Wireless Sensor Monitoring for High-Voltage Switching Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional monitoring systems for high and medium voltage technology are complex and require extensive cabling, limiting continuous data collection and quality assurance, especially during production, transport, and operation.

Innovation Solution

A device with a sensor system that determines various physical and chemical values, using a wireless communication system to transmit data to a network, allowing for autonomous operation and bidirectional communication for sensor configuration and control, reducing the need for wired connections and cabling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wired sensor systems are used for monitoring high-voltage equipment, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cabling requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcabling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. Sensors equipped with wireless transmitters communicate measurement data (temperature, humidity, vibration, etc.) to remote monitoring systems without requiring physical cable connections, thereby eliminating complex cabling while maintaining measurement capabilities.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediaries between sensors and the central monitoring system. These modules transmit data through electromagnetic fields rather than physical conductors, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for extensive copper or fiber optic cable infrastructure while preserving data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented throughout the product life cycle, then quality assurance and reliability are improved, but loss of time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality assuranceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of wireless sensors during manufacturing, pre-programming them with monitoring parameters and communication protocols. This allows sensors to be deployed immediately upon installation without requiring time-consuming setup, configuration, or cable routing, enabling continuous monitoring from the outset while minimizing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless monitoring system is designed to be self-configuring and self-identifying. Sensors automatically register with the central system, transmit their capabilities, and begin monitoring without manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for time-consuming configuration processes while ensuring comprehensive quality assurance coverage throughout the product life cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If comprehensive sensor systems are deployed for all measured values, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal wireless sensor modules capable of measuring multiple physical quantities (temperature, humidity, vibration, pressure, etc.) simultaneously. These multi-functional sensors replace numerous specialized sensors, providing comprehensive information coverage while reducing system complexity through standardized, interchangeable components with unified communication protocols.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3741027B1Switching station of high-voltage or medium-voltage equipment
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3741027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100, 200, 300) for high-voltage or medium-voltage technology, having: at least one connection (101), which is designed for connection to a high-voltage or medium-voltage conductor (102); a sensor system (103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 115), which is designed to determine a plurality of different physical and/or chemical measured values relating to the device and/or the conductor and/or the surroundings; and a communication system (121), in particular a wireless system, which is designed to receive the measured values from the sensor system and to transmit them to an entity (135) in a network.