On-line time domain reflectometer system
AssigneeUTILX Corporation
InventorsNelson Hall, William R. Stagi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A number of TDR systems and testing methods are provided that improve the quality and accuracy of information collected when propagating a signal along a length of cable in order to pinpoint specific anomalies. One or more of the TDR systems includes, for example, a computing device, a pulse generator, and at least one capacitive test sensor. The at least one capacitive test sensor transmits/receives pulses to/from a power system component, such as an insulated power cable, in a capacitive manner.
Claims10
A method of testing a power system component for anomalies, comprising:
- capacitively coupling one or more test sensors to an on-line insulated medium voltage power transmission cable;
- generating a test pulse via a pulse generator having an output impedance greater than 500 ohms;
- transmitting the test pulse to at least one test sensor of the one or more test sensors;
- capacitively transmitting the test pulse from the at least one test sensor of the one or more test sensors onto the medium voltage insulated power cable so that the test pulse travels along the medium voltage insulated power cable;
- and
- capacitively receiving a reflected pulse by one test sensor of the one or more test sensors from the medium voltage insulated power cable, the reflected pulse resulting from the test pulse interfacing with an anomaly along the medium voltage insulated power cable.
A method of testing a power system component for anomalies, comprising:
- connecting, in electrical communication, a pulse transmission line with a test sensor housed in a medium voltage power cable termination elbow;
- generating a test pulse and transmitting the test pulse to the test sensor via the pulse transmission line;
- capacitively transmitting the test pulse from the test sensor onto a medium voltage power cable coupled to the medium voltage power cable termination elbow so that the test pulse travels along the medium voltage power cable;
- and
- capacitively receiving a reflected pulse by the test sensor from the medium voltage power cable, the reflected pulse resulting from the test pulse interfacing with an anomaly along the medium voltage power cable or an electronic component connected to the medium voltage power cable.
A time domain reflectometry system, comprising:
- an on-line dielectrically insulated medium voltage power transmission cable configured to carry medium voltage power;
- a transmit circuit including a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse, the transmit circuit configured to capacitively impart the pulse onto the medium voltage power transmission cable;
- and
- a receive circuit configured to capacitively receive a reflected pulse from the medium voltage power transmission cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.