Wireless Electric Field Detector Network for Voltage Threshold Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric field detectors fail to effectively communicate and provide warnings for high voltage situations on power lines, particularly in complex environments, as they do not adequately meet the requirements for detecting voltages exceeding a threshold voltage.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising first and second electric field detectors with detection circuitry, a warning module, and a communication module that wirelessly sends and receives notifications to provide coordinated warnings to operators when voltages exceed a threshold, allowing for visual and audio alerts and multiple voltage threshold detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single electric field detector is used to detect voltage, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of voltage detection in complex environments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the voltage detection task across multiple independent electric field detectors (first detector and second detector), each equipped with its own detection circuitry. This segmentation allows redundant detection capabilities without requiring a single complex centralized system, thereby improving reliability while keeping individual detector units relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication module enables detectors to exchange detection results and warning notifications with each other. This feedback mechanism allows the system to cross-validate detection data, confirm voltage threshold exceedances through multiple sources, and provide mutual verification, thereby enhancing detection reliability through collaborative feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If electric field detectors communicate wirelessly with each other, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information may increase due to communication errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector deployment convenienceVSAvoidwarning notification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical wired connections with wireless communication modules that use electromagnetic fields for data transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for complex cable routing and physical connections, significantly improving ease of deployment and operation while maintaining adequate information transmission through robust wireless protocols.

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

3Productivity

If multiple detectors provide coordinated warnings, then the productivity of safety monitoring is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the warning module and communication module into integrated units within each detector. The first detector's warning module can be activated not only by its own detection circuitry but also by receiving warning notifications from the second detector, creating a unified safety monitoring system that operates as a coordinated whole while maintaining modular simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures reliable detection and communication of high voltage conditions, enhancing safety by providing comprehensive warnings to operators in complex environments, improving the efficiency and safety of utility lineman operations.

Implementation Method 1

a first electric field detector connected with first detection circuitry configured to detect a voltage in an electric field in the environment which meets or exceeds a voltage threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field detection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3396643B1System and method for voltage detection and communication between electric field detectors
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 GREENLEE TEXTRON INC
  • EP3396643B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3396643B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3396643B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An electric field detector includes field detection circuitry configured to detect voltage in an electric field in an environment and configured to determine if the voltage meets or exceeds a voltage threshold. A warning module operably connected with the field detection circuitry is configured to provide a warning to operators in the environment. A communication module operably connected with the field detection circuitry communicates a warning notification to another electric field detector.