIC DISCHARGE ON A GUIDED SURFACE WAVEGUIDE PROBE
Disclosed are various embodiments for eliminating or minimizing atmospheric discharge within the guided surface waveguide probe. Atmospheric discharge can be minimized to a nominal amount according to one or more factors, such as, for example, the use of a corona hood, the effective diameter of the internal coil, the effective diameter of the tube, and the shape of the charge terminal.
H02J 50/70 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
H01Q 1/36 - Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella
H02J 50/23 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
4.
CHARGE TERMINAL DESIGN FOR GUIDED SURFACE WAVEGUIDE PROBE
Disclosed is an exemplary guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium. In one embodiment, the guided surface waveguide probe comprises a charge terminal elevated to a height above the lossy conducting medium; a support structure that supports the charge terminal; at least one section of internal coil that is supported within the support structure and is coupled to an excitation source; a conductive tube conductively coupled to the at least one section of internal coil at a bottom end, and a plurality of coupling conductors that extend radially away from a top of the conductive tube to a plurality of points located on an inner surface of the charge terminal.
Disclosed is an exemplary guided surface waveguide probe. In one embodiment, the guided surface waveguide probe comprises a charge terminal elevated to a height above the lossy conducting medium; a support structure that supports the charge terminal; an internal coil that is supported within the support structure and is coupled to an excitation source; a conductive tube having a first end conductively coupled to the at least one section of internal coil, wherein a second end of the conductive tube extends vertically towards and is electrically coupled to the charge terminal; at least one sensor electrically coupled to the charge terminal or the internal coil, wherein the at least one sensor measures an operational parameter of the guided surface waveguide probe; and a non-conductive channel connected to the at least one sensor by which data associated with the operational parameter is communicated.
A guided surface waveguide probe structure is described. In one example, the guided surface waveguide probe structure includes a charge terminal elevated to a first height above a lossy conducting medium and a phasing coil elevated to a second height above the lossy conducting medium, wherein the first height is larger than the second height. The structure further includes a non-conductive support structure to support the phasing coil and the charge terminal. The non-conductive support structure includes a truss frame secured to and supported over a substructure, and the truss frame supports the phasing coil at the second height above the lossy conducting medium. The non-conductive support structure also includes a charge terminal truss extension supported by the truss frame, and the charge terminal truss extension supports the charge terminal at the first height above the lossy conducting medium.
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting and receiving energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium excited by a guided surface waveguide probe. A charge terminal can be excited via a feed network to establish an electric field that couples into the guided surface waveguide mode along the surface of the lossy conducting medium.
Disclosed are various embodiments for eliminating or minimizing atmospheric discharge within the internal phasing coil of the guided surface waveguide probe. A guided surface waveguide probe comprises a charge terminal elevated over a lossy conducting medium. The shape of the charge terminal is designed to minimize atmospheric discharge. A top portion of a coil being configured to provide a voltage to the charge terminal with a phase delay that matches a wave tilt angle associated with a complex Brewster angle of incidence associated with the lossy conducting medium is recessed within a hollow region of the charge terminal.
Disclosed are embodiments for anchoring a guided surface waveguide probe. A guided surface waveguide probe can be suspended from a support structure manufactured from a nonconductive material, the support structure comprising a plurality of beams. A base bracket is configured to receive at least one of the plurality of beams and further comprising a hole. The base bracket rests upon a pad. An anchor bolt protrudes from the pad through the hole of the base bracket. Also, a fastener engages the anchor bolt to secure the base bracket to the pad.
Disclosed is a support structure (530) for a guided surface waveguide probe. In some embodiments, the support structure includes vertically oriented corner columns (1004) that define outer corners of the structure, vertically oriented intermediate columns (1006) that define portions of outer sides of the structure, each intermediate column being positioned between a pair of corner columns, framing members that extend between the corner columns and the intermediate columns, plates located at junctions between the framing members and the columns, and fasteners (1086) located at the junctions that secure the framing members and the plates to the corner columns and the intermediate columns, and that secure the framing members to the plates, wherein the corner columns, intermediate columns, framing members, plates, and fasteners are all made of a non-conductive material.
