Wireless Phasing Beacon for Phase Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high voltage distribution and transmission systems, individual phase identification can be lost due to complex infrastructure, natural disasters, and unauthorized damage, leading to potential operational failures and safety hazards, particularly in large industrial and underground electrical systems.

Innovation Solution

A long range wireless phasing tool that transmits the zero crossing or significant features of a reference electrical AC voltage via radio frequency energy, using a system comprising a wave shaper, phase angle adjuster, auxiliary data module, encoder, and transmitter, allowing accurate phase angle determination at a distance without the need for complex setup or equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wired phase identification methods are used in complex infrastructure, then phase identification can be maintained locally, but the system becomes vulnerable to loss of identification due to infrastructure complexity, natural disasters, and unauthorized damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase identification reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wired mechanical connection systems with wireless radio frequency transmission. The phase identification system uses RF signals to transmit phase information from reference conductors to field locations without physical wire connections, eliminating vulnerability to infrastructure damage while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces radio frequency signals as an intermediary medium to carry phase identification information. Instead of relying on direct wired connections that can be damaged, the system uses RF waves as a mediator to transmit phase data through the environment, making the system resilient to physical infrastructure failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If wireless transmission over large distances is implemented, then phase identification can be maintained across distributed systems, but signal accuracy and synchronization become more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidphase angle measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors and adjusts for signal transmission variations. By using feedback to compensate for distance-related signal degradation and synchronization drift, the system maintains measurement precision across large geographical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic synchronization signals to maintain phase accuracy over distance. Regular periodic transmissions of reference phase information allow the system to continuously recalibrate and maintain synchronization between distributed measurement points, ensuring measurement precision regardless of coverage area size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If complex setup and synchronization equipment is used to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision can be maintained, but ease of operation and deployment time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase angle measurement accuracyVSAvoiddeployment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service capabilities where the system automatically performs synchronization and calibration without requiring complex manual setup. The wireless phase identification system autonomously establishes connections, synchronizes timing, and begins measurements, eliminating the need for operators to configure complex equipment while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 accurate and easy phase angle measurement and verification over large distances, simplifying the process for utility linemen and enhancing system reliability by providing immediate phase data without requiring prior setup or synchronization.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter that provides radio frequency energy to transmit the data stream created in the encoder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency energy transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one meter probe to receive and display at least the phase angle information received from the transmitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency energy reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8283910B1Long range phasing beacon

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 BIERER WALTER S

AI summary

A long range wireless electrical phasing system using a centrally located beacon to transmit reference phase angle information to any number of locally handheld (Meter Probes) display modules containing a receiver to receive the distant beacon signal and a contact electrode used to contact a local electrical conductor. The display module processes the distant message and local electrical phase information and displays the exact phase angle difference of the local electrical conductor with respect to a distant reference phase.