Current Sensor GSM Counter Reduces Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors for power cables are complex, costly, and energy-intensive, requiring additional cabling and frequent servicing due to high data transmission needs, which complicates data analysis and increases maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A current sensor with a simplified topology comprising a housing with a first module to clamp around the power cable, a processing unit, and a GSM module that increments a counter when the current exceeds a threshold, reducing data transmission to only the counter value, thereby minimizing energy consumption and manufacturing costs, and allowing for remote data transmission without additional cabling or complex networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all current measurements are sent to the management system, then complete data is available for analysis, but energy consumption increases and data management becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information (counter value representing cumulative current above threshold) from the complete measurement data set, transmitting only this extracted metric to the management system rather than all raw measurements, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving the most relevant operational information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the continuous current measurement parameter into a discrete counter parameter that increments only when current exceeds a threshold, changing the data representation to reduce transmission frequency and energy consumption while maintaining operational monitoring capability
2Ease of operation
If a GSM module is used for wireless data transmission, then remote monitoring is enabled without additional cabling, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a GSM module that utilizes existing cellular infrastructure for wireless communication, allowing the device to self-configure and transmit data without requiring complex installation procedures, additional cabling, or specialized network infrastructure, thereby maintaining installation simplicity despite the added communication capability
3Use of energy by moving object
If energy storing units are added to support high data transmission needs, then device functionality is maintained, but manufacturing and servicing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for energy storing units by extracting and transmitting only essential operational data (counter values) rather than continuous measurement streams, thereby reducing the power requirements to levels that can be sustained without additional energy storage components, reducing manufacturing and servicing costs
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
The solution reduces data transmission and energy consumption, enabling cost-effective, self-powered, and easy-to-deploy current sensors that can schedule maintenance based on actual usage, extending device reliability and reducing servicing costs by transmitting only essential data, allowing for remote monitoring without additional infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The first module further comprising means to measure the current through said wire
Data Source
AI summary
A current sensor including a housing, the housing including a first module adapted to be clamped around a wire part of a power cable; a second module having a processing unit and a communication unit; the first module further including a device to measure the current through the wire of said power cable and to send the measured current to the processing unit through a first communication link. The processing unit includes a first time tracker; where the processing unit further includes software/hardware to increment the first time tracker if the measured current is above a first predetermined threshold and in that the communication unit includes a GSM module adapted to wirelessly transmit the value of the first time tracker.