SENSOR AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING DOWNED POWER TRANSMISSION CONDUCTORS AND STRUCTURES

• US 20160061603A1
• Filed: 09/02/2014
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: Phillips, Andrew John
• Granted Patent: US 9,970,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/02 for overhead lines or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/02 Devices for adjusting or maintaining mechanical tension, e.g. take-up device

Abstract

A sensor and method for identifying a downed power transmission conductor or structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of securing a sensor to a power transmission conductor or structure, using the sensor to measure inclination of the power transmission conductor or structure, comparing the measured inclination to a set threshold, and alerting a utility if the measured inclination exceeds the set threshold.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a downed power transmission conductor or structure, comprising the steps of:

(a) securing a sensor to a power transmission conductor or structure;

(b) using the sensor to measure inclination of the power transmission conductor or structure;

(c) comparing the measured inclination to a set threshold; and

(d) alerting a utility if the measured inclination exceeds the set threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of comparing is performed by the sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of comparing further includes the step of transmitting the measured inclination to a base station to allow the base station to compare the measured inclination to the set threshold.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of using the sensor to measure acceleration of the power transmission conductor or structure.

5. A method for identifying a downed power transmission conductor or structure, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a sensor having an accelerometer adapted to measure inclination in three axes;

(b) securing the sensor to a power transmission conductor or structure;

(c) using the accelerometer to measure the inclination of the power transmission conductor or structure;

(d) comparing the measured inclination to a pre-determined threshold; and

(e) transmitting an alert to a utility when the measured inclination exceeds the pre-determined threshold.

6. The method according to claim 5, further including the step of using the accelerometer to measure acceleration of the power transmission conductor or structure.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of securing the sensor to a power transmission conductor further includes the step of connecting the sensor to a jaw assembly adapted to clamp onto an energized power transmission conductor.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of comparing is performed by the sensor.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of comparing further includes the step of transmitting the measured inclination to a base station to allow the base station to compare the measured inclination to the set threshold.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sensor uses a radio frequency transmitter to transmit the measured inclination to the base station.