A system for monitoring automatic tensioning device and method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system 102 and a method 300 for monitoring an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD). The system 102 includes one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108 connected to a set of pulleys 128 of the ATD 104. The sensor-reflector units 108 are configured to measure variations in at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD 104 in real-time. The system 102 includes a control unit 110 coupled to the one or more sensor-reflector units 108. The control unit 110 is configured to collect data pertaining to the variations in the X and Y parameters from the sensor-reflector units 108, detect one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable 122 by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters, and generate and transmit an alert to a user equipment 124 associated with the system 102 based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AUTOMATIC TENSIONING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of monitoring systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for monitoring Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable.BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] The overhead power cable in Overhead line equipment (OLE) carries electricity at 25,000 volts to power electric trains. A contact wire in the overhead power cable is tensioned between support structures to withstand deflection by high winds and extreme temperatures to provide a continuous supply of electricity to the trains. For medium and high speeds, the wires are generally tensioned by weights or occasionally by hydraulic tensioners. Either method is known as “auto-tensioning (AT)” or “constant tension”, and ensures that the tension is virtually independent of temperature. Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) is usually employed to provide auto-tensioning for overhead power cable. In urban areas, it is recommended that the weights are located inside a tubular pole, thereby allowing unobtrusive vertical movement and preventing unauthorised interference or access of the weights.

[0004] Further, the unexpected variations in weather conditions and changes in the environmental temperature cause issues with balance weight tensioning systems followed by sudden expansion and sagging in the overhead lines. To produce the tension required for the expanding wires, the Balance Weight Anchors (BWA) or the counterweight gradually decline to ground level closer to the ground in high temperatures. Effective tensioning on the contact and catenary wires may be lost if the counterweight declines to the ground level and hits the ground, and cause the contact wire to droop too. The loss of tensioning may lead to pantograph hooking over the conductors, seriously damaging the equipment. The absence of tensioning may cause overhead lines to sag or tighten, leading to pantograph entanglement or snapping of overhead power cables.

[0005] Therefore, the OLE line tension and the BWA level need to be monitored continuously to avoid accidents. The OLE components monitoring may not be conducted often enough due to limited access to the components, high expenses, and time-consuming processes. A fully automated OLE performance monitoring systems are inevitable for smooth and accident-free working of the rail systems. One of the existing UK patents GB2600986B entitled “Balance Weight Monitoring”, discloses a system which measures a position of the counterweight by an ultrasonic sensor placed at the bottom of the weight and sends a signal to the data logger unit to inform an end user. Another existing PCT patent publication WO2023148669A1 entitled “Apparatus and method for monitoring an overhead contact line of a transportation network”, discloses an apparatus and a method for monitoring an overhead contact line of a transportation network.

[0006] However, the existing systems monitor either the positioning of the contact wire and catenary wire, or the position of the balance weight. To ensure problem free performance of the OLE’s, it is highly necessary to monitor the positioning of both the contact wire and catenary wire in the overhead power cable, and the position of the balance weight consistently and simultaneously. Also, positioning of the monitoring system is crucial for acquiring reliable measurements and damage free functioning of the monitoring systems. A system addressing the said problems is necessary for automated monitoring of the overhead power cable and other OLE infrastructures ensuring safety of the public.OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for efficiently monitoring Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) of an overhead power cable.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system that monitors overhead line tension issues by measuring contact wire length changes X and counterweight positioning Y from a ground.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system that consistently monitors and analyses the overhead line tension issues to provide timely alert to a railway authority in charge.

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system that measures minute variations in the overhead line tension, the contact wire length changes X, and the counterweight positioning Y from the ground.SUMMARY

