Hierarchical power distribution
Aspects of a hierarchical power distribution network are described. In some embodiments, a first guided surface waveguide probe launches a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within a first power distribution region. A guided surface wave receive structure obtains electrical energy from the first guided surface wave. A second guided surface waveguide probe launches a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within a second power distribution region using the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave.
1. A system, comprising:
a first power distribution node for a first power distribution region, wherein the first power distribution node comprises a first guided surface waveguide probe, wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is configured to launch a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within the first power distribution region; and
a second power distribution node for a second power distribution region, wherein the second power distribution node comprises a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from the first guided surface wave, wherein the second power distribution node further comprises a second guided surface waveguide probe configured to use the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave to launch a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within the second power distribution region.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is configured to be energized at a first operating frequency, and wherein the second guided surface waveguide probe is configured to be energized at a second operating frequency.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first operating frequency is lower than the second operating frequency.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second power distribution node further comprises a frequency converter configured to generate an energizing signal for the second guided surface waveguide probe, wherein the energizing signal operates at the second operating frequency.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the frequency converter comprises a rotary frequency converter.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the frequency converter comprises a solid state frequency converter.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second power distribution region is located entirely within the first power distribution region.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein only a portion of the second power distribution region is located within the first power distribution region.
9. A method, comprising:
launching, using a first guided surface waveguide probe, a first guided surface wave along a surface of a terrestrial medium within a first power distribution region;
obtaining, using a guided surface wave receive structure, electrical energy from the first guided surface wave; and
launching, using a second guided surface waveguide probe, a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium within a second power distribution region using the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
energizing the first guided surface waveguide probe at a first operating frequency; and
energizing the second guided surface waveguide probe at a second operating frequency.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first operating frequency is lower than the second operating frequency.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first guided surface wave has a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises generating an energizing signal that operates at a second frequency.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein generating the energizing signal that operates at the second frequency comprises:
driving an electric motor using the electrical energy; and
driving a generator using the electric motor.
14. A power distribution node, comprising:
a guided surface wave receive structure configured to obtain electrical energy from a first guided surface wave launched by a first guided surface waveguide probe along a surface of a terrestrial medium; and
a second guided surface waveguide probe configured to use the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave to launch a second guided surface wave along the surface of the terrestrial medium.
15. The power distribution node of claim 14 , further comprising a frequency converter configured to generate an energizing signal for the second guided surface waveguide probe.
16. The power distribution node of claim 15 , wherein the frequency converter comprises:
a motor configured to be driven by the electrical energy obtained from the first guided surface wave; and
a generator configured to be driven by the motor.
17. The power distribution node of claim 15 , wherein the frequency converter comprises a solid state frequency converter.
18. The power distribution node of claim 14 , wherein the power distribution node is configured to service a second power distribution region; and
wherein the first guided surface waveguide probe is for another power distribution node that services a first power distribution region.
19. The power distribution node of claim 18 , wherein the second power distribution region is entirely within the first power distribution region.
20. The power distribution node of claim 18 , wherein only a portion of the second power distribution region is within the first power distribution region.