Partial Discharge Detection Using Differential Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partial discharge detection techniques face challenges in accurately distinguishing partial discharge signals from environmental noise, leading to reduced accuracy in sensing methods.

Innovation Solution

The use of two directional antennas with different effective areas for signal reception, where one antenna is more sensitive to partial discharge signals and the other to noise signals, with a processing module to generate a difference signal that enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by subtracting noise signals from the partial discharge signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless and contactless detection is performed to ensure safety, then detection safety is improved, but environmental noise is also received which reduces sensing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection safetyVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple functional components: a first antenna for receiving partial discharge signals, a second antenna for receiving noise signals, and a processing module for differential processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve both safety and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second antenna acts as an intermediary that specifically captures environmental noise signals. By introducing this intermediate noise-capturing component, the system can separately identify and subtract noise from the total received signal, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the safety benefits of wireless detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single antenna is used for detection, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish partial discharge signals from noise is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna configurationVSAvoidsignal discrimination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single antenna is replaced with two segmented antennas having different effective areas and directional characteristics. The first antenna with larger effective area captures both partial discharge and noise signals, while the second antenna with smaller effective area primarily captures noise. This segmentation enables signal discrimination without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each antenna is designed with specific local qualities: the first antenna has a larger effective area and is oriented toward the partial discharge source, while the second antenna has a smaller effective area and is oriented to capture ambient noise. These localized optimizations enable the system to distinguish signals from noise effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If noise cancellation techniques are applied to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The noise component is extracted from the total received signal through differential processing. By subtracting the signal from the second antenna (which primarily contains noise) from the signal of the first antenna (which contains both partial discharge and noise), the noise is effectively removed, improving signal-to-noise ratio with minimal processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary noise cancellation by using the second antenna to predict and counteract the noise component in the first antenna's signal. This preliminary anti-action occurs in the signal processing stage, preventing noise from overwhelming the partial discharge signals before analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for more accurate detection of partial discharge pulses even when they have amplitudes comparable to noise signals, enhancing the reliability of partial discharge detection.

Implementation Method 1

a first antenna configured to receive electromagnetic signals at least partially associated with partial discharges of an electric object and to generate a first electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second antenna configured to receive electromagnetic noise signals and to generate a second electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a first processing module configured to receive said first and second electrical signals and to generate a difference electrical signal representing the difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal subtraction:

Data Source

PatentEP2861999B1A partial discharge detection apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 PRYSMIAN SPA
  • EP2861999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2861999B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2861999B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A partial discharge detection apparatus (500), comprising: a support structure (3), a first antenna (1) configured to receive electromagnetic signals (Sd) at least partially associated with partial discharges of an electric object (100) and generate a first electrical signal (Sint); the first antenna having a first receiving effective area for first receiving directions and a second antenna (2) configured to receive electromagnetic noise signals (Sn) and generate a second electrical signal (Sin2); the first and second antennas being arranged to cause the second antenna to have a second receiving effective area for said first receiving directions smaller than said first receiving effective area. The apparatus further includes a first processing module (600) configured to generate from said first and second electrical signals a difference electrical signal (Sout) representing a difference between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.