Power Line Instrument Power Supply and Router
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for power line conductors lack the ability to efficiently and autonomously measure and transmit electrical, thermal, and mechanical parameters over long distances without requiring external power sources, limiting their operational flexibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A power supply controller system that extracts power from the electromagnetic field of a power line conductor, stores it in a rechargeable battery, and uses power conditioning circuitry to provide the necessary DC potentials for instrument platforms, enabling simultaneous measurement, monitoring, and communication of parameters via wireless radio transceivers, including GSM/GPRS technology, allowing for real-time data transmission to remote systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power line instruments derive power from the electromagnetic field of the power line conductor, then the instruments can operate autonomously on the conductor, but the available power is insufficient when there is inadequate or no current flow through the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing energy in advance in a rechargeable battery when current flow is available, so that power can be supplied when current flow is inadequate or absent. The power management controller charges the battery during periods of sufficient electromagnetic field strength, ensuring continuous operation during low-current periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter from solely electromagnetic field-derived power to a hybrid power source that includes stored chemical energy from a rechargeable battery. This allows the instrument platform to adapt its power source based on current flow conditions, maintaining operation across varying electrical loads.
2Loss of information
If the communication system transmits data to remote systems via wireless radio transceivers, then real-time monitoring is enabled, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by providing power for real-time wireless communication only when current flow is sufficient to support the additional power consumption. During low-current periods, communication may be reduced or suspended to conserve battery energy, balancing data transmission needs with available power resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management controller acts as an intermediary that manages power allocation between different system functions including instrument operation and wireless communication. It determines when sufficient power is available to support communication activities, mediating between data transmission requirements and power availability.
3Productivity
If the instrument platform measures and monitors multiple parameters simultaneously, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument platform applies universality by integrating multiple measurement and monitoring functions into a single device mounted on the power line conductor. The platform simultaneously measures electrical parameters (voltage, current), thermal parameters (temperature), and mechanical parameters (sag, tension), eliminating the need for separate instruments and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple instrument functions including power extraction, parameter measurement, data processing, and wireless communication into a single integrated instrument platform. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
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
Enables the autonomous monitoring and communication of power line conductor parameters over extended distances, reducing the need for external power and allowing for real-time data processing and analysis, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of power line monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
Power for the power line instruments can be derived from the electro-magnetic field associated with the power line conductor. When power is conducted through the power line conductor a magnetic field sets up around the conductor. The magnetic field can be used to induce a current and voltage in a power supply.
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the outputted power is stored in an energy storage means that provides a direct current (DC).
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply extracts electrical power from the electro-magnetic field surrounding a high voltage power conductor and conditions the derived input power to provide a stable power source for instrumentation and communications equipment. The communications controller is a local network router that routes serial data traffic to selected communication devices such as an instrumentation processor, a power supply processor, or a maintenance port controller. The router forwards the data to other communications equipment and forwards data from the communicating equipment to an external network providing substantially simultaneous communications between the external network and the instrumentation processor, power supply processor and maintenance port controller.