US 2020/0400736 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACOUSTICALLY DETECTING DIELECTRIC BREAKDOWN AND PARTIAL DISCHARGE EVENTS IN ELECTRICAL DEVICES

Abstract

A system for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown of, or partial discharge within, or on, an electrical device includes at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device, and a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer, and analyze the signal to determine whether the signal includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of dielectric breakdown and/or partial discharge of the electrical device. The applicability of such a system includes, but is not limited to, electronic parts or assembly screening, life characterization testing for materials and processes, diagnostic methods or aides, augmenting testing of components, assemblies or systems, and in service monitoring to support preventative or condition based maintenance to avert an in-service issues.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown or partial discharge of an electrical device, the system comprising:

at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device;
and
a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer, the controller configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, which when executed, cause the controller to at least:
receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer;
analyze the signal received from the at least one EA transducer;
determine, based upon the analyzing, whether the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of partial discharge of the electrical device;
and
generate an alert in response to determining that the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes the data associated with the acoustic vibration in the frequency range of partial discharge.

5 more elements

An electrical system comprising:

an electrical device;
at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer mechanically coupled to the electrical device and configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device;
and
a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer, the controller configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, which when executed, cause the controller to at least:
receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer;
analyze the signal received from the at least one EA transducer;
determine, based upon the analyzing, whether the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes data associated with an acoustic vibration of the electrical device in a frequency range of partial discharge of the electrical device;
and
generate an alert in response to determining that the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes the data associated with the acoustic vibration in the frequency range of partial discharge.

6 more elements

A method for acoustically detecting partial discharge of an electrical device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a controller electrically connected to at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer, a signal from the at least one EA transducer, the EA transducer mechanically coupled to the electrical device and configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device;
analyzing, by the controller, the signal received from the at least one EA transducer;
determining, by the controller and based upon the analyzing, whether the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of partial discharge of the electrical device;
and
generating an alert in response to determining that the signal received from the at least one EA transducer includes the data associated with the acoustic vibration in the frequency range of partial discharge.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown and partial discharge events in electrical devices

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown and partial discharge events in electrical devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20