Insulated Accelerometer Assembly for High Voltage Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of fiber-optic accelerometers in high voltage environments, such as generator stator end windings, is costly due to the need for multiple sensors, while electrical accelerometers pose safety risks due to potential voltage discharge and corona issues, requiring complex protective configurations.

Innovation Solution

An insulated accelerometer assembly comprising a high dielectric strength potting compound, a structurally supporting insulator layer, and a conductive layer to protect the accelerometer from high voltage environments, allowing for safe and cost-effective vibration monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fiber-optic accelerometers are used in high voltage environments, then measurement safety is improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement safetyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure between the electrical accelerometer and the high voltage environment. This includes a potting compound encapsulation, insulator layer, and conductive shield that mediates the interaction between the sensitive accelerometer and the harsh high voltage stator end winding environment, enabling safe electrical accelerometer operation without requiring expensive fiber-optic alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive fiber-optic accelerometers with cheaper electrical accelerometers by implementing a protective encapsulation system. The protective structure (potting compound, insulator, shield) enables the use of cost-effective electrical sensors in high voltage environments where they would normally be unsafe, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If electrical accelerometers are used in high voltage areas, then cost is reduced, but safety risks increase due to voltage discharge and corona

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem costVSAvoidvoltage discharge and corona risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-encapsulating the accelerometer in a protective structure before deployment in the high voltage environment. The potting compound provides initial protection, while the insulator layer and conductive shield provide additional layers of protection against voltage discharge and corona effects, cushioning the accelerometer from harmful electrical effects before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If protective structures are added to electrical accelerometers for high voltage environments, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from voltage dischargeVSAvoidstructural configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple protective layers with different functions: a potting compound for encapsulation and basic protection, an insulator layer (such as glass epoxy) for electrical insulation, and a conductive layer for corona protection and voltage equalization. This composite structure provides comprehensive protection while maintaining a relatively simple overall design that can be manufactured as an integrated assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides a cost-effective and safe means to monitor vibrations in high voltage environments, reducing the risk of voltage discharge and corona, enabling more extensive instrumentation without the expense of fiber-optic systems.

Implementation Method 1

a high dielectric strength potting compound encapsulating the accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric strength: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

a conductive layer over at least a portion of the structurally supporting insulator layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9939458B2Insulated accelerometer assembly for high voltage environment

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

An insulated accelerometer assembly for a vibrated component in a high voltage environment may include: an accelerometer; a high dielectric strength potting compound encapsulating the accelerometer; a structurally supporting insulator layer such as a glass epoxy layer or mica layer(s) surrounding at least a portion of the high dielectric strength potting compound; and a conductive layer over at least a portion of the glass epoxy layer.