Motor Insulation Degradation Detection via Microwave Partial Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining degradation in insulating members of motors, particularly those installed in railway vehicles, are inaccurate due to interference from harmonic components caused by switching operations of power conversion apparatuses, making frequent inspections difficult without disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A degradation determining apparatus that uses antennas to receive electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency band emitted by partial discharges in insulating members, generating reception signals, and a degradation determiner to assess compliance with a standard to accurately determine the presence of degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current values are used to determine degradation in insulating members, then the inspection can be performed without disassembly, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to harmonic components from switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical measurement methods (current analysis) with electromagnetic wave detection methods. By using antennas to receive electromagnetic waves emitted during partial discharge, the system achieves accurate degradation detection without being affected by harmonic components from switching operations, thus resolving the precision issue while maintaining non-invasive inspection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary carrier for detecting degradation. Instead of directly measuring current which contains interfering harmonic components, the system uses electromagnetic waves emitted during partial discharge as a mediator to convey information about insulating member degradation, enabling accurate measurement without disassembly
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 apparatus can accurately determine the existence and type of degradation in insulating members without being affected by harmonic components, enabling efficient maintenance by identifying specific types of degradation without disassembling the motors.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna that receives an electromagnetic wave in a microwave frequency band emitted due to partial discharge occurring in an insulating member included in a motor
Implementation Method 2
The antenna receives an electromagnetic wave in a microwave frequency band emitted due to partial discharge occurring in an insulating member included in a motor
Data Source
AI summary
The degradation determining apparatus includes an antenna and a degradation determiner. The antenna receives an electromagnetic wave in the microwave frequency band emitted due to partial discharge occurring in an insulating member included in a motor, and generate a reception signal. The degradation determiner determines, based on compliance or noncompliance of the reception signal with a standard, whether any degradation occurs in the insulating member.