Electric Cable Joule Heating for Non-Invasive CO2 Measurement

The patent uses an intermediary thermal model that relates the easily measurable peripheral temperature (on the cable surface) to the difficult-to-measure conductor temperature through thermal resistance parameters. Instead of directly measuring conductor temperature with invasive sensors, the system measures peripheral temperature and uses the thermal model (equation 1: Θcond = Θb1 + T1 × Wc) to calculate the conductor temperature indirectly, thus avoiding damage to the cable while achieving accurate temperature determination.

The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive approach of inserting temperature sensors into the cable with a non-invasive thermal field model. The system substitutes direct physical contact measurement with a mathematical model based on heat transfer principles, using measurable peripheral conditions (temperature and power loss) to infer the internal conductor state without mechanical intrusion.

The patent creates a universal measurement system that can be applied to existing electrical cables without modification. The measuring box (boîte de mesure) is a self-contained unit that combines temperature sensing, current measurement (for power loss calculation), and CO2 emission calculation capabilities. This multi-functional device can be mounted on any standard cable and provides comprehensive monitoring (temperature, power loss, CO2 emissions) through a single integrated solution, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating CO2 emissions from the measured parameters. The calculation unit uses the measured peripheral temperature and power loss data, combined with the thermal model and emission factors, to automatically determine CO2 emissions without requiring external intervention or complex additional equipment. The system serves its own measurement and calculation needs through integrated processing.