Generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using electric field and electrical pathway to ground

Abstract

Apparatus for generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using varying electric fields and an electrical pathway to ground are disclosed. Such apparatus preferably include, for example, UAVs, charging stations, and power strips mountable to a powerline transmission tower. Methods and systems utilizing such apparatus further are disclosed. The electrical pathway to ground may include an interface that is tethered to a UAV and that is dragged along a shield wire behind the UAV as the UAV travels along the powerlines. The electrical pathway to ground alternatively may include an electrical connection to a ground of a support structure of the powerlines when the apparatus is a power strip mounted to the support structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines, comprising:
 (a) an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV, the interface comprising two terminals;   (b) a power supply comprising a set of one or more electrodes; and   (c) electrical components electrically connected with the set and configured to establish an electrical pathway from one or more of the electrodes of the set and one of the two terminals of the interface, wherein the other of the terminals of the interface is connected to an electrical pathway to ground, whereby a differential in voltage between the set and ground causes an electric current to flow for charging the battery of the UAV when a UAV is electrically coupled with the interface.   
     
     
         2 . The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the charging station is mounted to a support structure of the powerlines and the electrical pathway to ground comprises an electrical connection to a ground of the support structure. 
     
     
         3 . A power strip for powering a device within a vicinity of powerlines, comprising:
 (a) a housing having an outlet for receiving a plug of a device for powering of the device, the outlet comprising two terminals;   (b) a set of one or more electrodes contained within the housing; and   (c) electrical components contained within the housing and electrically connected with the set and configured to establish an electrical pathway from one or more of the electrodes of the set and one of the two terminals of the outlet, wherein the other of the terminals of the outlet is connected to an electrical pathway to ground, whereby a differential in voltage between the set and ground causes an electric current to flow for powering an object when plugged into the outlet and electrically coupled with the one or more electrodes of the set and ground.   
     
     
         4 . The power strip of  claim 3 , wherein the power strip is mounted to a support structure of the powerlines and the electrical pathway to ground comprises an electrical connection to a ground of the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The power strip of  claim 3 , wherein the power strip is mounted to a support structure of the powerlines and the electrical pathway to ground comprises an electrical connection to a shield wire. 
     
     
         6 . The power strip of  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of outlets each having two terminals, and wherein the electrical components are further configured to establish an electrical pathway from one or more of the electrodes of the set and one of the two terminals of each outlet, wherein the other of the terminals of each outlet is connected to an electrical pathway to ground, whereby a differential in voltage between the set and ground causes an electric current to flow for powering an object when a plug of the object is electrically coupled with one of the outlets. 
     
     
         7 . The power strip of  claim 6 , wherein each outlet has a different physical configuration for receiving a plug of a device, each different configuration corresponding to a different voltage and current specification