Sensor and method for identifying downed power transmission conductors and structures

• US 9,970,759 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2014
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VINH P
• Application Number:
  US14/474,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20160061603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• 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) using the sensor to measure acceleration of the power transmission conductor or structure in three axes with respect to gravity to provide a displacement of the power transmission conductor or structure;

(d) comparing the measured inclination and acceleration to a set threshold, wherein if the measured inclination and acceleration is less than the set threshold the displacement is due to wind or other disturbance and if the measured inclination and acceleration exceeds the set threshold the displacement is due to a power transmission conductor or structure falling; and

(e) alerting a utility if the measured inclination or acceleration 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. 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 and acceleration in three axes with respect to gravity;

(b) securing the sensor to a power transmission conductor or structure using a jaw assembly having a first jaw pivotally connected to a second jaw to allow the jaw assembly to move between an open position to receive the power transmission conductor or structure and a closed position to secure the sensor to the power transmission conductor or structure, the jaw assembly further including an adjustable clamping assembly having first and second clamping mechanisms adapted to clamp onto energized power transmission conductors of various sizes;

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

(d) comparing the measured inclination and acceleration to a pre-determined threshold wherein if the measured inclination and acceleration is less than the set threshold the displacement is due to wind or other disturbance and if the measured inclination and acceleration exceeds the set threshold the displacement is due to a power transmission conductor or structure falling; and

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

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of securing the sensor to a power transmission conductor further includes the step of connecting the sensor to the jaw assembly.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of comparing is performed by the sensor.

7. The method according to claim 4, 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.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the sensor uses a radio frequency transmitter to transmit the measured inclination to the base station.