US 2026/0279659 A1 · DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF

Abstract

A distribution transformer system includes a distribution transformer and a distribution transformer monitoring (DTM) device secured to the transformer. The DTM device includes multiple sensors, a controller, and a communication interface. The sensors are configured to monitor at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer. Each of the sensors outputs respective sensor data representative of at least one monitored operational parameter, physical condition, or physical property of the distribution transformer. The controller is configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor to produce received sensor data. The communications interface is in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer. The distribution transformer may be a pole-type, pad-mounted type, or vault type distribution transformer.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A distribution transformer system comprising:

a plurality of distribution transformers;
and
a plurality of distribution transformer monitoring devices secured to the plurality of distribution transformers on a one-to-one basis, wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device includes:
a plurality of sensors configured to monitor at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of a distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data representative of at least one monitored operational parameter, physical condition, or physical properties of the distribution transformer;
a controller configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data;
and
a communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining the operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer.

4 more elements

A distribution transformer monitoring device comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to monitor at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of a distribution transformer, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data, the plurality of sensors including:
(i) at least one of:
a voltage sensor for measuring an amount of voltage at a low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, or
a current sensor for measuring an amount of current flowing through the low voltage connection of the distribution transformer;
and
(ii) at least one of:
an oil temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of oil in an oil tank of the distribution transformer,
a tank temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil tank of the distribution transformer,
an oil level sensor for measuring an amount of the oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, or
a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer;
a controller configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data;
and
a cellular communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining at least one of the operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer.

10 more elements

A distribution transformer system comprising:

a distribution transformer;
and
a distribution transformer monitoring device secured to the distribution transformer, wherein the distribution transformer monitoring device includes:
a plurality of sensors configured to monitor at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data, the plurality of sensors including:
(i) at least one of:
a voltage sensor for measuring an amount of voltage at a low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, or
a current sensor for measuring an amount of current flowing through the low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, and
(ii) at least one of:
an oil temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of oil in an oil tank of the distribution transformer,
a tank temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil tank of the distribution transformer,
an oil level sensor for measuring an amount of the oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, or
a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer;
a controller configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data;
and
a communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining at least one of the operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer.

12 more elements

A distribution transformer system comprising:

a plurality of distribution transformers;
and
a plurality of distribution transformer monitoring devices secured to the plurality of distribution transformers on a one-to-one basis, wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device includes:
a plurality of sensors configured to monitor at least one of operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of a distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data, the plurality of sensors including:
(i) at least one of:
a voltage sensor for measuring an amount of voltage at a low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, or
a current sensor for measuring an amount of current flowing through the low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, and
(ii) at least one of:
an oil temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of oil in an oil tank of the distribution transformer,
a tank temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil tank of the distribution transformer,
an oil level sensor for measuring an amount of the oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, or
a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer;
a controller configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data;
and
a cellular communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining the operational parameters, physical conditions, or physical properties of the distribution transformer.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Distribution transformer system and methods thereof

Life of this patent

Distribution transformer system and methods thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16