Overhead Power Line Flywheel Control for Sway Stabilization and De-Icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overhead power lines are susceptible to movement due to wind and icing, leading to potential damage and service disruptions, and existing solutions do not effectively address these issues in a comprehensive manner.
Innovation Solution
A device attached to overhead power lines featuring a flywheel, electric motor, actuator, acceleration sensing device, and controller that operates in stabilizing and ice removal modes to minimize acceleration and remove ice, utilizing an inductive coupler for power and wireless communication for monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical vibration device is used to remove ice from power lines, then ice removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a motor-driven unbalanced weight mechanism that generates mechanical vibrations and oscillations in the power line. The motor rotates an unbalanced weight, creating centrifugal forces that induce vibrations in the power line, effectively shedding ice accumulation. This directly applies the mechanical vibration principle to resolve the ice removal problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-powered by tapping electrical energy directly from the power line it is attached to. An inductive coupling mechanism extracts power from the high-voltage line without physical contact, eliminating the need for external power sources, batteries, or complex power transmission systems. This self-service approach significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining ice removal functionality.
2Reliability
If active ice removal is implemented, then service disruption is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the power line's own electrical energy to drive the ice removal mechanism. The inductive coupling system extracts sufficient power from the high-voltage line to operate the motor without requiring external power sources. This eliminates the trade-off between reliability and energy consumption, as the device draws power from the system it protects rather than consuming additional energy from external sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice removal mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the motor in cycles, rotating the unbalanced weight to generate vibrations that shed ice accumulation. This periodic operation reduces average energy consumption while maintaining effective ice removal and service reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If real-time monitoring and control systems are added to manipulate power line movement, then stability control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect power line position, acceleration, and vibration characteristics. This feedback information is processed by a controller that adjusts the motor operation in real-time to optimize stability control. The feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing conditions and maintain power line stability through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: power extraction, vibration generation, ice removal, and stability control. The motor serves both to remove ice through vibrations and to control power line movement through deliberate oscillations. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
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 device effectively stabilizes power lines and removes ice by minimizing acceleration and causing fluctuations, thereby reducing damage and service disruptions caused by wind and icing.
Implementation Method 1
arranged to provide electric power from AC carried by the overhead power line
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration sensing device, secured relatively to the base, providing an acceleration signal
Implementation Method 3
an electric motor, arranged to rotate the flywheel about the rotational axis in dependency of a motor control signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device to be attached to an overhead power line for the purpose of manipulating movement of the overhead power line comprises an electric power source; a base, defining a base plane; and a clamp, secured to the base, to be attached to a section of the overhead power line. The device further comprises a flywheel, having a rotational axis; an actuator, arranged to adjust the rotational axis of the flywheel in dependency of an actuator control signal; and an electric motor, arranged to rotate the flywheel about the rotational axis in dependency of a motor control signal. The device further comprises an acceleration sensing device, secured to the base, providing an acceleration signal; and a controller device, arranged to receive the acceleration signal and to provide the motor control signal and the actuator control signal. The controller device is configured to operate in an overhead power line stabilizing mode. In the overhead power stabilizing mode, the controller device calculates the motor control signal and the actuator control signal in dependency of the acceleration signal in such a way as to minimize the acceleration signal. Advantageously, the controller device is also configured to operate in in an ice removal mode. In the ice removal mode, the controller device calculates the motor control signal and the actuator control signal in dependency of the acceleration signal in such a way as to cause fluctuations in the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensing device.