Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M5/00—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings
  • G01M5/0025—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M5/00—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings
  • G01M5/0041—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings by determining deflection or stress
  • G01M5/005—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings by determining deflection or stress by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or portable test systems
  • G01M5/0058—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings by determining deflection or stress by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or portable test systems of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M5/00—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings
  • G01M5/0066—Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings by exciting or detecting vibration or acceleration
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
  • H04Q2209/40—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture
  • H04Q2209/43—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04Q—SELECTING
  • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
  • H04Q2209/80—Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device
  • H04Q2209/88—Providing power supply at the sub-station
  • H04Q2209/883—Providing power supply at the sub-station where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a column or a stock of columns, masts, pylons, poles and other supporting structures (all collectively referred to below as « columns ») .
• the invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a column or stock of columns or columns within that stock which supports or support electrical devices such as lighting units, inspection cameras, signage, illuminated traffic signs and luminaires.
• the term « columns » includes inter alia masts including telecom masts, pylons, poles, railway signals, gantries, bridges, CCTV installations, weather masts, chimneys, wind turbines, power distribution masts, pylons, support structures for rail electrification equipment and any like ground supported structure which in use is subject to vibration and weather changes.
• stock is meant a plurality of columns located in a specific geographical location or area and subject to the same or similar climatic conditions. This definition includes a plurality of columns such as lighting columns located within an administrative area. A “stock” may comprise large numbers of columns all located in a given geographical location or locations.
• the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a stock of columns to the method and apparatus disclosed in our earlier patent application GB1510918.4. Background to the invention
• Structural tests include applying an artificial load to a column and measuring deflection, ultrasonic measurement of the wall section of a column and systems using eddy currents to determine the level of corrosion and resulting loss of wall section. Electrical tests are conducted to ensure that the electrical supply to a column is correctly maintained and that the lighting column is safe to the public .
• KR101040215B KR101040215B.
• these and other currently available methods may be able to provide accurate data and forecasted serviceable lifespans for individual columns
• the health of a column or a stock of columns can be constantly measured and remedial action taken to make safe any column found to be requiring repair or replacement.
• an organisation responsible for a stock of columns of say 100 columns, or a multiplicity of such stock can remotely check the health of each column or that stock or stocks and take immediate action to remedy any fault found by a site visit.
• a further major disadvantage of all existing systems known to the Applicant is that all require a decision to be made concerning the number of columns within a stock to be tested and to what frequency that testing should be undertaken.
• the present invention seeks to provide inter alia an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a column or stock of columns or individual columns within that stock that overcomes or at least alleviates problems associated with known methods and apparatus by providing monitoring equipment for location on and for connection to the power source of one or a plurality of columns of a stock of such columns, said monitoring equipment being operable to capture data relevant to the structural health of the columns being monitored and to transmit said data in real time to a remote server for analysis by bespoke software .
• the present application also seeks to provide an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the electrical operation of a stock of such columns by providing that the electrical operation of the column stock is also monitored through the capture of data relevant to said electrical operation, this data also being transmitted in real time to a remote server for analysis by bespoke software.
• the present invention is distinguished over the disclosure of our earlier application in that it provides a method of and apparatus for evaluating the structural health of a stock of lighting or like columns by means of a statistical analysis of dynamic and vertical deflection data measurements taken in X, Y and Z axes by means of column mounted microcontroller which includes a micro- electro-mechanical system device (hereinafter referred to simply as « MEMS » device) having a nine degree of freedom function.
• MEMS » device micro- electro-mechanical system device having a nine degree of freedom function.
• the microcontroller may also include means to measure the electrical parameters of electrical equipment supported by the column.
• each MEMS device comprises an integrated unit having accelerometer and gyroscope functions each able to take the required vertical deflection data in the aforementioned X, Y and Z axes of the respective column and to transfer the collected data via a column mounted transmitter or communication module and central data hub including an internal connection to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software. If each microcontroller includes means to measure electrical voltages and currents of electrical appliances supported by each said column, then such measurements are included in the data transferred to the remote server. Summary of the invention
• the invention provides apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a column or a stock of columns or a column or columns within that stock, the apparatus comprising a microcontroller located on the or each column and including an integrated MEMS device programmed to measure and record accelerations, angular velocities and magnetic field strengths in X, Y and Z axes, means for connecting said microcontroller to a source of power, and means operable to transmit said measured data to a central data hub and from there to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software.
