System and method to monitor powerlines

Abstract

The invention encompasses a system and method for monitoring a power line. In certain embodiments, a system emits a series of signals that allow for analytic analysis of a power line. For example, by taking multiple signal readings, it is possible to detect an average height reading of a power line and observe long-term trends in the time delay from signal emission to reception of an echo-signal. This allows for accurate measurement of various physical parameters of a power line, for example, the height of the power line above the ground.

1 . A method for monitoring a power line comprising:
 a. transmitting an identifiable signal from a transmitter device defined on a power line;   b. receiving the signal from the transmitter device defined on the power line by at least one receiving device;   c. processing the received signal using data from the at least one receiving device to identify a parameter of the power line; and   d. reporting the parameter of the power line to a network,   wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of the transmitter device, address information of the transmitter device, transmitter distances, and transmitter height.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal in the range of about 300 megahertz to about 2 gigahertz. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal in the range of about 800 megahertz to about 900 megahertz. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter is the distance of the power line at a given point along the power line from the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter device is a radio frequency transmitter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter device is an audio frequency transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter device is a cell phone. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal is an arrival-time correlation process, distributed sensor/time of flight process, or an echolocation process. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal further comprises synchronizing using a global positioning system (GPS). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter of the power line is reported using wireless technology. 
     
     
         11 . A method for determining the height of a power line comprising:
 a. receiving a radio frequency signal from a source placed on a power line;   b. processing the received radio frequency signal using a plurality of receiving devices;   c. identifying an approximate localized point on the power line, the approximate localized point defining a physical height of the power line; and   d. reporting the height of the power line over a network to a network operator, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of the transmitter device, address information of the transmitter device, transmitter distances, and transmitter height.   
     
     
         12 . A method for determining the height of a power line comprising:
 a. receiving a signal from a source placed on a power line;   b. processing the received signal using a receiving device;   c. identifying an approximate localized point on the power line, the approximate localized point including a physical height of the power line; and   d. reporting the height of the power line over a network to a network operator, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of the transmitter device, address information of the transmitter device, transmitter distances, and transmitter height.   
     
     
         13 . A method for identifying a physical parameter of a power line comprising:
 a. contacting at least one transmitting device to the power line;   b. communicating a signal from the at least one transmitting device to a plurality of receiving devices over a communication network;   c. processing the signal using a processor to identify at least one physical parameter of the transmitting device on the power line;   d. collecting data with regard to the physical parameter of the transmitting device,   e. reporting the physical parameter to a network operator, wherein a database communicates with the network support center to supply information including mapping information of the transmitter device, address information of the transmitter device, transmitter distances, and transmitter height.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving of a radio frequency is achieved through at least one of a GPS, a plurality of cell sites, a plurality of WiFi hotspots, and a plurality of other mobile devices. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the source is a transmitting device comprising a radio-transmitting device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the radio-transmitting device is a cell phone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the transmitting device transmits a radio frequency. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the source transmits a radio frequency in the range of about 600 megahertz to about 2 gigahertz. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the source transmits a radio frequency in the range of about 800 megahertz to about 900 megahertz. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the processing the received radio frequency signal is an arrival-time correlation process, distributed sensor/time of flight process, or an echolocation process. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter of the power line is reported using wireless technology.