Overhead Power Grid Anomaly Detection Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and localizing failures in overhead voltage grids are inefficient, often requiring manual inspections and sectioning of the grid, which can be time-consuming and unreliable, especially for intermittent faults and those that do not cause immediate malfunctions, leading to prolonged troubleshooting times and potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A distributed sensor network with nodes mounted on poles, equipped with magnetic and electric field sensors, processing units, and communication interfaces, which measure relative field parameters, analyze data, and detect anomalies, including faults like short circuits and insulator issues, without disrupting grid operations and using internal energy sources to withstand lightning and faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indirect surveillance via protection devices in power stations and transformers is used, then system complexity is reduced, but fault detection reliability deteriorates causing undetected failures
Solution Approach 1:
The surveillance system is segmented from centralized protection devices to distributed sensor nodes placed along the power lines. Each node independently monitors its local section, enabling direct detection of faults while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Distributed sensor nodes act as intermediaries between the power lines and the centralized control system. These nodes directly measure physical quantities (current, voltage, temperature) at multiple locations, providing reliable fault detection data that bridges the gap between simple indirect surveillance and complex direct monitoring.
2Device complexity
If manual inspection and sectioning methods are used for troubleshooting, then advanced equipment is avoided, but troubleshooting time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor nodes continuously provide feedback data about the state of power lines to the control system. This real-time information enables rapid identification of fault locations and characteristics, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inspection and systematic sectioning while keeping equipment requirements simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed sensor network performs preliminary detection and localization of faults before manual intervention is required. By pre-positioning sensors along the power lines and continuously monitoring them, the system prepares fault location data in advance, so that when a fault occurs, technicians can immediately respond with precise location information rather than conducting lengthy manual searches.
3Measurement precision
If measurement devices are rigidly mounted directly onto poles, then false signals from relative motion are eliminated, but device vulnerability to lightning and grid faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement devices are mounted on intermediate structures (such as cross-arms or insulators) rather than directly on the pole. This intermediary mounting position maintains stable measurement conditions by avoiding relative motion between the sensor and power line, while simultaneously providing electrical isolation and protection against lightning strikes and grid faults that directly affect pole-mounted equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor nodes are designed as protected, replaceable units with galvanic separation from the power lines. If damaged by lightning or grid faults, individual nodes can be replaced without affecting the entire system, making the system resilient to harmful electrical events while maintaining measurement precision through stable mounting arrangements.
4Reliability
If comprehensive fault detection is implemented to identify all failure types, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can detect multiple types of faults (electrical faults, mechanical faults, environmental conditions) using the same hardware platform. This universality enables comprehensive fault detection coverage while avoiding the complexity of deploying specialized devices for each fault type, as a single node type performs all monitoring functions.
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 faster fault detection and localization, reducing power interruptions and allowing for real-time identification of fault causes and positions without advanced post-analysis, ensuring continuous grid operation and improved safety by pinpointing issues accurately and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field sensor configured to measure at least a second parameter related to a magnetic field around the at least one power line
Implementation Method 2
an electric field sensor configured to measure a first parameter related to an electric field around the at least one power line
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a node (10) for detecting local anomalies in an overhead power grid (1) having at least one power line (3-5). The node comprising a processing unit (13) and a memory (14), wherein the node further comprises: an electric field sensor (12) configured to measure a first parameter related to an electric field around the at least one power line (3-5),and a magnetic field sensor (11) configured to measure at least second parameter related to a magnetic field around the at least one power line (3-5). The processing unit (13) is configured to: compare the measured first parameter and at least second parameter with historic data stored in the memory (14) to identify local anomalies, and forward data related to the identified local anomalies to a system controller (22) via a communication interface (15).