• the MEMS device of the or each microcontroller may further comprise a magnetometer function.
• the means operable to transmit said measured and recorded data to the remote server may comprise a WI-FI/RF transmitter or a 3G/4G component.
• the means operable to transmit said measured and recorded data may comprise a wireless transmitter connected to receive data from a column mounted global positioning component .
• the micro-controller also includes an electrical surge protector and photo cell.
• the photo cell maybe programmed to detect the presence or lack of daylight in the vicinity of said stock and to switch off/on the supply of electrical power to lighting units supported by the column stock depending on whether there is/is not daylight in the vicinity of the stock.
• Anemometers maybe positioned on an upper surface of the column or each column or a plurality of columns within the stock, the or each such anemometer being connected to enable measurements of wind velocity and direction to be transmitted to the remote server.
• the invention provides apparatus for measuring the structural health and electrical operation of a column or stock of columns and/or columns within that stock, the apparatus comprising a microcontroller including an integrated MEMS device for location on an upper surface of each or a plurality of columns within the stock to be monitored and connectable to a power supply, each MEMS device comprising accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer functions each able to measure and record deflections in X, Y and Z axes and to transmit recorded data to a column mounted monitor which is, in turn, connected to transmit recorded data to a column mounted wireless transmitter from which the measured data is transmitted to a remote server for analysis using bespoke software .
• a microcontroller including an integrated MEMS device for location on an upper surface of each or a plurality of columns within the stock to be monitored and connectable to a power supply, each MEMS device comprising accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer functions each able to measure and record deflections in X, Y and Z axes and to transmit recorded data to
• the microcontroller may also include means operable to measure the voltage and current parameters of electrical appliances supported by said column or columns within said stock of columns.
• the invention provides a method of monitoring the structural health of a column or a stock of columns or a column within that stock, the method comprising the steps of locating on the or each said column an integrated MEMS device programmed to measure and record accelerations , angular velocities and magnetic field strengths in X, Y and Z axes, and transmitting such measured and recorded accelerations, angular velocities and magnetic field strengths to a central hub and from there to a remote server, and analysing said measured data received by said remote server using bespoke software to alert a user of the method to a fault detected in the or one of the monitored columns.
• the monitoring apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a microcontroller 10 including a MEMS device located on an upper surface of one or all lighting columns of a stock of such columns whose structural health and electrical operation is to be monitored.
• the microcontroller 10 is preferably powered by the electrical supply to the lighting column on which the device is located and comprises accelerometer, gyroscope and a magnetometer functions each able to make measurements in the X, Y and Z axes thereby defining a nine degree of freedom.
• the magnetometer function provides data concerning the geographical position and elevation of the microcontroller 10.
• the micro controller may alternatively be powered by a source of electrical power independent of the mains supply to the column
• the microcontroller 10 is connected to transmit the measured data together with data received from a global geographical position and elevation module 12 and a microcontroller 14 to a transmitter module 18.
• the microcontroller 10 including the MEMS device, the module 12 and the micro controller 14 all define components of an electronic chip or board which is housed in a monitor 16 connected to the source of electrical power .
• Data retrieved from the microcontroller 10, the global position and elevation module 12 and the micro controller 14 is sent constantly or frequently by the transmitter module 18 to a second monitor 20 which comprises a central hub component 22 of an electronic chip or board 22.
• the central hub component 22 includes an internet connection and receives data from an array of anemometers 24 positioned on the mast.
• the central hub component 22 is connected to transmit data to a remote server 26 in which the received data is analysed together with further data as described below.
• the monitor 16 including the microcontroller 10, the module 12 and the micro controller 14 is preferably located on all of the columns of a stock to be monitored, whereas the central hub 22 and anemometers 24 are preferably mounted on only one or a few columns within a stock of columns to be monitored.
• the transmitter module 18 preferably comprises a WI-FI/RF transmitter component or a 3G/4G communication module operable to transmit data received from the microcontroller 10 including the MEMS device to the central hub 22 which in turn sends the received data including that received from the anemometers 24 to a remote server 26 for analysis.
• the accelerometer component of the MEMS device of the microcontroller 10 provides a measure of the direction from which forces imposed on the column are derived.
• the electrical operation of members supported by each column is derived from the measured voltages and currents.
