US-12626859-B2 - Distribution transformer system and methods thereof

US12626859B2US 12626859 B2US12626859 B2US 12626859B2US-12626859-B2

Abstract

A distribution transformer system includes a distribution transformer and a distribution transformer monitoring (DTM) device secured to the transformer. The DTM device includes multiple sensors, a controller, and a communication interface. The sensors are configured to monitor physical properties of the distribution transformer. Each of the sensors outputs respective sensor data representative of at least one monitored physical property of the distribution transformer. The controller is configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor to produce received sensor data. The communications interface is in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining operational parameters of the distribution transformer. In one embodiment, the distribution transformer system further includes a surge arrester associated with the distribution transformer and the DTM device includes a surge arrester sensor configured to monitor the surge arrester and output surge arrester sensor data.

Inventors

Jow H. Ortiz

Assignees

UBICQUIA, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20221230

Claims (11)

1 . A distribution transformer monitoring device comprising: a plurality of sensors configured to monitor a plurality of operational parameters of a distribution transformer, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data, the plurality of sensors including a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside an oil tank of the distribution transformer and at least one of: an oil temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, a tank temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil tank of the distribution transformer, an oil level sensor for measuring an amount of the oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, or a thermocouple sensor for measuring a temperature of primary side windings or secondary side windings of the distribution transformer; a light-emitting device; a controller configured to receive pressure sensor data from the pressure sensor and respective sensor data from each other sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data, wherein the pressure sensor data indicates the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer and wherein the controller is further configured to: compare the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer to a pressure threshold; and control the light-emitting device to emit light when the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold; and a communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the pressure sensor data and the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining the operational parameters of the distribution transformer.
2 . The distribution transformer monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a memory storing asset information that uniquely identifies the distribution transformer, the asset information being communicated to the remote system together with the received sensor data to enable the remote device to associate the received sensor data with the distribution transformer.
3 . The distribution transformer monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising: a global positioning system (GPS) operable to determine location information for the distribution transformer, which location information is communicated to the remote system.
4 . The distribution transformer monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one surge arrester sensor configured to monitor a surge arrester associated with the distribution transformer and output surge arrester sensor data; wherein the controller is further configured to receive the surge arrester sensor data from the at least one surge arrester sensor and communicate the surge arrester sensor data to the remote system via the communication interface to enable the remote system to determine an amount of deterioration of the surge arrester.
5 . A distribution transformer system comprising: a plurality of distribution transformers; and a plurality of distribution transformer monitoring devices secured to the plurality of distribution transformers on a one-to-one basis such that a distribution transformer monitoring device of the plurality of distribution transformer monitoring devices is secured to each distribution transformer of the plurality of distribution transformers, wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device of the plurality of distribution transformer monitoring devices includes: a plurality of sensors configured to monitor a plurality of physical properties of the distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured, each sensor of the plurality of sensors outputting respective sensor data representative of at least one monitored physical property of the plurality of physical properties; a controller configured to receive the respective sensor data from each sensor of the plurality of sensors to produce received sensor data; and a communications interface in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the received sensor data to a remote system for use in determining operational parameters of the distribution transformer.
6 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of distribution transformers includes at least one of pole-type distribution transformers, pad-mounted type distribution transformers, or vault type distribution transformers.
7 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , wherein the controller includes a memory storing asset information that uniquely identifies the distribution transformer, the asset information being communicated to the remote system together with the received sensor data to enable the remote device to associate the received sensor data with the distribution transformer.
8 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device further includes: a global positioning system (GPS) operable to determine location information for the distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured, which location information is communicated to the remote system.
9 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , further comprising: a plurality of surge arresters, wherein each surge arrester of the plurality of surge arresters is associated with a respective distribution transformer of the plurality of distribution transformers; wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device further includes: at least one surge arrester sensor configured to monitor a surge arrester associated with the distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured and output surge arrester sensor data; wherein the controller is further configured to receive the surge arrester sensor data from the at least one surge arrester sensor and communicate the surge arrester sensor data to the remote system via the communication interface to enable the remote system to determine an amount of deterioration of the surge arrester.
