Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Corum

Kenneth L. Corum 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).

  • Publication number: 20180159374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a guided surface waveguide probe and a guided surface wave receiver, where the guided surface wave receiver comprises processing circuitry that (a) identifies at least one frequency from a plurality of available frequencies associated with a transmission of Zenneck surface waves along a terrestrial medium, and (b) adjusts a frequency at which the guided surface wave receiver receives electrical energy from the Zenneck surface waves via the terrestrial medium to a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Publication number: 20180159339
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe. In one embodiment, compensation is provided to elevate isolated capacitance of a terminal of the waveguide probe in the form of mounted charge devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, James D. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20180151933
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for superposition of guided surface wave launched along the surface of a lossy medium. In one example, Zenneck surface waves are launched along a surface of a lossy conducting medium using an array of guided surface waveguide probes and a predefined field pattern of the Zenneck surface waves is maintained. The individual ones of the guided surface waveguide probes include a feed network electrically coupled to a charge terminal. The feed network provides a phase delay that matches a wave tilt angle associated with a complex Brewster angle of incidence associated with the lossy conducting medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Publication number: 20180151934
    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 elevated over a lossy conducting medium, the charge terminal includes a upper terminal portion coupled to a lower terminal portion through a variable capacitance. A feed network is configured to couple an excitation source to the charge terminal and provide a voltage to the charge terminal with a phase delay that matches a wave tilt angle associated with a complex Brewster angle of incidence associated with the lossy conducting medium. In another example a method includes positioning a charge terminal over a lossy conducting medium, where the charge terminal includes an upper terminal portion coupled to a lower terminal portion through a variable capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Publication number: 20180145540
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a guided surface waveguide transmit system. One embodiment of the guided surface waveguide transmit system includes a guided surface waveguide probe configured to transmit a guided surface wave along a lossy conducting medium. The system further includes a controller device configured to receive load status data and signal for the guided surface waveguide probe to adjust transmission of the guided surface wave based at least in part on the load status data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Publication number: 20180138753
    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, and a feed network. The system further includes a conductor coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe that extends a distance away from the guided surface waveguide probe across the lossy conducting medium, and at least one guided surface wave receivers 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Publication number: 20180138719
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy at multiple frequencies via a guided surface wave along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, James D. Lilly, Basil F. Pinzone, JR., Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Publication number: 20180138720
    Abstract: The use of wireless power distribution equipment can be used to distribute power across various regions. Power from a power plant can be distributed to sub-transmission stations. For example, a transmission probe can be configured to launch a transmission frequency guided surface wave for power transmission over a transmission region. A sub-transmission station can receive the transmission frequency guided surface wave. A sub-transmission probe can be configured to launch a sub-transmission frequency guided surface wave to transmit power over a sub-transmission region to transmit power. A distribution station can receive the power from the sub-transmission frequency guided surface wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9973037
    Abstract: An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave from which object identification tags obtain electrical power to operate, each tag associated with an object; and a plurality of receivers deployed at strategic locations to receive return signals from one or more of the tags as the tags move with the associated objects during a lifecycle of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Lilly, Kenneth L. Corum, James F. Corum, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Publication number: 20180123343
    Abstract: Disclosed are various receive circuits by which to receive a plurality of guided surface waves transmitted by a plurality of guided surface waveguide probes over a surface of a terrestrial medium according to various embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, Joseph F. Pinzone, James D. Lilly
  • Patent number: 9960470
    Abstract: Aspects of a guided surface waveguide probe site and the preparation thereof are described. In various embodiments, the guided surface waveguide probe site may include a propagation interface including a first region and a second region, and a guided surface waveguide probe configured to launch a guided surface wave along the propagation interface. In one aspect of the embodiments, at least a portion of the first region may be prepared to more efficiently launch or propagate the guided surface wave. Among embodiments, the portion of the first region, which may be composed of the Earth, may be treated or mixed with salt, gypsum, sand, or gravel, for example, among other compositions of matter. In other embodiments, the portion of the first region may be covered, insulated, irrigated, or temperature-controlled, for example. By preparing the site, a guided surface wave may be more efficiently launched and/or propagated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, Basil F. Pinzone, Jr., James D. Lilly, Stephen W. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180106845
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, James D. Lilly, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Patent number: 9941566
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium by exciting a guided surface waveguide probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9927477
    Abstract: An object identification system includes a guided surface waveguide probe that produces a guided surface wave that has a frequency-dependent illumination area in which one or more object identification tags are powered by the guided surface wave and outside of which other object identification tags are not powered by the guided surface wave; and a receiver at the illumination area, the receiver receiving return signals from the one or more object identification tags located in the illumination area, the return signals emitted by the object identification tags as an automated response to being powered by the guided surface wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Lilly, Kenneth L. Corum, James F. Corum, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Patent number: 9921256
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for field strength monitoring of electromagnetic fields generated by a guided surface waveguide probe. A field meter measures the field strength of the electromagnetic field. The field meter communicates the measured field strength to a probe control system coupled 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 field strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, James D. Lilly, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Patent number: 9923385
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting and receiving energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium excited by a guided surface waveguide probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9916485
    Abstract: A method of managing objects in a site includes producing a guided surface wave with a guided surface waveguide probe, the guided surface wave having sufficient energy density to power object identification tags in an entirety of a site; receiving reply signals from the object identification tags, each object identification tag associated with an object; and identifying geolocation of one or more the objects according to received reply signals from the object identification tags that are associated with the one or more of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Lilly, Kenneth L. Corum, James F. Corum, Joseph F. Pinzone
  • Patent number: 9910144
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments systems and methods for transmission and reception of electrical energy along a surface of a terrestrial medium. A polyphase waveguide probe that transmits electrical energy in the form of a guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium. A receive circuit is used to receive the electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9912031
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a terrestrial medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum
  • Patent number: 9899718
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CPG TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum