Energy Harvest Split Core Design Elements for Ease of Installation, High Performance, and Long Term Reliability

• US 20130187636A1
• Filed: 01/03/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sentient Technologies Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sentient Energy, Inc. (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Knight, David P., Parsons, Mark A., Kast, Michael, Saxby, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 9,229,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/22 Tong testers acting as secondary windings of current transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/14 Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/085 in power transmission or distribution lines, e.g. overhead
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/305 with toroidal magnetic core
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/23 Corrosion protection
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/30 Constructions
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/28 Clamped connections, spring connections made by means of terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/002 Maintenance of line connectors, e.g. cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.

Claims

1. A power line sensing device, comprising:

a split-core transformer comprising a first core half and a second core half, the split-core transformer configured to harvest energy from a power line conductor;

a clamping mechanism configured to join the first core half to the second core half around the power line conductor;

a spring configured to apply a force against the power line conductor to press the power line conductor against the split-core transformer; and

electronics configured to receive energy harvested from the split-core transformer to power the power line sensing device.

2. The power line sensing device of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a hard stop mechanism arranged around at least a part of the first core half and a screw configured to apply pressure to the second core half.

3. The power line sensing device of claim 2 further comprising an opening in the screw configured to receive a lineman'"'"'s hot-stick, wherein rotation of the hot-stick advances the screw into the second core half.

4. The power line sensing device of claim 1 further comprising a grip pad disposed on an interior of the split-core transformer, the grip pad configured to increase friction between the split-core transformer and the power line conductor.

5. The power line sensing device of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a band clamp configured to surround a perimeter of the split-core transformer.

7. The power line sensing device of claim 5 wherein the first and second perimeter seals form an o-ring seal around the first and second core faces.

8. The power line sensing device of claim 5 wherein the first and second perimeter seals encircle both an interior perimeter and an external perimeter of the first and second core faces.

10. The power line sensing device of claim 8 wherein the sealing material comprises a fluid, wax, or paste.

11. The power line sensing device of claim 8 the sealing material is configured to hermetically seal the first and second core halves of the split-core transformer.

6. A power line sensing device, comprising:

a split-core transformer comprising a first core half and a second core half, the split-core transformer configured to harvest energy from a power line conductor;

a first perimeter seal disposed around a first core face of the first core half, and a second perimeter seal disposed around a second core face of the second core half, the first and second perimeter seals configured to join together to seal the first and second core faces off from contaminants; and

electronics configured to receive energy harvested from the split-core transformer to power the power line sensing device.

9. A power line sensing device, comprising:

a split-core transformer comprising a first core half and a second core half, the split-core transformer configured to harvest energy from a power line conductor;

electronics configured to receive energy harvested from the split-core transformer to power the power line sensing device;

a reservoir disposed in a first core face of the first core half, the reservoir at least partially filled with a sealing material; and

a pin disposed on a second core face of the second core half, the pin sized and configured to fit inside the reservoir to release the sealing material when the split-core transformer is closed around the power line conductor.

12. A method of installing a power line sensor on a power line conductor, comprising:

attaching a lineman'"'"'s hot-stick tool to a clamping mechanism of the power line sensor;

passing a split-core transformer of the power line sensor over the power line conductor;

rotating the lineman'"'"'s hot-stick tool to actuate the clamping mechanism and close the split-core transformer around the power line sensor.