Abstract: Aspects of magnetic coils having cores with relatively high magnetic permeability are described. In some embodiments, a system includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling across a terrestrial medium. The guided surface wave receive structure includes a magnetic coil and a core disposed in the magnetic coil. The core in some embodiments has a relative magnetic permeability greater than about 10 and less than about 1,000,000. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, with the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave.

Abstract: A power multiplier and method are provided. The power multiplier includes a power multiplying network that is a multiply-connected, velocity inhibiting circuit constructed from a number of lumped-elements. The power multiplier also includes a launching network, and a directional coupler that couples the launching network to the power multiplying network. The power multiplier provides for power multiplication at nominal power generation frequencies such as 50 Hertz, 60 Hertz, and other power frequencies, in a compact circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth various embodiments of power reception kits and methods. In one embodiment, a guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave travelling along a terrestrial medium. Power output circuitry having a power output is configured to be coupled to an electrical load. The electrical load is experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. At least one connector is configured to couple the at least one guided surface wave receive structure to the power output circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for determining a location using guided surface waves. A guided surface wave is received. A field strength of a guided surface wave is identified. A phase of the guided surface wave is identified. A distance from a guided surface waveguide probe that launched the guided surface wave is calculated. A location is determined based at least in part on the distance from the guided surface waveguide probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods for restricting functionality of guided surface wave receive equipment to unauthorized users. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a network interface adapted to receive a valid key code, and a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a lossy conducting medium, wherein the guided surface wave is embedded with a user key code. Accordingly, processing circuitry is further included and is adapted to validate the user key code against the valid key code. The processing circuitry is adapted to disable delivery of the electrical energy from the guided surface wave to an electrical load responsive to the user key code being invalidated.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an electromagnetic hybrid phased array system. One such embodiment includes a guided surface waveguide probe, and a contrawound toroidal helix antenna collocated with the guided surface waveguide probe in which the contrawound toroidal helix comprises ring elements spaced from each other and wrapped around the guided surface waveguide probe. The system further includes a signal source applied to at least the guided surface waveguide probe, such that the guided surface waveguide probe and the contrawound toroidal helix contribute individual vertical electric fields to form a radiation pattern based on the phase and amplitude characteristics of the individual vertical electric fields.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for global electrical power multiplication. In one example, a global power multiplier includes first and second guided surface waveguide probes separated by a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of a defined frequency and configured to launch synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium at the defined frequency; and at least one excitation source configured to excite the first and second guided surface waveguide probes at the defined frequency, where the excitation of the second guided surface waveguide probe at the defined frequency is 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the excitation of the first guided surface waveguide probe. In another example, a method includes launching synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting first and second guided surface waveguide probes to produce a traveling wave propagating along the surface.

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: 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 approaches for navigation identifying one's current position. A navigation device receives a guided surface wave using a guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation device then receives a reflection of the guided surface wave using the guided surface wave receive structure. The navigation device calculates an amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave. The navigation device then measures an angle between a wave front of the guided surface wave and a polar axis of the Earth. Finally the navigation device determines a location of the guided surface wave receive structure based at least in part on the angle between the wave front of the guided surface wave and the polar axis of the Earth the amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for transmitting guided surface waves that illuminate a defined region. In one embodiment, such a method comprises installing a plurality of guided surface waveguide probes across a defined region having set boundaries, and setting respective frequency values of operation for the plurality of guided surface waveguide probes that allow for respective service areas to be defined that in the aggregate cover the defined region with guided surface waves.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for enhanced guided surface waveguide probes, systems and methods. In one example, a guided surface waveguide probe includes a charge terminal comprising a upper terminal portion coupled to a lower terminal portion through a variable capacitance. In another example, a method includes positioning the charge terminal at a defined height over a lossy conducting medium; adjusting a phase delay (?) of a feed network connected to the charge a terminal to match a wave tilt angle (?) corresponding to a complex Brewster angle of incidence (?i,B) associated with the lossy conducting medium; adjusting the variable capacitance based upon an image ground plane impedance (Zin) associated with the lossy conducting medium; and exciting the charge terminal with an excitation voltage via the feed network. The excitation voltage can establish an electric field that couples into a guided surface waveguide mode along a surface of the lossy conducting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for fixing a navigational position using guided surface waves launched from guided surface wave waveguide probes at various ground stations. A guided surface wave is received using a guided surface wave receive structure. A reflection of the guided surface wave is received using the guided surface wave receive structure. An amount of time that has elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave is calculated. A location of the guided surface wave receive structure is determined based at least in part on the amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile guided surface waveguide probes and receivers. In a representative embodiment, an excitation source such as a generator is coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe. The excitation source and the guided surface waveguide probe mounted to a rigid frame for transport.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for establishing bidirectional exchanges of electrical energy between power systems. The various embodiments can be configured to as a network of power systems that ensure that excess power in one or more power systems can be directed to power systems in a power deficit state.

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: Aspects of return coupled wireless power transmission systems are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal elevated at a height over a lossy conducting medium, a ground stake, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the ground stake that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers including a ground connection coupled to the conductor. The conductor can help to provide additional efficiency in power transfer between the guided surface waveguide probe and the guided surface wave receivers, especially when the operating frequency of the probe is in the medium, high, or very high frequency ranges.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable medical device and methods of using the medical device. The medical device may include a guided surface wave receive structure configured to receive a guided surface wave transmitted by a guided surface waveguide probe. The guided surface wave receive structure in the medical device generates an alternating current signal when the guided surface wave is received. The medical device includes a power circuit that is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure. The power circuit includes a power storage circuit to store the power signal. The medical device includes a medical circuit that comprises a stimulus circuit, a monitoring circuit, and potentially other components. The stimulus circuit provides a stimulus to a human body. The monitoring circuit measures a characteristic of the human body.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one example, is an energy consumption node. The node includes a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. The node also includes a distribution system coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure and configured to distribute the obtained electrical energy to an electrical load coupleable to the distribution system.