Patents by Inventor Eric Engdahl

Eric Engdahl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for harvesting power from an overhead transmission conductor
    Patent number: 9214827
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of harvesting power for charging batteries of a robot traversing an overhead transmission conductor is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to harvest power from the overhead transmission conductor and provide a DC voltage for charging a battery and includes a first shield wire bonded to a structure that is grounded to the earth, a second shield wire isolated from the structure, and a charging station. The first shield wire, second shield wire, structure, and earth form a loop into which induced currents flow. The charging station is electrically connected to the second shield wire and adapted to convert induced currents flowing along the second shield wire into a DC voltage for charging a battery of the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Chris Engelbecht, Eric Engdahl