Wireless Current Sensor Harvesting Energy for Spectral Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of wired current transformers in electric power delivery systems is costly, difficult, and time-consuming due to the need for wiring between the power line and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) for monitoring and control operations.

Innovation Solution

A wireless current sensor (WCS) that uses current transformer windings to harvest electrical energy from the power line, generating a frequency domain representation of current measurements and sending wireless signals to IEDs for control and protection operations, eliminating the need for physical wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wired current transformers are installed for monitoring power lines, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to required wiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent measurement precisionVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The wireless current sensor uses electromagnetic fields to transmit current measurement data to intelligent electronic devices, eliminating the need for physical wire connections while maintaining measurement precision and system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the current transformer and the intelligent electronic device. This intermediary enables data transmission without direct physical connections, reducing installation complexity while preserving the measurement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If wired current transformers are used for monitoring, then current measurements can be obtained, but installation cost and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent measurement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the time-consuming mechanical wiring installation process with a wireless communication system that requires minimal physical installation. The wireless current sensor can be deployed without running cables between the sensor and monitoring devices, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining current measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless current sensor system is designed to be self-configuring and self-describing, automatically establishing communication channels and data formats without requiring manual wiring configuration. This self-service capability further reduces installation time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If wireless current sensors harvest energy from power lines, then wiring requirements are eliminated, but power consumption becomes a critical constraint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsensor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless current sensor harvests electrical energy directly from the power line it monitors, making the system self-powered without requiring external power connections. This self-service energy harvesting approach eliminates the need for additional wiring while providing continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the high-voltage electrical field, which could be considered a hazard in power line environments, into a useful resource for powering the wireless sensor. By harvesting energy from the power line's electromagnetic field, the system turns a potential risk into a beneficial power source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 efficient monitoring and control of power systems by reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for costly wiring, allowing IEDs to perform control and protection operations based on harmonic analysis without the constraints of wired connections.

Implementation Method 1

obtain electrical energy to power the WCS from current from CT windings of the WCS on a power line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11275101B2Spectral analysis using wireless current sensors

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to spectral analysis in wireless current sensors. For example, a wireless current sensor (WCS) includes current transformer windings that harvest electrical energy from a power line and allow the WCS to obtain current measurements of the power line. The WCS includes a processor that obtains the current measurements of the power line via the current transformer windings. The processor generates a frequency domain representation of the current on the power line using the current measurements. The processor sends a wireless signal indicating results from the frequency domain representation to an intelligent electronic device (IED) that monitors the power line to allow the TED to analyze the results for anomalies.