# US 11,442,114 B2 · Overhead power line sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,114 B2 - Document ID: US11442114B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/858,719 - Filed: 2020-04-27 - Published: 2020-08-13 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-18 - Assignees: Sentient Technology Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Sentient Technology Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Dennis Allen Saxby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442114B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/58: Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) - G01R 15/142: {Arrangements for simultaneous measurements of several parameters employing techniques covered by groups G01R15/14 - G01R15/26} - G01R 19/2513: {Arrangements for monitoring electric power systems, e.g. power lines or loads; Logging} - G01R 31/085: {in power transmission or distribution lines, e.g. overhead} - H04B 3/46: Monitoring; Testing - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current values and waveforms, phase voltage, conductor current, phase-to-phase voltage, conductor temperatures, ambient temperatures, vibration, wind speed and monitoring device system diagnostics. Methods of installing and protecting the system are also discussed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power line monitoring system, comprising: a first voltage divider element configured to be attached to a first conductor; a second voltage divider element configured to be attached to a second conductor; a wire connected to the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element, the wire having a variable length to adjust a distance between the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element; and a processor electrically coupled to the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element, the processor being configured to monitor a voltage of the first and second conductors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage divider element is attached to the first conductor with a first clamp, and wherein the second voltage divider element is attached to the second conductor with a second clamp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a silicon overmold configured to protect the power line monitoring system from moisture. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to sample current through the wire to calculate a phase-to-phase voltage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising power harvesting electronics configured to harvest energy from the first or second conductor to provide power to the power line monitoring system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second voltage divider elements comprise a mix of resistive and capacitive voltage divider elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the resistive voltage divider elements are used by the processor to monitor the voltage, and wherein the capacitive voltage divider elements are configured to provide power to the power line monitoring system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wire is coiled. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wire is shaped as a spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises at least a first wire and a second wire. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to sample current through at least the second wire to calculate a phase-to-phase voltage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wire is rigid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wire is insulated. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a power harvesting voltage divider that comprises a third voltage divider element configured to be attached to the first conductor and a fourth voltage divider element configured to be attached to the second conductor, wherein the third and fourth voltage divider elements are configured to provide power to the power line monitoring system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a divider conductor shell formed from a conductive material and configured to be positioned around the first conductor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the divider conductor shell comprises a clam shell structure configured to be closed over the first conductor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the divider conductor shell has a semicircular shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The power line monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage divider element includes one or more first equipotential surfaces and the second voltage divider element includes one or more second equipotential surfaces. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The power line monitoring system of claim 18, further comprising a first insulator that encapsulates the one or more first equipotential surfaces and at least a first portion of the wire; and a second insulator that encapsulates the one or more second equipotential surfaces and at least a second portion of the wire. ### Claim 20 A power line monitoring system, comprising: a voltage divider configured to be attached to a first conductor and a second conductor, the voltage divider comprising: a first conductive shell configured to be positioned around the first conductor; a first voltage divider element configured to be attached to the first conductor; a second conductive shell configured to be positioned around the second conductor; a second voltage divider element configured to be attached to the second conductor; a wire connected to the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element, the wire having a variable length to adjust a distance between the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element; and a processor electrically coupled to the first voltage divider element and the second voltage divider element, the processor being configured to monitor a voltage of the first and second conductors. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The power line monitoring system of claim 20, wherein the first conductive shell is attached to one or more first equipotential surfaces and the second conductive shell is attached to one or more second equipotential surfaces. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The power line monitoring system of claim 21, further comprising a first insulator that encapsulates the one or more first equipotential surfaces and at least a first portion of the wire; and a second insulator that encapsulates the one or more second equipotential surfaces and at least a second portion of the wire.