Abstract: In general, a monitoring system includes one or more nodes that are capacitively coupled to a cable of a multiphase electric power line. In some examples, a node includes a coupling layer disposed over a jacket layer of the cable and capacitively coupled to a shield layer of the cable. In some examples, a node may include a first coupling layer capacitively coupled to a first cable, and a second coupling layer capacitively coupled to a second cable, such that the node is differentially coupled to the cable pair to generate a differential data signal and to perform at least one of: sensing a native signal within the cable pair; injecting an intentional signal into the cable pair; receiving an intentional signal from within the cable pair; or providing a channel characterization.

Abstract: A method for regulating input impedance of a switching regulator, the method comprising: obtaining, at an impedance controller: (a) a measured voltage value that is indicative of an input current of the switching regulator and (b) an input voltage of the switching regulator, wherein a ratio of the input voltage to the input current defines an actual input impedance of the switching regulator; generating a control signal by the impedance controller, in accordance with a difference between the actual input impedance of the switching regulator and a desired input impedance of the switching regulator, wherein the desired input impedance is a predefined impedance; and controlling a feedback node feeding the switching regulator, in accordance with the control signal, to realize an output voltage of the switching regulator for achieving the desired input impedance, wherein the feedback node is external to the switching regulator, thereby regulating the input impedance of the switching regulator externally to the swi

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a cable accessory is configured to couple to an electrical power cable and includes a partial discharge sensor and a communications unit. The partial discharge sensor is configured to detect partial discharge events and output data indicative of the partial discharge events. The communications unit is configured to output event data based at least in part on the partial discharge data.

Abstract: Devices are described that support, house, and protect an electrical cable monitoring system that is electrically coupled to an electrical cable. An example support structure includes an elongate body including an interior surface extending along and concentric to an axis of the electrical cable. The body is configured to engage a cable accessory disposed on the electrical cable. The support structure includes a first electrode attached to the interior surface and configured to operatively couple to the cable accessory. The support structure includes a second electrode attached to the body and configured to operatively couple to the shielding layer. The support structure includes a monitoring device attached to the interior surface and operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes. The monitoring device is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the electrical cable or the cable accessory.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a cable accessory is configured to couple to an electrical power cable and includes a partial discharge sensor and a communications unit. The partial discharge sensor is configured to detect partial discharge events and output data indicative of the partial discharge events. The communications unit is configured to output event data based at least in part on the partial discharge data.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a sensing device is configured to couple to an electrical power cable. The sensing device includes a plurality of concentric layers and a monitoring device. The plurality of concentric layers include a first layer, second layer, and third layer. The first layer is configured to concentrically surround a central conductor of the electrical cable and includes an insulating material. The second layer includes a conducting material. The third layer includes a resistive material configured to resist electrical flow between the second layer and a ground conductor exterior to the third layer. The monitoring device includes a sensor and communication unit configured to output data indicative of the sensor data.

Abstract: A partial discharge (PD) detection system includes a node including a sensor configured to capacitively couple to a shield layer of a cable of an electric power line. The sensor is configured to collect, from the cable, sensor data indicative of an alternating-current (AC) electrical signal in the cable. The system further includes a high-pass filter configured to filter out low-frequency signals from the sensor data, and processing circuitry configured to detect, based on the filtered sensor data, a PD event at a location on the cable that is local to the sensor.

Abstract: A system comprising: an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) carrier comprising a power supply, the UAV carrier connected, via respective wires, to one or more UVs, wherein: (a) each of the UVs is capable of performing maneuvers irrespective of maneuvers of the UAV carrier during performance of a mission; and (b) each of the UVs receives at least one of an electrical current from the power supply or digital data from the UAV carrier through the respective wires, during performance of the mission.

Abstract: Techniques, methods, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid, identifying installation and/or configuration errors of such electrical equipment, and automatically correcting the errors. In one example, a system includes at least one processor and a plurality of sensors coupled to a multi-phase power line comprising a plurality of electrical cables that are each associated with a respective phase. The plurality of sensors are configured to generate sensor data that is indicative of one or more conditions of the electrical cables. The at least one processor is configured to receive the sensor data and determine, based at least in part on the sensor data, whether a sensor of the plurality of sensors is installed correctly. The at least one processor is also configured to perform an action in response to determining that the sensor is not installed correctly.

