Mobile Phasor Measurement Unit Using Electric Field Transducer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-area measurement systems, particularly Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and Frequency Disturbance Recorders (FDRs), face high installation and maintenance costs due to the need for direct electrical contact with power lines, limiting their deployment and accessibility, especially in remote areas where they are bulky and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A portable, cost-effective PMU system implemented on a mobile communication device, using an electric field transducer to measure voltage without direct contact, with components like an amplifier filter, analog-to-digital converter, and estimator to calculate phasor data, synchronized using Network Time Protocol or GPS, allowing remote operation without physical connection to power lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct electrical contact with power lines is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact system (current transformers and potential transformers physically connected to power lines) with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. The electric field sensor detects voltage through capacitive coupling without direct electrical contact, eliminating the need for physical connections while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where the electric field sensor acts as a mediator between the power line and the measurement system. Instead of direct contact, the sensor captures electromagnetic field information that represents the electrical parameters, providing indirect but accurate measurement.
2Measurement precision
If direct electrical contact with power lines is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but installation and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive electrical contact infrastructure (transformers, physical connections, safety equipment) with a simpler electromagnetic field sensing system. This substitution dramatically reduces both installation and maintenance costs while preserving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If PMU is deployed in substations with direct electrical contact, then measurement reliability is improved, but portability and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed, heavy transformer-based system with a portable electromagnetic field sensor system. This enables the measurement device to be easily moved to different locations including remote areas, while maintaining measurement reliability through field-based detection that requires no physical connection to the power system.
4Ease of operation
If electric field transducer is used for non-contact measurement, then device portability and ease of deployment are improved, but measurement precision may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs signal processing techniques that change the parameters of the measured signal to improve precision. By processing the capacitive coupling signal through filtering, amplification, and synchronization algorithms, the system maintains high measurement precision despite the non-contact measurement approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the measured electric field signal is continuously processed and compared against expected values. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for variations in coupling conditions and maintain accurate voltage measurements across different deployment scenarios.
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 real-time monitoring and situational awareness of electric power systems with reduced setup complexity and cost, facilitating quick and extensive deployment in remote locations with minimal performance degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may include an electric field transducer that measures by transduction an electric field characteristic of a voltage carrying element such as transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include an electric field sensor, an analog to digital converter, and an estimator. The electric field sensor may measure electric fields of electric power grid. The analog to digital converter may generate digital output based upon measurements from the electric field sensor. The estimator may estimate phasor data of the electric power grid based upon the digital output.