Partial discharge evaluation method and device based on flexible sensor network

Abstract

The invention relates to a partial discharge evaluation method and device based on a flexible sensor network, and belongs to the technical field of partial discharge detection. The evaluation device comprises a flexible sensing unit, a data acquisition module and an intelligent analysis terminal. The flexible sensing unit is composed of a flexible substrate, a conductive fiber array and a signal conditioning circuit and can be attached to a complex surface to collect signals. The data acquisition module filters, amplifies and digitalizes the received signal; and the intelligent analysis terminal generates an evaluation report through a multi-dimensional feature extraction and fusion technology. High-adaptability detection is achieved through flexible design, the efficiency and precision are improved in combination with intelligent analysis, and the method is suitable for the complex working condition environment and has wide application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of partial discharge detection technology, and relates to a partial discharge assessment method and device based on a flexible sensor network. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demands for equipment reliability in power systems, partial discharge detection technology is being used more and more widely in high-voltage electrical equipment such as cables and transformers. Partial discharge is an important indicator reflecting the insulation status of high-voltage electrical equipment, and its efficient and accurate detection is of great significance for ensuring the safe and stable operation of power systems. However, existing partial discharge detection methods and devices still have shortcomings in terms of sensitivity, adaptability, and intelligence, making it difficult to meet the needs of efficient detection under complex operating conditions.

[0003] Patent application CN113433431A discloses a partial discharge detection device based on a dipole antenna. This device senses partial discharge signals in the tested cable in a non-contact manner and combines sampling circuits, signal conditioning circuits, and control circuits to complete signal processing and result output. While this technical solution expands application scenarios, its detection sensitivity is easily affected by electromagnetic interference due to its reliance on the dipole antenna's sensing capability, and its adaptability to complex geometric structures of cables or equipment surfaces is limited. Furthermore, this solution does not consider the need for multi-point distributed detection, making it difficult to achieve comprehensive monitoring of a large area of ​​electrical equipment.

[0004] Patent application CN117092455A discloses a method that uses a hemispherical sensor probe to couple high-frequency electromagnetic wave signals to the surface of the cable under test, and combines this with a partial discharge detector for signal analysis and judgment. This technical solution is simple to operate and has high sensitivity; however, its detection range is limited by the physical contact position of the sensor probe, making it difficult to handle flexible or curved surfaces. Furthermore, the device lacks network and intelligent design, failing to achieve multi-node collaborative detection and data fusion analysis, thus limiting its application potential in large-scale power systems.

[0005] The aforementioned problems demonstrate that existing partial discharge detection technologies still have significant shortcomings in adapting to complex equipment surfaces, supporting multi-point distributed detection, and achieving intelligent assessment. Therefore, a technical solution that can overcome these deficiencies is urgently needed to meet the demands of modern power systems for efficient and accurate partial discharge monitoring. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a partial discharge assessment method and apparatus based on a flexible sensor network, which achieves highly adaptable detection on complex surfaces through the flexible sensor network, and improves detection efficiency and assessment accuracy by combining intelligent data analysis technology, thereby effectively solving the problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network, the device comprising a flexible sensing unit, a data acquisition module, and an intelligent analysis terminal.

[0008] The flexible sensing unit consists of multiple flexible sensor nodes that are attached to a complex geometric surface and collect partial discharge signals in real time.

[0009] The data acquisition module receives the signal transmitted by the flexible sensing unit and performs preliminary filtering and amplification processing.

[0010] The intelligent analysis terminal acquires data from the data acquisition module via wireless communication and generates a partial discharge assessment report using multi-dimensional feature extraction and fusion technology.

[0011] Furthermore, the flexible sensing unit comprises a flexible substrate, a conductive fiber array, and a signal conditioning circuit; the flexible substrate is made of a highly elastic polymer material to adapt to curved or irregular surfaces; the conductive fiber array is embedded in the flexible substrate to form a distributed sensing network; and the signal conditioning circuit is integrated at the edge of the flexible substrate for preprocessing the acquired signals.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible substrate is equipped with a micro heating element to maintain the operating temperature of the flexible sensing unit in a low-temperature environment; the conductive fiber array is fabricated by magnetron sputtering.

[0013] Furthermore, the data acquisition module includes a signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, and a wireless communication unit; the signal amplifier adjusts the gain of the weak signal output by the flexible sensing unit; the analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal; and the wireless communication unit connects to the intelligent analysis terminal via Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

[0014] Furthermore, the intelligent analysis terminal includes a touch screen, a central processing unit, and a storage module; the touch screen is used to display partial discharge assessment results and historical data trends; the central processing unit runs a partial discharge feature extraction algorithm to perform comprehensive analysis of multi-node data; and the storage module is used to save the collected data and assessment reports.

[0015] Furthermore, the flexible sensing unit and the data acquisition module are connected by a flexible wire; the flexible wire is wrapped with a shielding layer; and quick-plug interfaces are provided at both ends of the flexible wire.

[0016] Furthermore, the surface of the flexible sensing unit is coated with a corrosion-resistant coating.

