Optical Oil Level Gauge for Remote Transformer Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil level gauges in transformers require on-site reading, making timely detection of abnormal oil levels impossible, which can lead to transformer malfunctions or accidents.
Innovation Solution
A detachable oil tank system with an optical oil level gauge that allows remote monitoring of oil level changes, using a modular design with a lower and upper tank body and a light output surface to project a sensing beam onto the insulating oil, enabling real-time detection and immediate warnings for abnormal levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pointer-type oil level gauge is installed on the transformer, then the oil level can be displayed, but timely detection of abnormal oil levels is impossible because on-site reading is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pointer-type oil level gauge with an optical detection system. The optical oil level gauge uses light transmission principles to detect oil level remotely, eliminating the need for mechanical on-site reading. This substitution enables automated monitoring and timely detection of abnormal oil levels, resolving the contradiction between reliability and detection response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical medium (light) as an intermediary to transmit oil level information from the transformer interior to the exterior remotely. The optical oil level gauge uses light beams to penetrate the transformer wall and detect oil level conditions without requiring physical presence at the transformer site, enabling timely remote detection and improving response time while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of information
If the oil level is monitored using a conventional gauge, then the oil level information is available, but remote monitoring is not possible requiring on-site reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical on-site reading process with an optical remote detection system. The optical oil level gauge transmits oil level information through light signals that can be read remotely, eliminating the need for personnel to physically access the transformer. This improves ease of operation while ensuring continuous oil level information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the oil level monitoring from a one-dimensional on-site physical reading to a multi-dimensional remote monitoring system. The optical gauge allows observation of oil level from different spatial locations and dimensions, enabling remote access to oil level information and improving both accessibility and operational convenience.
3Loss of time
If an optical oil level gauge with detachable oil tank is used, then remote monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oil level detection device into separable components: a detachable oil tank portion and an optical gauge portion. This segmentation allows the device to be installed and maintained more easily despite its enhanced functionality. The modular design reduces installation complexity while maintaining the remote monitoring capability that improves detection response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the oil tank volume, allowing the tank capacity to be modified based on different monitoring needs. This dynamic feature enables the system to adapt to various transformer types and oil level ranges, reducing the need for multiple fixed-design devices and thereby managing overall system complexity while maintaining effective remote monitoring.
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 remote monitoring of oil levels, preventing transformer damage by instantly issuing warnings for abnormal conditions, applicable to both new and existing transformers.
Implementation Method 1
the optical oil level gauge has a light output surface that is positioned in an inner space of the upper tank body, so as to project a sensing beam onto the insulating oil within the second oil chamber and detect a height change of an oil surface
Data Source
AI summary
An oil level detection device and an oil-immersed transformer. The oil level detection device that includes a detachable oil tank and an optical oil level gauge is applicable to the oil-immersed transformer. The oil-immersed transformer includes an oil storage device for storage of an insulating oil. The detachable oil tank includes a lower tank body disposed on the oil storage device, and an upper tank body disposed above and in spatial communication with the lower tank body. The lower tank body has a second oil chamber that is in spatial communication with a first oil chamber of the oil storage device for circulation of the insulating oil. The optical oil level gauge is disposed on the upper tank body for projecting a sensing beam onto the insulating oil within the second oil chamber and detecting a height change of an oil surface.