Conversion Module for Legacy Relay Fault Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distribution systems equipped with electro-mechanical relays lack valid fault indication, hindering the deployment of automatic switching systems due to hardware limitations, forcing utilities to choose between not deploying restoration systems or costly upgrades.

Innovation Solution

A conversion module that receives relay package inputs from electro-mechanical relays, determines non-fault scenarios, and outputs a signal for automatic outage restoration, enabling the reset of circuit breakers without manual intervention, thus facilitating the integration of legacy relays into automatic switching systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electro-mechanical relays are used in distribution systems, then cost effectiveness is improved, but fault indication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost effectivenessVSAvoidfault indication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

A conversion module acts as an intermediary between the electro-mechanical relay and the automatic restoration system. The module receives relay output signals and converts them into fault indication data that the restoration system can process, enabling legacy relays to work with modern automation systems without replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for mechanical relay upgrades by implementing a software-based conversion module that performs the function of fault indication. The module executes code to interpret relay signals and generate appropriate fault indicators, substituting mechanical relay capabilities with software functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automatic restoration systems are deployed without fault indication, then deployment speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion module serves as a bridge that enables immediate deployment of automatic restoration systems while maintaining reliability. It processes relay signals in real-time to provide the fault indication data needed for reliable automated decision-making, allowing deployment without waiting for hardware upgrades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If electro-mechanical relays are upgraded to advanced relays, then fault indication capability is improved, but capital cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault indication capabilityVSAvoidcapital cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of investing in expensive advanced relay hardware, the patent uses a cost-effective software-based conversion module that can be deployed on existing infrastructure. This approach provides the needed fault indication capability at minimal capital cost compared to hardware replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes expensive mechanical relay upgrades with software functionality implemented in the conversion module. The module executes code to provide advanced fault indication capabilities without requiring physical relay replacement, significantly reducing capital expenditure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10770881B2Systems and methods for script implemented logic for trigger for converting electromechanical relay outputs into fault indication for automatic restoration application

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 PPL CORP

AI summary

A system for automatic power outage restoration includes a conversion module, the conversion module receiving relay package input from an electro-mechanical relay package and executing code to convert the relay package input to readable output transmitted to an automatic outage restoration system. The conversion module is configured to receive the relay package input and determine whether a circuit breaker corresponding to the electro-mechanical relay package is opened manually. The conversion module is further configured to determine whether a non-fault scenario has occurred at the circuit breaker and determine whether a time from an opening of the circuit breaker has been more than a preset time. The conversion module is further configured to, based on determining that the circuit breaker was not opened manually, that a non-fault scenario has not occurred, and that the time has not been more than the preset time, outputting a set signal from the conversion module, wherein an automatic outage restoration application resets the circuit breaker based on the set signal.