Device and method for harvesting energy from a power line magnetic field
AssigneeAclara Technologies LLC
InventorsRichard Desmarais, Richard Martyn, Michael Giovannoni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy harvesting device (CTH) installed in an electrical distribution system (EDS) for powering ancillary electrical devices (AD) used in the distribution system. The device includes a first voltage regulator circuit (CC) configured to produce a voltage matched to a power curve of a current transformer (CT) to which the device is electrically coupled. The device also includes a second and separate voltage regulator circuit (SVR) which continuously operates to maximize the amount of electrical energy recovered from the current transformer.
Claims16
In an energy harvesting device (CTH) for harvesting electrical energy from an electrical conductor installed in an electrical distribution system, the CTH being electrically connected to a current transformer (CT) having an electrical winding imposed on the electrical conductor, and wherein the CT receives electrical energy induced in the winding by a magnetic flux caused by the flow of an alternating current through the electrical conductor, the CT being electrically coupled to the winding for producing an induced electrical current which is converted into electrical energy for powering one or more ancillary electrical devices employed in the distribution system, the CTH including a voltage regulator configured to receive the induced current and produce a clamping voltage matched to a power curve of the CT;
- the improvement comprising the CTH further including a second and supplementary voltage regulator separate from the first said voltage regulator and which continuously operates to maximize the amount of electrical energy recovered from the current transformer.
An energy harvesting device (CTH) for harvesting electrical energy from an electrical conductor installed in an electrical distribution system, the CTH being electrically connected to a current transformer (CT) having an electrical winding imposed on the electrical conductor, and wherein the CT receives electrical energy induced in the winding by a magnetic flux caused by the flow of an alternating current through the electrical conductor, the CT electrically coupled to the winding for producing an induced electrical current which is converted into electrical energy for powering one or more ancillary electrical devices employed in the distribution system, the CTH comprising:
- a first voltage regulator circuit configured to receive the induced current and produce a clamping voltage matched to a power curve of the CT;
- a second voltage regulator circuit separate from the first said voltage regulator circuit and continuously operating to maximize the amount of electrical energy recovered from the CT, the second voltage regulator circuit adjusting the clamped voltage in pre-determined steps by which optimum power recovery achieved;
- and,
- a microcontroller responsive to sensed voltage and current values to control the second voltage regulator circuit modify the voltage regulation point.
In an energy harvesting device (CTH) for harvesting electrical energy from an electrical conductor installed in an electrical distribution system, the CTH electrically connected to a current transformer (CT) having an electrical winding imposed on the electrical conductor, and wherein the CT receives electrical energy induced in the winding by a magnetic flux caused by the flow of an alternating current through the electrical conductor, the CT electrically coupled to the winding for producing an induced electrical current which is converted into electrical energy for powering one or more ancillary electrical devices employed in the distribution system, the CTH including a voltage regulator circuit configured to receive the induced current and produce a clamping voltage matched to a power curve of the CT:
- a method for continuously maximizing the amount of electrical energy recovered from the current transformer for powering the ancillary electrical devices, the method including:
- monitoring, by a microcontroller, sensed voltage and current values of the CT;
- and,
- adjusting, by a second CTH voltage regular circuit separate from the first voltage regulator circuit of the CTH, the clamping voltage in response to commands from the microcontroller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.