Non-intrusive condition monitoring system

Abstract

A monitoring system comprising a high-voltage device 104 connected to and powered by a high-voltage line 102 operable at a voltage greater than 35kV, a current transformer 202 coupled to the high volt

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Sensors, such as temperature sensors, current sensors, and voltage sensors are often used to monitor or control electrical or other equipment. These sensors often require a power supply to operate. In subsea applications, power can be delivered by extracting it from a high-voltage line. However, any penetration of the high-voltage line can increase the likelihood of damage or failure of the high-voltage line. SUMMARY

[0002] In one aspect, a monitoring system includes a high-voltage device and a high-voltage line operable at a voltage greater than 35 kV. The high-voltage device is connected to and powered by the high-voltage line, a current transformer is coupled to the high-voltage line and is operable to generate an output current in response to operation of the high-voltage line, and a voltage regulator is connected to the current transformer to receive the output current as an input. The voltage regulator operates in response to the receipt of the output current to generate an auxiliary voltage as an output, and a sensor connected to the voltage regulator to receive the auxiliary voltage, the sensor operable in response to the receipt of the auxiliary voltage to measure an operating parameter of the high-voltage device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0004] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a prior art monitoring system for monitoring or controlling the operation of a high-voltage device.

[0005] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an improved monitoring system for monitoring or controlling the operation of a high-voltage device.

[0006] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a current transformer suitable for use with the monitoring system of Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in this description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0008] Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system elements may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0009] It should be understood that the words or phrases used herein should be construed broadly, unless expressly limited in some examples. For example, the terms “including,” “having,” and “comprising,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms (i.e., one or more) as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and / or, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments or constructions may be described herein, any features, methods, steps, components, etc. described with regard to one embodiment are equally applicable to other embodiments absent a specific statement to the contrary.

[0010] Also, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so forth may be used herein to refer to various elements, information, functions, or acts, but should not be considered as limiting in any way. Rather these numeral adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions or acts from each other. For example, a first element, information, function, or act could be termed a second element, information, function, or act, and, similarly, a second element, information, function, or act could be termed a first element, information, function, or act, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] In addition, the term “adjacent to” may mean that an element is relatively near to but not in contact with a further element or that the element is in contact with the further portion unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms “about” or “substantially” or like terms are intended to cover variations in a value that are within normal industry manufacturing tolerances for that dimension. If no industry standard is available, a variation of twenty percent would fall within the meaning of these terms unless otherwise stated.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art arrangement of a monitoring system 100 for monitoring certain operating conditions for an electrical system and in particular for a high-voltage device 104. The monitoring system 100 includes a high-voltage line 102 that provides electrical power to the high-voltage device 104. In the illustrated construction, the high-voltage line 102 operates at a voltage in excess of 35 kV with lines greater than 65 kV being common. The high-voltage device 104 may include many different devices but in the illustrated constructions, the high-voltage device 104 includes a transformer that operates to receive an input voltage 110 and output an output voltage 112. In most arrangements, the output voltage 112 is higher than the input voltage 110.

[0013] During operation of the prior art system, one or more sensors 108 may be provided to monitor various operating parameters. To provide power to the sensors, current is extracted from the high-voltage line 102 and fed to a transformer 106. The transformer 106 provides a stepped down auxiliary voltage 114 that is typically between five volts and six hundred volts with other voltages being possible depending upon the sensors being employed.

[0014] The prior arrangement is an intrusive system in that a physical or electrically conduction connection is required from the high-voltage line 102 to the transformer 106. In certain applications, such as subsea applications in which this connection is underwater, this creates a potential point of leakage and failure. This is therefore an undesirable arrangement for those applications.

[0015] The arrangement of FIG. 2 illustrates another monitoring system 200 that monitors a similar electrical system or high-voltage device 104 but does so using a non-intrusive power connection. The arrangement of FIG. 2 includes the same high-voltage line 102 and the same high-voltage device 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The high-voltage device 104 may include a transformer that operates to receive the input voltage 110 and to output an output voltage 112 that is typically higher than the input voltage 110.

