Electrical Cable Joule Heating CO2 Measurement Without Internal Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of integrated or reportable solutions for determining carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the heating of electrical conductors in electrical cables due to the Joule effect, which contributes to annual power loss and CO2 emissions in electrical distribution networks.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive determination system for carbon dioxide emissions using an electric cable with a measuring unit and temperature sensors, a computing unit to determine conductor temperature and emissions based on peripheral temperature measurements, and a physical model to calculate conductor temperature without requiring internal sensors or damaging the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal temperature sensors are used to measure conductor temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (thermal paste or thermally conductive material) applied to the cable surface to transfer thermal information from the conductor to external temperature sensors. This mediator enables indirect temperature measurement without penetrating or damaging the cable structure, thus maintaining measurement precision while avoiding invasive installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact with internal sensors by using external sensors coupled to the cable surface through thermal conductive materials. This substitution eliminates the need to mechanically penetrate the cable insulation and conductor, reducing installation complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability through thermal field coupling
2Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used to determine conductor temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal paste or conductive material serves as a non-invasive intermediary that couples the external sensor to the cable surface, enabling temperature measurement without cutting, stripping, or otherwise damaging the cable. This maintains ease of operation by allowing measurements on installed cables while achieving precision through thermal coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a thermal copy or representation of the conductor temperature at the cable surface through thermal conduction. External sensors measure this thermal copy rather than directly measuring the conductor itself, enabling easy operation while maintaining measurement accuracy through the thermal field relationship between conductor and surface
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed on the cable, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cable surface itself a universal sensing interface that can accommodate multiple temperature sensors without requiring separate measurement systems for each sensor. The thermal conductive material creates a common thermal field that all external sensors can access, enabling multi-point measurement while simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter location from the conductor interior to the cable surface, where temperature is indirectly obtained through thermal conduction. This parameter relocation allows multiple sensors to be positioned on the surface without increasing complexity, as they all measure the same thermal field rather than requiring separate internal sensor installations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive measurement of carbon dioxide emissions by calculating conductor temperature and emissions using peripheral temperature sensors and a physical model, avoiding invasive methods.
Implementation Method 1
a physical model to calculate conductor temperature without requiring internal sensors or damaging the cable
Implementation Method 2
heating of the electrical conductor of an electrical cable by the Joule effect
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100) for determining a quantity of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the heating of an electrical conductor of an electrical cable by Joule effect, said determination system comprising: - an electrical cable (10) comprising at least one electrical conductor (12) and at least one layer of material surrounding said at least one conductor, - a measuring unit (110) associated with the electrical cable, said measuring unit comprising at least one temperature sensor (20), - a calculating unit (120) configured to communicate information with the measuring unit, the calculating unit being configured to determine the conductor temperature Θcond by means of said at least one temperature sensor (20), said calculating unit being further configured to determine a quantity of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the heating of the electrical conductor by Joule effect as a function of the conductor temperature Θcond.