Mapping intermittent faults and viewing the map

Abstract

A system, method and / or computer program for presenting to a user a visual representation of a selected history of short-term faults in an electrical grid, the method including: obtaining a collection of short-term faults in the electrical grid; obtaining a list of a plurality of display conditions; receiving a selection of at least one of the display conditions from a user; and displaying on a map at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to the field of electrical grids, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to managing electrical distribution networks, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to locating intermittent faults within distribution networks. [Background technology]

[0002] Intermittent faults are difficult to locate and repair, especially when two or more remote effects are produced by a common fault. Intermittent faults are pervasive, and databases of intermittent faults can be vast and difficult to effectively manage and handle.

[0003] The human brain excels at detecting visual patterns. Visual pattern recognition is a complex problem, as the visual areas involved in this process occupy up to half of our cortex. The group of neurons called the pattern recognizer is estimated to number around 300 million. The memory area for visual stimuli is called iconic memory.

[0004] It would therefore be highly advantageous to have a method and system without the above limitations for effectively introducing a database of intermittent disorders into the human brain. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one example embodiment, a system, method and / or computer program is provided for presenting to a user a visual representation of a selected history of short-term faults in an electrical grid, the method including obtaining a collection of short-term faults in the electrical grid; obtaining a list of a plurality of display conditions; receiving a selection of at least one of the display conditions from a user; and displaying on a map at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies.

[0006] According to one other exemplary embodiment, a map including a geographical map and / or a topological map is provided, further including receiving a selection from a user between the geographical map and the topological map.

[0007] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the method further includes receiving a selection of a time step value from a user and displaying at least one of the short-term faults on the map in an animated time-step manner to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies.

[0008] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the method further includes receiving from the user a selection of at least one feature of the geographical map, selecting an obstacle associated with the selected at least one feature of the geographical map, and displaying the selected obstacle on the selected map, wherein the feature of the geographical map includes at least one of a valley, a ridge, a peak, a slope, a plateau, a flat area, and a local. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the method also includes receiving from the user a selection of a feature of the topology map.

[0009] Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment, the method also includes receiving a selection of weather conditions from a user and selecting an obstacle associated with the selected weather condition, the weather condition including at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, rain, and snow.

[0010] Still further, according to another exemplary embodiment, the method also includes applying an icon to each of at least one of the short-term faults displayed on the map, the icon being selected according to at least one of a display condition applied to the short-term fault, a type of the short-term fault, and a time elapsed since a previous associated fault.

[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the relevant art. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. Except to the extent necessary or essential in the process itself, no particular order is intended or implied for the steps or stages of the methods and processes described in this disclosure, including the figures. In many cases, the order of process steps can be varied without changing the purpose or effect of the method described. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now specifically to the drawings in detail, it is emphasized that the details shown are merely by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of preferred embodiments, and are presented to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood explanation of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments.

[0013] In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the subject matter, and the description together with the drawings will make apparent to those skilled in the art how some forms and structures may be embodied in practice.

[0014] The drawings are as follows:

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of a distribution grid connected to a transmission grid through transformer stations.

[0016] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of one embodiment of a topology map display as it may be presented to a user.

[0017] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of an example of a geographical map display as presented to a user.

[0018] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart of a basic computing process performed by, for example, a grid analysis system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] (Description of the embodiment) The present embodiments comprise systems, methods, and / or computer programs for a user interface that effectively introduces a database of intermittent faults into a person's brain. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present embodiments comprise systems, methods, and / or computer programs for visual presentation of selective excerpts of a database of intermittent faults. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present embodiments comprise systems, methods, and / or computer programs for effective visual mapping of selective excerpts of a database of intermittent faults. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present embodiments comprise systems, methods, and / or computer programs for effective visual mapping of selective excerpts of a database of intermittent faults in an electrical grid.

[0020] The principles and operation of systems, methods and / or computer programs for a user interface that effectively introduces a database of intermittent disorders into the human brain, according to some exemplary embodiments, may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and accompanying description.

