Embedded Voltage Sensor in Power Line Insulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional insulators for medium- and high-voltage overhead power lines require separate volumes for voltage sensors, leading to increased cost, space usage, and reduced sensing accuracy due to exposure to temperature and humidity changes.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a voltage sensor within the insulator body, utilizing discrete impedance elements connected in series as a voltage divider, which provides accurate voltage sensing without additional insulation and allows for wireless data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a voltage sensor is mounted separately on the power line conductor, then the sensor can be electrically insulated, but the cost increases, space usage increases, and sensing accuracy decreases due to exposure to environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage sensor with the insulator body into a single integrated unit. The sensor is embedded within the insulator material, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and additional insulation components. This merging resolves the technical contradiction by reducing device complexity while maintaining sensing accuracy through the protective insulator housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator body serves dual functions: providing electrical insulation and housing the voltage sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting structures and additional insulation components, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining sensing accuracy through the protective insulator housing.
2Device complexity
If a voltage sensor is embedded in the insulator body, then cost and space are reduced, but the sensor requires conductive connection through impedance elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by introducing impedance elements (resistors and capacitors) that form a voltage divider circuit. These elements transform the high voltage signal into a measurable low voltage signal while limiting current flow. This resolves the contradiction by enabling sensor embedding while controlling harmful current through parameter modification of the electrical circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance elements serve as intermediaries between the high voltage conductor and the low voltage sensor circuit. The voltage divider network mediated by these elements allows voltage sensing while limiting current flow, thus enabling embedded sensor configuration without excessive current through the insulator body.
3Reliability
If traditional separate volume mounting is used, then electrical insulation can be provided, but cost increases and sensing accuracy decreases due to temperature and humidity exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective insulation function with the sensor housing into the insulator body. The sensor is embedded within the insulator material itself, which provides inherent environmental protection. This eliminates separate insulation requirements and reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving reliability through the integrated protective structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulator body provides multiple functions simultaneously: electrical insulation, mechanical support, and environmental protection for the sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates separate insulation components and mounting structures, reducing device complexity while ensuring sensor reliability through the integrated protective housing.
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
This solution reduces costs and space requirements while enhancing sensing accuracy by protecting the sensor from environmental changes and enabling efficient wireless data transmission of voltage and other parameters.
Implementation Method 1
at least two impedances (resistors, capacitors, inductors) are serially connected between the power line conductor and electrical ground, so that between the impedances a signal voltage can be picked up that varies proportionally with the voltage of the power line conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
Insulator (2) for a medium-voltage or high-voltage overhead power line conductor. The insulator comprises an insulator body (110) and a voltage sensor (10), embedded in the insulator body and comprising a first plurality of discrete impedance elements (30, 30b), electrically connected in series such as to be operable as a first voltage divider (70) for dividing and sensing the voltage of the overhead power line conductor.