Embodiments of a guided surface waveguide probe (200a-f, 500) are disclosed. One embodiment, among others, has a guided surface waveguide probe (200a-f, 500) including a charge terminal (T1, 520) elevated over a lossy conducting medium (203, 503) by way of a support structure (530), and a substantially planar support platform (510, 510') situated under the support structure (530) and co-planar with a roof of a substructure of the guided surface waveguide probe (200a-f, 500). The support platform (510, 510') can be made from or include an insulating material part that is sufficiently insulating to prevent degradation of the support platform (510, 510') caused by the electric fields. A primary coil (269, 620) associated with the guided surface waveguide probe (200a-f, 500) can magnetically couple with the phasing coil to excite the charge terminal (T1, 520) to produce a guided surface wave on the lossy conducting medium (203, 503).
H04B 13/02 - Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy
E04H 12/12 - Structures made of specified materials of concrete or other stone-like material, with or without internal or external reinforcement, e.g. with metal coverings, with permanent form elements
H01F 27/06 - Mounting, supporting, or suspending transformers, reactors, or choke coils
H01F 27/30 - Fastening or clamping coils, windings, or parts thereof together; Fastening or mounting coils or windings on core, casing, or other support
12.
SITE SPECIFICATION FOR DIRECTIONAL GUIDED SURFACE WAVE TRANSMISSION IN A LOSSY MEDIA
Various examples are provided for site specification for directional guided surface wave transmission in a lossy media. In one example, a probe site includes a propagation interface including first and second regions comprising different lossy conducting mediums. A guided surface waveguide probe positioned adjacent to the first and second regions can generate at least one electric field to launch a guided surface wave along the propagation interface in a radial direction defined by the first region and restricted by the second region. The propagation interface can also include additional regions comprising the same or different lossy conducting mediums. One or more of the regions can be prepared regions. In some cases, the regions can correspond to a terrestrial medium (e.g., a shoreline) and water (e.g., seawater along the shoreline).
Disclosed a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (9i B) of the lossy conducting medium.
The present disclosure sets forth various embodiments of power reception kits and methods. In one embodiment, a guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave travelling along a terrestrial medium. Power output circuitry having a power output is configured to be coupled to an electrical load. The electrical load is experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. At least one connector is configured to couple the at least one guided surface wave receive structure to the power output circuitry.
Disclosed are various embodiments of apparatuses and methods for global time synchronization using a guided surface wave traveling along the surface of a terrestrial medium. In one embodiment, a guided surface wave receive structure receives electrical energy from a guided surface wave that is generated at a specific time and is traveling along a terrestrial medium. A time synchronization circuit that is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure synchronizes its time with the time at the origin of the guided surface wave based at least in part based on the propagation delay of the guided surface wave between the origin of the guided surface wave and the guided surface wave receive structure.
Disclosed is an implantable medical device and methods of using the medical device. The medical device may include a guided surface wave receive structure configured to receive a guided surface wave transmitted by a guided surface waveguide probe. The guided surface wave receive structure in the medical device generates an alternating current signal when the guided surface wave is received. The medical device includes a power circuit that is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The power circuit includes a power storage circuit to store the power signal. The medical device includes a medical circuit that comprises a stimulus circuit, a monitoring circuit, and potentially other components. The stimulus circuit provides a stimulus to a human body. The monitoring circuit measures a characteristic of the human body.
The use of a combination of wired and wireless power distribution equipment, coexisting together in various embodiments, is described. For example, one or more sub- transmission and/or distribution stations for wired power distribution, for example, can be retrofitted to include wireless power distribution equipment. Using the wireless power distribution equipment, power received via a wired transmission network can be re- transmitted using a sub-transmission and/or a distribution probe, for example. Similarly, power received by wireless receive structures through transmission, sub-transmission, or distribution frequency guided surface waves can be re-transmitted over wired networks, such as wired transmission, sub-transmission, and/or distribution networks.
Disclosed are various approaches for measuring and reporting the amount of electrical power consumed by an electrical load attached to a guided surface wave receive structure. A guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. An electric power meter coupled to the electrical load and configured to measure the electrical load.
H02J 50/40 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
H02J 50/80 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
Disclosed a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (θi Β) of the lossy conducting medium.
Disclosed is hybrid communication in which a first message from a guided surface wave probe node is embedded in a guided surface wave, and a second message from a guided surface wave receive node uses a different messaging mechanism.