[0021] Before describing at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0022] In this document, elements of a drawing that are labeled with numbers that are described in a previous drawing but are not described within the drawing have the same use and description as in the previous drawing. Similarly, elements identified in the text by numbers that do not appear in the drawing described by the text have the same use and description as in the previous drawing in which they are described.

[0023] The drawings in this document are not intended to be to any scale. Different figures may use different scales, and different scales may even be used within the same drawing. For example, different scales may exist for different views of the same object, or different scales may exist for two adjacent objects.

[0024] The phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctions and disjunctions in operation. For example, the expressions "at least one of A, B and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" mean "A alone," "B alone," "C alone," "A and B together," "A and C together," "B and C together," or "A, B and C together," respectively. The term "a" or "an entity" refers to one or more of that entity. Thus, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein.

[0025] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and "having" are all inclusive, open-ended, and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, and may be used synonymously. In particular, these terms may imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps, but may not imply the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising," such as "comprise" and "comprises."

[0026] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification can, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0027] As used herein, the term "plurality" is defined as two or more than two. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the term "coupled" is defined as "connected," although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

[0028] In this document, the term "computing device" may refer to any type of computing machine, including, but not limited to, a computer, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile communication device, a network server, a cloud computer, etc., and any combination thereof. Such a computing device or computing machine may include any type of device or combination thereof, including, but not limited to, a processor or processing device, a memory device, a storage device, a user interface device, and / or a communication device.

[0029] The terms “execute,” “perform,” “compute,” “calculate,” etc. may refer to a processor of a computing device executing software program code embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium to achieve a result such as that described after any of the terms “execute,” “perform,” “compute,” “calculate,” etc.

[0030] The terms "client computing device," or "client device," or "user device," may refer to any type of computing device that is used or operated directly by a user. Such a device may include a user interface that can be used directly by the user, including means for user input and / or user output. Such a device may be communicatively coupled to another computing device, such as a network server, via a communications network.

[0031] Means for user input may include a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone, a camera, a touch-sensitive plate or display, means for user gesture control, means for tactile user control, and the like.

[0032] The means for user output may include a display and / or any other means for providing visual information, a speaker or earphones and / or any other means for providing audible information, means for providing tactile and / or haptic information, etc.

[0033] The term "mobile communication device" may refer to devices such as tablets, mobile phones, smartphones, etc.

[0034] The terms "network server" or "server" may refer to any type of "computing device" that is communicatively coupled to a communications network, and may include cloud computers and the like.

[0035] The term "communication network" or "network" may refer to any type or technology of digital communications, including, but not limited to, the Internet, WAN, LAN, MAN, PSDN, etc. Any of the above-mentioned technologies may be wired or wireless, e.g., wireless WANs such as WiMAX, WLAN (Wi-Fi), WPAN (Bluetooth®), etc. Wireless networking technologies may also include PLMNs and / or any type of cellular network. The term "communication network" or "network" may refer to any combination of communication technologies and any combination of physical networks. The term "communication network" or "network" may refer to any number of interconnected communication networks that may be operated by one or many network operators.

[0036] The term "application" may refer to a software program running on or executed by one or more processors of a computing device, particularly by mobile computing devices such as mobile phones, tablets, smartphones, and any other mobile or portable computing equipment. The term "mobile application" may refer to an application executed by a mobile computing device.

[0037] In this document, the terms "electric transmission network," "electrical transmission network," "electricity transmission network," "electric power transmission," "power line," "power transmission," and "power grid" are used interchangeably and can refer to either or both underground and overhead transmission. The terms "grid" or "electric grid" or "electric network" can refer to an electric transmission network and / or an electric distribution network, and any portion of such a network between one or more power generating stations and loads or consumers.

[0038] The term "cable" or "electric cable" may refer to any single cable or wire of the grid, such as a phase carrier cable, or a power line. The term "cable device," or "measuring device," or "sensor" may refer to any device mounted on an electric cable of the grid, including a sensor, measuring device, communication device, etc. As a non-limiting example, a cable device may derive power from electric and / or magnetic fields around the electric cable, which may be generated by current flowing in the electric cable.