[0012] This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0013] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable. The system includes one or more sets of sensor-reflector units connected to a set of pulleys of the ATD. The one or more sets of sensor-reflector units are configured to measure variations in at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD in real-time. The system includes a control unit coupled to the one or more sensor-reflector units. The control unit is configured to collect data pertaining to the variations in the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units, detect one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters, and generate and transmit an alert to a user equipment associated with the system based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the X parameter may pertain to a distance between a first pulley of the set of pulleys and a second pulley of the set of pulleys, and the Y parameter may pertain to a distance of a counterweight from a ground track level. The counterweight may be connected to the ATD and configured to pull and release the overhead power cable via the set of pulleys.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the control unit may be configured to transmit the collected data to a server associated with the system. The server may be configured to analyze the collected data and send information regarding performance status of the overhead power cable to the user equipment.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the one or more sets of sensor-reflector units may include a first set of sensor-reflector unit including at least a first sensor and a first reflector, and a second set of sensor-reflector unit including at least a second sensor and a second reflector.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the first sensor may be connected to the first pulley of the set of pulleys, and configured to transmit a first beam to the first reflector connected to a second pulley of the set of pulleys, and measure reflected beam from the first reflector to determine the X parameter.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the second sensor may be connected to a vertical travelling rod of the system, and configured to transmit a second beam to the second reflectorconnected to a surface of a counterweight, and measure reflected beam from the second reflector to determine the Y parameter.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the second sensor may be configured to determine the Y parameter as a difference between a total distance (Yl) from a surface of the second sensor to the counterweight and a sum of a counterweight length (Y2) and the distance from the surface of the second sensor to the surface (Y3) of the counterweight.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the one or more anomalies may include at least one of sudden variations in the overhead power cable, locking of the counterweight, blockage of pulley movement, displacement of the counterweight beyond a predefined range, damage to a steel rope connecting the set of pulleys and the counterweight, and a loss of the counterweight.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the one or more sets of sensor-reflector units may be configured to measure the variations in the X and Y parameters under various conditions.

[0022] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an ATD for an overhead power cable. The method includes measuring, by a system, at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD at a particular time using one or more sensor-reflector units. The method includes collecting, by the system, data pertaining to the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units. The method includes transmitting, by the system, the data to a server associated with the system. The method includes identifying, by the system, variations in the X and Y parameters upon transmitting the data to the server. The method includes detecting, by the system, one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters. Further, the method includes generating and transmitting, by the system, an alert to a user equipment associated with the system based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a proposed system 102 for monitoring Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view depicting measurement of X parameter and Y parameter of the ATD by sensor-reflector set of the proposed system 102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, to elaborate upon its working.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for monitoring X and Y parameters of ATD, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer system in which or with which embodiments of the present disclosure can be utilized.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0029] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0030] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another

[0033] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimedindividually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media / machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).

[0035] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

[0036] The present disclosure relates to the field of monitoring system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for monitoring Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable.

[0037] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable. The system includes one or more sets of sensor-reflector units connected to a set of pulleys of the ATD. The one or more sets of sensor-reflector units are configured to measure variations in at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD in real-time. The system includes a control unit coupled to the oneor more sensor-reflector units. The control unit is configured to collect data pertaining to the variations in the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units, detect one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters, and generate and transmit an alert to a user equipment associated with the system based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

[0038] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an ATD for an overhead power cable. The method includes measuring, by a system, at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD at a particular time using one or more sensor-reflector units. The method includes collecting, by the system, data pertaining to the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units. The method includes transmitting, by the system, the data to a server associated with the system. The method includes identifying, by the system, variations in the X and Y parameters upon transmitting the data to the server. The method includes detecting, by the system, one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters. Further, the method includes generating and transmitting, by the system, an alert to a user equipment associated with the system based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

[0039] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to FIGs. 1-4.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a proposed system 102 for monitoring an automatic tensioning device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the proposed monitoring system 102 for an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable is disclosed. Though the present disclosure discloses the monitoring system 102 for the ATD, it may be appreciated that the monitoring system 102 may be applicable for any type of ATD, for example, but not limited to, a spring type ATD. The system 102 may include one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108-1, 108-2. The one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108-1, 108-2 may be collectively referred to as one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108 and individually referred to a set of sensor-reflector units 108. The one or more sets of sensorreflector units 108 may be coupled with a measurement control unit 110 (interchangeably referred to as control unit throughout the disclosure). The one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108 may be communicatively connected to a cloud server 136 (referred to as server), and connected to the ATD 104 attached with a counterweight 106. The ATD 104 attached with the counterweight 106 may be configured to pull and release an overhead power cable122 atached to the ATD 104 by a set of pulleys 128 and a steel rope 106-1 connecting the counterweight 106 to the ATD 104.

