Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of apparatuses and methods for global time synchronization using a guided surface wave traveling along the surface of a terrestrial medium. In one embodiment, a guided surface wave receive structure receives electrical energy from a guided surface wave that is generated at a specific time and is traveling along a terrestrial medium. A time synchronization circuit that is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure synchronizes its time with the time at the origin of the guided surface wave based at least in part based on the propagation delay of the guided surface wave between the origin of the guided surface wave and the guided surface wave receive structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for exciting a guided surface waveguide probe to create a plurality of resultant fields that are substantially mode-matched to a Zenneck surface wave mode of a surface of a lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary guided surface waveguide probe. In one embodiment, the guided surface waveguide probe comprises a charge terminal elevated to a height above the lossy conducting medium; a support structure that supports the charge terminal; an internal coil that is supported within the support structure and is coupled to an excitation source; a conductive tube having a first end conductively coupled to the at least one section of internal coil, wherein a second end of the conductive tube extends vertically towards and is electrically coupled to the charge terminal; at least one sensor electrically coupled to the charge terminal or the internal coil, wherein the at least one sensor measures an operational parameter of the guided surface waveguide probe; and a non-conductive channel connected to the at least one sensor by which data associated with the operational parameter is communicated.

Abstract: A system for power smoothing in power distribution and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a power multiplying network is provided that comprises a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplying network is coupled to a power distribution network. The power multiplying network is configured to store power from and supply power to the power distribution network.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for adjusting an operational parameter of a guided surface waveguide probe according to measurements received from one or more measuring devices. A measuring device measures the conditions associated with an environment of the measuring device. The measuring devices communicates the measured data to the guided surface waveguide probe. Adjustments can be made to one or more operational parameters of the guided surface waveguide probe according to the measured data.

Abstract: Various embodiments for deterring theft in wireless power systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical device, comprise a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium, and an electrical load coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. Processing circuitry of the electrical device may be configured to monitor the electrical load to determine whether a power consumption of the electrical load has exceeded a predefined amount of permitted power consumption and disable the wireless power receiver or the electrical load coupled to the wireless power receive structure in response to the electrical load exceeding the predefined amount of permitted power consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (?i,B) of the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for distributing power to loads and classifying loads that receive electrical energy in the form of guided surface waves that are transmitted by guided surface waveguide probes along a terrestrial medium.