Overhead power line fire prevention system
AssigneeCalifornia State University, Fresno
InventorKerry McBee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, devices and system for detecting power line issues are described. A variety of sensors detect conductor movement, operating temperature, and remote line current. The data is analyzed based on a neural network to determine galloping or swinging conductors, broken jumpers or connectors, vegetation interference, a fallen line, and equipment failure. Once a determination is made about a line issue, appropriate measures are undertaken to fix the detected issues.
Claims20
An apparatus configured to detect overhead power line problems, the apparatus comprising:
- processing circuitry configured to:
- receive data including a radar signal, an infrared signal, and at least one of current or impedance associated with the overhead power line,
- analyze the data using a neural network,
- determine, based on the analysis, whether a fire-related problem has occurred, the analysis including:
- based on the radar signal, movement of a conductor or jumper associated with the power line, or intrusion of vegetation within a buffer zone surrounding the conductor,
- heating of power line equipment based on the infrared signal, and
- whether the power line has fallen based on the at least one of current or impedance, and
- in response to a determination that the problem has occurred, take an action to mitigate the problem;
- and
- a memory configured to store the data,
- wherein the neural network is trained based on weather, ambient temperature, power flow fluctuations through the conductor, acceptable operating temperatures of the power line equipment under different conditions or amount of current flow to determine at least one of whether movement of the power line is excessive, whether a current operating temperature of the power line equipment is acceptable, and an occurrence of intermittent faulting.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to:
- receive, from a data collector, data of a plurality of sensors configured to detect a radar signal emitted from a radar on an overhead conductor or jumper of a power line, an infrared signal of power line equipment, and a current signal along the power line;
- analyze the data using a neural network to whether a fire-related problem has occurred, the analysis including:
- based on the radar signal, movement of a conductor or jumper associated with the power line, or intrusion of vegetation within a buffer zone surrounding the conductor,
- heating of power line equipment based on the infrared signal, and
- whether the power line has fallen based on the at least one of current or impedance;
- train the neural network based on weather, ambient temperature, power flow fluctuations through the conductor, acceptable operating temperatures of the power line equipment under different conditions or amount of current flow to determine at least one of whether movement of the power line is excessive, whether a current operating temperature of the power line equipment is acceptable, and an occurrence of intermittent faulting;
- and
- in response to a determination that the problem has occurred, take an action to mitigate the problem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.