Optical Fiber Vibration Detection for Power Line Abnormalities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring electrical power transmission facilities, such as using workers or drones, are hazardous and costly, and traditional vibration sensors require a large number of installations over wide areas, making them impractical for efficient abnormality detection.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology that measures vibration in optical fiber composite overhead ground wires by analyzing backward Rayleigh scattered light to detect abnormalities in electrical power transmission facilities, reducing the need for numerous sensors and enabling remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vibration sensor is provided in the electrical power transmission facilities to monitor vibration, then abnormality detection capability is improved, but the quantity of sensors required increases hugely to cover wide areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the optical fiber: it serves both as the transmission medium for electrical power and as the sensing element for vibration detection. By integrating the sensing function into the existing optical fiber infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for separate vibration sensors, thereby reducing the quantity of components while maintaining abnormality detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is utilized for multiple purposes: it functions as both the overhead ground wire for electrical power transmission and as a distributed vibration sensor. This multi-functional usage allows the same component to perform both protective and monitoring roles, reducing the overall quantity of equipment needed while improving abnormality detection across the entire transmission line
2Measurement precision
If monitoring is performed by workers on steel towers, then direct inspection capability is improved, but safety risks increase due to working at high places
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical power transmission facility performs self-monitoring through the optical fiber embedded within it. The system automatically detects vibrations and abnormalities without requiring human intervention, thereby eliminating the safety risks associated with workers climbing steel towers while maintaining continuous inspection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical inspection method (workers physically climbing towers) with an optical sensing system. By using distributed acoustic sensing through the optical fiber, the system substitutes human-based mechanical inspection with automated optical measurement, eliminating safety hazards while preserving detection accuracy
3Area of stationary object
If monitoring is performed by drone or helicopter, then coverage area is improved, but cost increases due to wide monitoring area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber-based system provides autonomous monitoring along the entire transmission line without requiring external platforms like drones or helicopters. The facility monitors itself continuously over long distances, eliminating the recurring operational costs associated with deploying aerial vehicles while maintaining comprehensive area coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive aerial mechanical monitoring systems with an integrated optical sensing approach. By utilizing the optical fiber already present in the overhead ground wire, the system substitutes costly drone or helicopter deployments with a passive, continuous monitoring solution that covers the same area at minimal operational cost
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
This approach allows for accurate detection of abnormalities in electrical power transmission facilities without the need for extensive sensor installations, enhancing safety and reducing costs by using optical fibers to monitor vibrations across long distances, thereby ensuring stable power supply.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring a backward Rayleigh scattered light from an optical fiber composite overhead ground wire
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-readable, non-transitory medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process is provided. The process includes acquiring a backward Rayleigh scattered light from an optical fiber composite overhead ground wire of an electrical power transmission facility; generating vibration information of a frequency band including a natural frequency of the optical fiber composite overhead ground wire, on a basis of the backward Rayleigh scattered light; and detecting abnormality of the electrical power transmission facility, on a basis of the vibration information.