[0017] On the other hand, the present invention provides a partial discharge assessment method based on a flexible sensor network, which includes:

[0018] S1: The partial discharge signal is collected in real time by attaching a flexible sensing unit to the surface of the device under test;

[0019] S2: The acquired signal is filtered and digitized through the data acquisition module;

[0020] S3: The intelligent analysis terminal receives the processed data and extracts the time-domain, frequency-domain, and spatial distribution characteristics of the partial discharge signal;

[0021] S4: Based on multi-node data fusion technology, a partial discharge intensity distribution map is generated, and historical data is combined to assess the health status of the equipment.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention achieves highly adaptable detection of complex geometric surfaces through a flexible sensor network, significantly improving the sensitivity and coverage of partial discharge detection; the intelligent analysis terminal, combined with multi-dimensional feature extraction technology, can accurately assess the health status of equipment, meeting the needs of modern power systems for efficient and accurate partial discharge monitoring; at the same time, this invention has a flexible structural design, is easy to operate, is suitable for various complex working environments, and has broad application prospects.

[0023] Other advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a partial discharge assessment method. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0027] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are schematic diagrams, not actual pictures. They should not be construed as limiting the invention. To better illustrate the embodiments of the invention, some parts in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual product dimensions. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.

[0028] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] One embodiment of the present invention provides a partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network, including a flexible sensing unit, a data acquisition module, and an intelligent analysis terminal.

[0030] In this embodiment, the flexible sensing unit is one of the core components of the entire system. The flexible sensing unit includes a flexible substrate, a conductive fiber array, and a signal conditioning circuit. The flexible substrate is made of a highly elastic polymer material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This material has excellent flexibility and ductility, allowing it to closely conform to complex geometric surfaces, such as the curved surface of a transformer casing or irregularly shaped high-voltage cable joints. The conductive fiber array is fabricated using magnetron sputtering and embedded within the flexible substrate to form a distributed sensing network for real-time acquisition of partial discharge signals. The signal conditioning circuit is integrated at the edge of the flexible substrate and is responsible for preliminary amplification and filtering of the acquired signals to reduce noise interference during subsequent transmission. Furthermore, a micro-heating element is installed inside the flexible substrate, which automatically activates in low-temperature environments to maintain the operating temperature of the flexible sensing unit, ensuring its reliability in extreme environments. For example, in a northern outdoor environment during winter, when the temperature drops below -10 degrees Celsius, the micro-heating element automatically adjusts the heating power through a built-in temperature control circuit, thereby ensuring that the flexible sensing unit is always in optimal working condition. To further enhance the durability of the flexible sensing unit, its outer surface is coated with a corrosion-resistant coating made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin, which enables it to operate stably for extended periods in high-humidity or chemically corrosive environments. For example, in chemical plants where strong acidic gases are present, this coating can effectively isolate corrosive substances and extend the service life of the flexible sensing unit.

[0031] The connection between the flexible sensing unit and the data acquisition module is achieved through flexible wires, which are wrapped with a shielding layer to reduce the impact of external electromagnetic interference on signal transmission. Quick-connect interfaces are provided at both ends of the flexible wires for easy installation and maintenance. The data acquisition module consists of a signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a wireless communication unit. The signal amplifier receives the weak signal from the flexible sensing unit and adjusts its gain to improve signal strength. The ADC converts the amplified analog signal into a digital signal for subsequent intelligent analysis. The wireless communication unit uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to establish a connection with the intelligent analysis terminal, enabling efficient data transmission. For example, in a typical partial discharge detection scenario, the flexible sensing unit is placed on the surface of a transformer. The signal it collects is transmitted to the data acquisition module via the flexible wires, processed by the signal amplifier and ADC, and finally sent to the intelligent analysis terminal via the wireless communication unit.

[0032] The intelligent analysis terminal includes a touch screen, a central processing unit (CPU), and a storage module. The touch screen displays partial discharge assessment results and historical data trends, allowing users to intuitively understand the device's health status. The CPU runs a partial discharge feature extraction algorithm to comprehensively analyze multi-node data. The feature extraction algorithm used in this embodiment includes three dimensions: time-domain analysis, frequency-domain analysis, and spatial distribution analysis. Time-domain analysis primarily focuses on the amplitude variation of the partial discharge signal, calculated by determining the root mean square value (Q) of the signal. n The discharge intensity is reflected by the peak factor and the peak value. The formula is as follows:

[0033]

[0034] Where, x i This represents the signal amplitude at the i-th sampling point, where n is the total number of sampling points; Crest factor = peak signal value / Q n .

[0035] Frequency domain analysis converts the time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to extract the main frequency components and their energy distribution.

[0036] Spatial distribution analysis combines data from multiple flexible sensing nodes to generate a partial discharge intensity distribution map, which visually displays the spatial distribution of the discharge area.

[0037] The storage module is used to save the collected data and evaluation reports, and supports historical data query and trend analysis. For example, in a certain test, the intelligent analysis terminal generated a partial discharge intensity distribution map using the above algorithm, and combined with historical data, found that the discharge intensity in a certain area was continuously increasing, indicating that there might be a potential fault risk in that area, thus providing a scientific basis for equipment maintenance.

