Power line temperature and sag monitor system

• US 7,641,387 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atecnum Corporation
• Original Assignee: Underground Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Engelhardt, John, Fish, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Verbitsky; Gail
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jagan; Mirellys
• Application Number:
  US12/335,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 374/45, 374/46, 374/110, 374/115, 374/142, 374/152, 374/166, 738/623.91
• US Class Current: 374/142
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/06 in respect of space
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/42 Circuits effecting compensation of thermal inertia; Circuits for predicting the stationary value of a temperature

Abstract

The combination of a temperature sensor and an inclination sensor or the combination of a temperature sensor and a tension monitor properly positioned in conjunction with an energized electrical conductor produces outputs that are dependent on the conductor'"'"'s average temperature in real time. A transmitter is used to communicate this information in real time to a central location such that up to optimal or maximum power transmission is feasible through the conductor while maintaining a safe clearance to the ground. This allows for close monitoring of thermal expansion resulting from increased load as well as varying environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A temperature and sag monitor system for use on a span of a power conductor, the span being of a section of the power conductor suspended between a pair of transmission towers, the monitor system for monitoring the average temperature and the sag of the span during power transmission, the temperature and sag monitor system comprising:

a temperature sensor and inclinometer positionable on the span, the temperature sensor outputting signals indicating a temperature measurement of the span, and the inclinometer outputting signals indicating an angle of inclination of the span;

transmitters electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the inclinometer for reading the output of the temperature sensor and the inclinometer, and transmitting signals indicative of the sensor outputs; and

a processor including a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitters indicative of the output of the temperature sensor and the inclinometer, and calculating the average temperature and/or sag of the span based upon computing a real time covariance of the received signals.

2. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:

a housing adapted to be mounted onto the span, wherein the temperature sensor is affixed within the housing; and

the inclinometer is affixed within the housing.

3. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 1, wherein the processor calculates statistical correlations from the signals received.

4. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 3, wherein the angle of inclination is used to calculate the average temperature based upon the statistical correlations.

5. temperature and sag monitor system for use on a span of a power conductor, the span being a section of the power conductor suspended between a pair of transmission towers, the monitor system for monitoring the average temperature and the sag of the span during power transmission, the temperature and sag monitor system comprising:

a temperature sensor and a tension sensor positionable on the span, the temperature sensor outputting signals indicating a temperature measurement of the span, and the tension sensor outputting signals indicating a tension of the of the span;

transmitters electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the tension sensor for reading the output of the temperature sensor and the tension sensor, and transmitting signals indicative of the sensor outputs; and

a processor including a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitters indicative of the outputs of the temperature sensor and the tension sensor, and calculating the average temperature and/or sag of the span based upon computing a real time covariance of the received signals.

6. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 5, wherein the system further comprises:

a housing adapted to be mounted onto the span, wherein the temperature sensor is affixed within the housing; and

the tension sensor is affixed either within the housing or external to the housing;

the external tension sensor being affixed at a supporting end of the span.

7. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 5, wherein the processor calculates statistical correlations from the signals received.

8. The temperature and sag monitor system of claim 7, wherein the tension of the span is used to calculate the average temperature based upon the statistical correlations.