[0042] The system 102 may be further associated with one or more computing devices 124-1, 124-2, .... 124-N through the cloud server 136. The one or more computing devices 124-1, 124-2, .... 124-N may be employed by one or more users 126-1, 126-2, .... 126-N, respectively to monitor the ATD 104 by monitoring X and Y parameters of the ATD 104. The one or more computing devices 124-1, 124-2, .... 124-N may be collectively referred to as computing devices 124 and individually referred to computing device 124. The computing devices 124 may be interchangeably referred to as a user equipment throughout the disclosure. Similarly, the one or more users 126-1, 126-2, .... 126-N may be collectively referred to as users 126 and individually referred to user 126.

[0043] In an embodiment, the one or more set of sensor-reflector units 108 may include a first set of sensor-reflector unit 108-1 and a second set of sensor-reflector unit 108-2. The one or more sets of sensor-reflector units 108 may be configured to measure variations in a X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD 104.

[0044] In an embodiment, the first set of sensor-reflector units 108-1 may be connected to the set of pulleys 128 of the ATD 104 and the second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 may be connected to the counterweight 106. The first set of sensor-reflector units 108-1 may be configured to measure the variations in the X parameter of the ATD 108 in real-time. The second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 may be configured to measure the variations in the Y parameter of the ATD in real-time. In an embodiment, the set of pulleys 128 may include a first pulley 128-1, a second pulley 128-2, and a third pulley 128-3.

[0045] In an embodiment, the X parameter of the ATD 104 may be measured as a distance between the first pulley 128-1 and the second pulley 128-2. The Y parameter of the ATD 104 may be measured as a distance between a botom of the counterweight 106 and a ground track level.

[0046] In an embodiment, the first set of sensor-reflector units 108-1 may include at least a first sensor 108-11 connected to the first pulley 128-1 of the ATD 104, and a first reflector 108-12 connected to the second pulley 128-2 of the ATD 104. A front end of the first sensor 108-11 may be positioned facing a front end of the first reflector 108-12. The first pulley 128-1 may be stationary and the second pulley 128-2 may be travelling through a horizontal travelling rod 130 of the ATD 104. The first pulley 128-1 and the second pulley 128-2 may allow movement of the steel rope 106-1 connected to the overhead power cable 122 and to the first pulley 128-1 and the second pulley 128-2. In an embodiment, the first sensor 108-11may be connected to one side of the first pulley 128-1. In an embodiment, the first reflector 108-12 may be connected to one side of the second pulley 128-2 with the first reflector 108- 12 coming in the same side as of the first sensor 108-11 facing each other.

[0047] In an embodiment, the second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 may include a second sensor 108-21 connected to a vertical travelling rod 132 of the ATD 104. The vertical travelling rod 132 may be connected to a support mass 134. Further, the second set of sensorreflector units 108-2 may include a second reflector 108-22 connected to the counterweight 106. A front end of the second sensor 108-21 may be positioned facing a front end of the second reflector 108-22.

[0048] In an embodiment, the first sensor 108-11 may include a non-contact optical distance sensor, and the likes. The second sensor 108-21 may include a non-contact optical distance sensor, and the likes. The first reflector 108-12 and the second reflector 108-22 may be, for example, but not limited to, a plate type reflector.

[0049] In an embodiment, the system 102 may include the measurement control unit 110 (referred to as the control unit 110) coupled to the first set of sensor-reflector unit 108-1 and the second set of sensor-reflector unit 108-2, and connected to a mast away from a rail track. The measurement control unit 110 may be configured to control collection and transmission of data pertaining to the variation in the X parameter and the variations in the Y parameter measured by the first set of sensor-reflector unit 108-1 and the second set of sensor-reflector unit 108-2, and transmit to the cloud server 136 for real-time monitoring. The transmission of data between the measurement control unit 110 and the cloud server 136 may be bidirectional.

[0050] In an embodiment, the measurement control unit 110 may be integrated with a third sensor 118. The third sensor 118 may be configured to measure an ambient temperature at the ATD 104 installed location. The measurement control unit 110 may be further integrated with a data collection module 112. The data collection module 112 may be configured to collect the data pertaining to the variations in the X parameter and the variations in the Y parameter measured by the first set of sensor-reflector units 108-1 and the second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 together with the ambient temperature measurement from the third sensor 118. The measurement control unit 110 may be further integrated with a communication module 114. The communication module 114 may be configured to transmit the data pertaining to the variation in the X parameter and the variations in the Y parameter measured by the first set of sensor-reflector units 108-1 and the second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 together with the ambient temperature measurement from the third sensor 118 to the cloud server 136 forreal-time monitoring. The communication module 114 may be configured to communicatively couple the system 102 to the one or more computing devices 124.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication module 114 may be any or a combination of a Bluetooth module, a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) module, a Radio Frequency (RF) module, but not limited to the likes. The cloud server 136 may be a remote cloud server.

