WO2018073655A1

WO2018073655A1 - A temperature logging device

Info

Publication number: WO2018073655A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Devadasan PILLAY; Peter Ayotola ADIGUN
Original assignee: Eskom Holdings Soc Limited
Priority date: 2016-10-19
Filing date: 2017-05-11
Publication date: 2018-04-26
Also published as: ZA201902428B

Abstract

A transformer temperature fogging device includes a temperature sensor and an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to a transformer whose temperature is to be measured. A communication module is used for communicating with a remote computer, which communication includes transmitting sensed temperature measurements to the remote computer. A processor is used to control the operation of the device and a battery provides power to the device. The device also includes a heat resistant shield and a handle which is sized to engage with an elongate installing device. The installing device is able to engage with the handle and is then used to lift the temperature logging device in order to attach the temperature logging device to a transformer that is located on top of a pole out of reach of the installer.

Description

A TEMPERATURE LOGGING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a temperature logging device, particularly for use on pole and ground mounted transformers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one example embodiment, a transformer temperature logging device includes: a temperature sensor; an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to a transformer whose temperature is to be measured; a communication module for communicating with a remote computer, which communication includes transmitting sensed temperature measurements to the remote computer; a processor for controlling the operation of the device; and a battery for providing power to the device.

In one example embodiment, the attachment mechanism has at least one magnet by means of which the device is attached to the outside of a metal transformer housing.

The device may include a heat resistant shield. Furthermore, in one example, the device includes a handle which is sized to engage with an elongate installing device whereby the installing device engage with the handle and is then used to lift the temperature logging device in order to attach the temperature logging device to a transformer that is located on top of a pole out of reach of the installer.

The device also includes a solar panel and charger for charging the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an example transformer temperature logging device;

Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 being installed with an elongate installing device;

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 1 installed on a transformer; and

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic components of the device of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying Figures, an example embodiment of a transformer temperature logging device 10 is illustrated.

The device 10 generally includes a waterproof housing which houses the components that will be described below.

A temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature of the transformer. An example sensor used is a LM35 precision centigrade sensor which is in a metal can package. An attachment mechanism 14 in the form of at least one magnet is used for removably attaching the device to a transformer whose temperature is to be measured, as will be illustrated below.

A battery 30 (Figure 4) is provided for powering the device and solar charger 16 is used to recharge the battery 30.

The device includes a heat resistant shield 18 which protects the device enclosure and its internal electronics from overheating.

It will be appreciated that the temperature sensor 12, magnet 14 and heat resistant shield 18 are located on the same side of the device 10 which is the side that will be attached adjacent the transformer whose temperature is being measured.

Referring to Figure 2, in one example, the device 10 includes a handle 20 which is sized to engage with an elongate installing device 22 whereby the installing device 22 engages with the handle 20 and is then used to lift the temperature logging device 10 in order to attach the temperature logging device to a transformer that is located on top of a pole out of reach of the installer who is typically standing on ground level.

In use, the device 10 is lifted up and attached by means of the magnets 14 to the transformer tank housing, as shown in Figure 3.

The device 10 is installed safely on the side of the transformer tank away from bushings, surge arrestors and jumpers and next to the transformer tap changer.

For optimal reading, (top oil temperature) the device 10 is to be installed near the top of transformer tank 32. This can be seen in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 4, a block diagram shows the electronic components of the device 10. A communication module 24 is provided for communicating with a remote computer, which communication includes transmitting sensed temperature measurements to the remote computer.

A processor 26 is operatively coupled to the communication module 24 for controlling the operation of the device.

A memory 28 is used for storing data for the device 10.

Battery 30 is provided for powering the device

The device logs the time stamped temperature of the tank and stores this as temperature data in the memory 28.

Periodically, this temperature data is sent via the communications module 24 to a remote computer.

The processor 26 (Figure 4) also regulates the power consumption of the communication module 24 and the temperature sensor 12 by switching these on and off when required. Each device is switched on when needed and switched off when not in use. The processor controls an electronic switch in order to achieve this function.

In one example embodiment, the communications module 24 sends the captured data via a mobile communications network such as a GSM network to the remote computer.

The processor 26 controls the device 10 so that as the measured temperature rises, the device 10 increases its temperature sampling frequency to improve the accuracy of the captured data.

For example if the measured temperature is less than 60 degrees the device logs data every 30 minutes. If the measured temperature exceeds 60 degrees the device switches to a 10 minute sampling interval. When the measured temperature returns below 60 degrees the device reverts to a 30 minute sampling interval. However, if the measured temperature exceeds the maximum datasheet rated temperature the device recognizes this and alerts the remote computer that the device has measured erroneous temperature, if 3 consecutive erroneous measurements are recorded, the device then starts to sample in 6 hour intervals in order to conserve battery and avoid sending erroneous data to the remote computer. If the measured temperature returns to the manufacturer rated range the device resumes its normal sampling frequency.

A user can configure the temperature logging device with the settings such as transformer name, master station phone number, sampling frequency and a unique device identifier.

The device 10 also contains a pushbutton PROG switch (not shown) which is used to force the device into programming mode so that new settings described above can be uploaded into the device.

An LED display is also included (not shown) which is used to indicate that the device is on. The LED flashes periodically to indicate the device is on. The LED is also used to indicate to the user when the device is ready to accept new settings.

At the master station a user may also plot the temperature profile of a transformer and export the data to excel for further analysis.

An authorised user who is on site is able to instruct the master station (via SMS) to configure a device with settings such as transformer installation number and sampling frequency.

Users registered on the master station as administrators will receive a message when any of the devices 10 come on line and an alert message when a device 10 measures a temperature greater than the overload threshold.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A transformer temperature logging device includes: a temperature sensor; an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to a transformer whose temperature is to be measured; a communication module for communicating with a remote computer, which communication includes transmitting sensed temperature measurements to the remote computer; a processor for controlling the operation of the device; and a battery for providing power to the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism is at least one magnet by means of which the device is attached to the outside of a metal transformer housing.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the device includes a heat resistant shield.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device includes a handle which is sized to engage with an elongate installing device whereby the installing device engages with the handle and is then used to lift the temperature logging device in order to attach the temperature logging device to a transformer that is located on top of a pole out of reach of the installer.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device includes a solar panel and charger for charging the battery.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the temperature sensor, magnet and heat resistant shield are located on the same side of the device which is the side that will be attached adjacent the transformer whose temperature is being measured.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the processor regulates the power consumption of the communication module and the temperature sensor by switching these on and off when required.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the processor controls the device so that as the measured temperature rises, the device increases its temperature sampling frequency to improve the accuracy of the captured data.