• a photocell maybe located within the monitor 16 to detect when a light supported by the column is ON or OFF and to send a signal to the cental hub 22 when, for example, the light is inoperative.
• the accelerometer function of the MEMS device of the micro controller 10 detects and monitors inter alia the magnitude and direction of vibrational forces imposed on the column during, for example, periods of high winds, and column motions caused by dynamic loading imposed by such forces and to provide data regarding such recorded forces and motions along the X, Y and Z axes.
• the gyroscope function of the MEMS device of the micro controller 10 is employed to detect movements or deflections of the upper section of the respective column away from its normal vertical position and the directions of these movements.
• the gyroscope function will provide the angular rate of movements or deflections of inspected columns in the X, Y and Z directions in degrees. From this data accelerations in the X, Y and Z directions can be calculated.
• the magnetometer function of the MEMS device of the micro controller 10 provides data concerning the heading and direction of structural deflections relative to the earth' s magnetic north and provides a periodic self- calibration coordinate reference point for the system. Additionally, by referencing magnetic north any permanent deformation or rotation of the structure through, for example, vehicle collision, damage or the like can be detected.
• the calculation and processing of dynamic acceleration, rotational and magnetic signals measured by the magnetometer function in X, Y and Z axes using a nine degree of freedom system enables deflections to be calculated to a predetermined accuracy.
• Wind speed and direction are monitored via the anemometers 24 to enable correlation between deflection measurements and specific geographical wind conditions. This data is analysed to ensure that structure and deflections equate to those predicted for the specified measured wind load.
• This localised wind data measurement will enable phenomena such as vortex shedding and wind funnelling to be identified .
• correlation with the wind direction and the chip/node heading, with reference to magnetic north will provide an indication of where the wind pressure is exerted on the structure or attachments such as lanterns.
• the system can differentiate between a reaction to vortex shedding through excessive deflection and excessive deflection due to damage e.g. corrosion and or fatigue.
• the array of anemometers 24 is mounted on one or more columns of the stock, or at positions close to the columns, to measure wind velocity and direction. When column mounted, the array of anemometers is also powered by the electrical supply to the lighting columns on which they are located. Because wind velocity and wind direction are generally similar in each geographical location, measurements from a single structure may be taken to apply to a group of columns .
• This wind data is then captured by the central monitoring system or hub and transmitted to the remote server 26.
• the structural health and electrical operation of the stock of columns can be continuously or periodically assessed and remedial action can then be taken should one or more of the column stock be found from the collected data to be in need of repair or replacement.
• Baseline data relating to the specific structure and columns employed is entered into the remote server 26 for comparison with the measured performance values.
• This Baseline data comprises performance boundaries of deflection and boundaries that align to common damage mechanisms (e.g. collisions, corrosion, tampering and the like) are set to comply to any applicable structural/national standards such as for example the European standard EN40.
• Deflection parameters are determined through structural calculations and/or finite element analysis particularly in the case of common damage mechanisms, such as a loss of section through corrosion and/or fatigue induced faults.
• the evaluation of structural health will follow from statistical analysis of live vibration data measurements utilising the above mentioned nine degree of freedom MEMS device.
• Vibration characteristics are determined through structural calculations and/or finite element analysis particularly in the case of common damage mechanisms such as a loss of section through corrosion and or fatigue induced faults.
• the monitor 16 may be manufactured using several different product platforms.
• an electronic board may be attached to the lighting CMS (Central Management System) module or may be formed as a separate module attached to the electronic board of the lamp or lantern of the lighting column.
• CMS Central Management System
• Data collected by the remote server 26 includes, for example, the date and time of the data capture, the geographical position of the column and/or column stock from which the collected data originated, the elevation above sea level of the lighting column stock from which the data was collected, data relating to individual column identification, and the speed and direction of acceleration of the measured stock under measured wind loads and the electrical voltage and current.
• all of the captured data is sent to and held within the remote server 26 where relevant data or extracts of the data can be viewed by authorised personnel by means of bespoke software through a web portal 28.
• a user of the described apparatus is enabled to be immediately aware of any physical or other problems occuring in an individual column of a column stock and to rectify any failures with immediate effect.
• the structural deflection of the monitored columns during known wind loads is calculated through the data captured by the accelerometer function of the MEMS device of the micro controller 10.
• acceleration data received is, for example, integrated twice to provide deflection measurements in the X, Y and Z axes.
• the deflection can then be analysed against specific structural calculations for each column type. Other methods for providing deflection and other data can be employed.
