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.

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.

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.

A railway direct-current system according to the present invention is provided with: a feeding line that is connected to a plurality of electric power substations arranged along a railway; and a trolley line that is connected to the feeding line via feeding branch lines at an arbitrarily defined interval, wherein a superconductive feeding cable is connected to somewhere midway in each of railroad lines extending from the substations to the trolley line via the feeding lines, so as to be parallel with the railroad line.

A railway direct-current system according to the present invention is provided with: a feeding line that is connected to a plurality of electric power substations arranged along a railway; and a trolley line that is connected to the feeding line via feeding branch lines at an arbitrarily defined interval, wherein a superconductive feeding cable is connected to somewhere midway in each of railroad lines extending from the substations to the trolley line via the feeding lines, so as to be parallel with the railroad line.

A converter system for electrically driving a vehicle, including a grid-side converter, a DC link with at least a first and second potential conductors, and a motor-side converter. The motor-side converter allows a bidirectional flow of energy. The grid-side converter has a single phase on the input side and is connected to a supply grid. The grid-side converter is unidirectional and allows a flow of energy from the supply grid into the DC link. The DC link connects the grid-side converter to the motor-side converter and has a first electrical energy storage between the first and second potential conductors. The electrical energy storage is connected to the DC link via an electrical connection. The flow of energy from the DC link into the further electrical energy storage and the flow of energy from the further electrical energy storage into the DC link is able to be controlled.

A converter system for electrically driving a vehicle, including a grid-side converter, a DC link with at least a first and second potential conductors, and a motor-side converter. The motor-side converter allows a bidirectional flow of energy. The grid-side converter has a single phase on the input side and is connected to a supply grid. The grid-side converter is unidirectional and allows a flow of energy from the supply grid into the DC link. The DC link connects the grid-side converter to the motor-side converter and has a first electrical energy storage between the first and second potential conductors. The electrical energy storage is connected to the DC link via an electrical connection. The flow of energy from the DC link into the further electrical energy storage and the flow of energy from the further electrical energy storage into the DC link is able to be controlled.

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. Preferably, the apparatus 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 electrical loadone or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

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. Preferably, the apparatus 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 electrical loadone or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

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.