Fault Gas Alarm System for Oil-Filled OLTCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for gas presence in oil-filled vacuum-type on-load tap changers are elaborate and expensive, and not specifically tailored for these devices, failing to effectively detect trace levels of gases like hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
A fault gas alarm system comprising a gas sensor connected to an oil valve in the OLTC, coupled with a bi-level alarm system including a microprocessor, direct contact relay, and visual alarm indicators, such as light-emitting diodes, to provide distinct visual and audible alerts when gas levels exceed predetermined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If elaborate and expensive monitoring hardware is used to detect gas presence, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential gas detection function from complex monitoring systems by using a simple gas sensor connected to a bi-level alarm system. This eliminates unnecessary hardware while maintaining the core capability of detecting gas presence above trace levels in oil-filled vacuum-type OLTC devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive gas sensors and simple alarm indicators (such as LEDs) instead of expensive monitoring hardware. These components are cost-effective and sufficient for the specific application of detecting gas in OLTC devices, eliminating the need for elaborate equipment.
2Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then gas detection capability is provided, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing a monitoring system specifically tailored for oil-filled vacuum-type OLTC devices rather than using general-purpose monitoring systems. The gas sensor is fluidly connected to the oil valve, and the bi-level alarm system is configured with threshold values appropriate for this specific application, providing reliable and targeted monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional components: a gas sensor for detection, a microprocessor for signal processing, and a bi-level alarm system with visual and audible indicators. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, maintaining reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If trace level gas detection is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic monitoring systems with a simple gas sensor that directly detects gas presence. The sensor is fluidly connected to the oil valve and provides signals to a microprocessor, which controls the alarm system. This substitution maintains trace level detection capability while significantly reducing system complexity.
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 system provides a cost-effective and specific solution for monitoring gas levels in oil-filled vacuum-type OLTCs, offering a simple and effective means to alert operators of gas presence, reducing the complexity and expense of conventional monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gas sensor configured to fluidly connect with an oil valve in an oil-filled vacuum-type on-load tap changer (OLTC), the gas sensor for monitoring a gas level in an oil within the oil valve
Implementation Method 2
a visual alarm indicator having two distinct light-emitting-diodes, wherein each of the two distinct light-emitting-diodes is configured to provide a distinct visual alarm
Data Source
AI summary
A fault gas alarm system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fault gas alarm system includes: a gas sensor configured to fluidly connect with an oil valve in an oil-filled vacuum-type on-load tap changer (OLTC), the gas sensor for monitoring a gas level in an oil within the oil valve; and a bi-level alarm system electrically connected with the gas sensor, the bi-level alarm system including a visual alarm indicator configured to provide a visual alarm in response to receiving an indication the gas level in the oil exceeds a threshold.