[0016] A current transformer 202 is coupled to one or several of the power lines of the high-voltage line 102 to extract power, in the form of output currents 210 from the high-voltage line 102. The current transformer 202 is non-invasive in nature and therefore does not require the penetration of the insulation surrounding the high-voltage line 102 or any other protective layer that may surround the high-voltage line 102. Use of this type of current transformer 202 greatly reduces the likelihood of damage or short circuits due to leakage of seawater in subsea applications.

[0017] The current transformer 202 generates a power flow that is delivered to a voltage regulator 204 as the output current 210. The voltage regulator 204 operates to convert variable voltage and currents in the output current 210 it receives to a constant auxiliary voltage 114 or constant auxiliary current depending upon the needs of the devices that utilize the power.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the auxiliary voltage 114 is delivered to a plurality of sensors 206 that may include current sensors 208a, voltage sensors 208b, temperature sensors 208c, and / or other sensors 108 that may be needed to measure a desired operating parameter. The various sensors 208a, 208b, 208c are connected to the high-voltage device 104 to allow for the measurement of the desired operating parameters and the monitoring of those parameters during operation.

[0019] It should be noted that FIG. 2 illustrates a single power phase delivering power to the high-voltage device 104. However, in many cases a three-phase power supply is employed. In addition, one or more current transformers 202 can be positioned on one or more of the available wires or phases to extract power. Further, multiple current transformers 202 could cooperate to define a single current source for the voltage regulator 204.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates one possible arrangement of a non-invasive current transformer 202 suitable for use as the current transformer 202 illustrated in FIG. 2. The current transformer includes a magnetic core 302 and a winding 304 that surrounds a portion of the magnetic core 302.

[0021] During operation, a high-power current 306 flows along the high-voltage line 102 and induces a magnetic flux in the magnetic core 302. The flow of the magnetic flux in turn induces a current in the winding 304 that is output from the current transformer 202 as the output current 210. The current transformer 202 is fully non-invasive but may provide an inconsistent voltage or output current 210.

[0022] The voltage regulator 204 operates to receive the output current 210 and convert it to a stable and uniform auxiliary voltage 114. The auxiliary voltage 114 is then delivered to one or more of the current sensor 208a, the voltage sensor 208b, the temperature sensor 208c, or any other sensor that may be needed to measure and monitor or control the operation of the high-voltage device 104.

[0023] For certain applications, such as subsea applications where the sensors and the connection to the high-voltage line 102 must be positioned under water, it is desirable to minimize penetrations into the insulation or other protective layers of the high-voltage line 102. The arrangement of FIG. 2 draws power from the high-voltage line 102 without requiring any penetration or any intrusive connection of any kind. Thus, the arrangement of FIG. 2 greatly reduces the likelihood of damage or short circuits when compared to the prior arrangement of FIG. 1.

[0024] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0025] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, act, or function is an essential element, which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke a means plus function claim construction unless the exact words "means for" are followed by a participle.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A monitoring system comprising:a high-voltage device;a high-voltage line operable at a voltage greater than 35 kV, the high-voltage device connected to and powered by the high-voltage line;a current transformer coupled to the high-voltage line and operable to generate an output current in response to operation of the high-voltage line;a voltage regulator connected to the current transformer to receive the output current as an input, the voltage regulator operable in response to the receipt of the output current to generate an auxiliary voltage as an output; anda sensor connected to the voltage regulator to receive the auxiliary voltage, the sensor operable in response to the receipt of the auxiliary voltage to measure an operating parameter of the high-voltage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the high-voltage line operates at a voltage of greater than 65 kV.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the high-voltage device includes a high-voltage transformer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the current transformer is non-invasively connected to the high-voltage line and is operable to inductively extract power from the high-voltage line.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes one of a temperature sensor, a current sensor, and a voltage sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of sensor devices each operable to measure one of a voltage, a current, and a temperature.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary voltage is between 5 volts and 600 volts.

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