KR102797087B1 - Monitoring apparatus for underground power tunnel - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for monitoring the environment or workers of an underground power grid is disclosed. The disclosed monitoring device for an underground power grid includes: an energy harvester for generating electric energy by using a magnetic field formed by a power cable installed in an underground power grid; at least one sensor for generating environmental information about the underground power grid; a communication module for transmitting the environmental information; and a battery for storing the electric energy and supplying the electric energy to the sensor and the communication module.

Description

{MONITORING APPARATUS FOR UNDERGROUND POWER TUNNEL}

The present invention relates to a monitoring device for an underground power grid, and more specifically, to a device for monitoring the environment or workers of an underground power grid.

In underground power lines where power facilities are buried underground, there are devices that require periodic inspection or action in case of abnormal situations. And due to the characteristics of underground power lines that support power transmission and distribution routes, the inspection areas of underground power lines are in a series and continuous form.

Workers enter underground power lines to inspect the equipment installed in the underground power lines. However, various disaster situations such as hazardous gases, flooding, and fires can occur in underground power lines, and it is not easy for workers to easily identify disaster situations and evacuate. Recently, methods are being developed to support worker safety by installing various sensors in underground power lines to monitor the situation of underground power lines.

Related prior literature includes Korean Patent Nos. 10-0832524, 10-2409837, 10-2337856, and Korean Publication No. 2022-0159595.

The present invention provides a monitoring device for an underground power grid, which can support the safety of underground power grid workers.

In addition, the present invention provides a monitoring device for an underground power grid that can reduce power consumption due to lighting of the underground power grid.

According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object, a monitoring device for an underground power grid is provided, which includes an energy harvester for generating energy; at least one sensor for generating environmental information about the underground power grid; a communication module for transmitting the environmental information; and a battery for storing the electric energy and supplying the electric energy to the sensor and the communication module.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object, a monitoring device for an underground power grid is provided, including: an energy harvester for generating electric energy by using a magnetic field formed by a power cable installed in an underground power grid; a battery for storing the electric energy; a charging connector for transmitting the electric energy to a flashlight installed in the underground power grid; and a control unit for detecting a worker in the underground power grid depending on whether the flashlight installed in the underground power grid is in use.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, by monitoring the environment of an underground power grid, it is possible to stop the work of a worker if the environment is such that the work is impossible, and thus safety accidents in the underground power grid can be reduced.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by using an energy harvester, a monitoring device for an underground power grid can operate without a separate power source.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, environmental information about an underground power grid is transmitted according to a daisy chain protocol, thereby preventing loss of environmental information.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a worker can be detected based on whether or not a flashlight is being used without a separate sensor for detecting the worker, and lighting can be controlled based on the result of worker detection, thereby reducing power consumption of the lighting.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the energy harvester is placed close to the power cable, and the remaining electronic components are placed away from the power cable, thereby maximizing energy harvesting efficiency and preventing malfunction or failure of the electronic components due to magnetic fields.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring system for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the shape of a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention can have various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring system for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a monitoring system for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a monitoring device (111 to 113), a gateway (120), a control center (130), and may further include a light (150) and a flashlight according to an embodiment.

Monitoring devices (111 to 113) monitor underground power grids and generate environmental information about the underground power grids. As an example, the monitoring devices (111 to 113) can monitor the temperature and humidity of underground power grids and monitor harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and methane.

The monitoring devices (111 to 113) are installed in a form coupled to a power cable (140), such as a three-phase cable, installed in an underground power grid, and can harvest electric energy using a magnetic field generated from the power cable (140). The harvested electric energy can be used as a power source for the monitoring devices (111 to 113).

The monitoring devices (111 to 113) can be installed at preset monitoring points spaced apart from each other, and the environmental information of the monitoring devices (111 to 113) can be transmitted to the gateway (120) via wireless communication. The environmental information transmitted to the gateway (120) is transmitted to the control center (130), and the control center (130) can monitor the status of the underground power grid using the received environmental information. If there is an underground power grid or monitoring point among the monitored underground power grids or monitoring points where the temperature, humidity, or concentration of harmful gases exceeds a threshold value and it is determined that the worker's work is impossible, the control center (130) can transmit a warning message to the worker for the corresponding underground power grid.

As an example, the monitoring devices (111 to 113) may use a low-power communication method such as LoRa communication, and may transmit environmental information using a daisy chain protocol. That is, in order to prevent data loss in a poor communication environment such as an underground power grid, the monitoring devices (111, 112) do not transmit environmental information directly to the gateway (120), but transmit it to an adjacent monitoring device.