[0039] The term "measurement" or "electrical measurement" may refer to any type of measurement of any electrical parameter, such as voltage, current, electric field, magnetic field, resistance, capacitance, inductance, charge, etc. The term "physical measurement" or "mechanical measurement" may refer to any type of measurement of any physical parameter other than an electrical parameter. Such parameters may be temperature, wind (including speed and / or direction), humidity, movement, height, (cable) depression, (cable) angle, etc. Such measurements are typically performed by cable devices mounted on the electrical cable.

[0040] A system of measuring devices can measure various electrical parameters at multiple locations within an electrical cable, or an electrical network or grid, and by comparing the multiple measurements, determine the type and location of a particular parameter, and / or phenomenon, and / or fault. Such measurements can be made at a point on the electrical cable that may be within an intermediate cable, away from any poles or insulators supporting the cable. At such a point, the measuring device may not have any electrical contact with a reference point, such as ground, zero or neutral, or common line.

[0041] In this regard, the voltage measurement device may be electrically coupled to the electrical cable as a first reference point for measuring a potential difference (e.g., voltage), but may lack a second electrical contact to a second reference point (i.e., neutral, ground, common line, etc.).

[0042] The term "mid cable" may refer to any location or point along an electrical cable where a cable device, or a sensor or measurement device, may be mounted on the electrical cable, and the cable device, or sensor or measurement device may not have access to or electrical contact with a reference potential, such as ground, zero line, common line, neutral line, etc.

[0043] The term "reference point" may refer to any such reference potential, such as ground, zero line, common line, neutral line, different phase power lines, reference plane, and the like.

[0044] The terms "electrically coupled," or "electrically connected," or simply "connected," can refer to direct (e.g., galvanic contact) or indirect electrical contact.

[0045] The term "ungrounded voltage measurement" may refer to measuring the voltage or potential of an electrical element, such as an electrical cable, that is a first electrical reference point without contacting a second electrical reference point, such as a reference point, zero voltage line, common line, neutral line, power line of a different phase, etc. For simplicity, all such versions of a second electrical reference point may be referred to herein as a "reference point."

[0046] The terms "intermittent" or "instantaneous" can refer to any electrical phenomenon that is short, typically less than one second. In this regard, an "intermittent phenomenon" can refer to any type of brief or instantaneous change in voltage and / or current and / or power. Such an "intermittent phenomenon" can take the form of a surge (positive or negative, or both), a pulse (positive or negative, or both), a transient, a spike, etc.

[0047] The term "absolute time" may refer to a time or length of time measured from a common universal time. Absolute time may be provided via a signal from an external, precise clock, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal. The term "time of flight" or "time of travel" may refer to the time it takes a signal to travel from a first point to a second point, such as from the signal's origin to a detection or measurement point.

[0048] The device for measuring the electrical signal may be an electrical sensor operable to measure one or more electrical parameters, such as voltage and / or current. The measurement device may be mounted on the electrical cable, i.e., anywhere along the entire electrical cable, whether on or near a pole carrying the cable, or anywhere between two poles or two insulators carrying or supporting the cable. The cable may be an overhead cable or an underground cable. For example, with respect to an underground cable, the measurement device may be installed where the underground cable is exposed and / or in an unshielded location, such as a maintenance hole (manhole) or a division point.

[0049] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified diagram of a distribution grid 10 connected to a transmission grid 11 via a transformer station 12, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0050] 1, the distribution grid 10 may include four feed lines 13, however, any number of feed lines is envisioned. The four feed lines are listed as 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D. Two communication lines 14 may be connected between feed lines 13B-13C and 13C-13D, however, any number of communication lines is envisioned.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1 , one or more photovoltaic systems 15 may be connected to any one of the transmission lines 13. However, any system 15 may represent any type of renewable energy electricity generation system (e.g., wind turbines, etc.). Multiple consumer systems (not shown in FIG. 1 ) may be distributed along the transmission lines 13. Multiple cable devices 16 may be mounted across any of the power lines of the distribution grid 10. It should be understood that any number of cable devices 16 may be mounted across any of the power lines (phases) of the distribution grid 10.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1, feed line 13A is divided into two sub-lines 17A and 17B. It should be understood that any feed line 13A may be divided into any number of sub-lines in various configurations and levels of division (e.g., 17C). The term "local grid" may refer to the entire grid 10 or a separate portion of the grid 10, such as a particular feed line 13 or sub-line 17. The overall structure and / or topology of the distribution grid 10 of Figure 1 is provided by way of example only.

