Cable-Mounted Cleaning Device Using Magnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electric grid faces challenges with dust accumulation on cables and insulators, which affects conductivity when wet, requiring regular cleaning that is laborious and expensive, especially when performed on live grids.
Innovation Solution
A device mounted on electric cables with a power supply module to extract power from the magnetic field, a propulsion module for maneuvering, and a dusting module with a brush or air blower for cleaning, along with sensors and a controller to manage operations based on measurements, allowing for efficient and remote cleaning of electric cables and insulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ground-operated machinery or airborne machinery is used to clean the electric grid, then cleaning can be performed, but the process becomes laborious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is mounted on the electric cable itself and uses the cable's magnetic field to generate power for its own operation. The device autonomously navigates along the cable using the cable's tension and gravity, and performs cleaning without requiring external power supply or complex support infrastructure, thereby achieving self-service operation that eliminates laborious and expensive traditional cleaning methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical cleaning systems (ground-operated machinery, helicopter-mounted equipment) with an electromagnetic-based system. The power supply module extracts energy from the cable's magnetic field to drive the cleaning mechanism, substituting complex mechanical support systems with electromagnetic energy conversion and simple mechanical navigation components
2Reliability
If distilled water is used for cleaning live grid from ground-operated machinery, then safety is improved, but cost and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device operates autonomously on live cables without requiring human operators to approach high-voltage equipment. The self-powered navigation and cleaning system eliminates the need for safety-conscious manual operations, maintaining reliability while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device acts as an intermediary between the power cable and the cleaning function. It interfaces with the cable's electromagnetic field for power and uses this intermediate energy source to perform cleaning without requiring direct human interaction with high-voltage components, thereby ensuring safety while simplifying operation
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 efficient and cost-effective cleaning of electric cables and insulators by deriving power from the magnetic field, allowing for autonomous operation and remote control, reducing labor and expenses associated with traditional cleaning methods.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply module operative to extract electric power from magnetic field surrounding an electric cable
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for cleaning an electric cable and/or an electric insulator connected to the electric cable. The device includes a power supply module operative to extract electric power from magnetic field surrounding an electric cable, a propulsion module for maneuvering the device at least one of along the electric cable and around the cable, and a dusting module for cleaning the electric cable, where the device is mounted on a single electric cable of an electric transmission grid and/or an electric distribution grid.