In Fig. 1, the first monitoring device (111) transmits environmental information to the second monitoring device (112), and the second monitoring device (112) combines the environmental information of the first monitoring device (111) and the environmental information of the second monitoring device (112) and transmits the combined environmental information to the third monitoring device (113). The third monitoring device (113) installed closest to the gateway (120) combines the environmental information of the third monitoring device (113) with the environmental information transmitted from the second monitoring device (112), and transmits the combined environmental information to the gateway (120).

In addition, the monitoring devices (111 to 113) transmit environmental information including identification information of the monitoring devices (111 to 113) and generation time information of the environmental information, so that the control center (130) that receives the environmental information can check the real-time status for each monitoring point. The gateway (120) transmits the received environmental information to the monitoring devices (111 to 113), so that the monitoring devices (111 to 113) can check whether the received environmental information matches the environmental information transmitted by the monitoring devices (111 to 113), and the monitoring devices (111 to 113) can determine whether the environmental information matches using the identification information and time information. The monitoring devices (111 to 113) can reset the time for each preset time point in order to synchronize the time information.

The light (150) irradiates light from the underground power grid for the worker's work and can be installed on the ceiling of the underground power grid. And the brightness of the light (150) can be controlled by a lighting control device depending on whether a worker is present in the underground power grid.

Meanwhile, since there may be shaded areas, such as under power cables, where light from lighting (150) does not reach well due to underground power grid installations, etc., a flashlight may be additionally installed in the underground power grid so that workers can easily inspect the shaded areas.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, by monitoring the environment of an underground power grid, it is possible to stop the work of a worker if the environment is such that the work is impossible, and thus safety accidents in the underground power grid can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an energy harvester (210), at least one sensor (220), a communication module (230), and a battery (240).

The energy harvester (210) generates electric energy by using a magnetic field formed by a power cable installed in an underground power grid. Depending on the embodiment, the energy harvester (210) may generate electric energy by using an electromagnetic induction method or by using a piezoelectric element.

The sensor (220) generates environmental information about the underground power grid and may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a harmful gas sensor as an example. The harmful gas sensor may be a carbon monoxide sensor or a methane gas sensor.

The communication module (230) combines environmental information generated by the sensor (220) with environmental information received from a monitoring device installed at a first point of an underground power grid, and transmits the combined environmental information to a monitoring device installed at a second point of the underground power grid. Here, the second point is a point closer to the gateway than the first point, and the combined environmental information may further include identification information of the monitoring device where the environmental information was generated and generation time information of the environmental information.

The battery (240) stores electric energy generated by the energy harvester (210) and supplies the stored electric energy to the sensor (220) and communication module (230).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, by using an energy harvester, a monitoring device for an underground power grid can operate without a separate power source.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an energy harvester (210), a battery (240), a charging connector (320), and a control unit (330).

The energy harvester (210) generates electric energy by using a magnetic field formed by a power cable installed in an underground power grid, and the battery (240) stores the electric energy generated by the energy harvester (210).

The charging connector (320) is a flashlight installed in an underground power grid, and transfers electric energy stored in the battery (240) to charge the flashlight. The flashlight can be brought into contact with the charging connector (320) for charging.

The control unit (330) detects a worker in an underground power grid depending on whether a flashlight installed in the underground power grid is being used. That is, the control unit (330) monitors whether a worker exists in the underground power grid, and if the worker uses a flashlight, it can be determined that a worker exists in the underground power grid.

The lighting installed in the underground power tunnel can be controlled based on the detection result of the worker. Since bright lighting is unnecessary when there is no worker in the underground power tunnel, the lighting installed in the underground power tunnel can be brightened when a worker is detected and dimmed when the worker is not detected. Alternatively, the number of lights turned on among the lights installed in the underground power tunnel can be increased when a worker is detected and decreased when the worker is not detected.

The control unit (330) can, for example, determine whether the worker is using the flashlight based on whether the flashlight is charged, and detect the worker in the underground power tunnel. Since the state in which the flashlight is not charged can be regarded as the state in which the worker has disconnected the flashlight from the charging connector (320) to use the flashlight, the control unit (330) can detect the worker in the underground power tunnel based on whether the charging connector (320) and the flashlight are charged. The control unit (330) can detect the worker in the underground power tunnel by determining whether the flashlight is charged based on whether the charging connector (320) and the flashlight are in contact.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a worker can be detected based on whether or not a flashlight is being used without a separate sensor for detecting the worker, and lighting can be controlled based on the result of worker detection, thereby reducing power consumption of the lighting.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the monitoring device may further include the aforementioned sensor and communication module. The communication module may transmit the detection result of the worker to the lighting control device, and the lighting control device may control the lighting according to the detection result of the worker.

