US 4,801,937 AGranted

Line mounted apparatus for remote measurement of power system or environmental parameters beyond line-of-site distanc

OwnerRoosevelt A. Fernandesinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A remote sensing and communications system for installation on energized high voltage conductors is disclosed herein. The sensor modules are capable of measuring electrical, mechanical or environmental parameters in the vicinity of a high voltage conductor. The module digitizes and communicates the measured quantities via a communications subsystem mounted on and powered by an energized high voltage conductor without requiring a circuit interruption. Communications to a Central or Regional dispatch center at any desired distance from the sensing location is achieved using Ku-band or C-band spread spectrum satellite communications, or using the Geosynchronous Orbiting Environmental Satellites (GOES), or through fiber optic communications links. Individual subsystem modules are generally toroidal in shape and can be mounted on an energized high voltage conductor using a hot-stick or other means. The energized conductor current flow and electromagnetic field is used to generate a regulated power supply for the sensor module electronics. All the electronic components within the unit are protected by a signal conditioning network to preclude destruction of components in the event of lightning strike or other overvoltage conditions.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A system for measuring the value of at least one electrical, mechanical or environmental parameter associated with or in the immediate vicinity of an overhead power conductor carrying a high voltage potential, at a first location, for transmitting a signal commensurate with said value to a second location beyond line-of-sight distance from said first location, said system comprising:

(a) at least one sensing module mounted upon and at the voltage potential of, an energized power conductor at said first location;
(b) transducer and power supply means mounted to said sensing module for measuring said parameter value;
(c) first signal transmitting means mounted to said sensing module for transmitting a first signal commensurate with said value over a line-of-sight distance;
(d) a communications module physically separate from said sensor module, mounted upon, and at the voltage potential of, an energized power conductor within line-of-sight distance from said first location;
(e) first signal receiving means mounted to said communication module for receiving said first signal;
(f) second signal transmitting means, at least a portion of said second signal transmitting means being mounted to said communication module, for transmitting a second signal, commensurate with said first signal, over a greater than line-of-sight distance;
and
(g) second signal receiving means at said second location for receiving said second signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.