Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: High-voltage power line cables for electric power transmission and, in particular, cable conductors for overhead electric power transmission and methods of making such conductors are disclosed. Methods for revamping in-stock and deployed cable conductors for overhead electric power transmission also are disclosed. Each cable conductor has an outermost surface defined by strands that are wrapped around a core of the cable conductor. Indentations are formed in the surfaces of the strands preferably such that an arrangement of dimples extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the cable conductor repeats along a longitudinal direction of the cable conductor. The surface indentations preferably define a dimpled surface of the cable conductor.

Abstract: UAV airways system generally are disclosed. Such UAV airway systems may comprise UAV cargo transportation systems and UAV surveillance and monitoring systems. Such systems preferably overlay and are commensurate with a system of high-voltage power transmission lines of high-voltage transmission system, and electric field actuated (EFA) generators preferably are utilized in UAVs that travel along the transmission lines, in UAV charging stations located along the transmission lines, or in both. Each EFA generator represents a power supply and comprises first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced by the first and second electrodes arising from the power transmission lines of the high-voltage transmission system.

Abstract: UAV airways system generally are disclosed. Such UAV airway systems may comprise UAV cargo transportation systems and UAV surveillance and monitoring systems. Such systems preferably overlay and are commensurate with a system of high-voltage power transmission lines of high-voltage transmission system, and electric field actuated (EFA) generators preferably are utilized in UAVs that travel along the transmission lines, in UAV charging stations located along the transmission lines, or in both. Each EFA generator represents a power supply and comprises first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced by the first and second electrodes arising from the power transmission lines of the high-voltage transmission system.

Abstract: UAV airways system generally are disclosed. Such UAV airway systems may comprise UAV cargo transportation systems and UAV surveillance and monitoring systems. Such systems preferably overlay and are commensurate with a system of high-voltage power transmission lines of high-voltage transmission system, and electric field actuated (EFA) generators preferably are utilized in UAVs that travel along the transmission lines, in UAV charging stations located along the transmission lines, or in both. Each EFA generator represents a power supply and comprises first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced by the first and second electrodes arising from the power transmission lines of the high-voltage transmission system.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.

Abstract: A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: UAV airways system generally are disclosed. Such UAV airway systems may comprise UAV cargo transportation systems and UAV surveillance and monitoring systems. Such systems preferably overlay and are commensurate with a system of high-voltage power transmission lines of high-voltage transmission system, and electric field actuated (EFA) generators preferably are utilized in UAVs that travel along the transmission lines, in UAV charging stations located along the transmission lines, or in both. Each EFA generator represents a power supply and comprises first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced by the first and second electrodes arising from the power transmission lines of the high-voltage transmission system.

Abstract: A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using varying electric fields and an electrical pathway to ground are disclosed. Such apparatus preferably include, for example, UAVs, charging stations, and power strips mountable to a powerline transmission tower. Methods and systems utilizing such apparatus further are disclosed. The electrical pathway to ground may include an interface that is tethered to a UAV and that is dragged along a shield wire behind the UAV as the UAV travels along the powerlines. The electrical pathway to ground alternatively may include an electrical connection to a ground of a support structure of the powerlines when the apparatus is a power strip mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating electric power within vicinity of powerlines using varying electric fields and an electrical pathway to ground are disclosed. Such apparatus preferably include, for example, UAVs, charging stations, and power strips mountable to a powerline transmission tower. Methods and systems utilizing such apparatus further are disclosed. The electrical pathway to ground may include an interface that is tethered to a UAV and that is dragged along a shield wire behind the UAV as the UAV travels along the powerlines. The electrical pathway to ground alternatively may include an electrical connection to a ground of a support structure of the powerlines when the apparatus is a power strip mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.