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for transmitting guided surface waves that illuminate a defined region. In one embodiment, such a method comprises installing a plurality of guided surface waveguide probes (PI, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) across a defined region having set boundaries, and setting respective frequency values of operation for the plurality of guided surface waveguide probes that allow for respective service areas to be defined that in the aggregate cover the defined region with guided surface waves.
H01Q 1/00 - ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS - Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
H01Q 9/00 - Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
Disclosed are various embodiments of an electromagnetic hybrid phased array system. One such embodiment includes a guided surface waveguide probe, and a contrawound toroidal helix antenna collocated with the guided surface waveguide probe in which the contrawound toroidal helix comprises ring elements spaced from each other and wrapped around the guided surface waveguide probe. The system further includes a signal source applied to at least the guided surface waveguide probe, such that the guided surface waveguide probe and the contrawound toroidal helix contribute individual vertical electric fields to form a radiation pattern based on the phase and amplitude characteristics of the individual vertical electric fields.
H01Q 9/34 - Mast, tower, or like self-supporting or stay-supported antennas
H01Q 3/26 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
H01Q 3/30 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the phase
H01Q 9/30 - Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
Disclosed are various embodiments for fixing a navigational position using guided surface waves launched from guided surface wave waveguide probes at various ground stations. A guided surface wave is received using a guided surface wave receive structure. A reflection of the guided surface wave is received using the guided surface wave receive structure. An amount of time that has elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave is calculated. A location of the guided surface wave receive structure is determined based at least in part on the amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave.
Disclosed, in one example, is an energy consumption node. The node includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. The node also includes a distribution system coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure and configured to distribute the obtained electrical energy to an electrical load coupleable to the distribution system.
Various embodiments for deterring theft in wireless power systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical device includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium, and an electrical load coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The electrical load is experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. Processing circuitry of the electrical device may be configured to monitor the electrical load to determine whether a power consumption of the electrical load has exceeded a predefined amount of permitted power consumption and disable the wireless power receiver or the electrical load coupled to the wireless power receive structure in response to the electrical load exceeding the predefined amount of permitted power consumption.
H02J 3/00 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
H02J 3/14 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
An object identification system (400) includes a guided surface waveguide probe (P) that produces a guided surface wave; and an object identification tag (402) having a receive structure (R, 412) and a tag circuit (44), the tag circuit coupled to the receive structure and electrically powered as a load on the probe by conversion of the guided surface wave to electrical current at the receive structure, the tag circuit configured to emit a return signal containing a tag identifier when electrically powered by presence of the guided surface wave.
G01S 13/75 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders
G01V 15/00 - Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
A method of managing objects in a site (424) includes producing a guided surface wave with a guided surface waveguide probe (P), the guided surface wave having sufficient energy density to power object identification tags (402) in an entirety of the site; receiving reply signals from the object identification tags, each object identification tag associated with an object (404); and identifying geolocation of one or more the objects according to received reply signals from the object identification tags that are associated with the one or more of the objects.
Disclosed are various embodiments for field strength monitoring of electromagnetic fields generated by a guided surface waveguide probe. A field meter measures the field strength of the electromagnetic field. The field meter communicates the measured field strength to a probe control system coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe. Adjustments can be made to one or more operational parameters of the guided surface waveguide probe according to the measured field strength.
H01Q 13/20 - Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
H01Q 13/26 - Surface waveguide constituted by a single conductor, e.g. strip conductor
G01V 3/12 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with electromagnetic waves
Disclosed is a disaster warning device with a guided surface wave receive structure, an impedance matching network, a power circuit, a data processing circuit, and a warning output. The power circuit and the data processing circuit may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The power circuit may supply electrical energy to power to the data processing circuit and warning output. The power circuit may receive power from a guided surface wave. The data processing circuitry may receive data communications from a guided surface wave.
Various examples are provided for enhanced guided surface waveguide probes, systems and methods. In one example, a guided surface waveguide probe includes a charge terminal comprising a upper terminal portion coupled to a lower terminal portion through a variable capacitance. In another example, a method includes positioning the charge terminal at a defined height over a lossy conducting medium; adjusting a phase delay (Φ) of a feed network connected to the charge aterminal to match a wave tilt angle (Ψ) corresponding to a complex Brewster angle of incidence (θί,Β) associated with the lossy conducting medium; adjusting the variable capacitance based upon an image ground plane impedance (Zin) associated with the lossy conducting medium; and exciting the charge terminal with an excitation voltage via the feed network. The excitation voltage can establish an electric field that couples into a guided surface waveguide mode along a surface of the lossy conducting medium.
Various examples are provided for global electrical power multiplication. In one example, a global power multiplier includes first and second guided surface waveguide probes separated by a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of a defined frequency and configured to launch synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium at the defined frequency; and at least one excitation source configured to excite the first and second guided surface waveguide probes at the defined frequency, where the excitation of the second guided surface waveguide probe at the defined frequency is 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the excitation of the first guided surface waveguide probe. In another example, a method includes launching synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting first and second guided surface waveguide probes to produce a traveling wave propagating along the surface.
H02J 50/40 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
H02J 50/50 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
32.
MOBILE GUIDED SURFACE WAVEGUIDE PROBES AND RECEIVERS
The present disclosure is directed to mobile guided surface waveguide probes and receivers. In a representative embodiment, an excitation source such as a generator is coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe. The excitation source and the guided surface waveguide probe mounted to a rigid frame for transport.
Disclosed are various approaches for determining positions of a navigation unit and correcting for errors. The navigation unit can receive a guided surface wave using a guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation unit can then determine a potential location of the guided surface wave receive structure. Finally, the navigation unit can determine an accuracy of the potential location based at least in part on a secondary data source.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 1/04 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves - Details
G01S 1/08 - Systems for determining direction or position line
G01S 5/10 - Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements
Disclosed are systems and methods for long distance transmission of offshore generated power. A turbine (403) is located offshore. The turbine (403) can be mechanically coupled to a generator. A guided surface waveguide probe (413) is electrically coupled to the generator and configured to launch a guided surface wave (416) on a terrestrial medium.
F03B 13/26 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
G01S 13/02 - Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
H01P 5/00 - Coupling devices of the waveguide type
Disclosed are various approaches for determining a location using guided surface waves. A guided surface wave is received. A field strength of a guided surface wave is identified. A phase of the guided surface wave is identified. A distance from a guided surface waveguide probe that launched the guided surface wave is calculated. A location is determined based at least in part on the distance from the guided surface waveguide probe.
G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
G01S 11/00 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
Disclosed are various approaches for determining a location using guided surface waves. A wavelength and a phase of a base guided surface wave launched from a ground station and received by the guided surface wave receive structure are identified. A range of an overlaid guided surface wave launched from the ground station and received by the guided surface wave receive structure are identified., wherein the range of the overlaid guided surface wave is measured as a number of wavelengths of the base guided surface wave. A distance of the guided surface wave receive structure from the ground station based at least in part on the phase of the base guided surface wave and the range of the overlaid guided surface wave is calculated. Finally, a location of the guided surface wave receive structure based at least in part on the distance of the guided surface wave receive structure from the ground station is determined.
Aspects of detecting the unauthorized consumption of electrical energy are described. In some embodiments, a system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that launches a guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium. The system further includes metering systems that are distributed within a geographical region associated with the guided surface waveguide probe. The system also includes at least one computing device and memory storing computer instructions that cause the at least one computing device to generate an energy flow map using data obtained from the metering systems.
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
G01V 3/26 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation specially adapted for well-logging operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified either by the surrounding earth formation or by the detecting device
38.
MAGNETIC COILS HAVING CORES WITH HIGH MAGNETIC PERMEABILITY
Aspects of magnetic coils having cores with relatively high magnetic permeability are described. In some embodiments, a system includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling across a terrestrial medium. The guided surface wave receive structure includes a magnetic coil and a core disposed in the magnetic coil. The core in some embodiments has a relative magnetic permeability greater than about 10 and less than about 1,000,000. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, with the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave.
H01Q 7/06 - Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop with core of ferromagnetic material
Disclosed is a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (θi,B) of the lossy conducting medium.
Aspects of return coupled wireless power transmission systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal elevated at a height over a lossy conducting medium, a ground stake, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the ground stake that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers including a ground connection coupled to the conductor. The conductor can help to provide additional efficiency in power transfer between the guided surface waveguide probe and the guided surface wave receivers, especially when the operating frequency of the probe is in the medium, high, or very high frequency ranges.
