Electrical Cable Joule Heating for Non-Invasive CO2 Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system to determine the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the heating of electrical conductors in electrical cables due to the Joule effect, which is not addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive determination system comprising an electrical cable with a temperature sensor and a calculation unit that determines conductor temperature and carbon dioxide emissions using peripheral temperature measurements and a physical model, without requiring additional invasive sensors or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed inside the electrical cable to directly measure conductor temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but the cable structure becomes more complex and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cable sheath as an intermediary thermal medium. Instead of placing sensors directly on the conductor, temperature sensors are placed on the sheath which thermally couples to the conductor through the insulation layer. This intermediary approach allows indirect measurement of conductor temperature while maintaining cable structure simplicity and avoiding complex internal sensor installation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed to measure both temperature and electrical parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the temperature sensor system multi-functional by using it for multiple purposes: measuring conductor temperature directly, determining power losses through thermal calculations, and calculating CO2 emissions. This universal use of temperature measurement eliminates the need for separate electrical parameter sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct electrical parameter measurement to thermal parameter measurement. By measuring temperature and using thermal models to derive electrical parameters (power losses, emissions), the system achieves the same information with simpler temperature-only sensing, reducing the number of required sensors.
3Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used to obtain accurate conductor temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but the cable may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath acts as a protective intermediary that allows temperature measurement without penetrating or damaging the cable structure. Sensors mounted on the outer sheath surface can thermally sense conductor temperature through the insulation layers without requiring physical access to the conductor, thus avoiding cable damage while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive measurement approaches with thermal field-based measurement. Instead of physically accessing the conductor through cable penetration or disassembly, the system uses thermal conduction through the existing sheath structure to obtain temperature data, eliminating mechanical damage risks.
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-destructive measurement of carbon dioxide emissions by calculating conductor temperature and power loss based on peripheral temperature measurements, eliminating the need for internal sensors and avoiding damage to existing cables.
Implementation Method 1
a determination unit configured to determine the conductor temperature as a function of a peripheral temperature measured by said at least one temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
heating of an electrical conductor of an electrical cable by the Joule effect
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a quantity of emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from the heating of an electrical conductor of an electric cable by the Joule effect, said determination system includes an electrical cable including at least one electrical conductor and at least one layer of material surrounding said at least one conductor, a measuring unit associated with the electrical cable, said measuring unit including at least one temperature sensor, a calculation unit being configured to communicate information with the measurement unit, the calculation unit being configured to determine the conductor temperature Θcond by means of said at least one temperature sensor, said calculation unit being further configured to determine an quantity of emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from the heating of the electrical conductor by the Joule effect as a function of the conductor temperature Θcond.