Abstract: A system comprising: an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) carrier comprising a power supply, the UAV carrier connected, via respective wires, to one or more UVs, wherein: (a) each of the UVs is capable of performing maneuvers irrespective of maneuvers of the UAV carrier during performance of a mission; and (b) each of the UVs receives at least one of an electrical current from the power supply or digital data from the UAV carrier through the respective wires, during performance of the mission.

Abstract: A method for regulating input impedance of a switching regulator, the method comprising: obtaining, at an impedance controller: (a) a measured voltage value that is indicative of an input current of the switching regulator and (b) an input voltage of the switching regulator, wherein a ratio of the input voltage to the input current defines an actual input impedance of the switching regulator; generating a control signal by the impedance controller, in accordance with a difference between the actual input impedance of the switching regulator and a desired input impedance of the switching regulator, wherein the desired input impedance is a predefined impedance; and controlling a feedback node feeding the switching regulator, in accordance with the control signal, to realize an output voltage of the switching regulator for achieving the desired input impedance, wherein the feedback node is external to the switching regulator, thereby regulating the input impedance of the switching regulator externally to the swi

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for preparing electrical cables for connections to a power grid. In one example, a system includes a cable preparation device configured to cut one or more layers of an electrical cable and a computing device configured to control the cable preparation device to cut the one or more layers of the electrical cable. The computing device may determine one or more target cutting distances and determine whether an actual cutting distance satisfies the target cutting distance. The computing device may detect defects in the electrical cable. The computing device may further determine whether the cable preparation device should be serviced.

Abstract: Devices are described that support, house, and protect an electrical cable monitoring system that is electrically coupled to an electrical cable. An example support structure includes an elongate body including an interior surface extending along and concentric to an axis of the electrical cable. The body is configured to engage a cable accessory disposed on the electrical cable. The support structure includes a first electrode attached to the interior surface and configured to operatively couple to the cable accessory. The support structure includes a second electrode attached to the body and configured to operatively couple to the shielding layer. The support structure includes a monitoring device attached to the interior surface and operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes. The monitoring device is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the electrical cable or the cable accessory.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a sensing device is configured to couple to an electrical power cable. The sensing device includes a plurality of concentric layers and a monitoring device. The plurality of concentric layers include a first layer, second layer, and third layer. The first layer is configured to concentrically surround a central conductor of the electrical cable and includes an insulating material. The second layer includes a conducting material. The third layer includes a resistive material configured to resist electrical flow between the second layer and a ground conductor exterior to the third layer. The monitoring device includes a sensor and communication unit configured to output data indicative of the sensor data.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a cable accessory is configured to couple to an electrical power cable and includes a partial discharge sensor and a communications unit. The partial discharge sensor is configured to detect partial discharge events and output data indicative of the partial discharge events. The communications unit is configured to output event data based at least in part on the partial discharge data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative rechargeable system includes a charging device that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section is configured to be delivered to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device. The charging device includes a charging element configured to transmit charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the acoustic coupling of medical devices is disclosed. An illustrative system for monitoring the acoustic coupling of an acoustic transducer attached to a patient's body includes a signal generator adapted to supply an electrical signal to the transducer, a circuit configured to measure at least one electrical parameter of the transducer, and a processor adapted to evaluate the degree of acoustic coupling of the transducer to the body based on the measured electrical signal. The processor can measure the frequency response of the acoustic transducer to the electrical signal, a time domain response of the acoustic transducer to the electrical signal, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a hermetically sealed housing having a housing wall with an interior surface, and an ultrasonic acoustic transducer, the transducer comprising one or more piezoelectric discs fixed to the interior surface of the housing wall, such that the housing wall acts as a diaphragm in response to induced movement by the one or more piezoelectric material discs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative rechargeable system includes a charging device that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section is configured to be delivered to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device. The charging device includes a charging element configured to transmit charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device.

Abstract: Devices and systems for transmitting information within a body are disclosed. An example system includes a signal generator configured for transmitting an acoustic interrogation signal, a sensor for sensing at least one parameter within the body and generating an electrical sensor signal, an acoustic transducer configured to convert a received acoustic interrogation signal into an electrical signal, and a switching element adapted to modulate a reflected acoustic wave from the acoustic transducer. The switching element is configured to controllably change the mechanical impedance of the acoustic transducer.