Apparatus and method for monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches

Abstract

An apparatus and method for continuously monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches to detect improper closing of the disconnects or switches is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing an apparatus adapted to measure, process, and transmit data associated with a disconnect or switch. The method further includes the steps of positioning the apparatus on or in close proximity to the disconnect or switch, using the apparatus to collect data of the disconnect or switch and processing the data for transmission to a remote receiver, and transmitting the processed data to a remote receiver.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of continuously monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches to detect improper closing of the disconnects or switches, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an apparatus adapted to measure, process, and transmit data associated with a disconnect or switch;   (b) positioning the apparatus on or in close proximity to the disconnect or switch;   (c) using the apparatus to collect data of the disconnect or switch and processing the data for transmission to a remote receiver; and   (d) transmitting the processed data to a remote receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a thermocouple for measuring temperature at a position on or adjacent to the disconnect or switch. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a processor for processing the data. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting the processed data to the remote receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a two-way transmitter for transmitting processed data and receiving instructions or updates. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the data includes:
 (a) temperature;   (b) acceleration; and   (c) AC magnetic field.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , and further including the step of using a remote receiver to receive the processed data and provide a user with information related to a condition of the disconnect or switch. 
     
     
         8 . A method of continuously monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches to detect improper closing of the disconnects or switches, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an apparatus having:
 (i) a temperature measurement device; 
 (ii) a processor; and 
 (iii) a transmitter; 
   (b) positioning the apparatus on or in close proximity to a disconnect or switch;   (c) positioning the temperature measurement device in thermal contact with the disconnect or switch;   (d) using the processor to process temperature measured by the temperature measurement device; and   (e) using the transmitter to transmit the processed temperature measurements to a remote receiver.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , and further including the step of using a remote receiver to receive the processed temperature measurements and provide a user with information related to a condition of the disconnect or switch. 
     
     
         10 . A method of continuously monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches to detect improper closing of the disconnects or switches, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an apparatus having:
 (i) an arm position indicator; 
 (ii) a processor; and 
 (iii) a transmitter; 
   (b) positioning the apparatus on an arm of the disconnect or switch;   (c) using the arm position indicator to determine a location of the arm;   (d) using the processor to process a signal from the arm position indicator representative of the location of the arm; and   (e) using the transmitter to transmit the processed signal to a remote receiver.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the arm position indicator is an accelerometer adapted to determine an orientation of the arm in the x, y, and z planes. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further including the step of using a remote receiver to receive the processed signal and provide a user with the x, y, and z plane coordinates of the arm so that the user can determine if the disconnect or switch is properly closed. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the arm position indicator is a magnetometer. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the arm position indicator is gyro.