The invention concerns restricting the transmission of energy by guided surface wave (Sommerfeld-Zenneck wave) receive equipment to unauthorized users. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a network interface adapted to receive a valid key code, and a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a lossy conducting (terrestrial) medium, wherein the guided surface wave is embedded with a user key code. Accordingly, processing circuitry is further included and is adapted to validate the user key code against the valid key code. The processing circuitry is adapted to disable delivery of the electrical energy from the guided surface wave to an electrical load if the user key code is invalid.
H02J 50/80 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
42.
CHANGING GUIDED SURFACE WAVE TRANSMISSIONS TO FOLLOW LOAD CONDITIONS
Disclosed are various embodiments of a guided surface waveguide transmit system. One embodiment of the guided surface waveguide transmit system includes a guided surface waveguide probe configured to transmit a guided surface wave along a lossy conducting medium. The system further includes a controller device configured to receive load status data and signal for the guided surface waveguide probe to adjust transmission of the guided surface wave based at least in part on the load status data.
H01Q 9/00 - Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
H01Q 21/08 - Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along, or adjacent to, a rectilinear path
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
43.
FLEXIBLE NETWORK TOPOLOGY AND BIDIRECTIONAL POWER FLOW
Disclosed are various embodiments for establishing bidirectional exchanges of electrical energy between power systems. The embodiments can be configured as a network of power systems that ensure that excess power in one or more power systems can be directed to power systems in a power deficit state. In one embodiment, a power system can be configured to launch a guided surface wave along a lossy conducting medium (203). A controller (230) can be configured to communicate an availability of excess power, receive a request to transmit the excess power, and transmit the power to the remote system. In another embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of transmitting a power deficiency indication of a power system to a remote controller, receiving an offer of available power from a remote controller, receiving energy from the second power system; and directing the energy to a load coupled to the power system.
H02J 50/27 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
H01P 3/16 - Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
H01P 5/00 - Coupling devices of the waveguide type
H01Q 13/20 - Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
H04B 3/52 - Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
H02J 50/23 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
Disclosed are various embodiments for distributing power to loads and classifying loads that receive electrical energy in the form of guided surface waves that are transmitted by guided surface waveguide probes along a terrestrial medium.
Disclosed are various approaches for navigation identifying one's current position. A navigation device receives a guided surface wave using a guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation device then receives a reflection of the guided surface wave using the guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation device calculates an amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave. The navigation device then measures an angle between a wave front of the guided surface wave and a polar axis of the Earth. Finally the navigation device determines a location of the guided surface wave receive structure based at least in part on the angle between the wave front of the guided surface wave and the polar axis of the Earth the amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave.
G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
G01S 11/00 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
46.
LOAD SHEDDING IN A GUIDED SURFACE WAVE POWER DELIVERY SYSTEM
Disclosed are various embodiments of load shedding techniques for a guided surface wave power delivery system. In one embodiment, among others, a guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a lossy conducting medium. A user device is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure as an electrical load, where a load shedding application of the user device is configured to receive load shedding instructions from a controller device coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe and is configured to regulate user device consumption of the electrical energy provided by the guided surface wave.
H02J 3/14 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
An object identification system (400) includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave (P) that has a frequency-dependent illumination area (426) in which one or more object identification tags (402) are powered by the guided surface wave and outside of which other object identification tags are not powered by the guided surface wave; and a receiver (408) at the illumination area, the receiver receiving return signals from the one or more object identification tags located in the illumination area, the return signals emitted by the object identification tags as an automated response to being powered by the guided surface wave.
G01S 13/75 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders
G01V 15/00 - Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
An object identification system (400) includes a guided surface waveguide probe (P) that produces a guided surface wave from which object identification tags (402) obtain electrical power to operate, each tag associated with an object (404); and a plurality of receivers deployed at strategic locations to receive return signals from one or more of the tags as the tags move with the associated objects during a lifecycle of the objects.
G01S 13/75 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01V 15/00 - Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
A method of tracking an object (404) including producing a guided surface wave with a guided surface waveguide probe (P), the guided surface wave having sufficient energy density to power object identification tags (402) across an area of interest; receiving return signals from a tag of interest at plural receivers (408), the tag of interest associated with an object and the receivers that receive the return signals change over time as the tag moves with the associated object in the area of interest; and identifying a series of geolocations at which the object was present as a function of time according to the received reply signals from the tag.