• the electrical operation of the monitored columns can be assessed to determine if they are safe to the public and to anyone charged with their maintenance. Lighting columns that have electrical defects can be analysed to assess whether the lighting column presents any danger to the people working on or coming into contact with the lighting column and also to prove that on the day of any inspection or work to be carried out on the lighting column the installation is in a safe condition. Continuously monitoring the lighting column will also verify that the health and safety of persons, animals and property is not endangered.
• An alert function 30 is provided to indicate that one or more columns of a stock is/are in an unsafe condition. This function may be predictive to indicate that one or more columns of a stock is/are likely to become unsafe within a predicted period of time.
• Part of the analysis of the lighting columns electrical system is to determine the power factor which should preferably be maintained at 0.85 lagging or above. If the power factor is below 0.85 then components within the electonic circuxtary may need to be replaced.
• the bespoke software is designed so that at any point in time, a column's structural integrity and electrical operation can be interrogated, as well as routinely capturing data on a frequency determined by authorised personnel. Certain structural and electrcial parameters will be included so that authorised personnel are able to receive a warning if the structure deflects outside the normal operating range.
• the software may also be linked to a Local Authority' s Asset Register thereby to provide historical data regarding the structural and electrical outputs from the monitoring method and apparatus of this invention.
• the system described is, for example, able to calculate and correlate a 10 minute mean wind speed and 10 minute mean deflection of the structure for comparison against the requirements for some national standards, such as the European standard EN40 for columns.
• Similar structural designs in the same or different geographical positions are subject to multiple unique loads.
• the loads will change in magnitude and or direction due to factors such as: prevailing wind direction, wind velocity, exposure, terrain type and elevation above sea level. This will allow a user to apply a range of loads that can then be used to inform the analytical phase.
• This ⁇ elf-learning system' is used alongside empirical and or physical test data to fine tune the boundaries within the analysis phase.
• This x self- learning system' will provide a range of baseline data, for specific structure types, which can be used for comparison in a greatly reduced time period. Detection of sign/banners (illegally fitted after system initialisation) that increase the surface area of the structure, will also be possible as there will be a change in vibration characteristics, deflection and possible torsion .
• a Surge Protective Device may therefore be provided which is specifically designed to protect the equipment from such events by redirecting the harmful voltage away from the equipment .
• Vehicle collision with the structure can be detected via the gyroscope, magnetometer and accelerometer measurements. Also measuring the impact characteristics of structures involved in collisions can be used to improve structure design particularly in the field of passive safety.
• LED lights include multiple lighting panels which, through continuous monitoring, enable the electrical voltage and current levels to be detected.
• Lighting columns generally include an access door behind which a break out switch is located. By continuously monitoring the base compartment door a breach can be detected and an alert sent to the asset owner.
• the firmware can be reconfigured remotely using the over the air communication. Data collection sample rates, accelerometer and gyroscope measurement ranges can all be reconfigured to accommodate the new structure.
• the sensor node can be installed in any orientation as the coordinate system will realign to magnetic north using the magnetometer readings giving a calibrated coordinate point for the system.
• Analysing the vibration characteristics of the structure will determine damped natural resonant frequencies and monitor any change in those frequencies over time.
• Power spectral density and FFT methods and autocorrelation techniques are used to determine if the integrity of the structure has changed over time.
• Predictive tools using neural networks and machine learning will be used to analyse and determine the serviceable life of the structure based on historic data collected via the system.
• Torsional forces acting on the structure will be measured utilising the gyroscope readings i.e. angular rate of change .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2016
  • 2016-03-01 GB GBGB1603561.0A patent/GB201603561D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2017
  • 2017-02-23 GB GB1702944.8A patent/GB2548974A/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2017-02-28 WO PCT/GB2017/000029 patent/WO2017149267A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2017-02-28 AU AU2017225333A patent/AU2017225333A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-02-28 CN CN201780003452.7A patent/CN108139293A/zh active Pending
  • 2017-02-28 CA CA2992379A patent/CA2992379A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-02-28 EP EP17714501.8A patent/EP3423804A1/en active Pending
  • 2017-02-28 IL IL257436A patent/IL257436B2/he unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-02-05 SA SA518390877A patent/SA518390877B1/ar unknown
  • 2018-11-28 HK HK18115245.1A patent/HK1256162A1/zh unknown

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