Ring Sensor Arrangement for Hot Stick Temperature Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aging electrical infrastructure poses significant maintenance challenges due to high-voltage hazards, requiring innovative solutions for safe and efficient monitoring and repair of electrical components, particularly in the power grid where limited human resources and stringent safety standards complicate the use of traditional tools like hot sticks.

Innovation Solution

A utility-level sensor device adapted for use with a standard hot stick, featuring a temperature sensor housed in a magnetized ring that can be securely attached to iron-based transformer housings via a universal hook end, allowing for remote temperature measurement of high-voltage components while maintaining safety distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If workers directly contact high-voltage electrical components for temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety is compromised due to electric shock hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectric shock hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic sensor device as an intermediary tool that can be attached to electrical components via magnetic attraction without direct physical contact. The device includes a magnetic element for attachment, a temperature sensor for measurement, and an insulated housing for safety, allowing workers to measure temperatures remotely while maintaining safe distances from high-voltage hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If workers maintain safe distance from high-voltage components, then safety is improved, but measurement capability is reduced due to inability to directly access components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock hazardVSAvoidmeasurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic sensor device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between safety requirements and measurement needs. The device can be magnetically attached to iron-based electrical components, allowing remote temperature measurement while keeping workers at safe distances from high-voltage hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact-based temperature measurement with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic element enables the sensor device to be firmly attached to electrical components without physical contact, allowing measurement capability while maintaining safety distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If specialized custom tools are designed for sensor attachment, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidtool design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic sensor device utilizes the inherent magnetic properties of iron-based electrical components to achieve attachment. The magnetic element automatically attaches to the component without requiring custom tooling or complex mounting mechanisms, simplifying the design while ensuring reliable attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic attachment mechanism provides universal compatibility with all iron-based electrical components. The sensor device can be attached to any electrical component with ferromagnetic material, eliminating the need for component-specific custom tools and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 safe and efficient monitoring of high-voltage electrical components by allowing workers to measure temperatures at a safe distance, providing critical health insights into the components' condition without direct contact, thus enhancing maintenance efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetized element, at the bottom surface, adapted to magnetically fix the bottom surface to an iron-based transformer housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic fixation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor inside of the housing and in communication with the bottom surface and adapted to measure a temperature at the bottom surface when energized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS11333559B2Ring sensor arrangement

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 MACLEAN POWER LLC

AI summary

Described is an electrical grid sensor comprising: a housing having a bottom surface and a top surface and a ring extending from and integrated with the top surface, the ring sized to accommodate a universal hook end of a standard utility hot-stick tool by way of an aperture defined by the ring. The sensor further comprising a temperature sensor inside of the housing and in communication with the bottom surface and adapted to measure a temperature at the bottom surface when energized. A magnetized element at the bottom surface is adapted to magnetically fix the bottom surface to an iron-based transformer housing. The sensor further providing a wireline extending from the temperature sensor, the wireline adapted to connect to a data consumer transmitter. The sensor is configured and arranged to be manipulated and deployed by a hot stick tool when used with a hot stick at a safe distance from high-voltage electrical grid component.