Tap Changer Diverter Switch Jump Detection via Torque Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring tap changers during uninterrupted switching require additional expensive components and risk failure due to complex synchronization processes, particularly in detecting the diverter switch jump.

Innovation Solution

The method involves differentiating the torque curve to identify the diverter switch jump by detecting the sudden torque drop, characterized by a negative maximum after differentiation, allowing for synchronization without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional components such as resolvers or switch monitoring are used to detect the diverter switch jump, then the reliability of detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by using the existing torque measurement system to detect the diverter switch jump. The torque curve differentiation automatically provides the detection function without requiring additional dedicated components. The system serves itself by extracting the needed information from already-available measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by making the torque measurement system multi-functional. The same torque measurements used for motor control also serve for diverter switch jump detection through curve differentiation. This eliminates the need for separate detection components and achieves reliable detection using existing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If switch monitoring or resolvers are installed to detect the diverter switch jump, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediverter switch jump detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the detection function from physical hardware components. Instead of extracting a dedicated detection device, the method extracts the detection capability from the torque curve data itself. The diverter switch jump information is extracted through mathematical differentiation of the torque curve, eliminating the need for additional manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (resolvers, physical switch monitoring) with a mathematical processing approach. The mechanical complexity of additional sensors is substituted by computational differentiation of torque measurements, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining detection precision.

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

3Device complexity

If the torque curve is differentiated to detect the diverter switch jump, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent quantityVSAvoidtorque curve processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the torque curve as an intermediary between the physical diverter switch jump and the detection system. Instead of directly detecting the switch jump, the system measures torque over time, creates a torque curve, and uses differentiation of this curve as an intermediary step to identify the jump moment. This mathematical intermediary simplifies the overall detection architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2416333B1Method for monitoring a step switch
Publication Date: 2013.09.25 MASCHFAB REINHAUSEN GMBH
  • EP2416333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416333B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2416333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves detecting rotational torque of a drive motor during operation of a step switch while maintaining detection of current position of the step switch. The detected rotational torque is differentiated to determine the minimum of the differentiated rotational torque, where a time point of the determined minimum of the differentiated rotational torque is rated as time point of a transfer switch leap, for forming a synchronous pulse. The rotational torque is divided into time domains.