Inductive Equipment Monitoring for Hotspot Temperature Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring inductive equipment in power supply grids lack the ability to accurately determine the maximum permitted hotspot temperature, which is crucial for load margin and service life, due to the complexity and cost of direct temperature measurement within windings.
Innovation Solution
A method that records real-time data from sensors on inductive equipment, such as transformers, to ascertain a condition factor, failure rate, and then determine the maximum permitted hotspot temperature based on these factors, incorporating historical and statistical data to adjust for the current condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct temperature measurement within windings is performed, then measurement precision of hotspot temperature is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by measuring oil temperature (a readily accessible parameter) and using it as a mediator to infer the hotspot temperature within windings. Instead of directly measuring the difficult-to-access winding temperature, the system measures oil temperature and combines it with other parameters (load current, ambient temperature) to calculate the hotspot temperature indirectly through established thermal models and relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct physical temperature measurement within windings (which would require complex mechanical/sensor systems) with an indirect calculation approach using readily measurable electrical and thermal parameters. The system substitutes direct thermal measurement with a computational model that uses oil temperature, load current, and ambient temperature to determine hotspot temperature.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring system is implemented, then reliability of power supply grid is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to be multi-functional, serving multiple purposes: it monitors oil temperature, load current, ambient temperature, calculates condition factors, determines failure rates, and establishes maximum permitted hotspot temperatures. This universal approach consolidates multiple monitoring and assessment functions into a single integrated system, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly monitoring real-time parameters (oil temperature, load current, ambient temperature), calculating condition factors and failure rates, and using this information to determine appropriate maximum permitted hotspot temperatures. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of operational parameters to maintain reliability while managing system complexity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method monitors at least one item of inductive equipment. The method includes: performing an operation of recording real-time data relating to a current condition of the at least one item of inductive equipment; performing an operation of transferring the recorded real-time data to a monitoring unit assigned to the at least one item of equipment; performing an operation of ascertaining a condition factor of the at least one item of inductive equipment based on the real-time data; performing an operation of ascertaining a failure rate for the at least one item of inductive equipment on the basis of the condition factor; and performing an operation of determining a maximum permitted hotspot temperature on the basis of the failure rate.