Optical Conductor Blowout Sensing for Span-Level Wind Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weather station anemometers provide localized wind speed and direction measurements that are biased by nearby obstacles, while coarsely-gridded numerical weather prediction models fail to accurately capture localized wind conditions for conductor spans, leading to inaccurate dynamic line ratings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using optical clearance sensors to measure conductor blowout and derive mechanically- and spatially-averaged wind speeds, combined with statistical correlations and NWP forecasts, to estimate wind speeds for transmission line spans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weather station anemometers are used to measure wind speed, then localized wind speed measurement is achieved, but the measurement is biased by nearby obstacles and does not represent the average wind field over the conductor span
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor itself serves as an intermediary element that experiences and integrates the wind field over its entire span. By measuring the conductor's blowout (lateral displacement) rather than directly measuring wind speed at a point, the system obtains an averaged wind effect that represents the entire conductor span, eliminating the need for a weather station anemometer that would be biased by local obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical anemometer system with an optical measurement system that tracks conductor displacement. Instead of using a mechanical device to directly measure wind speed, the system uses optical sensors to measure the conductor's lateral movement and derives wind speed information from this mechanical response, thereby avoiding the localization problem of point measurements
2Area of stationary object
If coarsely-gridded numerical weather prediction models are used, then regional wind patterns are captured, but localized wind conditions for specific conductor spans are not accurately represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using conductor blowout measurements from each specific transmission line span to derive location-specific wind speed information. Each conductor span acts as a local sensor that characterizes the wind field in its immediate vicinity, providing localized accuracy while maintaining the ability to cover multiple regions through deployment across different spans
Solution Approach 2:
The approach segments the wind measurement problem by treating each conductor span as an independent measurement unit. Instead of relying on a single coarse-gridded model, the system divides the monitoring into multiple localized span-level measurements, each providing accurate local wind conditions that can be aggregated or compared across different geographic regions
3Measurement precision
If point-location weather stations are mounted on transmission towers, then wind measurement is performed near the conductor, but the tower structure itself causes perturbations in the wind field leading to incorrect cooling assessments
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor itself serves as the measurement target rather than requiring a separate weather station. The conductor's natural response to wind (blowout) is measured, and this self-response provides the wind speed information without needing an external measurement device that would interfere with the wind field. The system uses the conductor's own mechanical behavior as the sensing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wind measurement function from the tower-mounted anemometer and transfers it to the conductor itself. By removing the need for tower-mounted sensors, the system eliminates the source of wind field distortion while still obtaining the required wind speed information through optical measurement of conductor displacement
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
Provides accurate, averaged wind speed information for dynamic line rating calculations, overcoming localized biases and model coarseness, enabling more precise conductor ampacity assessments.
Implementation Method 1
optical clearance sensors to measure conductor blowout
Implementation Method 2
Winds with a vector directional component perpendicular to the wire span impart a horizontal force on the hanging conductor, which swings horizontally in response to the wind force
Implementation Method 3
cooling from forced convection (e.g. wind) that carries excess heat away from the conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for estimating wind speeds around transmission lines. The method comprises constructing statistical correlations between measured conductor blowout and wind speeds for spans of the transmission lines, generating local wind speed scaling coefficients, and using the wind speed scaling coefficients to estimate wind speed for spans from forecasted wind speeds. This is useful for determining the effective cooling wind speed for a conductor span for the purposes of computing a dynamic line rating.