Power Supply for Sensors and Other Electronic Devices

An electronic device having a power supply, comprising:

• at least one transformer, the transformer intended for placement within an effective distance from an active power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line;
• at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device;
• and
• device electronics connected to the power conditioning unit for receiving the voltage and causing the device to operate.

An asset-monitoring system, comprising:

• at least one sensor having associated monitoring electronics;
• at least one current transformer, the transformer intended for placement within an effective distance from a power line supplying power to the asset in order that that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line;
• at least one power conditioning unit connected to the transformer and the sensor electronics, the power conditioning unit containing electronics for converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the monitoring electronics;
• and
• a monitoring system for receiving data obtained by the sensor.

A method for powering an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

• inducing current in at least one transformer by placing the transformer within an effective distance from an active power line so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line;
• converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by the electronic device;
• and
• powering the electronic device with the voltage supply.

A method for monitoring an asset, comprising:

• inducing current in at least one transformer by placing the transformer within an effective distance from the power line supplying the asset so that current is induced in the transformer by electronic energy in the power line;
• converting the induced current into a voltage supply that is useable by an electronic device;
• powering at least one sensor with the voltage supply;
• sensing the asset with the sensor;
• and
• providing data obtained by the sensor to a monitoring system.