Optical Fiber Temperature Sensing for High-Voltage Disconnect Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensing devices for high voltage disconnecting switches in power grid substations are inadequate due to electrical components that malfunction near high voltage contacts, leading to increased risk and energy loss, and are not resilient to environmental influences.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensing device using a light emitting element and optical fiber that aligns with the switch's temperature, allowing for non-electrical operation and resistance to environmental factors, with a contact element for enhanced positioning and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrically operated temperature sensing devices are used near high voltage contacting means, then temperature monitoring capability is provided, but the voltage difference renders operability impossible and increases risk of malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of sensing deviceVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference from high voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrically operated temperature sensing devices with an optically operated sensing device. The light emitting element and optical fiber constitute an optical system that transmits temperature information without requiring electrical operation near high voltage contacting means, thereby eliminating the harmful electromagnetic interference while maintaining temperature monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional temperature sensing devices are deployed in substation environments, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the devices are not resilient to environmental influences such as humidity, dust, and pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental influences (humidity, dust, pollution)

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an optical fiber as a protective medium that transmits light through its flexible structure. The optical fiber acts as a protective shell that shields the light emitting element from environmental influences such as humidity, dust, and pollution while allowing the sensing device to maintain accurate temperature measurement in harsh substation environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of time

If electrical components are placed near high voltage contacting means for temperature monitoring, then real-time temperature data can be obtained, but the risk of accident and energy loss is enormously increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse time for temperature monitoringVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical components with optical components (light emitting element and optical fiber) for temperature monitoring near high voltage contacting means. This substitution eliminates the risk of electrical accidents and energy loss associated with conventional electrical sensors while maintaining real-time temperature data acquisition through optical signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reliable temperature monitoring without electromagnetic interference and environmental damage, ensuring operational safety and reducing downtime in high voltage disconnecting switches.

Implementation Method 1

The light emissions, which are emitted by the light emitting element and/or guided by the optical fiber, may comprise ultraviolet light, visible light and/or infrared light. The temperature of the light emitting element and/or the high voltage disconnecting switch can influence the characteristics or physical parameters of a light emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an optical fiber, which is configured to receive a light emission from the light emitting element and configured to guide the light emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber guidance: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

a deriving unit is configured to receive the light emission from the optical fiber and derive information about the temperature of the high voltage disconnecting switch based on a duration/temporal extent of the received light emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence decay: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20230420196A1Temperature sensing device for a high voltage disconnecting switch and high voltage disconnecting switch including a temperature sensing device

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 WEINERT IND AG

AI summary

A sensing device for a high voltage disconnecting switch comprises a light emitting element, which is configured to align its temperature with a temperature of the high voltage disconnecting switch, and an optical fiber, which is configured to receive a light emission from the light emitting element and configured to guide the light emission. Further, a deriving unit is configured to receive the light emission from the optical fiber and derive information about the temperature of the high voltage disconnecting switch based on a duration of the received light emission.