Systems and methods for transmitting communications and power over long distances through terrestrial sub-surfaces

A system, comprising:

• a transmitter electrode structure configured to be positioned with a terrestrial body, wherein the transmitter electrode structure comprises:
• a first electrode;
• and
• a second electrode spaced a first distance from the first electrode;
• a power source electrically connected to the transmitter electrode structure and configured to drive an alternating current through the transmitter electrode structure and into the terrestrial body;
• a receiver electrode structure configured to be positioned within the terrestrial body and spaced apart from the transmitter electrode structure;
• and
• a load electrically connected to the receiver electrode structure
• wherein the transmitter electrode structure is configured such that an inductive reactance of an outward current path away exceeds a contact resistance of the transmitter electrode structure, wherein the alternating current flows through the outward current path to establish a reactive energy storage condition in the terrestrial body, and wherein the receiver electrode structure is configured to couple to the reactive energy storage condition established in the terrestrial body and deliver power to the load.

A device, comprising:

• a surface electrode configured to be placed in a terrestrial body;
• a subsurface electrode configured to be placed in the terrestrial body and spaced a distance from the surface electrode, wherein the subsurface electrode is electrically connected to the surface electrode via the terrestrial body;
• and
• a power source configured to drive an alternating current through the surface electrode and the subsurface electrode;
• wherein the surface electrode and the subsurface electrode are configured to establish a reactive energy storage condition in the terrestrial body in response to the alternating current.

A method, comprising:

• providing a transmission device and a receiver assembly, each at least partially embedded in a lossy dielectric medium, separated by a distance of at least 1 m, the transmission device comprising a first electrode, at least one second electrode spaced a distance from the first electrode, and a power source operable to supply power to the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, wherein the power source comprises an electric inverter configured to shape an input power waveform from the power source into an electric wave signal supplied to the transmitter;
• causing the transmission device to produce an electric wave signal that propagates through the lossy dielectric medium;
• receiving the propagating electric wave signal from the lossy dielectric medium into the receiver assembly;
• and
• decoding the propagating electric wave as a wireless communication between the transmission device and the receiver assembly.

A method, comprising:

• providing a transmission device and a receiver assembly, each at least partially embedded in a lossy dielectric medium, separated by a distance of at least 1 m, the transmission device comprising a first electrode, at least one second electrode spaced a distance from the first electrode, and a power source operable to supply power to the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, wherein the power source comprises an electric inverter configured to shape an input power waveform from the power source into an electric wave signal supplied to the transmitter;
• modulating the transmission device to produce an electric wave signal that propagates through the lossy dielectric medium;
• and
• receiving the propagating electric wave signal from the lossy dielectric medium into the receiver assembly.

A device, comprising:

• a transmitter comprising:
• a first electrode, and
• at least one second electrode spaced from the first electrode,
• wherein the transmitter is configured to be installable such that at least one of the second electrodes is spaced a distance from the first electrode;
• and
• a power source operable to supply power to the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, wherein the power source comprises an electric inverter configured to shape a communication and an input power waveform from the power source into an electric wave signal encoding the communication that is supplied to the transmitter.