Smart Injection Tanks for Precise Cable Rejuvenation Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical cable rejuvenation methods, such as iUPR and SPR, are prone to human error, require frequent site visits, and often operate below optimal pressure to avoid cable failure, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to cables.
Innovation Solution
A smart fluid injection system that includes a smart injection tank and receiver tank equipped with sensors, actuators, and communication modules, allowing for automated pressure control, real-time monitoring, and remote operation, enabling higher injection pressures while ensuring cable safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pressure control is used during cable injection, then operation flexibility is maintained, but human error increases and injection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated pressure control systems with sensors that continuously monitor injection pressure and provide feedback to control mechanisms. This closed-loop feedback system maintains precise pressure levels during cable injection, eliminating manual pressure control errors while automatically adjusting pressure based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pressure control with automated electronic control systems. Computer-controlled pressure regulation mechanisms substitute for human operators, providing consistent and accurate pressure management throughout the injection process without human intervention errors.
2Productivity
If high injection pressure is used to speed up cable rejuvenation, then productivity increases, but cable burst risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pressure adjustment systems that automatically modify injection pressure based on real-time cable condition monitoring. The system starts with lower pressures and progressively increases them as cable integrity is confirmed, optimizing injection speed while preventing cable burst through adaptive pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes pressure parameters dynamically during the injection process based on monitored cable responses. The system adjusts pressure levels, injection rates, and timing parameters in real-time according to feedback from sensors monitoring cable expansion and fluid absorption, thereby maximizing productivity without exceeding safe pressure thresholds.
3Productivity
If unattended injection process is used, then crew productivity improves, but detection of flow issues is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated monitoring systems with sensors that continuously track injection parameters such as flow rate, pressure, and fluid level. These systems provide real-time feedback and automatically detect flow issues, blockages, or equipment failures, enabling unattended operation while maintaining high reliability through immediate problem detection and alerting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the injection system to monitor and detect its own operational issues autonomously. Sensors and control systems self-diagnose problems such as blocked cable segments or equipment failures without human intervention, allowing the system to operate unattended while maintaining reliability through automatic issue detection and notification.
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 system improves the accuracy and speed of cable rejuvenation by reducing human error, enabling higher injection pressures without risking cable damage, thus extending cable life and enhancing crew productivity.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor(s) 172 include a barometer 184 configured to measure an internal pressure inside an interior portion 189 of the smart receiver tank 160
Implementation Method 2
a float valve 186 configured to close when the injection fluid 134 fills a reservoir 166
Implementation Method 3
The pressure regulator is connected between the injection tank and the tank of charge gas. The injection tank housing an injection fluid (e.g., cable dielectric enhancement fluid) is typically placed inside the transformer case of the transformer A for the duration of the injection process when the injection process is left unattended and the cable segment is energized. The tank of charge gas and the pressure regulator are used to maintain controlled fluid pressure as the injection tank injects the injection fluid into the cable segment.
Implementation Method 4
The tank of charge gas and the pressure regulator are used to maintain controlled fluid pressure as the injection tank injects the injection fluid into the cable segment. The high-pressure charge gas may be carbon dioxide and/or another inert gas (referred to hereafter 'inert gas').
Data Source
AI summary
A tank including a fluid reservoir, a communication module, a controller, and at least one sensor. The fluid reservoir is configured to be in fluid communication with a cable segment. The communication module is configured to communicate with an external device. The sensor is configured to detect an injection parameter value, encode the injection parameter value in a sensor signal, and send the sensor signal to the controller. The controller is configured to automatically instruct the communication module to transmit information to the external device based on the injection parameter value.