Passive Fiber Optic Current Sensor Mounting for Distribution Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber optic current sensors for high voltage distribution lines face challenges in mechanical and environmental stress, which can affect their accuracy and reliability in measuring line currents.

Innovation Solution

A fiber optic loop current sensor is mounted on a distribution power line with long, rigidly reinforced ends and a waterproof, flexibly armored jacket, connected to a sensor stand with internal routing and passive optical signal transmission, eliminating the need for active power and reducing stress through a bi-directional optical splitter and pole-mounted patch panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fiber optic current sensors are mounted on high voltage distribution lines, then measurement precision is improved, but mechanical and environmental stress affects reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline current measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor reliability under mechanical and environmental stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optic loop is pre-protected with a flexibly armored waterproof jacket and rigid end reinforcements before deployment. These protective elements are integrated into the sensor design to cushion the fiber against mechanical stress, vibration, and environmental factors such as moisture and temperature variations, ensuring reliable operation in harsh distribution line environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexibly armored waterproof jacket is applied around the fiber optic loop to provide mechanical protection while maintaining flexibility. This flexible shell allows the sensor to accommodate thermal expansion, contraction, and movement without compromising the fiber integrity or measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If fiber optic loop is protected with rigid reinforcements and waterproofing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection against stressVSAvoidstructural complexity of protected fiber loop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protective functions are merged into a single integrated flexibly armored waterproof jacket. The jacket combines mechanical reinforcement, vibration damping, and environmental sealing in one component, eliminating the need for separate protective elements and simplifying the overall sensor assembly while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective jacket utilizes composite material construction that provides both rigidity for mechanical strength and flexibility for adaptability. This composite structure achieves optimal protection against stress while keeping the design streamlined and avoiding excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If passive optical signal network architecture is used, then use of energy is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of sensorVSAvoidcurrent measurement resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system utilizes the existing high-voltage line electromagnetic field as its measurement source, requiring no external power supply. The fiber optic loop passively detects current through the Faraday effect, with signal processing achieved through optical domain operations rather than electronic amplification, maintaining measurement precision without active power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution provides a reliable and stress-free measurement of line currents with enhanced visibility and monitoring resolution, requiring no active power and ensuring mechanical and environmental protection, thus improving the accuracy and longevity of the sensor system.

Implementation Method 1

Fiber optic current sensors measure using the Faraday Effect, which describes the rotation of linearly polarized light waves in the presence of an electromagnetic field, with the degree of rotation proportional to the magnitude of the proximate field.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFaraday Effect: Faraday Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11175315B2Crossarm insulator pin auxiliary mounted passive all fiber electro-optical current sensor

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 OPTICAMPERE LLC

AI summary

A device for installing an all fiber optoelectrical transducer on the base of a pin insulator column, such that the device mounts to the insulator pin column in a bushing style of concentric attachment and enables retrofits of said device to existing transmission & distribution bushing insulator equipment. A rigid and solid mechanical support region contains a hollow bushing attachment point at a center location, and radiates outward and bonds solidly and statically to a hollow toroidal conduit, which houses optical wave guides, terminating at auxiliary connection ports, located on the exterior of the hollow toroidal conduit region, while hollow conduit support arms extend from the exterior conduit ring to a power conductor region, and integrate with optical connection ports located on static support stands, where the optical ports interface with a detachable and flexible fiber loop transducer, which surrounds an energized power conductor.