In addition, the control unit (330) can detect a worker in an underground power grid not only based on whether a flashlight is used, but also based on environmental information generated by a sensor. When a worker works in an underground power grid, the temperature of the underground power grid may rise or the concentration of a specific gas may increase due to the worker, so the control unit (330) can detect the worker more accurately by using both the use of a flashlight and environmental information.

In addition, the control unit (330) can generate a warning message for the worker if the usage time of the flashlight is longer than a threshold time, and the generated warning message can be transmitted to a control center, etc., via a communication module. Here, the threshold time is a time determined according to the charging time of the flashlight, and can be determined in proportion to the charging time.

If the worker does not connect the flashlight to the charging connector to charge the flashlight even though the flashlight usage time exceeds the threshold time and the flashlight light is not irradiated, it can be considered that an abnormality has occurred for the worker. Therefore, in this case, the control unit (330) can generate a warning message to the worker that an abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, an energy harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a holder (410) and a core (420).

The holder (410) is coupled to the power cable, and may be in the shape of a ring as an example, or may be in the shape of a ring with a portion open, such as the letter C. In addition, the holder (410) may be coupled to one of the three-phase power cables (430, 440, 450) and the thickness of a portion of the holder that contacts the other two cables (440, 450) may be thinner than the thickness of the other portion of the holder.

The core (420) is mounted inside the holder (410) and the coil is wound. The shape of the core (420) corresponds to the shape of the holder (410). When the holder (410) has a ring shape, the core (420) also has a ring shape, and when the holder (410) has a shape like the alphabet C, the core (420) may also have a ring shape with a part open. When a ring-shaped core (420) in which the thickness of some areas is thinner than that of other areas is used, the magnetic flux leakage to the outside of the core due to the gap in the core can be reduced, and thus the harvesting efficiency can be increased.

An alternating current flows through the power cables of an underground power grid, and since the magnetic field formed around the power cables changes due to the alternating current, an induced current can flow in the coils wound around the core.

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an energy harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a holder (510), a cantilever, a substrate (530), a piezoelectric element (540), and a magnet (550).

The holder (510) is connected to the power cable and may be in the shape of a ring as an example or in the shape of a ring with a portion open, such as the letter C.

The cantilever may be formed as a plate having a folded structure in which one end is coupled to the holder (510) and the other end faces the holder. The cantilever may include a first plate (521) coupled to the holder (510), a second plate (522) coupled vertically to the first plate (521), and a third plate (523) coupled vertically to the second plate (522). Since the other end of the cantilever is bent to face the holder, a magnet described below can be placed close to the power cable, and thus, vibration of the magnet due to the magnetic field can be strengthened, thereby improving harvesting efficiency.

The substrate (530) is coupled to the other end of the cantilever, and the piezoelectric element (540) is arranged on one surface of the substrate (530). And the magnet (550) is arranged on one end of the substrate (530).

The magnet (550) vibrates due to the magnetic field, and the substrate (530) also vibrates due to the vibration of the magnet (550), so electric energy can be generated by the piezoelectric element (540) placed on the substrate (530).

According to an embodiment, the holder (510) may include a core (420) with a coil wound thereon, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, since electric energy is generated not only by the piezoelectric element (540) but also by electromagnetic induction, the harvesting efficiency may increase.

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining an energy harvester according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, an energy harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a holder (610) and a coil (620).

A three-phase cable (641, 642, 643) is coupled to a holder (610), and a coil (620) is coupled to the holder. The coil (620) can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the three-phase cable (641, 642, 643), and can be arranged between at least one of the cables of the three-phase cables (641, 642, 643). That is, the coil (620) can be arranged between the first cable (641) and the second cable (642), or between the second cable (642) and the third cable (643), or between the third cable (643) and the first cable (641). The area between the cables of the three-phase cables (641, 642, 643) has a high magnetic flux density, and by arranging the coil between the cables, the induced current flowing in the coil can increase.

