Voltage harvester for power distribution system devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12081013-B2
Application number	US-202318132637-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2023
Priority date	Jul 17, 2018
Publication date	Sep 3, 2024
Grant date	Sep 3, 2024

Abstract

The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of voltage harvesting devices used in power distribution systems, and provides power distribution system architectures utilizing the voltage harvesting devices. Generally, the voltage harvesting devices transform distribution line AC voltages to produce a low wattage output for distribution system communication and control type devices. The voltage harvesting device can operate whether irrespective of the presence of load current.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A voltage harvesting device for use in a power distribution system, the voltage harvesting device comprising:
a transformation circuit comprising,
at least one first impedance component,
at least one second impedance component comprising,
a first input for coupling to a loaded or unloaded source line voltage,
a second input for coupling to the at least one first impedance component, and

an output for coupling to a load,
wherein an AC voltage on the output of the second impedance component is a higher voltage than the loaded or unloaded source line voltage; and
a voltage converter for converting the AC voltage on the output of the second impedance component to a DC voltage usable by at least one distribution system communication and control device operatively associated with the voltage harvesting device.

2. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulator incorporating the transformation circuit.

3. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 2 , further comprising a recloser coupled to the insulator.

4. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device comprises a recloser control system.

5. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device comprises at least one of a communication system for smart-grid applications and pole-mounted remote terminal units (RTUs).

6. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device communicates by at least one of cellular, WiFi, Ethernet and mesh networks to a central system.

7. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device is operatively associated with at least one of a line disconnect, fault interrupter, power line monitor, power factor correction device, load switching device and overhead distribution switches, insulators and arresters.

8. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the line disconnect comprises a sectionalizer.

9. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the fault interrupter comprises at least one of a breaker and recloser.

10. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the power line monitor comprises at least one of a sensor and fault locator.

11. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the power factor connection device comprises at least one capacitor switch.

12. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 7 , wherein the load switching device comprises at least one load-break switch.

13. A voltage harvesting device for use in harvesting power in high voltage AC power distribution systems, the voltage harvesting device comprising:
a transformation circuit comprising,
a transformer comprising,
a primary side with a first input for electrical connection to a loaded or unloaded AC line voltage source, and a second input, and
a secondary side having a first output for electrical connection to a floating ground referenced to the loaded or unloaded source AC line voltage and a second output providing an AC voltage above a voltage of the loaded or unloaded AC line voltage source;
at least one resistive element electrically connected between the second input of the transformer and actual ground; and
a voltage converter for converting the AC voltage on the second output of the secondary side to a DC voltage usable by at least one distribution system communication and control device operatively associated with the voltage harvesting device.

14. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 13 , further comprising an insulator incorporating the transformation circuit.

15. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 14 , further comprising a recloser coupled to the insulator.

16. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device comprises a recloser control system.

17. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device comprises at least one of a communication system for smart-grid applications and pole-mounted remote terminal units (RTUs).

18. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device communicates by at least one of cellular, WiFi, Ethernet and mesh networks to a central system.

19. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one distribution system communication and control device is operatively associated with at least one of a line disconnect, fault interrupter, power line monitor, power factor correction device, load switching device and overhead distribution switches, insulators and arresters.

20. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 19 , wherein the line disconnect comprises a sectionalizer.

21. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 19 , wherein the fault interrupter comprises at least one of a breaker and recloser.

22. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 19 , wherein the power line monitor comprises at least one of a sensor and fault locator.

23. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 19 , wherein the power factor connection device comprises at least one capacitor switch.

24. The voltage harvesting device according to claim 19 , wherein the load switching device comprises at least one load-break switch.

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Agliata Peter Michael
• Sadhanala Archana

Classifications

• H02J3/00

  Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks · CPC title

• H02H7/125

  for rectifiers · CPC title

• H02M7/04

  by static converters · CPC title

• H02M1/0006

  Arrangements for supplying an adequate voltage to the control circuit of converters · CPC title

• H02M5/06

  using impedances · CPC title