Insulator Power Supply for Guided Wave Small-Cell Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wireless infrastructure faces challenges in providing sufficient power to small-cell devices, as they require higher power levels than what can be harvested by magnetic cores in guided electromagnetic wave communications, leading to the need for dedicated power supplies that complicate the interfacing of low-voltage and medium-voltage infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that uses a transmission medium to propagate electromagnetic waves without requiring an electrical return path, allowing for the use of insulators to manage power grids and provide power to small-cell devices without relying on electrical connections, thereby simplifying the integration with existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If magnetic cores are used to harvest power in guided electromagnetic wave communications, then power can be obtained without electrical connection, but the power level is limited to 10 Watts or less which is insufficient for small-cell devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electromagnetic wave transmission and power delivery into a single integrated system. The guided electromagnetic waves simultaneously carry communication signals and power, eliminating the need for separate power harvesting components and achieving both high power delivery and simplified infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission medium serves multiple functions: it guides electromagnetic waves for communication, delivers power to small-cell devices, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated power supply infrastructure, reducing complexity while enabling sufficient power delivery.
2Power
If dedicated power supplies are used to provide sufficient power to small-cell devices, then power requirements are met, but the arrangement requires interfacing between low-voltage and medium-voltage infrastructure which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power delivery function from the traditional electrical infrastructure and integrates it into the electromagnetic wave transmission system. This eliminates the need for separate low-voltage and medium-voltage infrastructure interfacing, as power is delivered directly through the guided waves at the appropriate voltage level.
Solution Approach 2:
The guided electromagnetic waves act as an intermediary medium that transfers energy from the transmission source to the small-cell devices without requiring direct electrical connection to traditional power infrastructure. This mediator approach simplifies the interface requirements while maintaining adequate power delivery.
3Power
If magnetic cores with larger size are used to increase harvested power, then power level may improve, but weight and material composition constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical magnetic core harvesting system with an electromagnetic field-based power delivery system. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy magnetic cores while achieving superior power delivery through the guided electromagnetic waves, simultaneously improving power levels and reducing weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient power distribution to small-cell devices while isolating medium-voltage infrastructure from low-voltage infrastructure, enhancing reliability and reducing the complexity of power supply arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a first waveguide device couples a first electromagnetic wave onto a transmission medium such that the first electromagnetic wave is guided by and propagates along the transmission medium
Implementation Method 2
The insulator may include a power supply that generates the second output power consumed by the first waveguide device
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, by a power supply of an insulator, first output power that is at least partially consumed by an electronic device of the insulator, and generating, by the power supply, second output power that is consumed by a first waveguide device, wherein the first waveguide device is configured to obtain a first electromagnetic wave from a transmission medium, and wherein the first electromagnetic wave is guided by and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the insulator insulates medium-voltage infrastructure from low-voltage infrastructure. Other embodiments are disclosed.