Live data from Hacker News

"Magic Balls" installed by drones may revolutionize US power grid

21–22 of 22 posts

Re: "Magic Balls" installed by drones may revolutionize US power grid

#21

Post by Paddywack » Sun, Jan 14, 2024, 11:15 AM UTC

nomel wrote: post #10

I can't find any information on how these are powered. Do they partly use current flow from coronal discharge? Or is it some long lasting battery?

A few years ago I was thinking of how to use powerlines to recharge drones using the electromagnetic field. Imagine a drone hanging from a line like a bat, recharging in remote areas.

I think MIT had a patent for that. This could be the perfect use case for that too..?

Re: "Magic Balls" installed by drones may revolutionize US power grid

#22

Post by nomel » Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 7:57 PM UTC

bozhark wrote: post #18

xnzakg wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure how much I am allowed to go into detail here, but can confirm what 127361 wrote: the sensors harvest power from the electromagnetic field in normal use. However, considering "power outage detection" is a selling point, you can draw your own conclusions about there being some power storage onboard ;)

power harvest and large/super caps? neat

I think the first assumption should be a boring old battery. Probably some lead acid type, since discharge would be very very rare.

Post reply on HN