Wireless Phasing Voltmeter Using Simplex Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-voltage phasing meter systems face challenges in accurately determining phase angles between conductors separated by long distances, often requiring high-speed, full-duplex communications links, which can be unreliable or unavailable in many scenarios, especially in underground or damaged electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A long-range, wireless phasing meter system that uses a simplex communications channel to determine the phase angle difference between two electrical conductors by generating and comparing phase angle difference signals based on a universal standard frequency, allowing for minimal data transfer and accurate phase identification even over marginal communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-speed full-duplex communications links are used to transfer voltage information between remote locations, then real-time phase angle measurement is achieved, but device complexity and communication infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential phase angle information from the voltage signals and transmits it separately from the full voltage waveforms. By measuring and transmitting only the phase difference data rather than complete voltage information, the system achieves accurate phase measurement while dramatically reducing communication bandwidth requirements and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into independent functional components: local phase measurement units at each location that independently determine phase angles, and a communication channel that only needs to transfer the resulting phase difference data. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If full-time half-duplex or full-duplex communications channels are used to transfer time tag and voltage information, then real-time operation is achieved, but data transfer requirements and communication bandwidth increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the critical phase angle difference information rather than complete voltage waveform data. This extraction approach maintains real-time measurement capability while reducing data transfer volume from continuous high-bandwidth voltage signals to discrete phase difference values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic GPS synchronization signals (1 pulse per second) to establish time references, and performs phase measurements at regular intervals. This periodic operation maintains real-time measurement capability while allowing the communication channel to be used intermittently rather than continuously, reducing overall data transfer requirements.
3Measurement precision
If voltage signals from conductors separated by many miles are compared directly, then phase angle determination is achieved, but communication reliability decreases due to marginal communication links
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts phase angle information locally at each measurement location and transmits only this compressed data over the communication link. By transmitting minimal data (phase differences rather than complete voltage signals), the system makes the communication link more robust against errors and interference, improving reliability over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses GPS-based time synchronization as a feedback mechanism to ensure both remote locations are operating from the same time reference. This feedback approach allows the system to maintain accurate phase measurements even over marginal communication links by continuously correcting for timing drift.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless phasing voltmeter determines the phase difference between the voltage carried by a reference electrical conductor and a field conductor. The voltage signal from the reference conductor is detected by a first unit and compared to a precision 60 Hz wave form generated from a first 1 pps GPS signal. The phase difference between the wave form and the reference conductor, represented by nine data bits, is used to modulate a radio frequency carrier wave and transmitted via simplex transmission to a second unit near an electrical conductor in the field. The second unit receives the modulated carrier wave, decodes the phase angle difference and compares it to a second phase angle difference between the voltage on the field conductor and a second precision 60 Hz wave form generated from a second 1 pps GPS signal. The difference between the two phase differences determines the phase of the field conductor.