Strand Insulation Groove for Fiber Optic Sensor Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature sensors in electrical machinery, such as turbine generators, are prone to damage and inaccurate measurements due to pressure applied during insulation wrapping, and measuring through strand insulation can be unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A fiber optic temperature sensor is housed in a concave groove excavated in the strand insulation, allowing direct contact and measurement without external pressure, and the groove design prevents short circuits and movement during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is disposed in close proximity to the strand to measure temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor is damaged or measurement accuracy deteriorates due to pressure applied during insulation wrapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is embedded within a groove formed in the strand insulation itself, nesting the sensor protection function within the insulation structure. This allows the sensor to be closely positioned to the strand for accurate measurement while being protected from external pressure by the groove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove in the strand insulation acts as an intermediary structure between the temperature sensor and the external environment. It provides a protected space that maintains close proximity to the strand while isolating the sensor from damaging pressures during insulation wrapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is disposed between adjacent strands to measure temperature, then temperature measurement is enabled, but the sensor is damaged due to pressure applied during ground wall insulation formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoidpressure damage to sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within a groove formed in the strand insulation, protecting it from external pressure while maintaining measurement capability. The groove structure provides inherent protection during the insulation wrapping process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove is formed in the strand insulation before the final insulation wrapping is applied. This preliminary structuring creates a protected space for the sensor before external pressure is applied during ground wall insulation formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If temperature is measured via strand insulation, then non-intrusive measurement is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement implementation simplicityVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within the strand insulation groove, combining the benefits of being embedded in the insulation structure with direct thermal contact to the strand. This maintains ease of integration while improving measurement accuracy through direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces indirect thermal conduction through insulation layers with direct thermal contact between the sensor and strand, achieved by embedding the sensor in a groove that allows intimate thermal coupling while maintaining structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate and reliable temperature measurement of strands in electrical machinery by avoiding pressure-induced damage and ensuring direct contact with the sensor, while maintaining operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

A fiber optic temperature sensor is stored in the concave groove... allowing direct contact and measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2420809B1Electrical machinery and apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 MITSUBISHI HITACHIPOWER SYST LTD
  • EP2420809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2420809B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2420809B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In an electrical machinery and apparatus, a storage space (12G, 12H) is formed along an extension direction of a strand (12), and a temperature sensor (15) is installed in the storage space (12G, 12H) of the strand (12), so that temperature of the strand (12) can be immediately measured, and no pressure is applied to the temperature sensor (15) in the process of forming a ground wall insulation(14) thereby the temperature of the strand (12) can be accurately measured.