10 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , wherein each distribution transformer monitoring device further includes a light-emitting device, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer to which the distribution transformer monitoring device is secured, and wherein the controller is further configured to: receive pressure sensor data from the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor data indicating the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer; compare the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer to a pressure threshold; and control the light-emitting device to emit light when the pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold.
11 . The distribution transformer system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes: (i) at least one of: a voltage sensor for measuring an amount of voltage at a low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, or a current sensor for measuring an amount of current flowing through the low voltage connection of the distribution transformer, and (ii) at least one of: an oil temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of oil in an oil tank of the distribution transformer, a tank temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the oil tank of the distribution transformer, an oil level sensor for measuring an amount of the oil in the oil tank of the distribution transformer, a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the oil tank of the distribution transformer, or a thermocouple sensor for measuring a temperature of primary side windings or secondary side windings of the distribution transformer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/987,300, which was filed on Aug. 6, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,551,858, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/987,300 claims priority upon and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/885,216, which was filed on Aug. 10, 2019, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to distribution transformers. More particularly, this disclosure relates to monitoring operational parameters of a distribution transformer and an associated surge arrester, and methods of retrofitting the distribution transformer. BACKGROUND Distribution transformers provide a last voltage transformation in an electrical power distribution system by stepping down a voltage used in a distribution line to a voltage that is suitable for use by a consumer. For example, a distribution transformer may step down distribution line voltage to household voltage levels for distribution to one or more consumers (e.g., residences, facilities, etc.). Distribution transformers can be pole-mounted to a utility pole or pad-mounted on the ground. Pole mounted style transformers are often installed with surge arresters. SUMMARY This disclosure relates to monitoring operational parameters of a distribution transformer and an associated surge arrester and methods of retrofitting the distribution transformer. In an example, a transformer parameter monitoring (TPM) device can include a plurality of sensors. A subset of the plurality of sensors can be configured to monitor one or more physical properties of a distribution transformer, and another subset of the plurality of sensors can be configured to monitor a surge arrester associated with the distribution transformer. The TPM device can further include a controller that can be configured to receive captured sensor data from the plurality of sensors, and a communications interface that can be configured to receive the captured sensor data and communicate the captured sensor data to a remote system for evaluation thereof to determine one or more operational parameters of the distribution transformer and an amount of deterioration of the surge arrester. In another example, a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer can include detaching a pressure relief device from the distribution transformer to provide access to a pressure valve receiving port, mounting an adapter relative to the pressure valve receiving port, such that the adapter surrounds the pressure valve receiving port, positioning a TPM device relative to the distribution transformer, such that the adapter extends through an opening of the TPM device to support the TPM device, securing the TPM device with a fastener to the distribution transformer to rigidly fix the TPM device to the distribution transformer, and attaching the pressure relief device, such that a portion of the pressure relief device extends through the fastener and the opening of TPM device to engage the pressure valve receiving port. In a further example, a method can include positioning a mounting bracket relative to at least one arrester nut of a distribution transformer, such that the at least one arrester nut protrudes away from the distribution transformer through an opening of the mounting bracket. The method can further include aligning the mounting bracket, such that an upper portion of the mounting bracket is positioned a distance above an oil fill hole of the distribution transformer while the at least one arrester nut protrudes through the opening of the mounting bracket. The method can further include securing the mounting bracket to the distribution transformer via a mounting bracket securing device and securing a TPM device to the mounting bracket to secure the TPM device to the distribution transformer to enable the TPM device to measure one or more physical properties of the distribution transformer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an example environment that includes a TPM device. FIGS. 2-4 is an example of a block representation of transformer monitoring functionality and processing. FIG. 5 is an example of a distribution transformer configured with a TPM device. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting an example of a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer with a TPM device. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting another example of a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer with a TPM device. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an even further example of a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer with a TPM device. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting another example of a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting another example of a method for retrofitting a distribution transformer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This disclosure relates to monitoring operational paramet