Temperature based fluid level estimation in an electrical device

A fluid level estimation system for predicting a level of the inside an electrical device filled with fluid, the fluid level estimation system comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store computer program instructions defined by a plurality of modules of the fluid level estimation system;
• at least one processor communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the at least one processor configured to execute the plurality of modules of the fluid level estimation system;
• and
• the plurality of modules of the fluid level estimation system comprising:
• a data communication module configured to communicate with a sensing unit comprising a plurality of sensors deployable at pre-determined locations on and around the electrical device filled with fluid, and in proximity of the electrical device, the data communication module further configured to receive temperature data recorded by the plurality of sensors of the sensing unit;
• a temperature determination module configured to determine, by processing the temperature data, one or more temperatures associated with the fluid at the pre-determined locations on the electrical device and an ambient temperature of the ambient environment at the pre-determined locations around the electrical device;
• a feature vector generation module configured to generate feature vectors for one or more temperatures of the fluid, using a reference temperature of the fluid and the ambient temperature;
• and
• a level prediction module configured to predict a level of the fluid inside the electrical device based on the feature vectors and historical temperature gradient data associated with the electrical device.

An electrical device comprising:

• a housing;
• a core positioned inside the housing, wherein the core is at least partially immersed in a fluid;
• at least one cooling unit connected to the housing, the at least one cooling unit configured to cool the fluid;
• and
• a system deployed on and around the electrical device, the system comprising:
• a sensing unit configured to record temperature data associated with an ambient environment surrounding the electrical device and with fluid filled in the electrical device at pre-determined locations on and around the electrical device;
• and
• a fluid level estimation system in communication with the sensing unit, the fluid level estimation system configured to:
• determine from the temperature data, temperatures at the pre-determined locations on and around the electrical device and an ambient temperature for the ambient environment surrounding the electrical device;
• generate feature vectors for one or more temperatures using reference temperatures and the ambient temperature;
• and
• predict a level of the fluid inside the electrical device based on the feature vectors and historical temperature gradient data associated with the electrical device.

A method for predicting performance of an electrical device filled with fluid, the method comprising:

• receiving from a sensing unit temperature data associated at least with an ambient environment surrounding the electrical device and with fluid filled in the electrical device at pre-determined locations on and around the electrical device;
• determining from the temperature data, temperatures at the pre-determined locations on and around the electrical device and an ambient temperature for the ambient environment surrounding the electrical device;
• generating feature vectors for one or more temperatures using reference temperatures and the ambient temperature;
• and
• predicting a level of the fluid inside the electrical device based on the feature vectors and historical temperature gradient data associated with the electrical device.