[0053] Communications network 18 may represent any number of communications networks of any type, including wired and wireless networks. Communications network 18 may also represent several networks that are not interconnected, each serving a different pair or group of computing devices that are able to communicate.

[0054] For example, the communication network 18 may interconnect between the transformer station 12 and the grid management system 19, between the grid management system 19 and the grid analysis system 20, between the grid analysis system 20 and the energy generation system 15, etc.

[0055] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified diagram of an example of a topology map display 21 as provided to a user, and to FIG. 3, which is a simplified diagram of an example of a geographic map display 22 as provided to a user according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0056] Alternatively, the simplified diagrams of Figures 2 and 3 may be viewed in the context of the details of previous figures. However, it should be understood that the simplified diagrams of Figures 2 and 3 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Furthermore, the foregoing definitions may equally apply to the following description.

[0057] It should be understood that a user may choose to view either or both the topological map display or the geographic map display. The two map displays may be provided on two different screens or on two portions of the same screen.

[0058] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified flowchart of a basic computing process 23 performed by grid analysis system 20, for example, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0059] Alternatively, the simplified flowchart of Figure 4 may be viewed in the context of the details of previous figures. However, it should be understood that the simplified flowchart of Figure 4 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Furthermore, the foregoing definitions may equally apply to the following description.

[0060] It should be understood that some of the actions of basic computing process 23 may be performed by grid management system 19. It should be understood that the flowchart of basic computing process 23 may be embodied as one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors of analysis system 20 and / or grid management system 19.

[0061] The basic computing process 23 may begin at action 24 by obtaining various maps 25. The maps 25 may include geographic maps of areas of the grid 10, topographic maps of areas of the grid 10, topology maps of the grid 10, electrical schematics of the grid 10, etc.

[0062] Basic computing process 23 may proceed to action 26 to obtain a set 27 of faults detected within grid 10. As a non-limiting example, set 27 of faults may include intermittent faults and / or short-term faults. The term "obtain," as used herein, may refer to actions such as "obtaining access to" and / or "obtaining data" and / or "obtaining a database of." Thus, action 26 may be performed continuously or repeatedly to update set 27 of faults, as may be indicated by curly arrow 28.

[0063] The base computing process 23 may proceed to action 29 and receive from the user a selection of a map 30. As a non-limiting example, the map selection 30 may be obtained from a user of the grid management system 19.

[0064] The basic computing process 23 may proceed to action 31 and obtain a list of display conditions 32. As a non-limiting example, the list of display conditions 32 may be obtained from a user of the grid management system 19. The user may create a list of display conditions 32 and / or select a list of display conditions 32 and / or update a list of display conditions 32. The display conditions 32 may include one or more map display conditions, and / or grid display conditions, and / or one or more fault display conditions, and optionally one or more time display conditions.

[0065] In this regard, map display conditions may include the type of map to be used (e.g., geographic, topographic, topology, schematic, etc.), the required area (e.g., area boundary), the type of map elements to be included in the respective map, such as roads, buildings, trees, vegetation, etc. Grid display conditions may include grid elements such as consumers, electricity providing stations, monitoring stations, etc. The term "electricity providing station" may include transformer stations, electricity generation systems (e.g., photovoltaic systems 15), electricity storage systems, etc. The term "monitoring station" may include cable devices 16. Time display conditions may include start time, end time, fault time step, display time step, etc.

[0066] The basic computing process 23 may proceed to action 33 to display the selected map and map features and elements according to the selected map display conditions, etc., and may proceed to action 34 to display the selected faults according to the selected fault display conditions. If the display conditions include one or more time steps (action 35), the basic computing process 23 may increment the time by a time step (action 36) and repeat action 34 with new data until a termination time is reached (action 37). For example, during each display map step, all faults occurring during the respective fault time step are displayed.