[0052] In an embodiment, the cloud server 136 may analyse the data and provides information regarding the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 and a performance status of the overhead power cable to the one or more users 126 through the one or more computing devices 124. The data may include, but not limited to, an X parameter value, a Y parameter value, a variation in the X parameter and the Y parameter, a measurement time, a measurement location, an ambient temperature at the measurement location, and the likes. The information regarding the X parameter and the Y parameter may include, but not limited to, a variation level, a variation in the position of the pulley, and the likes.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the computing device or the user equipment 108 may include, but not be limited to, a computer enabled device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a display device, a surveillance camera, an automatic teller machine, and a point of sale, a kiosk, and a smart doorbell, a smart home device, a Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality / Mixed Reality (AR / VR / MR), an imaging device, a display projector, a Remote Detection Service (Detection Device) enabled devices such as iBeacon technologies, or some combination thereof. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the one or more computing devices 124 may be individually referred to as a computing device 124 and collectively referred to as computing devices 124.

[0054] In an embodiment, the measurement control unit 110 may be further integrated with a navigation module. The navigation module may be configured to capture location details in which the X parameter and the Y parameter are measured. The navigation module may include, but not limited to, a Global Positioning System (GPS) and the likes.

[0055] In an embodiment, the measurement control unit 110 may be coupled to a power source 120. The power source 120 may be configured to provide electrical power to any or a combination of the first set of sensor-reflector unit 108-1, the second set of sensor-reflector unit 108-2, and the measurement control unit 110 of the system 102. The power source 120 may include at least one battery coupled to a photovoltaic module. The at least one battery may include, but not limited to, a Lithium ion battery, and the likes. The photovoltaic module may include a solar panel, and the likes.

[0056] In an embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to detect one or more anomalies or problems in the overhead power cable 122 by monitoring the variations in the X parameter and the Y parameter. The one or more anomalies may include, but not limited to, a sudden variation in the overhead power cable, a parting in the overhead power cable, a locking of the counterweight 106, a blockage of pulley movement, the counterweight 106 moving towards Y, a groove in the pulley, a steel rope strand failing, the counterweight 106 theft, and the likes. The sudden variations in the overhead power cable 122 may include, but not limited to, a sagging, a dipping, a stretching, and the likes.

[0057] In an embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to generate and transmit an alert to the one or more users 126 based on the one or more anomalies detected in the overhead power cable 122. The alert may be in one or more forms and transmitted to the one or more computing devices 124 associated with the one or more users 126. The one or more forms of the alert may include, but not limited to, a voice alert, a Short Messaging Service (SMS), an electronic mail (e-mail), and the likes. The one or more users 126 may include, but not limited to, a station master, a railway engineer, a maintenance engineer, and the likes.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to monitor high variation in the X parameter, further detecting sudden sagging in the overhead power cable and transmitting at least one alert to the one or more user 126 in the form of SMS.

[0059] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view 200 depicting measurement of the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 by the one or more sets of the sensor-reflector units 108-1, 108-2 of the system 102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, to elaborate upon its working.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the measurement of the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 by the one or more sets of the sensor-reflector units 108-1, 108-2 of the system 102 is disclosed.

[0061] In an embodiment, the X parameter of the ATD 104 may be measured as the distance between the first pulley 128-1 and the second pulley 128-2. The system 102 may employ the first set of sensor-reflector unit 108-1 to measure the X parameter. The first sensor 108-11 connected to the first pulley 128-1 may be configured to transmit a first beam to the first reflector 108-12 connected to the second pulley 128-2, and measure the beam reflected from the first reflector 108-12 to determine the X parameter. The X parameter may vary in a predefined variation range. The predefined variation range for the X parameter may be, for example, at least in the range from 892 mm to 1776 mm.

