Optical sensing methods and systems for transformers, and the construction thereof

Abstract

Sensing methods and systems for transformers, and the construction thereof, are described herein. Example transformer systems and example methods for constructing a core for the system are disclosed. The example system includes a core with a bottom plate, two or more limbs mounted to the bottom plate and a top plate enclosing the core. At least one of the bottom plate, the limbs and the top plate is formed with a sensing component therein. The sensing component can be mounted to a spacer layer assembled within a stack of laminated layers. The sensing component can be mounted within a path defined within the spacer layer, for example. Methods for detecting operating conditions within the transformer are also disclosed.

1 . A transformer system comprising:
 a core having:
 a bottom plate; 
 two or more limbs mounted to the bottom plate; and 
 a top plate mounted to the two or more limbs to enclose the core, 
 wherein at least one of the bottom plate, the top plate and a limb is formed with a sensing component therein; and 
 a winding assembly wound around each respective limb. 
   
     
     
         2 . The transformer system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one of the bottom plate, the top plate and the limb comprises at least one sensing layer within a stack of laminated layers, each sensing layer comprising a spacer layer with the sensing component mounted therein; and an electrical coupling between laminated layers neighboring the sensing layer.   
     
     
         3 . The transformer system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one sensing layer comprises a sensing layer, and the sensing layer is positioned at a substantially central position within the stack of laminated layers.   
     
     
         4 . The transformer system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one sensing layer comprises two or more sensing layers, and the two or more sensing layers are distributed substantially equidistant from each other within the stack of laminated layers.   
     
     
         5 . The transformer system of  claim 2 , wherein each sensing layer comprises:
 the spacer layer with a path defined therein; and   the sensing component mounted within the path.   
     
     
         6 . The transformer system of  claim 5 , wherein the path extends along a length of the spacer layer. 
     
     
         7 . The transformer system of  claim 5 , wherein the path extends along a width of the spacer layer. 
     
     
         8 . The transformer system of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the path comprises an oscillating pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The transformer system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing component comprises an optical fiber. 
     
     
         10 . A method of constructing a core for a transformer system, the method comprising:
 forming a core sensing element by:
 mounting a sensing component to a spacer layer to form a sensing layer; 
 compressing the sensing layer within a stack of laminated layers; and 
 providing an electrical coupling between laminated layers neighboring the sensing layer; and 
   assembling the core using at least the core sensing element.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mounting the sensing component to the spacer layer comprises:
 defining a path within the spacer layer; and   mounting the sensing component within the path.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein defining the path into the spacer layer comprises:
 cutting the path into the spacer layer.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprises defining the path lengthwise along the spacer layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprises defining a portion of the path to have an oscillating pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensing component comprises an optical fiber. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein mounting the sensing component within the path comprises:
 adhering the optical fiber within the path.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the electrical coupling between the laminated layers neighboring the sensing layer comprises connecting the neighboring laminated layers with a bridge component. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the core sensing element comprises:
 forming two or more sensing layers; and   providing the two or more sensing layers within the stack of laminated layers, wherein each sensing layer is compressed between two neighboring laminated layers.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensing layer is positioned at a substantially central position within the stack of laminated layers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the core comprises a bottom plate, two or more limbs mounted to the bottom plate, and a top plate mounted to the two or more limbs to enclose the core; and   at least one of the bottom plate, a limb and the top plate comprises the core sensing element.   
     
     
         21 .- 33 . (canceled)