Effective Wind Speed Measurement via Thermal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring effective wind speed near overhead power transmission lines are inaccurate, especially in non-homogeneous geographic conditions and are costly, as they require geographical extrapolation, cumbersome device installations, or are disturbed by helicopter operations.
Innovation Solution
A method using simple image processing and thermal diffusion models from a reference point to estimate effective wind speed, leveraging thermal images and exploiting edge effects, without the need for additional costly devices, and filtering out short-term airflow disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wind speed measurements are taken at locations distant from overhead lines and extrapolated, then measurement coverage is extended, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncertain geographic homogeneity of meteorological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thermal images of the overhead line conductor as an intermediary to indirectly measure wind speed. Instead of directly measuring wind at distant locations and extrapolating, the system captures thermal information from the conductor surface and uses thermal diffusion models to derive wind speed, eliminating the need for geographical extrapolation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical wind measurement systems (anemometers, weather vanes) with a thermal imaging-based system. By using infrared thermal cameras to capture temperature distributions on the conductor and applying thermal diffusion models, the system substitutes mechanical measurement with optical/thermal detection, achieving both direct measurement and high precision without geographical extrapolation.
2Measurement precision
If anemometric stations are deployed around overhead lines, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the overhead line conductor itself serve as the measurement medium. The conductor's thermal characteristics, naturally present during normal operation, are utilized to derive wind speed information. This eliminates the need for separate anemometric stations, reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the conductor's inherent thermal response to wind cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal imaging system serves multiple functions: it monitors conductor temperature for thermal line rating, detects thermal anomalies, and simultaneously measures wind speed. By making the thermal image processing system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated wind measurement devices, reducing overall system complexity and installation requirements.
3Productivity
If wind measurements are taken from helicopters, then measurement capability is enhanced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to disturbance by helicopter blade rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the thermal image of the conductor as an intermediary that is not disturbed by helicopter operations. While helicopter blades directly disturb mechanical wind sensors, the thermal field of the conductor remains unaffected by the helicopter's presence. The thermal diffusion model processes this undisturbed thermal information to derive accurate wind speed measurements even during helicopter surveillance operations.
4Measurement precision
If hot wire sensors are used to measure wind speed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a thermal copy or image of the conductor surface using infrared thermal cameras. Instead of using complex hot wire sensors that directly interact with the wind field, the system captures a thermal image (optical copy) of the conductor and processes this image to derive wind speed information. This copying approach simplifies the measurement system while maintaining precision by using the thermal field as a proxy for wind conditions.
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
Provides a reliable and cost-effective measurement of effective wind speed, suitable for helicopter-borne surveillance, without additional equipment costs, and accurately estimates wind speed even in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal image of a conductor portion (10) is captured
Implementation Method 2
image processing and exploitation of a model of thermal diffusion by conduction
Implementation Method 3
the transverse component of the real speed of the wind against the object in question oscillates instantaneously. It is this transverse component which essentially participates in the cooling by convection of the object
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Said method for measuring an effective wind speed in the vicinity of an object (10) comprises the following steps: storing a temperature evolution curve model in the object (10) based on a reference point (38) of a device (18) in thermal contact with the object (10), the model comprising an effective wind speed parameter; capturing (102) a thermal image (32) of the object (10) including the reference point (38); locating (108) the reference point (38) in the thermal image (32); estimating (116), in the thermal image (32), a plurality of temperature values (T) in the object (10) based on the located reference point (38); measuring the effective wind speed by estimating a value of said speed on the basis of a comparison of the estimated temperature values (T) with the stored model.