Transformer Current Calculation Using Synchronized Secondary Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical quantity calculation systems require current sensors for each conductor, making them complex and expensive, and they lack the ability to calculate electrical quantities without such sensors.

Innovation Solution

A calculation system that measures electrical intensity in secondary conductors and calculates the intensity in the primary conductor using quasi-simultaneous measurements from current sensors, eliminating the need for current sensors on the primary conductor by using radio transceivers and microcontrollers to transmit and process data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current sensors are installed on each electrical conductor to measure electrical quantities, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical quantity measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the current sensor from the primary conductor and relocates it to the secondary conductor. This allows the primary conductor's electrical quantities to be calculated indirectly through measurements taken on the secondary conductor, eliminating the need for direct sensor installation on the primary conductor while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a transformer as an intermediary device between the primary and secondary conductors. The transformer enables indirect measurement by transferring electrical quantity information from the primary conductor to the secondary conductor, where measurements are then performed and transmitted back for calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If current sensors are installed on each electrical conductor to measure electrical quantities, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical quantity measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the current sensor from the primary conductor and relocates it to the secondary conductor. This allows the primary conductor's electrical quantities to be calculated indirectly through measurements taken on the secondary conductor, eliminating the need for direct sensor installation on the primary conductor while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the transformer to create an electrical copy or representation of the primary conductor's current on the secondary conductor. By measuring this copied signal on the secondary conductor and using transformation ratios, the system can determine primary conductor quantities without directly sensing them, reducing sensor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple current sensors are used to measure electrical quantities in parallel conductors, then measurement completeness is improved, but synchronization difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement information completenessVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous and simultaneous measurement of electrical quantities on the secondary conductor by maintaining synchronized operation of the current sensor and measurement system. This continuous measurement approach, combined with the transformer's inherent synchronization, eliminates the need for complex synchronization protocols between multiple independent measurement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 cost-effective and simplified measurement and calculation of electrical intensities, energies, and powers across multiple conductors without the need for current sensors on the primary conductor, reducing system complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a radio transmitter, a plurality of second modules, each comprising a radio transmitter-receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a current sensor capable of measuring the intensity of a current flowing in a corresponding conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2816360B1System for calculating an electrical variable, transformer station including such a system and method for calculating an electrical magnitude with such a system
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP2816360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2816360B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This calculation system (20) is suitable for calculating an electrical quantity relating to an electrical installation comprising several secondary electrical conductors (42A,..,48C) electrically connected to a primary electrical conductor (34; 36; 38). This system comprises a first module (60) comprising a radioelectric transmitter (70) and a plurality of second modules (62A, 62B, 62C). These second modules comprise a radioelectric transceiver (86A, 86B, 86C) and a sensor (83A, 83B, 83C) of the intensity (IA1, IA2, IA3, IB1, IB2, IB3, IC1, IC2, IC3) of the current flowing in a corresponding conductor among the primary and secondary conductors. The first module comprises first means (72, 74) for sending, to each second module, a first time synchronization message (M1). Each second module comprises first means (84A, 88A; 84B, 88B; 84C, 88C) for receiving the first message (M1) and second transmission means (84A, ... 88C), intended for a third module (63), a second message (M2A, M2B, M2C) containing at least one value of the intensity measured by the corresponding current sensor. The intensity values ​​are measured quasi-simultaneously, preferably with a synchronization error margin of less than 10 μs, and the third module comprises a radioelectric receiver (101), second means (102, 104) for receiving the second messages (M2A, M2B, M2C) and a unit for calculating (104) the electrical quantity from the intensity values ​​received via said second messages.