Automated Life Expectancy Analysis for Voltage Switching Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating life expectancy analysis reports for low or medium voltage switching devices yield inconsistent results and poorly structured documentation, making maintenance planning difficult and time-consuming, especially in high-reliability power distribution networks like nuclear plants and data centers.

Innovation Solution

A computerized system that automatically processes data from switching devices to generate a user-friendly life expectancy analysis report with consistent and easily comparable results, using a cloud-based server structure with microprocessors and software instructions to analyze operating status data and predict maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual life expectancy analysis is performed by different operators, then individual assessment can be conducted, but the results become inconsistent and difficult to compare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual analysis flexibilityVSAvoidanalysis result consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical analysis process with an automated computerized system that processes switching device data through standardized algorithms, eliminating operator variability and ensuring consistent results across different analyses while maintaining the ability to conduct comprehensive assessments

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the analysis from a subjective manual process to an objective automated process by changing the operational parameters from human judgment to standardized computational algorithms, ensuring that the same input data always produces the same output results regardless of which operator would have performed the analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If life expectancy analysis documentation is structured in traditional formats, then comprehensive data can be recorded, but the data becomes difficult to compare and look-up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation data completenessVSAvoiddata accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the analysis documentation into structured modules with standardized headings and sections (e.g., device information, analysis results, recommendations), allowing comprehensive data to be organized in a systematic way that improves accessibility and comparability while maintaining completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal documentation format that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it records comprehensive analysis data, enables easy comparison across different devices, facilitates quick lookup through standardized organization, and supports automated processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between data completeness and accessibility

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

3Measurement precision

If automated life expectancy analysis system is implemented, then consistent and comparable results are obtained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis result consistencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized data interface and processing layer that acts as an intermediary between the switching device data and the analysis algorithms, simplifying the overall system structure by providing a uniform method for data input, processing, and output that reduces complexity while maintaining consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2804064B1A computerised system and method for generating a life expectancy analysis report related to a low or medium voltage switching device
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 ABB SPA
  • EP2804064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2804064B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a computerized system and method for generating a life expectancy analysis report related to a low or medium voltage switching device. In the computerized system and method of the invention: - first data (11) related to the operating status of said switching device are acquired; - a preliminary text file (101) is generated, in which said first data and first text patterns (21) are paged in a plurality of sections arranged according to a selectable paging format; - second data (12) related to the predicted life expectancy of said switching device are calculated depending on said first data (11); - a classification of said first data (11) and/or said second data (12) is performed; - predefined second text patterns (22) are selected and an association is created between said second text patterns (22) and said first data (11) and/or said second data; - said first data (11), said second data (12), said first patterns (21) and/or said second text patterns (22) are merged in corresponding sections of said preliminary text file (101).