Remote Dial Gauge and Bushing Inspection Near Energized Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual inspection of equipment mechanical dial gauge readings and electrical termination conditions is hazardous due to potential energized voltage sources, and isolation of these sources is impractical, leading to unsafe working conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing high-resolution cameras and gas detectors connected to a Local Monitoring System (LMS) for remote inspection, which captures images and detects potential failure conditions, including leaks and electrical faults, and raises alarms through a remote monitoring system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection is performed to monitor mechanical dial gauge readings and electrical termination conditions, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but safety deteriorates due to exposure to energized voltage sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (inspection system with cameras and sensors) that acts as a mediator between the inspector and the energized equipment. The system captures images and data remotely, allowing monitoring of mechanical dial gauge readings and electrical termination conditions without direct human contact with hazardous voltage sources, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable monitoring and safety
2Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to monitor equipment conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent manual interventions and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is designed to autonomously monitor equipment conditions without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system automatically captures images, analyzes mechanical dial gauge readings, detects electrical termination conditions, and generates reports, enabling the equipment to self-monitor its own state while maintaining high measurement precision through automated image processing and analysis algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with an automated optical and electronic inspection system. High-resolution cameras capture images of mechanical dials and electrical connections, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the captured data, substituting human manual measurement and inspection with automated optical-mechanical systems that achieve both high precision and improved productivity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to locally monitor, and report to a remote monitoring system, specific physical conditions of equipment that provide early indication of failure conditions, including but not limited to: temperature, level of fluids, pressure, temperature, the presence of gases or airborne particulate, and signs leaks.