Sensor apparatus

• US 20060284647A1
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Hancock, Martin A., Gunn, Colin N., Cowan, Peter C., Harding, Stewart J., Ricci, Marc A.
• Application Number:
  US11/335,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20060284647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/126
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/18 Screening arrangements against electric or magnetic fields, e.g. against earth's field
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/22 Tong testers acting as secondary windings of current transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/183 using transformers with a magnetic core
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/186 using current transformers with a core consisting of two or more parts, e.g. clamp-on type G01R15/142 - G01R15/16 take precedence; tong testers G01R1/22

Abstract

A sensor apparatus for measuring power parameters on a power conductor, such as a high voltage transmission line may include a corona structure, an electronics assembly and a conductor mountable device. The corona structure may define an outer boundary surrounding the electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device. The corona structure may shield the electronic assembly and conductor mountable device from a corona produceable with the power conductor. The conductor mountable device may be a power parameter measurement device, such as a current sensor assembly. The current sensor assembly may be a split-core design that includes multiple transformer cores. The electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device may powered from a line voltage suppliable on the power conductor. Data may be wirelessly transmitted and received with the sensor apparatus.

Claims

1. A sensor apparatus that is mountable on a power conductor, the sensor apparatus comprising:

a conductor mountable device;

a corona structure that is electrically conductive and formed to define an outer boundary surrounding said conductor mountable measurement device, said corona structure also formed to define an inner volume that accommodates said conductor mountable device, wherein a portion of a power conductor is disposable in said inner volume;

a guide brace structure coupled with said corona structure, said guide brace structure operative to maintain said corona structure in a predetermined position relative to said conductor mountable device; and

a power supply coupled between said power conductor and said corona structure, wherein said power supply is operative to develop power to power said conductor mounted device as a function of a difference in potential between said power conductor and said corona structure.

2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductor mountable device is a power parameter measurement device.

3. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said difference in potential is based on a free body capacitance of said corona structure that is chargeable and dischargeable with a line voltage suppliable on said power conductor.

4. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said corona structure and said guide brace structure form a continuous open framework of members configured to define apertures therebetween.

5. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide brace structure is operative to guide said conductor mountable device into a predetermined position to surround at least a part of said portion of said power conductor disposable within said inner volume.

6. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said corona frame structure comprises:

a first corona frame structure disposed in a first plane; and

a second corona frame structure disposed in a second plane;

wherein said first plane and said second plane are positionable on opposed sides of said conductor mountable device.

7. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a coupling device coupled with said guide brace structure, wherein said coupling device is constructed of conductive material and is operative to be selectively coupled with said portion of said power conductor.

8. The sensor apparatus of claim 7, wherein said coupling device is a clamp that is operative to be opened and closed remotely from a distance away from said clamp.

9. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide brace structure is configured to be maneuverable with a hot stick into contact with a power conductor.

10. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electronic assembly operative with said conductor mountable device, wherein said guide brace structure is formed to be fixedly coupled with said electronic assembly such that said electronic assembly is disposed in said inner volume.

11. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide brace structure includes a conductor guide portion that is formed to guide a power conductor placeable in contact with said conductor guide portion into a predetermined alignment with said conductor mountable device.

12. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said corona structure comprises a tubular frame.

13. The sensor apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first corona frame structure, said second corona frame structure, and said guide brace structure are formed to provide a corona discharge capability that is unaffected by a size or shape of devices included within said inner volume.

14. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said corona structure, said conductor mountable device, said guide brace structure and said power supply are operative with a power conductor that is a high voltage power line operative in a voltage range from about 38 kV to about 765 kV.

15. The sensor apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first corona frame structure and said second corona frame structure are each formed in a closed curve.

16. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said corona structure includes one or more members shaped to form a surface radius of curvature with corona shielding effects.

17. A sensor apparatus that is mountable on a power conductor, the sensor apparatus comprising:

an open corona frame that is positionable with respect to a power conductor so that said open corona frame is operative to define a volume of space where an electric field potential of a line voltage applicable to said power conductor is reduced to non-ionizing levels;

an insulator coupled with said corona frame, wherein said insulator electrically isolates at least a portion of said corona frame from said line voltage; and

a power transforming apparatus operative to receive a primary voltage that is developed between said line voltage and said open corona frame and generate a secondary voltage that is less than said primary voltage, said secondary voltage suppliable to said sensor apparatus.

18. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a coupling mechanism that is operative remotely to couple said open corona frame to said power conductor.

19. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, wherein said primary voltage is developed from a difference in a potential of said line voltage and a effective body capacitance charge of said open corona frame.

20. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a power parameter measurement device disposed in said volume of space, wherein said power transforming apparatus is operative to supply said secondary voltage to said power parameter measurement device.

21. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a power parameter measurement device disposed in said volume of space, wherein said power transforming apparatus is operative to provide one of an AC or DC supply voltage that is suppliable to power said power parameter measurement device.

22. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, wherein said open corona frame is constructed of electrically non conductive material covered with a conductive coating.

23. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, wherein said open corona frame is formed with a plurality of non-continuous members, at least some of said non-continuous members having gaps therebetween.

24. The sensor apparatus of claim 17, wherein said open corona frame comprises a guide brace structure operative to align said power conductor within said volume of space.

25. A sensor apparatus that is mountable on a power conductor, said sensor apparatus comprising:

a first frame member longitudinally extending in a predetermined shape to form a first closed curve;

a plurality of guide braces each having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said guide braces are coupled to said first frame member; and

a second frame member coupled to said second end of said guide braces, wherein said second frame member longitudinally extends in a predetermined shape to form a second closed curve that is fixedly held in a position spaced away from said first frame member by said guide braces;

wherein said plurality of guide braces are operative to guide said power conductor into a predetermined alignment with said sensor apparatus.

26. The sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first frame member lies in a first plane and said second frame member lies in a second plane that is substantially parallel with said first plane.

27. The sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of said first frame member and said second frame member are further formed to define a respective inner volume.

28. The sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first frame member and said second frame member each comprise a tubular member.

29. A sensor apparatus mountable on a power conductor, the sensor apparatus comprising:

a current sensor assembly operative to sense current in a power conductor; and

an electronics assembly coupled with said current sensor assembly;

wherein said current sensor assembly comprises a housing with a plurality of transformer cores and a carrier disposed therein, wherein said carrier is operative to support said transformer cores in at least one dimension, and is operative to be moveable with respect to said housing; and

wherein said electronics assembly comprises communication means for communicating with external devices and a power supply operative to supply power to said current sensor assembly, said power derivable from a voltage and a current suppliable on said power conductor.

30. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, further comprising an open corona shield structure coupled to said electronics assembly and said current sensor assembly, wherein said open corona shield structure is cooperatively operative with said power supply to power said current sensor assembly and said electronics assembly as a function of a voltage and a current suppliable on said power conductor.

31. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said electronics assembly is at least partially enclosed in a weatherproof and electro-magnetically shielded electronics housing.

32. The sensor apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing comprises a multi-contact electrical connector, said multi-contact electrical connector operative to couple said current sensor assembly with at least one of said electronic devices.

33. The sensor apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing further comprising a radio frequency antenna operative to provide a low voltage standing wave ratio interface and further operative to be interfaced to externally located telemetry and a global positioning system antenna operative to be interfaced with a satellite.

34. The sensor apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a telemetry antenna mounted on said weatherproof and electro-magnetically shielded electronics housing.

35. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said sensor apparatus is configured to be coupled with a hot stick and is mountable on said power conductor with said hot stick.

36. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said communication means comprises an antenna.

37. The sensor apparatus of claim 36, wherein said antenna comprises a satellite antenna operative to at least one of transmit data or receive at least one of time and geographic position data, or combinations thereof.

38. The sensor apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electronics assembly includes a global positioning system coupled to said satellite antenna.

39. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said communication means comprises a shielded and weatherproof cable connected between said electronics assembly and said current sensor assembly.

40. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said communication means is operative to enable wireless communication between said electronics assembly and said current sensor assembly.

41. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said communication means is operative to enable communication between said current sensor assembly and a ground based processor that is external to said sensor apparatus.

42. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said communication means is operative to enable radio frequency communication.

43. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said electronics assembly further comprises a processor and a memory.

44. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a corona frame structure coupled with said electronics assembly and said current sensor assembly wherein said corona frame structure is at least one electrically conductive member that defines an outer boundary of said sensor apparatus, and defines an inner volume formed to accommodate said current sensor assembly, said electronics assembly and a portion of said power conductor.

45. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a brace structure coupled with said electronics assembly, said current sensor assembly, and a corona frame structure, said brace structure coupled with and operative to maintain said corona frame structure in a predetermined position relative to said electronics assembly and said current sensor assembly to provide shielding from a corona dischargeable as a function of power on said power conductor.

46. The sensor apparatus of claim 45, wherein said brace structure is operative to guide said current sensor assembly into a predetermined position to surround at least a portion of said power conductor.

47. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said power supply comprises a transformer that includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein said power conductor is electrically coupled with said primary winding, and said secondary winding is operative to supply power to said current sensor assembly and said electronics assembly.

48. The sensor apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a brace structure, wherein said electronics assembly is coupled with one of said brace structure and said current sensor assembly.

49. The sensor apparatus of claim 45, wherein said corona frame structure, said brace structure, and said electronics assembly are arranged to be self aligning in a determined position with respect to said power conductor.