[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a partial discharge assessment method, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0039] First, partial discharge signals are acquired in real time by attaching a flexible sensing unit to the surface of the device under test. For example, when inspecting high-voltage cable joints, the flexible sensing unit is placed on the surface of the joint, utilizing its high adaptability to closely fit the irregular shape of the joint, ensuring the comprehensiveness and accuracy of signal acquisition.

[0040] Next, the acquired signal is filtered and digitized by the data acquisition module. The data acquisition module performs preliminary filtering on the received signal to remove noise, then a signal amplifier is used to boost the signal strength, and finally an analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

[0041] Subsequently, the intelligent analysis terminal receives the processed data and extracts the time-domain, frequency-domain, and spatial distribution characteristics of the partial discharge signal. For example, time-domain analysis reveals a significant increase in the root mean square value over a certain period, indicating strong partial discharge activity during that time. Simultaneously, frequency-domain analysis reveals that the main frequency components of the signal are concentrated in a specific frequency band, which may be related to insulation defects within the equipment.

[0042] Finally, a partial discharge intensity distribution map is generated based on multi-node data fusion technology, and the health status of the equipment is assessed in conjunction with historical data. For example, by comparing the current detection results with historical data, it was found that the discharge intensity in a certain area showed a continuous upward trend, indicating that there may be aging or damage in that area, requiring timely maintenance measures.

[0043] This invention has a wide range of practical applications, such as in the partial discharge detection of critical equipment like transformers, high-voltage cable joints, and switchgear in power systems. In a specific case, a transformer in a substation operated under high load for an extended period. Technicians used the device and method provided by this invention to perform partial discharge detection. First, flexible sensing units were placed on the surface of the transformer casing, utilizing their high adaptability to closely conform to the curved shape of the casing, ensuring comprehensive and accurate signal acquisition. Then, the received signals were filtered and digitized by the data acquisition module, and the processed data was transmitted to an intelligent analysis terminal. The intelligent analysis terminal, by running a partial discharge feature extraction algorithm, generated a partial discharge intensity distribution map and, combined with historical data, discovered a continuous increase in discharge intensity in a certain area, indicating a potential fault risk in that area. Based on the assessment results, technicians promptly implemented maintenance measures, preventing potential equipment failures and power outages.

[0044] In summary, this invention achieves highly adaptable detection of complex geometric surfaces through a flexible sensor network, significantly improving the sensitivity and coverage of partial discharge detection. The intelligent analysis terminal, combined with multi-dimensional feature extraction technology, can accurately assess the health status of equipment, meeting the demands of modern power systems for efficient and accurate partial discharge monitoring. Furthermore, this invention features a flexible structural design, is easy to operate, and is suitable for various complex operating environments, demonstrating broad application prospects.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network, characterized in that: It includes a flexible sensing unit, a data acquisition module, and an intelligent analysis terminal; The flexible sensing unit consists of multiple flexible sensor nodes, which are attached to a complex geometric surface and collect partial discharge signals in real time. The data acquisition module receives the signal transmitted by the flexible sensing unit and performs preliminary filtering and amplification processing. The intelligent analysis terminal acquires data from the data acquisition module via wireless communication and generates a partial discharge assessment report using multi-dimensional feature extraction and fusion technology.

2. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible sensing unit consists of a flexible substrate, a conductive fiber array, and a signal conditioning circuit. The flexible substrate is made of a highly elastic polymer material to adapt to curved or irregular surfaces. The conductive fiber array is embedded in the flexible substrate to form a distributed sensing network. The signal conditioning circuit is integrated at the edge of the flexible substrate for preprocessing the acquired signals.

3. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible substrate contains a micro heating element to maintain the operating temperature of the flexible sensing unit in a low-temperature environment; the conductive fiber array is fabricated by magnetron sputtering.

4. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data acquisition module includes a signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, and a wireless communication unit; the signal amplifier adjusts the gain of the weak signal output by the flexible sensing unit; the analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal; and the wireless communication unit connects to the intelligent analysis terminal via Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

5. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent analysis terminal includes a touch screen, a central processing unit, and a storage module; the touch screen is used to display partial discharge assessment results and historical data trends; the central processing unit runs a partial discharge feature extraction algorithm to perform comprehensive analysis of multi-node data; the storage module is used to save the collected data and assessment reports.

6. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible sensing unit and the data acquisition module are connected by a flexible wire; the flexible wire is wrapped with a shielding layer; and quick-plug interfaces are provided at both ends of the flexible wire.

7. The partial discharge assessment device based on a flexible sensor network according to claim 2, characterized in that: The surface of the flexible sensing unit is coated with a corrosion-resistant coating.

8. A partial discharge assessment method based on a flexible sensor network, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1: The partial discharge signal is collected in real time by attaching a flexible sensing unit to the surface of the device under test; S2: The acquired signal is filtered and digitized through the data acquisition module; S3: The intelligent analysis terminal receives the processed data and extracts the time-domain, frequency-domain, and spatial distribution characteristics of the partial discharge signal; S4: Based on multi-node data fusion technology, a partial discharge intensity distribution map is generated, and historical data is combined to assess the health status of the equipment.

Images