Voltage Notch Detection via Reference Threshold Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently detect and evaluate voltage notches in electrical signals, which can lead to equipment malfunction and damage due to their impact on zero-crossings, necessitating a method to determine notch occurrence, quantify their characteristics, and provide mitigation solutions.
Innovation Solution
A notch detection system that samples voltage waveforms, compares them to threshold voltages based on an ideal reference waveform, and stores characteristics such as notch depth, phase angle, and duration, allowing for the identification and evaluation of notches and potential mitigation strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage notches are not detected and evaluated, then equipment may operate normally without monitoring, but equipment malfunction and damage may occur due to notch-induced zero-crossing disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively detecting and evaluating voltage notches before they cause equipment malfunction or damage. The notch detection system continuously monitors voltage waveforms and identifies notches by comparing sampled voltages against threshold values derived from reference waveforms, enabling preventive maintenance and avoiding equipment failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or analog voltage monitoring methods with an electronic digital signal processing system. The system uses microprocessors to sample voltage waveforms, calculate threshold values from reference waveforms, and automatically detect notches through digital comparison, providing more precise and reliable detection than conventional approaches.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement equipment is used for harmonic analysis, then standard harmonic frequencies can be measured, but high frequency components associated with notching cannot be readily characterized
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the measurement parameters by using a sampling rate significantly higher than the fundamental frequency (e.g., 64 or 128 samples per cycle) to capture high-frequency notch components. The threshold voltages are dynamically calculated based on the reference waveform, allowing precise detection of notches regardless of their frequency content or depth.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on frequency-domain harmonic analysis, the patent introduces a time-domain approach by sampling voltage waveforms and comparing instantaneous values against dynamically calculated thresholds. This adds a temporal dimension to the measurement, enabling detection of transient notches that may be missed by traditional frequency-based instruments.
3Productivity
If voltage notches are not monitored, then system operation continues without intervention, but excess zero-crossings and deep voltage notches cause equipment malfunction and premature failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring voltage waveforms, detecting notches through comparison with threshold values, and providing information about notch occurrence, depth, and duration. This feedback enables operators to identify problematic equipment causing notches and take corrective action, preventing equipment malfunction and premature failures while maintaining system operational continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to evaluate characteristics of notches in sine wave type electrical signals. An example method includes measuring a voltage waveform. A reference waveform is derived from the measured voltage waveform. A series of threshold voltage values is determined based on corresponding voltages of the reference waveform. The voltages of the voltage waveform are compared with the corresponding threshold voltages. The presence of a notch is indicated when a voltage of the voltage waveform is lesser in magnitude than the corresponding threshold voltage.