Ping-Signal Chain Network for Surge Arrester Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powerline monitoring systems fail to detect surge arrester failures promptly and reliably, leading to untimely repairs and outages, as they rely on manual inspections or helicopters for detection.
Innovation Solution
A communication network with low-power wireless sensor nodes that form a communication route using ping signals, allowing automated detection of failed nodes by rerouting around failures and reporting to base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspections or helicopters are used to detect surge arrester failures, then detection capability is provided, but detection time is delayed and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surge arrester monitoring system performs self-detection through integrated sensors that automatically monitor the surge arrester's operational status. The system includes a monitoring device with a processor and sensor that continuously checks for failures without requiring external manual inspection or helicopter surveys, enabling the system to detect and report its own condition autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated electronic monitoring system. Instead of using helicopters or manual visual inspections to detect failed surge arresters, the system uses electronic sensors, processors, and communication devices to automatically detect and transmit failure information, substituting mechanical inspection processes with automated electronic detection.
2Productivity
If automated monitoring systems are deployed to detect surge arrester failures rapidly, then detection speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that combines the surge arrester monitoring function with communication capabilities. The same device that monitors surge arrester status also handles data processing and transmission, eliminating the need for separate complex systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining rapid detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication device as an intermediary between the monitoring sensor and the external control system. This intermediary handles the data transmission function, allowing the monitoring device to remain relatively simple while still achieving rapid detection and notification. The communication device acts as a mediator that simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to detect failures immediately, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system employs periodic status checking rather than continuous active monitoring. The device periodically samples the surge arrester condition and transmits data only when changes are detected or at scheduled intervals, maintaining reliable failure detection while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network for monitoring node state within a chain based network that includes a first base-station configured to transmit a ping signal and a plurality of nodes each configured to receive the ping signal, send an acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the ping signal and transmit the ping signal. The communication network also includes a second base-station configured to receive the ping signal and transmit data related to the plurality of nodes based on the ping signal.