Method for measuring electrical conductor temperature

• US 8,657,490 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2013
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: Phillips, Andrew John, Sibilant, Gary Charles, Lawry, Daniel Clinton
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN VERBITSKY, GAIL
• Application Number:
  US13/761,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20130208760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 374/121, 374/124, 374/161, 374/162, 374/141, 374/208, 374/186, 374/187, 403/179, 403/FOR.100, 244/55, 244/56
• US Class Current: 374/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0096 for measuring wires, electrical contacts or electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0887 Integrating cavities mimicking black bodies, wherein the heat propagation between the black body and the measuring element does not occur within a solid; Use of bodies placed inside the fluid stream for measurement of the temperature of gases; Use of the reemission from a surface, e.g. reflective surface; Emissivity enhancement by multiple reflections

Abstract

A method for measuring the temperature of an electrical conductor, the method comprising (a) providing a clamp comprising a flexible, thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the electrical conductor, wherein the clamp has an outer surface of a known emissivity value, or a coating of a known emissivity value is disposed on the outer surface of the clamp and (b) measuring the infrared (IR) temperature of the clamp to determine the temperature of the electrical conductor.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the temperature of an electrical conductor, the method comprising:

providing a clamp comprising a flexible, thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the electrical conductor, wherein the clamp has an outer surface of a known emissivity value, or a coating of a known emissivity value is disposed on the outer surface of the clamp; and

measuring the infrared (IR) temperature of the clamp to determine the temperature of the electrical conductor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor comprises a high voltage transmission and/or distribution line.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp further comprises a generally cylindrically shaped, hollow body.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cross-section of the clamp approximates a hollow circle.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the cross-section of the clamp approximates a hollow oval.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible, thermally conductive material is at least one of silver, aluminum, copper, gold, platinum, tantalum, molybdenum, zinc, tin, nickel and/or mixtures or alloys thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible, thermally conductive material is between 0.1 mm and 5 mm thick.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a high emissivity coating.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied to the outer surface of the clamp by spraying, powder coating, painting and/or anodizing.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating has hydrophobic properties.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp substantially completely surrounds the electrical conductor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein an adhesive coating is disposed on the inner surface of the clamp.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the adhesive coating comprises a thermally conductive material.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp is engaged by a clamp head capable of conforming the clamp around the electrical conductor in thermal contact therewith.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the clamp is capable of remaining in place under varying environmental and/or mechanical conditions.

16. A method for measuring the temperature of an electrical conductor, the method comprising:

mechanically coupling a clamp to the electrical conductor, said clamp comprising a flexible, thermally conductive material, wherein the clamp has an outer surface of a known emissivity value, or a coating of a known emissivity value is disposed on the outer surface of the clamp;

wherein the temperature of the electrical conductor is determined by measuring the IR temperature of the clamp outer surface or coating.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said mechanically coupling the clamp to the electrical conductor comprises:

attaching the clamp to the outer surface of the electrical conductor in thermal contact therewith.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said attaching the clamp on the electrical conductor comprises installing the clamp using a hot stick.