On the outer surface of the holder (610), at least one groove (631, 632, 633) in which a coil (620) can be placed can be formed in the longitudinal direction of the three-phase cable (641, 642, 643). The groove (631, 632, 633) can be formed in at least one of the cables of the three-phase cable (641, 642, 643), and a plurality of coils can be placed in at least one groove (631, 632, 633) while being spaced apart from each other. In addition, in the groove (631, 632, 633), a core on which the coil (620) is wound, or a support (650) that supports the coil (620) in a form in which the coil (620) is inserted can be placed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the three-phase cable (641, 642, 643).

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, an energy harvester (500) using a piezoelectric element as described in FIG. 5 may be coupled to a holder (610), and the energy harvester (500) using a piezoelectric element may also be placed in at least one groove (631, 632, 633).

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the shape of a monitoring device for an underground power grid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention harvests energy using the magnetic field of the power cable, so the closer the monitoring device is installed to the power cable, the more the harvested electric energy may increase. However, if the monitoring device is installed close to the power cable, the sensor, communication module, or control unit of the monitoring device may malfunction or break down due to the magnetic field.

Accordingly, the monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the energy harvester is installed close to the power cable, and the sensor, communication module, control unit, battery, etc. can be positioned away from the power cable, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

A monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a connecting portion (720) and a case (730), and a holder (710) coupled to a power cable and a case (730) in which a sensor, a communication module, a control unit, etc. are arranged may be spaced apart from each other. The holder (710) and the case (730) may be spaced apart by a connecting portion (720) of a preset length that connects the holder (710) and the case (730). The holder (710) corresponds to the holder (410, 510, 610) of the energy harvester described above, and a cantilever, a core, etc. for energy harvesting may be included in the holder (710).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the energy harvester is placed close to the power cable, and the remaining electronic components are placed away from the power cable, thereby maximizing energy harvesting efficiency and preventing malfunction or failure of the electronic components due to magnetic fields.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, these have been provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations from this description. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described examples, and all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the following claims as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims (19)

An energy harvester that generates electrical energy by utilizing the magnetic field formed by power cables installed in underground power lines;
At least one sensor generating environmental information about said underground power grid;
A communication module for transmitting the above environmental information; and
A battery is included that stores the electric energy and supplies the electric energy to the sensor and communication module.
The above energy harvester
A holder coupled to the above power cable;
A cantilever having a bending structure in which one end is connected to the holder and the other end faces the holder;
A substrate coupled to the other end of the cantilever;
A piezoelectric element arranged on one surface of the above substrate;
A magnet that vibrates by the above magnetic field and is placed at one end of the substrate
A monitoring device for an underground power grid including:
delete delete In paragraph 1,
The above power cable is a 3-phase cable.
The above energy harvester
A coil coupled to the holder and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the three-phase cable
A monitoring device for an underground power grid including:
In paragraph 1 or 4,
A case in which the above sensors, communication modules and batteries are placed; and
A connecting portion of preset length that connects the holder and the case
A monitoring device for an underground power grid including:
In paragraph 4,
The above coil
At least one of the cables of the above three-phase cable is placed
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In paragraph 1,
The above sensor
Containing at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a harmful gas sensor
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In paragraph 1,
The above communication module
Combines environmental information generated by the sensor with environmental information received from a monitoring device installed at a first point of the above-mentioned underground power grid, and transmits the combined environmental information to a monitoring device installed at a second point of the above-mentioned underground power grid.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In Article 8,
The above combined environmental information
It further includes identification information of the monitoring device from which the above environmental information was generated and information on the time at which the above environmental information was generated.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In paragraph 1,
A control unit that detects workers in the underground power grid, depending on whether the flashlight installed in the underground power grid is in use.
A monitoring device for an underground power grid including:
In Article 10,
The above battery
The above electric energy is supplied by the above flashlight,
The above control unit
Depending on whether the flashlight is charged or not, the use of the flashlight is determined, and the worker in the underground power grid is detected.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In Article 11,
The above control unit
Whether the flashlight is used is determined based on whether the charging connector that supplies the electric energy to the flashlight is in contact with the flashlight.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In Article 10,
The above control unit
Depending on the above environmental information and whether the flashlight is used, the worker in the underground power grid is detected.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In Article 10,
The above control unit
If the usage time of the above flashlight exceeds the threshold time determined by the charging time of the above flashlight, a warning message is generated for the worker.
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
In Article 10,
The lighting installed in the above underground power grid is:
Controlled based on the detection results of the above worker
Monitoring devices for underground power lines.
delete delete delete delete