Transmission Line Current Sensing With Integrated Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission line monitoring systems require multiple measuring devices, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A transmission line monitoring system that utilizes a current sensor with a transformer and data processing device to measure current and detect faults by analyzing a measurement signal sensitive to line faults, using a combination of excitation, compensation, and coded signals to enhance detection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple measuring devices are used to monitor transmission lines, then monitoring coverage and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the coupling device universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: current measurement through distortion analysis and fault detection through signal analysis. The same coupling device, excitation signal generator, and measurement system are used for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate fault detection devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges current measurement functionality and fault detection functionality into a single integrated system. The coupling device simultaneously performs both tasks by analyzing different characteristics of the same measurement signal, combining what were previously separate measuring devices into one unified system that reduces complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If additional measuring devices are installed for fault detection, then fault detection capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a current measurement device and a fault detection device. By extracting different information from the same measurement signal (distortion for current, signal characteristics for faults), the system achieves enhanced fault detection capability without adding physical devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement signal generated for current measurement automatically contains information about transmission line faults. The system serves itself by using the same signal for dual purposes: the excitation signal and resulting measurement signal provide both current data and fault detection data without requiring separate excitation or measurement systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient current measurement and fault detection on transmission lines using existing components, reducing the need for additional devices and improving monitoring accuracy and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling device includes a transformer with a ferromagnetic core, the internal signal being a total magnetic flux present in the core and grouping an excitation magnetic flux resulting from the excitation signal, a current magnetic flux resulting from the current to be measured and a compensation magnetic flux resulting from the compensation signal so as to substantially cancel the current magnetic flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4264290B1Monitoring of a transmission line
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)
  • EP4264290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4264290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4264290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system comprising: - a coupling device (210); and - a data processing device (218) designed to supply an excitation signal (SE) so that an internal signal (Φ) occurs in the coupling device (210), this internal signal (Φ) having a deformation resulting from the current to be measured (I0), obtain a measured signal (Sm) for a variable (Vm) sensitive to the deformation, supply a compensation signal (Sc) in order to cancel out the deformation, and evaluate the current to be measured (!0) based on the compensation signal (Sc). The data processing device (218) is furthermore designed to analyse the measured signal (Sm) and to detect a fault on the transmission line (118) based on this analysis.