Disclosed are various approaches for determining device locations using guided surface waves. A system (406), may include a guided surface wave receive structure (R), a processor (1003), a memory (529, 1006), and an application (533) stored in the memory executable by the processor. The application may cause the system to decode a message included in a guided surface wave received with the guided surface wave receive structure, wherein the message defines an authorized area (603) for the system. The application may then cause the system to determine a current location of the system. Subsequently, the application may cause the system to determine that the current location of the system is outside of the authorized area.
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting and receiving energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium excited by a guided surface waveguide probe.
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe. In one embodiment, compensation is provided to elevate isolated capacitance of a terminal of the waveguide probe in the form of mounted charge devices.
Disclosed are various embodiments for fixing a navigational position using guided surface waves launched from guided surface wave waveguide probes at various ground stations. A navigation unit may fix its position by determining the travel time of guided surface waves from the ground stations to the navigation unit. In another embodiment, the navigation unit may also fix its position by determining the change in intensity of the guided surface waves after travelling from the ground stations to the navigation unit. In other embodiments, the navigation unit may also fix its position by determining the difference in phases of phase-locked guided surface waves as they travel from the ground stations to the navigation unit.
Aspects of a guided surface waveguide probe site and the preparation thereof are described. In various embodiments, the guided surface waveguide probe site may include a propagation interface including a first region and a second region, and a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along the propagation interface. In one aspect of the embodiments, at least a portion of the first region may be prepared to more efficiently launch or propagate the guided surface wave. Among embodiments, the portion of the first region, which may be composed of the Earth, may be treated or mixed with salt, gypsum, sand, or gravel, for example, among other compositions of matter. In other embodiments, the portion of the first region may be covered, insulated, irrigated, or temperature-controlled, for example. By preparing the site, a guided surface wave may be more efficiently launched and/or propagated.
Disclosed is a sensing device including a guided surface wave receive structure, a physical parameter sensor, and a radio frequency transmitter. The guided surface wave receive structure may be configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. The physical parameter sensor may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The physical parameter sensor may also measure a physical parameter associated with a physical environment local to the physical parameter sensor. The radio frequency transmitter may be coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure and communicatively coupled to the physical parameter sensor. The radio frequency transmitter may also obtain a physical parameter measurement and transmit the physical parameter measurement over a wireless network.
Disclosed are various systems and methods for remote surface sensing using guided surface wave modes on lossy media. One system, among others, includes a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium, and a receiver configured to receive backscatter reflected by a remotely located object illuminated by the guided surface wave. One method, among others, includes launching a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a charge terminal of a guided surface waveguide probe, and receiving backscatter reflected by a remotely located object illuminated by the guided surface wave.
G01S 13/02 - Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
G01S 13/10 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse modulated waves
G01S 13/36 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated with phase comparison between the received signal and the contemporaneously transmitted signal
G01S 13/88 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications
G01S 13/34 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
57.
SUPERPOSITION OF GUIDED SURFACE WAVES ON LOSSY MEDIA
Disclosed are various embodiments for superposition of guided surface wave launched along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe. In one example, among others, a system includes an array of guided surface waveguide probes configured to launch guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium and an array control system configured to control operation of waveguide probes in the array via one or more feed networks. The array control circuit can control operation of the guided surface waveguide probes to maintain a predefined radiation pattern produced by the guided surface waves. In another example, a method includes providing voltage excitation to first and second guided surface waveguide probes to launch guided surface waves with the voltage excitation provided to the second guided surface waveguide probe delayed by a defined phase delay.
H01Q 1/00 - ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS - Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
H01Q 1/04 - Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
H01Q 3/26 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
H01Q 9/30 - Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
G01S 13/02 - Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
H01P 5/00 - Coupling devices of the waveguide type
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along a lossy conducting medium such as, e.g., the surface of a terrestrial medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe. A probe control system can be used to adjust the polyphase waveguide probe based at least in part upon characteristics of the lossy conducting medium.
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.
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
H02J 50/50 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
H01Q 9/30 - Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
60.
FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING FOR WIRELESS POWER PROVIDERS
Disclosed are various embodiments for frequency-division multiplexing for wireless power providers using guided surface waveguide probes to transmit power. Guided surface waveguide probes may transmit power on multiple frequencies with potentially overlapping service areas. Frequency-agile wireless power receivers may tune to one or more frequencies. Cost, availability, and/or other information may be provided to the wireless power receivers. Power usage may be reported by the wireless power receivers to power providers.
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
H02J 5/00 - Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks
H01P 3/00 - Waveguides; Transmission lines of the waveguide type
H01Q 1/00 - ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS - Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
61.
EXCITATION AND USE OF GUIDED SURFACE WAVE MODES ON LOSSY MEDIA
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe.
H01P 3/00 - Waveguides; Transmission lines of the waveguide type
H01Q 1/36 - Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella
H01Q 1/04 - Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
H01Q 13/20 - Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
Disclosed are various embodiments for embedding data on a guided surface wave. A guided surface waveguide probe emits power as a guided surface wave received by a guided surface wave receive structure circuit. An aggregate electric load of the receiver circuit is modulated with reference to a data signal. A current at the guided surface waveguide probe is monitored. A data signal is recaptured at the guided surface waveguide probe.
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy at multiple frequencies via a guided surface wave along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe.
Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a guided surface wave receiver, comprising circuitry that identifies at least one frequency from a plurality of available frequencies associated with a transmission of a plurality of guided surface waves along a terrestrial medium; and circuitry that adjusts a frequency at which the guided surface wave receiver receives the transmission to the at least one frequency via the terrestrial medium.
H02J 50/27 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
H01Q 9/30 - Resonant antennas with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole
Disclosed are various systems and methods directed to the launching of a guided surface wave embodying a modulated signal using a guided surface waveguide probe. A modulated signal is generated and coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe. A resulting guided surface wave is launched that decays exponentially as a function of distance.
Disclosed are various embodiments of a guided surface wave transmitter/receiver configured to transmit a guided surface wave at a first frequency and to receive guided surface waves at a second frequency, concurrently with the transmission of guided surface waves at the first frequency. The various embodiments can be configured to retransmit received power and applied the received power to an electrical load. The various embodiments of the guided surface wave transmitter/receiver also can be configured as an amplitude modulation (AM) repeater.
Disclosed are various receive circuits by which to receive a plurality of guided surface waves transmitted by a plurality of guided surface waveguide probes over a surface of a terrestrial medium according to various embodiments.
Disclosed are various systems and methods for remote surface sensing using guided surface wave modes on lossy media. One system, among others, comprises a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium, and a receiver configured to receive backscatter reflected by a remotely located subsurface object illuminated by the guided surface wave. One method, among others, includes launching a guided surface wave along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a charge terminal of a guided surface waveguide probe, and receiving backscatter reflected by a remotely located subsurface object illuminated by the guided surface wave.
G01S 13/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
H01P 3/00 - Waveguides; Transmission lines of the waveguide type
H01Q 1/00 - ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS - Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
69.
EXCITATION AND USE OF GUIDED SURFACE WAVE MODES ON LOSSY MEDIA
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting and/or receiving energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe.
In various embodiments, various systems and methods are provided for power distribution. In one embodiment, power distribution apparatus is provided comprising a power multiplier (10) comprising a multiply-connected electrical structure (43), and a plurality of power network couplings (53, 56) in the multiply-connected electrical structure (43). The multiply-connected electrical structure (43) is a resonant circuit tuned to a nominal frequency of a power network (40).
In various embodiments, power multipliers and associated methods are provided that employ parametric excitation. In one embodiment, a power multiplier is provided that has a power multiplying network. A parametric reactance is associated with the power multiplying network that negates at least a portion of a physical resistance of the power multiplying network.
A power multiplier and method are provided. The power multiplier includes a power multiplying network that is a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplier also includes a launching network, and a directional coupler that couples the launching network to the power multiplying network. The power multiplier provides for power multiplication at nominal power generation frequencies such as 50 Hertz, 60 Hertz, and other power frequencies, in a compact circuit.
A system for power smoothing in power distribution and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a power multiplying network is provided that comprises a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplying network is coupled to a power distribution network. The power multiplying network is configured to store power from and supply power to the power distribution network.
patents
