Architecture - tixonenergy

ARGO System and Service Architecture

The ARGO patented power supply is built around three main components: the LFA magnetic antenna, the analog electronic circuit in charge of transforming the energy into direct current, and a backup battery to supply power to the service electronics in case of power line outage due to malfunctioning or maintenance.

The power generated by the power supplies is sent to the service electronics which items configuration depends on the specific application. In addition to a series of basic electronic components required the remaining optional components depend on the application that the plant has to perform.

ARGO technology Strengths

Does not require additional energy sources such as photovoltaic panels, electrical cables or electric generators.

Allows to feed electronics devices installed on the top of the towers of every electrical national grid in the world.

Independent from meteorological condition such as rain, snow, ice, hailstorm, wind, fog, sun and pollution.

Feeds the devices for days even in case of maintenance or failure of the power line.

High level of security against terrorist attacks or vandalism because protected by electric fields can not be joined by humans.

Electrical and Data Connections Schema of LFA - Power supply - First container - Second container

Components Connections Schema

Below is shown the simplified schema of the architecture and functional connection of the internal container's components used in pilots plants.

It is a LAN formed by two nodes by the SBC Router/Switch.

The second SBC Manager is used to periodically scan and control sensor devices and to activate actuator devices.

Example of theese are internal and external thermometer to warming or cooling the container.

Components Descriptions

Low Magnetic Fields Antenna

Connection Cable

Power Supply DC Feeder

Pilot Plants

Service Electronics

Service

Electronics Containers

SBC

WIFI/WIMAX RF Router/switch

Power supply DC Feeder

The basic block diagram of the power supply (upper schema) is quite traditional, with a dynamic added control of the DC/DC behaviour based on the current flowing in the antenna L. Such control allows to prevent the saturation of the antenna core, optimizing the amount of energy "captured" from the magnetic field generated by the power line conductor(s)

SBC service supervisor.

Protected Cable

This is the protected cable with power and data used to connect in chain all main components of the architecture.

LFA Antenna

DC power supply

First container

Wifi/wimax omni-directional antenna.

LFA Magnetic Antenna

Second container.

Antenna that harvest the magnetic component of the electro-magnetic field generated by electric network.

In the current version of the ARGO system, the magnetic antenna has a core built using a high tech magnetic material with top performances and very low losses. A revisited design aimed at reducing the size and weight of the antenna is being carried out, in order to simplify the installation and maintenance procedures in future versions of ARGO.

Protected Containers

Wifi/wimax directional antenna.

The standard installation expected two containers. Above are the different cad-cam schematics and below the container couple just built for pilot and connected by protected cable.

Protected metallic box

In this photo is shown the the metallic cubical box positioned on the top of antenna containing the DC power supply

FLIR Fixed thermo camera

The service electronics and the backup battery must be protected from the weather and other threats, so they are enclosed in the containers connected to the power supply subsystem through data and power cables. Like all other elements of the ARGO system, the containers are designed to be attached to the power line tower.

Meteo station

Li-Ion industrial Accumulator.

Some examples of potential service electronics that may be used in future plants.

High Resolution Optical and Thermo Camera

3-Axial Sismic Accelerometer

Pan Tilt branded via ip Optical and Thermo Camera

Lite Meteo Station.

Satellite Communication Antenna.