Portable Optical Camera for High Voltage Corona Discharge Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately and safely detect and measure corona discharges at high voltage equipment, as they occur out of reach and are difficult to access, posing safety risks and potential power outages.
Innovation Solution
A portable camera system that uses optical radiation detection and processing, including an optical receiver, image forming means, and a quantitative measurement module to determine the magnitude of electrical discharges by overlaying measurements onto visual images, allowing for non-contact remote inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-contact apparatuses use optical means to detect corona discharge, then safety risks are reduced, but measurement precision and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visual imaging (first image forming means) with quantitative optical measurement (optical detector and measurement system) into a single integrated apparatus. This merging allows the device to simultaneously capture images for safety inspection and perform precise quantitative measurements of corona discharge magnitude, resolving the contradiction between safety and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical receiver arrangement as an intermediary component that captures optical radiation from corona discharge and directs it to both the image forming means and the optical detector. This intermediary enables the system to translate optical radiation into both visual images and quantitative measurements, improving measurement precision while maintaining safety.
2Measurement precision
If electrical connection is made to measure corona level with a meter, then measurement precision is improved, but safety risks increase due to high voltage equipment being out of reach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical measurement approach (physical contact with high voltage equipment using meters) with an optical measurement system. The optical detector receives optical radiation emitted by corona discharge without requiring electrical or physical contact, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating safety risks associated with high voltage contact.
3Productivity
If quantitative measurement of electrical discharge is implemented, then productivity and early issue identification are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the apparatus to perform multiple functions: visual imaging, optical radiation detection, and quantitative measurement of corona discharge magnitude. By making the device universal and multi-functional, it improves productivity through early issue identification while distributing the complexity across integrated components rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
4Reliability
If remote non-contact detection is used, then safety is improved, but measurement accuracy and quantitative data capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a measurement system with an optical detector that provides quantitative feedback about corona discharge magnitude. The feedback mechanism processes optical radiation signals to generate numerical measurements of discharge intensity, enabling accurate quantitative assessment while maintaining remote non-contact operation for safety.
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 detection and measurement of corona discharges at high voltage equipment, reducing safety risks and power outages by providing quantitative data on discharge magnitude, facilitating early identification and mitigation of potential issues.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detector optically coupled to the optical receiver arrangement to receive and process the optical radiation from the optical receiver arrangement to generate a detector output
Implementation Method 2
the phenomenon of corona occurs at equipment of 10 kilovolts voltage and higher... a corona discharge, is a phenomenon that results, for example, from the ionising of air surrounding high voltage equipment by a high electric field
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for measuring and optionally detecting an electrical discharge having a discharge magnitude, wherein the electrical discharge causes a corresponding emission of optical radiation. The apparatus embodies the system and method in accordance with the invention, wherein the method comprises measuring electrical discharge by firstly storing pre-determined calibration data comprising calibrated quantitative measurement values associated with magnitudes of electrical discharge and detector parameters corresponding thereto, the detector parameters being operating parameters associated with the optical detector, receiving and processing a particular detector parameter with the stored calibration data to detect an electrical discharge, and determine a quantitative measurement associated with the magnitude of the detected electrical discharge.