Hydrogen Pressure Sensor Assembly for Transformer Oil Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for monitoring hydrogen levels in transformer oils are costly, require equipment downtime, and lack real-time and spatially specific data, making them unsuitable for smaller transformers and non-destructive installation.

Innovation Solution

A compact sensor assembly that includes a hydrogen sensor and a pressure sensor housed together, allowing for real-time hydrogen concentration measurement within existing transformer fittings without the need for new openings, utilizing semiconductor palladium-type sensors for accurate hydrogen detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional offline DGA methods are used to monitor hydrogen levels, then equipment can be monitored for faults, but the methods require equipment downtime, are costly, and lack real-time data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidequipment downtime and delayed results

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hydrogen sensor and pressure sensor into a single integrated sensor assembly that can be installed in existing transformer fittings. This merging eliminates the need for separate offline sampling procedures, enables continuous real-time monitoring without equipment downtime, and provides immediate fault detection capability while reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical offline sampling system (requiring fluid removal and lab analysis) with an electronic sensing system that continuously measures hydrogen concentration and pressure in real-time. This substitution eliminates equipment downtime, provides immediate results, and enables continuous monitoring without the need for periodic manual sampling and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If offline DGA analysis is performed, then hydrogen concentration can be determined, but localized position information and spatial variations of gases are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen concentration measurementVSAvoidspatial and localized fault information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the sensor assembly at specific locations within the transformer where it can detect local hydrogen concentration and pressure conditions. By monitoring multiple parameters (hydrogen concentration and pressure) at the same spatial location, the system provides localized fault information that helps identify the specific position and nature of incipient faults, preserving spatial information that would be lost in bulk offline analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If new openings are made in transformer housings for sensor installation, then hydrogen monitoring can be implemented, but installation becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen monitoring capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor assembly is designed to utilize existing multi-functional fittings in transformers (such as pressure relief device flanges or rapid pressure rise sensor ports) that already provide access to the internal environment. By making the sensor assembly universal and compatible with these existing fittings, the invention eliminates the need for new openings, simplifies installation, reduces cost, and maintains full hydrogen monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 low-cost, real-time, and spatially specific hydrogen monitoring in transformer oils, reducing maintenance and installation costs while providing accurate data without requiring fluid removal, suitable for both oil-filled and gas-filled transformers.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing semiconductor palladium-type sensors for accurate hydrogen detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPalladium hydrogen sensing: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor disposed in the housing responsive to the fluid and generating a second signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid in the equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2691748B1Combination of hydrogen and pressure sensors

Publication Date: 2015.07.15 QUALITROL CORP

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AI summary

The invention provides a sensor assembly for determining the concentration of hydrogen in an insulating fluid in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein communicating with the fluid, a hydrogen sensor disposed in the housing and responsive to the concentration of hydrogen in the fluid and generating a signal related to the concentration of hydrogen, and a pressure sensor disposed in the housing responsive to the fluid and generating a second signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid in the equipment. The assembly further includes a signal processor disposed in the housing and connected to the hydrogen sensor and the pressure sensor and responsive to the first and second signals for generating a third signal representing the concentration of hydrogen in the fluid.