[0067] It should therefore be appreciated that basic computing process 23, when executed by, for example, a processor of grid analysis system 20, may present to a user a visual representation of a selected history of short-term faults in electrical grid 10. A method, as exemplified by computing process 23, may obtain a collection of short-term faults in the electrical grid, obtain a list of a plurality of display conditions, receive a selection of at least one of the display conditions from a user, and display, to the user, on a map, the short-term faults to which the selected display condition applies.

[0068] The map may be a geographical map or a topological map as selected by the user. The basic computing process 23 may also receive from the user a selection of one or more features of the geographical map. The basic computing process 23 may then select obstacles associated with the selected features and display the selected obstacles on the selected map. The features of the geographical map may include one or more of a valley, a ridge, a peak, a slope, a plateau, a plain, and a region. Similarly, the basic computing process 23 may use the selection of features of the topological map.

[0069] The method may also receive a selection of weather conditions from a user and then select obstacles associated with the selected weather conditions, as exemplified by basic computing process 23. Such weather conditions may include, for example, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, rain, and snow. Such weather conditions may be described by a value or a range of values.

[0070] The basic computing process 23 may also display icons representing the faults on the associated map. Each icon type may be associated with a different short-term fault. The icon may be selected according to the display conditions applied to the short-term fault, the type of short-term fault, and the time elapsed since the previous associated fault.

[0071] The basic computing process 23 may also receive a selection of a time step value from a user and then display short-term faults on the map in an animated time-step fashion with the selected display conditions applied.

[0072] It should be understood that certain features that are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0073] While the description has been provided above in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for presenting a user with a visual representation of a selected history of short-term faults in an electrical grid, the method comprising: obtaining a set of short-term faults in the electrical grid; Obtaining a list of multiple display conditions; receiving a selection of at least one of the display conditions from the user; displaying on a map at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies; A method comprising:

2. the map is at least one of a geographical map and a topological map; The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection from the user between the geographical map and the topological map.

3. receiving a selection of a time step value from the user; displaying on the map, in an animated time-step manner, the at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies; and The method of claim 1 further comprising:

4. receiving from the user a selection of at least one feature of the geographic map; selecting an obstacle associated with the selected at least one feature of the geographical map; displaying the selected obstacle on the selected map; further comprising The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature of the geographic map includes at least one of a valley, a ridge, a peak, a slope, a plateau, a plain, and an area.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user, a selection of a feature of the topology map.

6. receiving a selection of weather conditions from the user; selecting an obstacle associated with the selected weather condition; further comprising The method of claim 1 , wherein the weather conditions include at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, rain, and snow.

7. applying an icon to each of at least one of the short-term faults displayed on the map, the icon comprising: the indication condition that applies to the short-term impairment; and The type of short-term impairment; and the time since the previous relevant disorder; The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected parameter is selected according to at least one of:

8. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, obtaining a set of short-term faults in the electrical grid; Obtaining a list of multiple display conditions; receiving a selection of at least one of the display conditions from the user; displaying on a map at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies; a computer program product causing the processor to perform operations including:

9. the map is at least one of a geographical map and a topological map; The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising an operation for receiving from the user a selection between the geographical map and the topological map.

10. receiving a selection of a time step value from the user; displaying on the map, in an animated time-step manner, the at least one of the short-term faults to which the selected at least one of the display conditions applies; and 9. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising operations for:

11. receiving from the user a selection of at least one feature of the geographic map; selecting an obstacle associated with the selected at least one feature of the geographical map; displaying the selected obstacle on the selected map; and further comprising an operation for performing The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the at least one feature of the geographic map includes at least one of a valley, a ridge, a peak, a slope, a plateau, a plain, and a local.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising an operation for receiving, from the user, a selection of a feature of the topology map.

13. receiving a selection of weather conditions from the user; selecting an obstacle associated with the selected weather condition; and further comprising an operation for performing The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the weather conditions include at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, rain, and snow.

14. further comprising the operation of applying an icon to each of at least one of the short-term impairments displayed on the map; The icon is the indication condition that applies to the short-term impairment; and The type of short-term impairment; and The time since the previous related failure 9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the following is selected according to at least one of the following:

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