Wireless Mesh Network for Power Grid Data Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medium and high voltage electrical power systems face challenges in efficient data collection and communication for centralized monitoring and control, leading to difficulties in minimizing power outages and managing electrical faults due to the complexity of the networks and incompatibilities among various devices.

Innovation Solution

A flexible and reliable mesh communication network is implemented, using wireless sensor and control communication devices to transmit data in real-time across the network, accommodating different types of devices and locations, and allowing for scalable expansion, without the need for costly point-to-point wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional data collection methods are used in electrical power systems, then device compatibility and ease of installation are improved, but data collection efficiency and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddata collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring-based data collection systems with wireless communication technology. Sensor nodes communicate with control nodes via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical point-to-point wiring while maintaining ease of installation and significantly improving data collection efficiency and real-time monitoring capability.

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

2Measurement precision

If extensive wiring is implemented for data collection across the power system, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating condition detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extensive physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication networks. The mesh network topology allows multiple communication paths between nodes, maintaining measurement precision and data reliability while dramatically reducing system complexity and installation requirements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic mesh network where communication paths can adapt and reconfigure based on node availability and network conditions. This dynamic routing capability maintains data reliability without requiring fixed, complex wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If point-to-point wiring is used for each sensor connection, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of operation and scalability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic mesh network where communication paths can adapt and reconfigure based on node availability. This allows the system to maintain communication reliability while easily scaling by simply adding or removing nodes without reconfiguring the entire network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal communication protocol and mesh network architecture that can accommodate multiple sensor types, control devices, and communication methods. This universal approach enables easy system expansion and operation across diverse power system configurations without requiring device-specific wiring.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2126594B1Electrical power system control communications network
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 COOPER TECH CO
  • EP2126594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2126594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2126594B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Communication networks having redundant signal paths for sensed operating conditions and control parameters for electrical power transmission and distribution systems.