Power System Event Timing from Synchronized Waveform Records

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric power systems, it is challenging to identify the causal and consequential phenomena, such as abrupt changes in currents and voltages, from recorded waveform samples, which hinders effective analysis and prevention of faults.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a central device that receives recorded waveform samples with associated timing values allows for the identification of the temporal order of phenomena, thereby distinguishing between cause and consequence events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If recording devices are provided at different elements to record waveform samples, then analysis data for fault analysis is obtained, but it becomes challenging to identify causal and consequential phenomena from the recorded data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault analysis informationVSAvoididentification of causal phenomena
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A centralized processing device acts as an intermediary between multiple recording devices and analysis users. This central device receives waveform samples from distributed recording devices, adds timing information, and performs causal analysis to identify which phenomena are causes and which are consequences. The intermediary consolidates data from multiple sources and applies analytical logic that would be difficult to implement at individual recording device levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If waveform samples are recorded without synchronized timing, then recording simplicity is maintained, but temporal relationships between phenomena cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording operation simplicityVSAvoidtemporal relationship measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Timing synchronization is performed preliminarily at the recording device level before data transmission. Each recording device is pre-configured with synchronized timing information from a common clock source, so that when waveform samples are recorded, they already contain accurate timing stamps. This preliminary synchronization maintains operational simplicity while ensuring precise temporal measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple recording devices are distributed across the system, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple recording devices use identical, standardized hardware and software configurations, making them universally interchangeable throughout the system. Each device performs the same functions: recording waveform samples, adding timing information, and transmitting data to the central processor. This universality allows comprehensive system coverage while reducing complexity through standardization and modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3379272B1Method and system for detecting the occurrence and timing of events in an electric power system
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 DANFOSS AS
  • EP3379272B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3379272B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3379272B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electric power system comprises recording devices (101-105) located at different elements of the electric power system and configured to record waveform samples of quantities related to operation of the elements of the electric power system. The electric power system comprises a central device (106) configured to receive the recorded waveform samples from the recording devices. The recording devices are synchronized to maintain a common clock time and to associate, to each of the recorded waveform samples, one or more timing values indicative of the clock time during recording the waveform sample. As the timing values are associated to the waveform samples, it is possible to reconstruct a time order of phenomena indicated by the recorded waveform samples.