Generic Rules for Electrical Grid Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic techniques for electrical grids require extensive human expertise and are hindered by the need for numerous rules and frequent updates due to topology changes, leading to delayed and potentially incorrect diagnostic processes in critical situations.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing 'generic rules' that apply to equipment classes, combining rule-based reasoning with model-based reasoning to reduce the number of rules needed and automate diagnostics, allowing for real-time and automatic failure detection in electrical grids with minimal maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If rule-based reasoning is used for event correlation in electrical grids, then automatic diagnostic capability is improved, but the number of rules required becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic diagnostic capabilityVSAvoidnumber of rules
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single correlation rule that can identify multiple different root causes producing the same symptom pattern. Instead of having separate rules for each equipment failure type, the system uses one universal rule that correlates events and determines whether they indicate a common root cause, thereby reducing the total number of rules needed while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple specific diagnostic rules into a single generalized event correlation rule. By combining the functionality of numerous equipment-specific rules into one rule that operates on correlated events rather than individual equipment states, the system achieves the same diagnostic outcomes with significantly fewer rules, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and rule complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional rule-based systems are used, then diagnostic coverage is comprehensive, but maintenance becomes difficult due to constant topology changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic coverageVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the correlation rule adaptive to topology changes. The rule operates on event correlation patterns rather than hardcoded equipment relationships, allowing it to automatically adjust when grid topology changes. This dynamic approach maintains comprehensive diagnostic coverage while eliminating the need for manual rule updates, thereby improving ease of maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically adapting to topology changes without requiring manual intervention for rule maintenance. The event correlation mechanism inherently handles new equipment configurations by correlating events based on their temporal and logical relationships rather than predefined topology, enabling the system to maintain itself across topology changes while preserving diagnostic coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If operators manually analyze events, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but response time becomes too slow in critical situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary event correlation rule that acts as a bridge between raw events and operator decision-making. This intermediary layer automatically processes and correlates events to identify root causes, providing accurate diagnostic information to operators without requiring them to manually analyze every event. This maintains diagnostic accuracy while dramatically reducing the time operators need to respond, as the intermediary has already performed the complex analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2985920B1Real time, automatic diagnostic system and method for electric networks
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 COMPANY HIDRO ELECTRICA DO SAO FRANCISCO - CHESF
  • EP2985920B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2985920B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2985920B1 patent drawingFigure 8~12

AI summary

The present invention provides a system and method for performing real-time and automatic diagnostics of failures in equipments located in electrical grid, such as, for example, transmission and generation grids of electric power. The system and method of the invention comprises the use of generic rules which consists in correlating events, especially applied in electrical grid with constant topology changes.