Transmission Line Icing Warning Using Sag-Temperature Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing icing prediction methods for power transmission lines lack accuracy due to insufficient parameter acquisition and reliance on human experience, leading to inefficient and unreliable monitoring, especially under complex meteorological conditions, with high failure rates and costly repairs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a maximum sag-line temperature correspondence to determine the predicted maximum sag based on current line temperature, comparing it with the current maximum sag to detect ice, and issue warnings using a monitoring device and image recognition, ensuring accurate and timely alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-physical quantity mathematical models are used for icing prediction, then the prediction coverage is improved, but the prediction accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient parameter acquisition and human experience factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction coverageVSAvoidprediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/mathematical modeling approaches with an image-based vision system. Instead of using complex multi-physical quantity mathematical models that rely on insufficient parameter acquisition and human experience, the system uses image processing and pattern recognition to directly detect and predict icing conditions, thereby improving prediction accuracy while maintaining broad coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image-based copying of the actual transmission line appearance to infer icing conditions. By capturing and analyzing visual images of the transmission line and comparing them against known icing patterns, the system creates a visual copy that enables accurate prediction without relying on incomplete physical parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Area of stationary object

If traditional monitoring methods (ice observation stations, manual inspections, simulation wires) are used, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the monitoring efficiency and real-time feedback capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidmonitoring efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical monitoring methods (ice observation stations, manual inspections, simulation wires) with an image-based detection system. This substitution enables automated real-time monitoring of transmission lines, dramatically improving monitoring efficiency and providing immediate feedback on icing conditions while maintaining comprehensive coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service monitoring by using the transmission line's own visual characteristics as the detection target. The image processing system automatically analyzes the appearance of the transmission line itself, eliminating the need for separate observation stations or simulation wires, thereby improving both efficiency and real-time capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If image-based methods are used for ice accretion monitoring, then the timeliness and simplicity are improved, but the image clarity under complex meteorological conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetimelinessVSAvoidimage clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces image processing algorithms and pattern recognition techniques as intermediaries between the raw image data and the icing detection result. These intermediaries enhance the extraction of meaningful features from images even under complex meteorological conditions, maintaining both timeliness and detection accuracy by filtering out noise and emphasizing relevant icing characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If weighing method (tension sensor method) is used for ice accretion monitoring, then the measurement precision is improved with errors smaller than 0.05mm, but the device reliability and service life in low-temperature high-humidity conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice accretion measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tension sensor system with an optical/image-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of sensors in low-temperature high-humidity environments while maintaining high measurement precision through image processing and pattern recognition, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4704301A1Method and apparatus for power transmission line icing warning
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SOUTHERN POWER GRID SENSING TECHNOLOGY (GUANGDONG) CO LTD
  • EP4704301A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4704301A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4704301A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A method for power transmission line icing warning is provided, including obtaining a current line temperature and a current maximum sag of a target power transmission line, determining a predicted maximum sag of the target power transmission line at the current line temperature based on the current line temperature and a maximum sag-line temperature correspondence, determining whether there is ice on the target power transmission line based on the current maximum sag and the predicted maximum sag, and issuing an icing warning for the target power transmission line when it is determined that there is ice on the target power transmission line.