Phase Ratio Determination for Cable Loss Factor Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the relationship between periodically changing variables, such as voltage and current in medium or high-voltage cables, suffer from precision issues due to uncertainties in fundamental frequency and measurement timing, leading to measurement errors and loss of precision.

Innovation Solution

The method involves calculating the ratio of complex numbers representing voltage and current without initial transformation by the factor e^(-jωt, which allows for accurate representation of the absolute phase relationship, thereby reducing the impact of frequency and timing deviations, and using arithmetic mean to enhance precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the complex numbers are transformed by multiplying with e^(-jωt) to eliminate time dependence, then the representation becomes simpler, but the absolute phase relationship is lost and precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplex number representationVSAvoidphase relationship precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transforming the complex numbers by multiplying with e^(-jωt) to eliminate time dependence (conventional approach), the patent inverts this approach by keeping the time-dependent complex numbers in their original form and directly calculating ratios. This preserves the absolute phase relationship information while avoiding the precision loss introduced by the transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If measurements are taken at irregular time points due to frequency deviations, then adaptability to real-world conditions improves, but phase relationship precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency variation adaptabilityVSAvoidphase measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback by continuously tracking the instantaneous frequency and adjusting the measurement process accordingly. By calculating the ratio of complex numbers at each time point and then averaging, the system adapts to frequency variations while maintaining precision through the mathematical properties of the complex ratio calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic sampling of voltage and current at multiple time points within a period, then averages the resulting complex ratios. This periodic action with subsequent averaging provides robustness against frequency variations and timing irregularities while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If averaging of complex ratios is performed to reduce noise impact, then measurement reliability improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex signal processing mechanisms with a straightforward mathematical approach: calculating the ratio of complex numbers at each time point and then performing arithmetic averaging. This substitution of complex mechanical/signal processing with simple mathematical operations achieves noise reduction while keeping computational complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2820437B1Method for determining a relationship between two sinusoidally periodically varying variables and diagnosis device
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 N ERGIE NETZ
  • EP2820437B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2820437B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2820437B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

In order to determine a phase ratio between two predominantly sinusoidally varying variables, respective measurement values for the two variables are expanded into complex numbers, then a ratio variable c[k] is calculated directly from these complex numbers, the average c of all ratio variables is determined, and then a statement about the ratio between the two variables can be made on the basis of this average. The invention is particularly suitable when the loss factor for a medium or high-voltage cable is to be determined.