Systems and methods for detecting overhead line motion

Abstract

A system for monitoring motion of an overhead line includes a monitoring device. The monitoring device includes an accelerometer and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to accept data from the accelerometer corresponding to line movement, analyze the data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the overhead line, accept data corresponding to a location of at least one external object proximate to the overhead line, and analyze the displacement data to determine a clearance from the at least one external object.

1 . A system for monitoring motion of an overhead line, comprising:
 a monitoring device, comprising:
 an accelerometer; and 
 a processing circuit configured to:
 accept data from the accelerometer corresponding to line movement; 
 analyze the data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the overhead line; 
 accept data corresponding to a location of at least one external object proximate to the overhead line; and 
 analyze the displacement data to determine a clearance from the at least one external object. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device further comprises a transmitter configured to send data, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to use the transmitter to send the displacement data to a second device. 
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer is coupled to the overhead line. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device further comprises multiple accelerometers, wherein the multiple accelerometers are coupled to multiple sites along the length of the overhead line. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sites are selected based on a modal shape of a vibrational mode of the overhead line. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining amplitudes of vibrational modes. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein determining displacement data includes predicting a displacement at a distal site using the vibrational modes. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining a dynamic displacement due to superposition of the vibrational modes. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining a displacement as a function of distance along the overhead line. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external object includes at least one of vegetation, ground, a structure, a second overhead line. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein determining a clearance includes using displacement data corresponding to a second overhead line sent from a second monitoring device. 
     
     
         22 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the overhead line includes at least one of a power transmission line and a power distribution line. 
     
     
         25 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the data includes at least one of using machine learning, using artificial intelligence, interacting with a database, using pattern recognition, using numerical calculation, using intelligent control, using neural networks, and using fuzzy logic. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance is a closest approach between a point on the overhead line and the external object. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance is a closest approach between a point on the overhead line and the external object during one or more vibrational periods of the overhead line. 
     
     
         31 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A system for detecting a structural failure of an overhead line, comprising:
 a monitoring device, comprising:
 an accelerometer; and 
 a processing circuit configured to:
 accept data from the accelerometer corresponding to line movement; 
 analyze the data to determine distance excursion data; 
 analyze the distance excursion data to detect a falling line; and 
 respond to the falling line with a real-time action. 
 
   
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the monitoring device further comprises multiple accelerometers, wherein the multiple accelerometers are coupled to multiple sites along the length of the overhead line. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the sites are selected based on a modal shape of a vibrational mode of the overhead line. 
     
     
         67 - 68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to predict an impact time. 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to detect an impact of the falling line. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 62 , where the real-time action includes depowering the overhead line. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 62 , where the real-time action includes depowering the overhead line prior to an impact. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 62 , where the real-time action includes enabling a crowbar circuit coupled to the overhead line. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 62 , where the real-time action includes enabling a crowbar circuit coupled to the overhead line prior to an impact. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the monitoring device further comprises a transmitter configured to send data. 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the real-time action includes using the transmitter to send a warning signal. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein the warning signal comprises information corresponding to at least one of an imminent loss of power, a power surge, and impact information. 
     
     
         80 - 83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the overhead line includes at least one of a power transmission line and a power distribution line. 
     
     
         85 - 115 . (canceled) 
     
     
         116 . A system for actively damping motion of an overhead line, comprising:
 a monitoring device, comprising:
 an accelerometer; 
 a damping device configured to reduce motion of the overhead line; and 
 a processing circuit configured to:
 accept data from the accelerometer corresponding to line movement; 
 analyze the data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the overhead line; 
 analyze the displacement data to determine if the overhead line needs damping; and 
 deliver control data to the damping device, wherein the damping device is configured to receive the control data and produce overhead line damping according to the control data. 
 
   
     
     
         117 - 118 . (canceled) 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the accelerometer is coupled to the overhead line. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the monitoring device further comprises multiple accelerometers, wherein the multiple accelerometers are coupled to multiple sites along the length of the overhead line. 
     
     
         121 - 122 . (canceled) 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the processing circuit and damping device are comounted. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the processing circuit and accelerometer are comounted. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining amplitudes of vibrational modes. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 125 , wherein determining displacement data includes predicting a displacement at a distal site using the vibrational modes. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 125 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining a dynamic displacement due to superposition of the vibrational modes. 
     
     
         128 . (canceled) 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining displacement data includes determining a displacement as a function of distance along the overhead line. 
     
     
         130 . (canceled) 
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining if the overhead line needs damping includes using displacement data corresponding to a second overhead line sent from a second monitoring device. 
     
     
         132 - 135 . (canceled) 
     
     
         136 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining if the overhead line needs damping includes comparing the displacement data to location data corresponding to at least one external object. 
     
     
         137 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining if the overhead line needs damping includes comparing the displacement data to a threshold value. 
     
     
         138 . The system of  claim 125 , wherein determining if the overhead line needs damping includes comparing at least one of the amplitudes of vibrational modes to a threshold value. 
     
     
         139 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein determining if the overhead line needs damping includes comparing velocity data derived from the accelerometer data to a threshold value. 
     
     
         140 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the damping device includes at least one of a device configured to adjust aerodynamics, a fan, a line tensioner, a controlled magnet, and a force-controlled coupling between the overhead line and an external structure. 
     
     
         141 - 144 . (canceled) 
     
     
         145 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the damping device is further configured to apply a damping force to oppose oscillatory velocity. 
     
     
         146 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the damping device is further configured to apply a damping force at discrete locations. 
     
     
         147 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the damping device is further configured to apply a damping force at locations based on the displacement data. 
     
     
         148 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the damping device is further configured to apply a damping force at locations based on vibrational modes of the overhead line. 
     
     
         149 - 208 . (canceled)