[0062] In an embodiment, the Y parameter of the ATD 104 may be measured as the distance of the bottom of the counterweight 106 from the ground track level. The system 102 may employ the second set of sensor-reflector units 108-2 to measure the Y parameter. The second sensor 108-21 connected to the vertical travelling rod 132 may transmit a second beam to the second reflector 108-22 connected to the surface of the counterweight 106, and measure the beam reflected from the second reflector 108-22 to determine the Y parameter. The Y parameter may be calculated as a difference between a total distance (Yl) from a surface of the second sensor 108-21 to the counterweight and the sum of the counterweight length (Y2) and a distance (Y3) from the surface of the second sensor 108-21 to the surface of the counterweight. The Y parameter may vary in the predefined variation range. The predefined variation range for the Y parameter may be, for example, at least in the range from 1076 mm to 3728 mm.

[0063] In an embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to measure the variations in the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 by comparing the value of the X parameter and the Y parameter measured at a particular time with the predefined variation range estimated. The system 102 may measure a variation of at least one 1 mm in the X parameter and the Y parameter.

[0064] In an embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to detect the one or more anomalies or problems in the overhead power cable performance by identifying the variation in the X parameter and the Y parameter measured at the particular time from the predefined variation range estimated.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, if the X parameter measured is higher than the predefined variation range, the system 102 may detect the anomaly or problem in the overhead power cable. If the X parameter measured is in the predefined variation range, the system 102 may detect that the situation as normal.

[0066] In an embodiment, the system 102 may be configured to measure the variations in the X parameter and the Y parameter in one or more weather conditions consistently without any hindrance. The one or more weather conditions can include, but not limited to, summer, rain, winter, and the likes. The system 102 may be configured to measure the variations in one or more temperature conditions including, but not limited to, a high temperature, a low temperature, a moderate temperature, a very low temperature, an extremely high temperature, an ambient temperature, and the likes.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 102 may measure the variations in the X parameter during summer in an extremely high temperature. The system 102 may measure the variation in the Y parameter during winter in very low temperature.

[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for monitoring X and Y parameters of the ATD 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 3, the method 300 for monitoring X and Y parameters of the ATD 104 may include one or more steps. The one or more steps may be performed by the system 102 as illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2.

[0070] In an embodiment, at step 302, the method 300 may include measuring the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 using the one or more set of sensor-reflector units 108 at a particular time. The one or more set of sensor-reflector units 108 may measure the X parameter and the Y parameter by monitoring the beam sent from respective sensor to respective reflector.

[0071] At step 304, the method 300 may include collecting data pertaining to the X parameter and the Y parameter of the ATD 104 from the one or more set of sensor-reflector units 108 by the data collection module 112 of the system 102. The data may include, but not limited to: a X parameter value, a Y parameter value, a variation in the X parameter and the Y parameter, a measurement time, a measurement location, an ambient temperature at the measurement location, and the likes. The measurement location may be tracked by the navigation module of the system 102.

[0072] At step 306, the method 300 may include receiving the data from the data collection module 112 by the communication module 114 and transmitting the data to the cloud server 136 for processing and analysis.

[0073] At step 308, the method 300 may include identifying variations in the X parameter and the Y parameter measured at the particular time from the predefined variation range to detect one or more problems in the overhead power cable.

[0074] Further, at step 310, the method 300 may include generating and transmitting an alert to the one or more users 126 based on the one or more problems detected in the overhead power cable. The alert may be sent in one or more forms. The alert may be transmitted to the one or more computing devices 124 associated with the one or more users 126.

[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer system 400 in which or with which embodiments of the present disclosure can be utilized.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 may include an external storage device 410, a bus 420, a main memory 430, a read only memory 440, a mass storage device 450, acommunication port 460, and a processor 470. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer system 400 may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples of processor 470 include, but are not limited to, system on chip processors or other future processors. The processor 470 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication port 460 may be any of an RS- 232 port for use with a modem-based dialup connection, a 10 / 100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fiber, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. The communication port 460 may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which computer system connects. The memory 30 may be a Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. The read-only memory 440 may be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for the processor 470. The mass storage 450 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which may be used to store information and / or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and / or Firewire interfaces), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays).

[0077] The bus 420 may communicatively couple the processor(s) 470 with the other memory, storage and communication blocks. The bus 420 may be, e.g. a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 470 to a software system.

