Pole Deformation Detection via Position Data Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to detect physical deformation of outdoor poles, such as street lights or utility poles, even when they are damaged, as the electrical devices can remain operational, leading to a need for a method to identify such deformations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an antenna and signal processor on the pole to receive and analyze wireless signals, determining position data over time periods to detect variations indicative of physical deformation, using GPS or other positioning systems, and potentially sharing processing resources across multiple poles to reduce costs and prevent false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical device operational status is used to monitor pole health, then operational failures are detected, but physical deformation of the pole is not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an antenna and signal processor as intermediary components that receive and analyze wireless signals (such as GPS satellite signals) to determine the position of the pole. This intermediary system enables indirect detection of physical deformation through position data analysis, overcoming the limitation of direct electrical device monitoring which cannot detect structural changes when the electrical components remain functional.
2Reliability
If sensors are integrated into the pole to detect physical deformation, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the antenna and signal processor multi-functional by using them for both determining the geographic location of the pole and analyzing position data to detect physical deformation. This universal approach allows a single system to serve multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity compared to dedicated deformation sensors while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pole's existing wireless communication infrastructure (antenna for receiving signals) to serve the additional function of deformation detection. By leveraging the already-present antenna and signal processor for both location and deformation monitoring, the system avoids adding separate dedicated sensors, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
3Measurement precision
If position data is continuously monitored to detect deformation, then detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring by determining position data at different times and comparing these periodic measurements to detect physical deformation. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system takes discrete position measurements at intervals, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient detection precision through the comparison of positional data over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A pole (110), such as a street light or a traffic light, can, for example, break due to being hit by a car or bend due to being exposed to high winds. A system (100) for detecting physical deformation of a pole (110) comprises a signal processor (130) coupled to an antenna (120) arranged to receive a wireless signal (150). The signal processor (130) determines position data based on the wireless signal (150). A processor (140) analyzes position data to determine whether there is a variation between first position data relating to a first time period and second position data relating to a subsequent time period. When the pole (110) has been physically deformed between the first and the second time period, the first and second position data will vary and the processor determines that the pole has been physically deformed.