[0078] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to the bus 420 to support direct operator interaction with the computer system 400. Other operator and administrative interfaces may be provided through network connections connected through the communication port 460. The external storage device 410 may be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, Zip Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Re-Writable (CD- RW), Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described aboveare meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0080] The present disclosure provides a system for efficiently monitoring Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) for an overhead power cable.

[0081] The present disclosure provides a system that monitors overhead line tension issues by measuring contact wire length changes and counterweight positioning from a ground.

[0082] The present disclosure provides a system that consistently monitors and analyzes the overhead line tension issues to provide timely alert to a railway authority in charge.

[0083] The present disclosure provides a system that measures minute variations in the overhead line tension, contact wire length changes, and the counterweight positioning from the ground.

[0084] The present disclosure provides a system that is relatively simple and inexpensive, and also, easy to install on the overhead power cable.

[0085] The present disclosure provides a system that transfers the measured data to various digital platforms for storage and analysis purpose.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A system (102) for monitoring an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) (104) for an overhead power cable (122), the system (102) comprising: one or more sets of sensor-reflector units (108) connected to a set of pulleys (128) of the ATD (104), wherein the one or more sets of sensor-reflector units (108) are configured to measure variations in at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD (104) in real-time; and a control unit (110) coupled to the one or more sensor-reflector units (108), wherein the control unit (110) is configured to: collect data pertaining to the variations in the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units (108), detect one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable (122) by monitoring the variations in the X and Y parameters, and generate and transmit an alert to a user equipment (124) associated with the system (102) based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

2. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the X parameter pertains to a distance between a first pulley (128-1) of the set of pulleys (128) and a second pulley (128-2) of the set of pulleys (128), and the Y parameter pertains to a distance of a counterweight (106) from a ground track level, and wherein the counterweight (106) is connected to the ATD (104) and configured to pull and release the overhead power cable (122) via the set of pulleys (128).

3. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to transmit the collected data to a server (136) associated with the system (102), and wherein the server (136) is configured to analyze the collected data and send information regarding performance status of the overhead power cable (122) to the user equipment (124).

4. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sets of sensor-reflector units (108) comprise a first set of sensor-reflector unit (108-1) comprising at least a first sensor (108-11) and a first reflector (108-12), and a second set of sensor-reflector unit (108-2) comprising at least a second sensor (108-21) and a second reflector (108-22).

5. The system (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first sensor (108-11) is connected to a first pulley (128-1) of the set of pulleys (128), and configured to transmit a first beam to the first reflector (108-12) connected to a second pulley (128-2) of the set of pulleys (128), and measure reflected beam from the first reflector (108-12) to determine the X parameter.

6. The system (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second sensor (108-21) is connected to a vertical travelling rod (132) of the system (102), and configured to transmit a second beam to the second reflector (108-22) connected to a surface of a counterweight (106), and measure reflected beam from the second reflector (108-22) to determine the Y parameter.

7. The system (102) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second sensor (108-21) is configured to determine the Y parameter as a difference between a total distance (Yl) from a surface of the second sensor (108-21) to the counterweight (106) and a sum of a counterweight length (Y2) and the distance from the surface of the second sensor (108-21) to the surface (Y3) of the counterweight (106).

8. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more anomalies comprise at least one of: sudden variations in the overhead power cable (122), locking of a counterweight (106), blockage of pulley movement, displacement of the counterweight (106) beyond a predefined range, damage to a steel rope (106-1) connecting the set of pulleys (128) and the counterweight (106), and a loss of the counterweight (106).

9. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sets of sensor-reflector units (108) are configured to measure the variations in the X and Y parameters under various conditions.

10. A method (300) for monitoring an Automatic Tensioning Device (ATD) (104) for an overhead power cable (122), the method (300) comprising: measuring (302), by a system (102), at least an X parameter and a Y parameter of the ATD (104) at a particular time using one or more sensor-reflector units;collecting (304), by the system (102), data pertaining to the X and Y parameters from the one or more sensor-reflector units (108); transmitting (306), by the system (102), the data to a server (136) associated with the system (102); identifying (308), by the system (102), variations in the X and Y parameters, upon transmitting the data to the server (136), to detect one or more anomalies in the overhead power cable (122); and generating and transmitting (310), by the system (102), an alert to a user equipment (124) associated with the system (102) based on the detection of the one or more anomalies.

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